Virgin 787 Upper Class Review to Cape Town (Is it Worth the Price?)

This is our full Virgin Atlantic Upper Class review from London to Cape Town — including Clubhouse tips, seat advice, food reviews, and how we booked it all on points.

Why We Choose Virgin Atlantic: Beyond the Seat (It’s About the Vibe)

The Virgin Atlantic 787 Upper Class seat to Cape Town gets a bad rap for its “coffin-like” layout, but is the whole experience really outdated? After flying this route, we can tell you this: the seat is just one piece of the puzzle. From the Fast Track security to the award-winning Clubhouse and the surprisingly functional onboard bar, this journey is a masterclass in Virgin’s signature style.

We break down the cabin’s flaws, reveal the best couple seats to book, and give you the final verdict on whether this older product still deserves your miles.

Speaking of Seats…

Alex even got to sit in the pilot’s seat before take-off! I think the whole plane sighed a collective sigh of relief when he handed the controls back to the Captain for the actual flight.

Why We Fly Virgin Atlantic (And Keep Coming Back)

We love to fly Virgin Atlantic. Not because the seats are revolutionary (they're not—the 787-9 “coffin” layout is old and people love to complain about it). Not because it’s cheaper—it often isn’t.

One of the biggest reasons we love Virgin Atlantic and the entire Virgin brand is that while in 2025 so many brands are backing away from inclusivity and DEI commitments, Virgin Atlantic has doubled down. That matters to us. A lot.

It’s not performative Pride campaigns or one-off rainbow logos; it’s genuine inclusivity that runs through their crew culture and customer experience. You can feel it the second you step on board.

Building Loyalty, the Virgin Way

So yes, we deliberately choose Virgin.
We use Virgin Atlantic for flights, Virgin Hotels when available, and Virgin Cruises when we can.

We stack Virgin Points through Virgin Red and the Reward+ credit card, which allows us to fly much more frequently than we could otherwise afford—flights are not cheap, but with a clever bit of planning, they are achievable.

Virgin is simply different.

The London to Cape Town Route: What to Expect

Virgin Atlantic flies direct from London Heathrow (Terminal 3) to Cape Town International (CPT) on the 787-9 Dreamliner. The flight time is approximately 11 hours 30 minutes outbound, slightly shorter (around 11 hours) coming back depending on winds.

Flight details:

Route: LHR (T3) to CPT direct
Aircraft: Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner
Upper Class cabin: 31 seats in a 1-2-1 angled herringbone configuration
Frequency: Daily service
Departure times: Typically evening departure from London (around 9pm), morning arrival in Cape Town (around 9–10am local time)

The timing works beautifully—you board after dinner, have a meal service, sleep most of the flight, wake up for breakfast, and land in Cape Town ready to start your day (after some strong coffee).

The Upper Class Wing: Your First Taste of Virgin Magic

One of the most underrated parts of the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class experience is the dedicated check-in and security area called the Upper Class Wing.

Upper Class passengers and Flying Club Gold members get their own entrance at Terminal 3 (clearly signposted—you can't miss the Virgin branding). Dedicated check-in desks, a private security lane (just take the lift up to the Upper Class Wing), and incredibly friendly staff who actually seem happy you're there.

Heathrow Clubhouse: Why We Arrive Ridiculously Early

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Heathrow is the reason we arrive at the airport like overexcited children early for a 9pm flight.

The lounge feels more like a chic members’ club than an airport holding pen. There’s an actual bar, waiter service, a sit-down restaurant area, a relaxation zone, and showers.

We started with champagne, moved on to food with wine, and then finished with cocktails because as Alex insists, “it’s part of the experience”. The food quality is genuinely excellent—restaurant level, and the service was spot-on.

💡 JOE’S TIP: Don’t rush to the gate the moment it appears. Boarding for Virgin Upper Class is smooth and organised, and it’s far better to finish your meal and drink comfortably in the Clubhouse than to stand at the gate for half an hour. You’ll still be among the first on board.

Boarding & The Infamous “Coffin Seats”

Let’s talk about those seats—the angled herringbone layout on Virgin’s 787-9, which people love to call “coffins”.

They’re not the most private or modern design anymore. The walls are low, and yes, you face slightly towards the aisle rather than the window. We always choose the seats on the left as you enter as they're looking at the back of the other row rather than staring at a stranger for many hours!

