Virgin Atlantic has always treated the small things as a chance to show personality. The salt and pepper shakers the crew playfully ask you not to steal. The onboard bar that becomes a social nook on transatlantic nights. And tucked into your Upper Class suite, the amenity kit that says a lot about where the airline is headed on sustainability, design, and practical comfort. I flew several sectors in 2024 between London Heathrow and both New York and Los Angeles, and the kit onboard Upper Class felt consistent across aircraft types, with a few smart tweaks. If you are comparing business class on Virgin Atlantic with other carriers, this is one of those details that helps round out the experience.
This is a deep look at what’s actually inside the Virgin Upper Class amenity kit in 2024, how it stacks up for long overnight flights, and how it fits into the broader Upper Class product, from the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Heathrow Terminal 3 to the Virgin Atlantic lounge at JFK.
The pouch itself
Virgin has leaned into repeated-use pouches instead of throwaway bags. The 2024 kit comes in a sturdy fabric or recycled material pouch with a zip top, usually in muted tones with a small Virgin Atlantic tag. I have seen black and deep navy, occasionally a soft gray. The feel is closer to a pencil case than a cosmetic bag, which makes it easier to slot into a laptop sleeve or the small ledge beside the Upper Class seat. On the A330 and A350, where personal stowage is a hair tighter around the seat, that slim profile matters. The pouch is unstructured, so it compresses if you want to tuck it under the footwell during sleep.
The zip is smooth enough to open one-handed, and the fabric survives getting stepped on, which can happen during the cabin shuffle when you get up to visit the bar. If you collect amenity kits, this one is more practical than collectible. It passes the “will I reuse this” test. Mine holds cables and a power bank on work trips now.
Core contents, item by item
Open the pouch and you find the usual suspects, but with a few choices that feel very Virgin. No flashy gimmicks, nothing overly scented. The mix hits essentials for an overnight transatlantic run.
Skincare. Expect travel-size moisturizer and lip balm from a well-known British brand or a partner that leans natural, with neutral fragrance. On my flights, the moisturizer had a light, almost gel-cream texture that sank in fast, a relief in a dry cabin. Lip balm is unscented or faintly minty, not waxy, and it holds up. If you are coming from the Virgin lounge at JFK Terminal 4, where you have already washed up and maybe had a facial mist from the bathrooms, the onboard set complements without clashing.
Dental kit. A foldable toothbrush and a small tube of toothpaste. The bristles are soft, the paste is standard mint. The brush is not a throwaway in one go; I used it for a multi-day trip. The tube can handle two overnights if you use a pea-sized amount.
Eye mask and socks. The eye mask is wide, with soft elastic that does not bite above the ear. It blocks light well. Socks are dark, midweight, and stretchy, with grippy dots on the sole on some flights. If you plan to sleep fully flat, these socks are good enough to skip your own, though I still prefer compression socks for overnight sectors like LAX to London.
Earplugs. Standard orange foam, effective against galley clatter at the front of the Upper Class cabin. If you are seated near the bar on the A350 or on the older 787 layout, the plugs take the edge off conversation without isolating you completely. Frequent flyers might bring their own molded set, but these will do.
Pen. Virgin still includes a pen, which sounds trivial until you are handed a landing card for the UK or a U.S. customs form after a diversion. It writes smoothly, with simple branding, and I kept it.
Hand cream or extra moisturizer. On some flights there was a separate small hand cream in addition to the face moisturizer. The scent is minimal. Cabin air can sit around 12 percent humidity, so this doubles up nicely with the lip balm.
The mix does not sprawl. The idea is to hit the comfort basics without stuffing the pouch with items you never touch. If you are coming from the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Heathrow, you may already be in a comfortable baseline, and the kit extends that onboard rather than trying to replace your usual travel set.
What’s not in the bag, and where to find it
If you expect a razor, makeup remover, or heavier skincare, you probably won’t find those in the pouch. Instead, crew keep extras in the lavatories or in the galley upon request. I have been handed a razor and shaving cream more than once on Virgin Atlantic Upper Class when I asked after dinner service. Makeup removal wipes are not guaranteed, so if you rely on them, throw a small pack in your carry-on.
