Virgin Atlantic is connecting New Yorkers like never before. To celebrate the arrival of its state of the art and most fuel-efficient aircraft – the A330neo – on its popular New York City to London route, for 24 hours only the airline will be launching a bright red hackney carriage. The taxi will bring to life touches of the airline’s renowned premium service, leading innovation and customer experience design and connected features. Here for a limited time, Virgin Atlantic’s “Taxi for Takeoff” will roam the streets of NYC delivering passengers to their destinations within Manhattan.
The Virgin Atlantic “Taxi for Takeoff” features elements of the personalized service New Yorkers seek out from the airline. Its iconic cabin crew and a surprise guest or two, will greet passengers with a Ruby Slipper mocktail and afternoon tea, served on board in every cabin on daytime flights from London to the US. The Virgin Atlantic “Taxi for Takeoff” will feature wireless charging pads and a large seatback screen to enjoy “in flight” entertainment, in a nod to the amazing experience on board the A330neo.
Two round trip tickets from New York City to London will be up for grabs, along with an exclusive invitation to Virgin Atlantic’s ruby 40th birthday celebrations in 2024, for those who spot Virgin Atlantic’s “Taxi for Takeoff.” Just snap a photo or video of the cab and tag @virginatlantic #TaxiForTakeoff on Instagram to enter.
| When: | Beginning Monday April 3, 2023 at 9:00 am EDT Closes 11:59 pm EDT on Tuesday, April 4, 2023 |
| How to Enter: | Snap a photo or video of Virgin Atlantic’s “Taxi for Takeoff” and tag @virginatlantic #TaxiForTakeoff on Instagram to enter.Winners will be selected on April 6, 2023. They will be contacted directly via Instagram. |
| Disclaimer: | This contest/giveaway is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered, or associated with Instagram. This giveaway is sponsored by @virginatlantic. The giveaway will run from 9:00 am EDT 04/03/23 until 11:59 pm EDT 04/04/23. Giveaway is open only to residents 18 years of age, or older where required, of the 50 United States and District of Columbia. The winner will be contacted via DM and must respond within 24 hours or prize will be re-allocated at random. |
Virgin Atlantic offers six daily flights from JFK to London Heathrow, including one daytime flight. In partnership with Delta Air Lines, the joint venture partners operate nine flights daily from NYC to London.
More on the Virgin Atlantic Airbus A330neo:
In 2019, Virgin Atlantic became the first UK airline to announce a firm order for up to 16 Airbus A330-900neos, reaffirming our commitment to flying the cleanest, greenest fleet in the sky.
From wingtip to tailfin, we’ve used inspiration and innovation to make this aircraft brilliant on every level. From a brand new social space and wireless charging, even more storage and stylish design touches, through to a huge 11% less fuel burn andcarbon emissions, it’s a game changer. Virgin Atlantic style.
A crucial step in our fleet transformation programme, the A330neo’s are designed to deliver a 50 per cent reduction in airport noise contour. We have one of the youngest fleets in the skies with an average age of just under seven years.
Introducing the A330neo
Our A330neo’s are exclusively powered by the Rolls Royce Trent 7000 engine, drawing on more than 50 million flying hours of experience from the Trent 700, which powers the original version of the A330.
Customers will be able to enjoy all Virgin Atlantic cabins onboard; Upper Class, Premium and our three tiers of Economy; Delight, Classic and Light. Continuing the evolution of our award-winning customer proposition, we’re introducing a beautiful new addition to our Upper Class cabin, known as The Retreat Suite, alongside brand- new suites for the entire cabin and an enhanced social space in the form of The Loft.
Social space – The Loft
Our award-winning social space, the Loft, is an exclusive spot for our Upper Class customers to come together. With space for eight people, and four comfy seats, customers can sit and chat, grab a drink or snack from the self-service fridge-freezer, connect Bluetooth headphones to the touchscreens – or just enjoy a change of scene mid-flight. There’s a brand-new self-service fridge and we’ve raised the height of the seats, so it’s easier for customers to interact with our award-winning cabin crew.
- ▪ The space features dual 27” touchscreens and eight Bluetooth audio jacks to enable our customers to view content together.
- ▪ Customers will have access to a self-service fridge-freezer and snack dispenser for all their grazing needs
- ▪ Seating features seatbelts so that customers can safely occupy the Loft even during turbulence.
- ▪ Wireless charging and AC, USB-A and USB-C ports are available.
Introducing the A330neo The Retreat Suite – our most spacious suite yet
A brand new addition to our Upper Class cabin, The Retreat Suite consists of two exclusive suites at the front of the cabin, with lots of extra space, huge storage, bigger screens, and the ability for customers to create their own private onboard social space.
With ottomans that double up as extra seats, up to four people can comfortably dine, chat, play games and more. Customers can have an intimate dinner or settle into a movie for some private time, the possibilities are endless. It’s a unique space for ourcustomers to travel the way they choose.
Comfort
▪ Kitted out with a 6ft 7” fully flat bed, customers can recline into the increased suite space for maximum comfort throughout their journey.
