Recently while travelling from the USA to Australia we flew in Virgin Australia’s ‘The Business’ Business Class. The Virgin business class cabin is in a 1-2-1 herringbone configuration and split over two cabin spaces, the front cabin is larger with 24 seats, while the second cabin behind has only 13 seats.

The Virgin business class seat itself provides maximum privacy and comfort to each passenger in a cocoon-shaped seat. Arriving at your seat you are greeted by plush pillows, an amenity kit and pyjamas. Everything around the seat has been considered to make your flight easier, the tray table, for example, slides back to be stowed rather than turning, this means it is possible to get up out of your seat during meal service. Controls for the seat can be found easily in the armrest, with the ability to fully adjust the seat recline, call for assistance, and turn your personal lighting on or off.

When you are ready to sleep the seat converts to a fully flat bed, with a mattress topper and blanket provided for your comfort. The fully flat bed extends to two meters long providing plenty of space, the armrest of the seat also lowers giving you more space while you relax, and the bed is in a straight position with only a little narrowing in the footwell creating a comfortable sleeping position. Super soft complimentary pyjamas are also provided to make sure you get the best sleep possible.

The storage compartments within your seat have also been well thought out. Your side table lifts up to reveal space for your belongings along with USB and AC charging ports. Devices can be plugged in and still used with the storage compartment closed due to a small gap allowing cords to fit through when the lid is fully closed.

The Virgin business class amenity kits come enclosed in a hard case and contain all of your travel essentials including, socks, a pen, eye mask tissues, tooth cleaning kit and skincare.

The personal entertainment touch screen is a huge 18 inches, the screen is very responsive but there is also a remote that can be used when you're reclined and the screen is a little too far away to reach. The inflight entertainment is filled with hundreds of movies and televisions shows including new releases and classics. Noise-cancelling headphones are provided so you can enjoy the entertainment to the fullest.

Inflight Dining

From the welcome drink after boarding to the A La Carte dining menu the food in Virgin ‘The Business’ Class is one of the best in the current market. Designed by celebrity Chef Luke Mangan, the menu has multiple menu options including express dining if you wish to maximise sleep as well as a pantry with a selection of gourmet snacks, you will be sure to find something to satisfy your hunger while on board. Once meal service is over the onboard bar is open and serves a variety of drinks, gourmet snacks and nibbles that you are also free to enjoy.

We opted for the A La Carte menu which includes a three-course meal starting with warmed bread and your choice of soup or salad, we chose a cord and avocado salad which was both a tasty and refreshing start to the meal.

This entree is followed by the main course where options range from barramundi with pumpkin puree and roasted cauliflower, chicken breast served with green peas, radish and pea tendrils, a vegetable curry with asian herbs and steamed jasmine rice, or beef brisket (our choice) served with potato, coleslaw and a corn and black bean salsa.

Dinner is finished with a dessert and your choice of Cheese or something sweet. The cheese course consisted of a selection of American cheeses accompanied by quince paste, grapes and flat bread. While the sweet options included a passionfruit mousse cake, organic chocolate cake or salted caramel ice cream. We chose the salted caramel ice cream which was the perfect light option following the hearty brisket main course.

The meals were accompanied by an extensive wine list featuring Champagne, white wines, red wines, and dessert and fortified wines from Australia, France and New Zealand.

Shortly after take-off we were given the option to pre order our breakfast and select whether we would like to be woken up for breakfast or left to sleep. The Wake up breakfast menu has a list of extensive options (the most we've seen inflight) including your choice of 2 cereals (with full cream, light or soy milk), fruit (with our without yoghurt), 2 Juice options, Nespresso Coffee (ristretto, cappuccino, long black, machiato or decaf), 7 Choices of tea, a range of fresh bakery goods, along with your choice of main meal including Bircher muesli, fruit toast, or eggs and bacon with a range of accompaniments.

Overall Virgin ‘The Business’ Business Class was very comfortable and we arrived in Australia feeling refreshed and relaxed after our flight. Their award-winning inflight dining really does deserve all the recognition it receives.

To book your next Virgin Australia flight contact our team of business class expert travel consultants today.

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