BACKGROUND Virgin has ordered a total of 16 A330 neo aircraft for its long-haul operations, configured, at least initially, in three classes: economy, premium economy and business (Upper Class). The 'neo' stands for new engine option (in this case, Rolls Royce Trent 7000 engines), which along with improvements to the wing deliver an 11 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency over the existing A330 aircraft in Virgin's fleet, and a 50 per cent improvement in noise.
This was the inaugural flight to Tampa, which started in November, initially four times a week before becoming daily from November 28, 2022. The normal departure time is 1330, but this flight left at 0800 to allow for a press conference on arrival.
I arrived by taxi at London Heathrow T3 at 0600 for my 0800 departure on VS129, with a flight time of ten-and-a-half hours. I