Privacy
▪ Customers will experience optimum privacy in The Retreat, with electronic privacy dividers and fully closing aisle privacy doors. There’s also a ‘do not disturb’ light, so customers can get that all important beauty sleep without being interrupted.
Entertainment
▪ With a 27” touchscreen monitor with Bluetooth audio; customers will have access to hours’ worth of inflight entertainment at their fingertips. We’re also keeping customers fully connected with brand new wireless charging and Bluetooth. Bluetooth is a feature we have added to every seat in every cabin on this beautiful aircraft.
A330neo Upper Class – an evolution of luxe space and style
We’ve added more space, some enhanced storage, and even more style to our incredible Upper Class suite. The flexible space allows customers the opportunity to personalise their journeys to how they choose, whether that’s to work, rest or socialise. Customers can relax on the 6.4” seat to fully flat bed or watch one of hundreds of films
on the 17.3” screen. There’s a place for everything – even shoes – and even a mirror. Not to mention a fully closing privacy door, wireless charging and personal in-suite mood lighting.
Features:
▪ 17.3” touchscreen with Bluetooth audio
▪ Up to 22” seat width
▪ 6ft4” std/ 6ft7.5” front row fully flat bed
▪ Fully reclinable seat, from upright to bed
▪ Enhanced storage, including shoe stowage and lockable in-seat stowage ▪ Fully closing privacy door
▪ AC, USB-A and USB-C ports
▪ Wireless charging
▪ Do not disturb light
▪ Customer-controlled mood lighting
A330neo Premium – bigger seats and premium treats
Our already award-winning Premium cabin has been designed to be even more… well, Premium. Small stylish touches meet big differences – like calf rests on every seat. There’s intuitive touchscreen entertainment, Bluetooth audio, and lots of storage. Oh, and did we mention we have an in-seat wireless charger?
Features:
▪ In-seat wireless charging
▪ 13.3” touchscreen with Bluetooth audio
▪ 38” seat pitch
▪ 18.5” seat width
▪ AC and USB-A ports
▪ There are calf rests in every seat and increased storage too
A330neo Economy – connection and comfort for everyone
Settle into beautifully designed seats with stylish new fabric. The 13.3” seatback screen is our biggest yet, with an intuitive touchscreen and Bluetooth audio to connect headphones and customers can use their phone as a controller. There’s plenty ofstorage, plus AC power and USB ports to keep gadgets going.
Features:
▪ Our economy cabin offers connections and comfort for everyone
- ▪ The 13.3” Bluetooth seatback screen is our biggest yet – connect your ownheadphones and use your phone as a controller
- ▪ AC or USB ports to keep your gadgets going
- ▪ 34” seat pitch Economy Delight (31” Economy Classic and Light)
- ▪ 17.9” seat width
Cabins at a glance
Economy Economy Economy Premium Upper Class The Retreat light classic Delight Suite
| Seat dimensions | Seat width 17.9” Seat pitch 31” | Seat width 17.9” Seat pitch 31” | Seat width 17.9” Seat pitch 34” | Seat width 18.5” Seat pitch 38” | Seat width 19.2” Seat pitch 44”Bed length 6ft4” | Seat width 19.2” Bed length 6ft6” |
| Seat manufacturer | Recaro CL3710 | Recaro CL3710 | Recaro CL3710 | Collins MIQ | Thompson Aero Seating Vantage XL | Thompson Aero Seating V antage First |
| Power | AC and USB- A port | AC and USB- A port | AC and USB- A port | AC and USB-A port | AC, USB-A and USB-C ports | AC, USB-A and USB-C ports |
| Inflight entertain- ment (SPI Rave OS) | 13.3”touchscreens with Bluetooth audio | 13.3”touchscreens with Bluetooth audio | 13.3”touchscreens with Bluetooth audio | 13.3”touchscreen with Bluetooth audio | 17.3”touchscreen with Bluetooth audio | 27” touchscreen with Bluetooth audio |
| Wi-Fi | Supplier: Viasat Speed/service – high quality, full video streaming, browsing and messaging speeds to every connected device on the aircraft Price points: £5.99 for 1-hour or £18.99 for full flight | |||||
| Additional features | Calf rest in all seats and wireless charging | Fully reclinable seat, enhanced storage including shoe stowage and lockable inseat stowage, fully closing privacy door, customer- controlled mood lighting and wireless charging. | Increased suite space, ottoman seating for quad dining/ socialising, electronic privacy divider and fully closing aisle privacy door, wireless charging, multiple oversized storage and a ‘do not disturb’ light | |||
‘Do not disturb’ light.
Wi-Fi
- High speed, high quality, full video streaming, browsing and messaging speeds to every connected device on the aircraft
- 1-hour pass £5.99 // full flight pass £18.99
- PED pairing – connect personal devices to the inflight entertainment screen inevery seat. Enables you to browse the entertainment library, control your screen and activate the call bell and reading light from your own deviceBluetooth
• Bluetooth to connect your own headphones to the inflight entertainment in every seat
Additional customer benefits
- ▪ The Loft allows customers to meet away from their seat, self-serve drinks and snacks, and have a change of scene.
