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Virgin Australia debuts a “new” 777-300ER

Virgin Australia's new business seats have 18,5-inch touchscreens. (Image: Virgin Australia)

Virgin Australia’s new 777 business class seats have 18-inch touchscreens. (Image: Virgin Australia)

Virgin Australia has rolled out the first of its five 777-300ERs – the model it uses on its transpacific service to Los Angeles – to complete a major overhaul, giving the aircraft a new business class cabin, a refreshed Premium Economy section, and new extra-legroom seating in the main cabin.

The aircraft’s new business class, which Virgin has branded “The Business,” has 37 seats in a 1-2-1 “reverse herringbone” layout, all with aisle access and a full recline that converts them into an 80-inch-long bed. The middle seats have privacy dividers that can be pulled back for communication with a seatmate, and all seats have side consoles with work and storage space. Business customers get turn-down service with cotton pillows, and seats come with an 18-inch high-definition touchscreen. Business class gets an improved food and beverage service as well, and it has a bar where passengers can get drinks, or where they can sit for breakfast if they want.

The middle seats in business class have a movable privacy divider. (Image: Virgin Australia)

The middle seats in business class have a movable privacy divider. (Image: Virgin Australia)

The airline has posted a Youtube video to display the features of its new  business class cabin.

Another nice new touch: a business class bar! (Image: Virgin Australia)

Another nice new touch: a business class bar! (Image: Virgin Australia)

The upgraded Premium Economy section on Virgin Australia’s 777-300ERs has 24 seats that are 19.5 inches wide, with a seat pitch of 41 inches and a recline of nine inches. Customers in Premium Economy will be served plated meals “inspired by business class,” the airline said, and will be offered business class wines. Seats have power and USB ports along with 10.6-inch seatback screens, and customers receive an amenity pack, priority boarding and baggage handling.

The new business class seat reclines into a fully flat bed. (Image: Virgin Australia)

The new business class seat reclines into a fully flat bed. (Image: Virgin Australia)

And that’s not all: The main economy cabin is getting a new product called Economy Space + that will be available for purchase on flights departing August 30 or later. Those seats will be in the first five rows and the exit rows of the main cabin, offering passengers extra legroom, noise-canceling headsets, a guaranteed first meal choice, and a dedicated check-in counter. Those seats will carry a surcharge of $97 to $119 (U.S.).

The overhaul of all five of Virgin Australia’s 777-300ERs is expected to be finished by the third quarter of this year.

Virgin Australia flies to Los Angeles daily from Sydney and Brisbane and has a partnership with Delta.

NOTE: Be sure to click here to see all recent TravelSkills posts about: United’s newest, longest flight + Tipping Uber drivers + Qantas 747 Trip Report + Confusion over PreCheck policies + No-fee earlier flights

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