In reality, though, they're not all that bad. I've definitely slept in worse places:

Privacy: Once you’re reclined, you actually feel quite cocooned. The angle makes it awkward for anyone to really stare in your direction.
Comfort: The seat padding is excellent, and the bedding Virgin provides (especially the pillow and duvet) is genuinely cosy.
Entertainment: The IFE screen isn’t the biggest, but it’s fine. Noise-cancelling headphones are provided but we always tend to bring our own. I use the AirFly which works perfectly with the Apple AirPod Pros (minus a little messing around occasionally if the Bluetooth doesn't connect).

Virgin is refurbishing its fleet with the new Upper Class Suites (which are fully private with doors), but for now, the 787 still holds up well if you know what to expect. Manage your expectations, grab a few glasses of red, and it’s perfectly comfortable.

Service & Crew: The Real Differentiator

This is where Virgin leaves others behind.

From the moment we boarded, the crew were genuinely friendly—not in that robotic, over-trained way, but in the way you wish everyone in hospitality was. They chatted, and they genuinely seem to enjoy their jobs.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: you can’t fake authenticity. Virgin’s culture of inclusivity feels real, and that starts with their crew.

Food & Drink: Genuinely Restaurant Quality

You board, sit down, get offered champagne (we didn’t need much persuading). Once airborne, the meal service begins, and unlike most airlines, it’s not all served at once.

Every single dish tasted freshly prepared and well-presented. Even the breakfast service before landing felt more like a café meal than “airline breakfast”.

Virgin also has a small bar area at the back of the Upper Class cabin—if you’re sociable (and we usually are after a few wines), it’s a great spot to stretch your legs, chat with the crew, or meet fellow travellers.

Amenity Kits, Pyjamas & Bedding

Virgin’s amenity kits come in an eco-conscious (albeit looking a little sad) pouch with REN skincare, bamboo toothbrushes, earplugs, and socks. You also get pyjamas, which are actually comfortable enough to wear at home.

The bedding is excellent—plush duvet, large pillow, and mattress topper that makes a huge difference. The crew even offer to make your bed while you brush your teeth, which is such a small but lovely touch.

Arrival in Cape Town: Effortless (But Bring Layers)

Cape Town arrivals are generally smooth, but depending on the time of year, the wind can be ferocious. Our flight landed during one of the windiest weeks locals had seen all year (even by Cape Town’s “Windy City” standards).

Immigration took around 20 minutes, and our bags were among the first off the carousel. From there, it’s about a 25-minute Uber ride to the city centre, costing roughly £10.

How We Booked It on Points

We booked our tickets entirely using Virgin Points through the Flying Club. Here’s how it broke down:

Route: London (LHR) – Cape Town (CPT) return
Cabin: Upper Class
Points: 115,000 Virgin Points per person (off-peak)
Taxes & fees: £850 each (ouch, but still better than £4,000 cash fare)

We earned most of our points via the Virgin Atlantic Reward+ Mastercard, which gives 1.5 points per £1 spent and a 15,000-point welcome bonus. We also transferred Amex Membership Rewards points when we needed a top-up.

💡 JOE’S TIP: Always search for reward seat availability the day it’s released—Virgin opens reward inventory exactly 331 days before departure. Set calendar reminders and be ready to book immediately. One of my favourite websites is Seat Spy; pay the super cheap price of £2.99 and get access to all you need to find great offers.

The Return Flight: Clubhouse Cape Town & A Dream Landing

The Cape Town Virgin Atlantic Lounge (technically a shared lounge run by SLOW) isn’t as glamorous as Heathrow’s Clubhouse, but it’s clean, quiet, and offers solid hot food and drinks before your overnight return.

The flight back was just as good—friendly crew, calm cabin, solid sleep, and we landed in London refreshed and actually sad it was over. Always a good sign.

Final Thoughts: Why We’ll Keep Flying Virgin Atlantic

The truth? Virgin’s 787 seats might not be the best in the sky. But the people, the culture, and the way they make you feel absolutely are.

So yes, you’ll find newer suites elsewhere. You’ll find fancier champagne and bigger screens. But you won’t find another airline where you can chat openly about your fiancé, be handed a bottle of wine for the hotel, and fall asleep under a duvet that feels like home.

That’s Virgin Atlantic. And that’s why we’ll keep coming back.

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Written by Joe & Alex — Planes, Sights and Boyfriends