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Virgin Atlantic unveils features on new A330neo aircraft

Virgin Atlantic has unveiled a raft of features on its new Airbus A330neo and revealed its first route will be Boston in October.

Flights on the aircraft, which the carrier claims will offer a “premium, personalised experience for every single customer”, will go on sale later this month.

The airline takes delivery of three aircraft in September, with the remaining 13 planes being delivered between 2023 and 2026.

Each Airbus A330neo will feature a ‘Retreat Suite’, a new concept for Virgin Atlantic which comprises a 6ft7 seat that can convert into a fully-flat bed, as well as a 27-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth connectivity and wireless charging.

With each suite boasting an ottoman that doubles up as an extra seat, up to four people can eat in the space, said the carrier.

In addition, the A330neo will offer 30 Upper Class suites with passenger-controlled mood lighting, 17-inch touchscreen TV and a mirror. Each suite also has a ‘do not disturb’ feature.

The carrier said The Loft space has “evolved” from the Airbus A350 and can accommodate up to eight people.

Passengers in The Loft can use a new self-service fridge and drinks dispenser.

Customers can also connect Bluetooth headlines to the panoramic touchscreens and use the wireless charging facilities.

The Premium cabin consists of 46 seats on the A330neo with calf rests in every seat.

Virgin Atlantic claims new aircraft due to enter service over the next 10 years will reduce carbon emissions by 10%.

The A330neos are designed to be 11% more fuel and carbon efficient than the A330-300 they are replacing, the carrier said.

Corneel Koster, chief customer and operating officer at Virgin Atlantic, said: “When it comes to innovating for our customers, we never stand still.

“Our desire to create memorable experiences means we’ll continue to imagine with fresh ideas.

He added: “We’re proud to unveil our state-of-the-art A330neo and show the evolution of our customer experience, with each of our customers receiving a premium experience regardless of the cabin they travel in.

“The A330neo plays a significant role in our multi-billion-dollar fleet transformation, demonstrating our commitment to the planet.

“We know the most impactful thing we can do as an airline is to fly the cleanest, greenest, youngest fleet possible and the A330neo is integral to achieving this goal.”

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