- ▪ The Retreat Suite converts into a private social space for up to four people.
- ▪ The world’s first in-seat wireless charging in both Premium and Upper Class, more USB connections throughout the aircraft, inflight Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth- enabled entertainment systems in all cabins so customers can use their ownheadphones.
- ▪ As well as the social space, the Upper Class suites have a few extra touches,from a spot for shoes to a mirror cabinet.Overall cabin design
- ▪ The design of every cabin has been considered down to the very finest detail.
- ▪ Throughout, there are rich, tactile fabrics in warm, inviting Virgin Atlanticsignature colours.
- ▪ Wehavemovedawayfromnaturalleatherthroughoutonthisaircraft,infavourof a material which is up to 50% lighter, uses no animal products in itsmanufacture, but still creates that Virgin Atlantic, premium look and feel.
- ▪ Inspiredbythehorizonlineseenthroughthewindow,theseatshaveabespoke aesthetic known as New Horizon, with beautifully stitched lines and contours. This aesthetic flows through all cabin classes, to tie everything together fromnose to tail, offering a premium experience throughout.
- ▪ In every cabin, mood lighting changes with each stage of the journey,customised to layer perfectly with the cabin colours to create a refreshing,relaxing overall onboard experience for everyone.
- ▪ Customers can connect their personal devices to the inflight entertainment screen in every seat onboard the aircraft. This feature allows you to browse the entertainment library, control your screen and use the call bell and reading light from your own device.
A330neo essential information
The order
- ▪ Virgin Atlantic has ordered up to 16 Airbus A330-900neo aircraft
- ▪ We are taking delivery of the first aircraft in Q3 2022 and expect to receive allaircraft by the end of 2026
- ▪ The order is worth $4.7billion list priceThe configuration▪ 2 seats in The Retreat Suite
▪ 30 seats in Upper Class (32 Upper Class in total) ▪ 46 seats in Premium
▪ 184 seats in Economy
▪ 262 total seat countRoutes▪ The aircraft will fly from our base at London Heathrow ▪ Operating on business and leisure routes worldwideDelivery Schedule first 4 aircraftArrival Date Reg Icon
| September 2022 | G-VJAZ | |
| October 2022 | G-VTOM |
| November 2022 | G-VLDY | |
| February 2023 | G-VMER |
Typical operating characteristics
- ▪ The A330neo has a typical range of 13,334km (7200 nautical miles)
- ▪ Overall length 63.66m (208ft 10in)
- ▪ Tail height 16.79m (55ft)
- ▪ Maximum cargo payload of 44,000kgs with the maximum volume of 126cbm(subject to pax/baggage volumes)
- ▪ Maximum take-off weight of 251ts
- ▪ Typical cruising speed of M0.82Latest generation propulsion▪ Latest Rolls Royce Trent 7000 engines▪ Patented nacelle & pylon design to reduce drag and noise ▪ 68-72klbf – Take-off thrust (VAA option is 72k)
▪ 11% lower fuel burn than the A330ceo
▪ Incorporating the latest Trent XWB technologyHigh-span wing
- ▪ Innovative ‘sharklet’ wingtip design
- ▪ Span expansion to 64m (+4m vs 787)
- ▪ New shape – Faster, re-twisted high-aspect ratio wing shape
- ▪ The neo wing has overall greater aerodynamic efficiency with lower induceddrag and higher lift at all speedsAdvanced materials▪ Extensive use of composite & titanium Other airlines operating the A330neo
- ▪ Virgin Atlantic is the only UK airline to operate the neo.
- ▪ Other notable customers include Delta, Lion Air, TAP and Condor.
- ▪ 19 operators of the A330neo currently, with 77 aircraft delivered to-date,operating 155 routes on 44,000+ revenue flights.
- ▪ 273 orders globally to date flying across all six continents.
Sustainability
- ▪ Following a multi-billion-dollar investment in fleet transformation over the last decade, we operate the youngest, cleanest fleet in the sky, with an average aircraft age of just under seven years and 68% next generation. This increases to 100% next generation by the beginning of 2027.
- ▪ This means our aircraft are equipped with the most efficient engines and state- of-the-art technology designed to save fuel and reduce emissions. This has so far delivered a 20% reduction in fleet carbon emissions.
- ▪ The new planes are designed to be 11 per cent more fuel and carbon efficient than the A330-300 they replace and will deliver a 50 per cent reduction in airport noise contour.
- ▪ Leather free. It features durable and stylish faux-leather seating in our Upper and Premium cabins as well as within our social space and economy headrests. Replacing our traditional leather offering, the material is lighter weight in comparison saving on average 1.5kgs per double seat.
- ▪ We’re using a faux leather from a company called Douglass called Luxaire. Delta use this across some of its newer Delta One seats. Weighs less and saves ~3000 cows across the entire neo fleet.
- ▪ We’llcontinuetorolloutthisalternativematerialacrossnewandexistingaircraft where feasible.
- ▪ Pre-order and pre-select meals are available in Upper Class cabins, allowing customers to select their meals in advance, helping to reduce waste onboard.