Shoe bags and hairbrushes are not typical inclusions on Virgin in 2024. Hair ties show up now and then. Mouthwash is usually in the lavatories on A350 and A330 flights, though bottles can empty quickly on red-eyes like JFK to London. The crew restock on request.
A note on sustainability
Virgin Atlantic has been dialing back single-use plastics across cabins. The Upper Class amenity kit reflects that in two ways. First, the pouch is built to be reused with simple materials, not faux-leather finishes that crack. Second, several items come wrapped in paper or minimal plastic. This has trade-offs. Paper wrapping is less resilient in damp lavatory environments, and sometimes one or two items arrive slightly crumpled. For most travelers, that is a fair swap for less plastic in the cycle. If it matters to you deeply, let the crew know. The airline tracks feedback on kit contents and packaging.
How the kit plays with the seat and bedding
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class seats differ depending on aircraft type. The A350 and the A330neo have the newest Upper Class suites with closing doors, wireless charging pads on some frames, and a combination of shelves and nooks. The 787 still runs a previous-generation herringbone with an open feel and a different aisle orientation. The amenity kit works across all three. Its size fits the shallow cubbies in the A350 and perches neatly on the side shelf on the A330. On the 787, with the open shoulder shelf, I zipped it to keep small items from sliding during turbulence. On the older A330-300, storage is tighter, which makes the slim pouch even more sensible.
Bedding is one of Virgin’s strengths in business class. You get a mattress pad, duvet, and a plump pillow. The eye mask and socks from the kit are the final touches that make the bed feel put together. If you are flying Virgin Atlantic business class LAX to London, you will appreciate having the moisturizer and balm handy when cabin lights dim and the temperature drops a few degrees in the second half of the flight. Keep the lip balm and moisturizer in the small literature pocket so you do not have to rummage.
Comparing Virgin’s kit to the competition
Amenity kits in premium cabins tend to cluster into two camps: the high-design collectible and the functional, reusable pouch. Virgin sits firmly in the second camp. If you collect designer-branded cases, you will find more razzle on some Middle Eastern carriers or occasionally on transpacific routes with Asian airlines. If you want a kit that earns its keep in your backpack, Virgin’s kit does well. The moisturizer quality is solid, the eye mask blocks light properly, and the pen and dental kit are dependable.
Among European carriers, the Virgin Upper Class kit feels slightly more premium than some, especially because the pouch holds up and the skincare does not overpower with scent. It is not meant to be a prize on its own. It is a supporting actor in a cabin that prioritizes the social touchpoints, like the Upper Class bar and, on some frames, The Loft seating area.
The lounge angle: arriving prepped, boarding calm
Part of the Virgin Atlantic Upper Class rhythm is how the ground experience sets you up. At Heathrow Terminal 3, the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse has showers, eclectic furniture, and staff who move quickly during the evening bank of departures. You can get a proper wash, a quick bite, and a drink before you board. That means you hit your seat already refreshed, and the amenity kit needs only to serve the in-flight phase. Moisturizer and balm do most of the heavy lifting at altitude. At JFK Terminal 4, the Virgin Atlantic lounge has fewer showers per passenger during peak hours, but the team keeps the flow moving. If you miss the shower, the onboard kit covers the basics.
A small detail that helps: the kit’s eye mask is good enough that you can sleep even if a neighbor keeps a reading lamp on past the first meal service. On busy eastbound night flights, that can be the difference between arriving in London ready to work and stumbling through customs half-awake.
Best uses on a red-eye vs a daytime crossing
On night flights like JFK to LHR, treat the kit as part of a quick routine. After the first service, brush your teeth, use the moisturizer and lip balm, and put on socks and eye mask. Store the pouch within reach rather than overhead so you don’t wake yourself pulling down a bin. On daytime flights such as London to Los Angeles, the earplugs and eye mask are optional for midflight naps. I find the hand cream more useful on day sectors because you are more likely to be working, handling papers, or typing on a laptop.
If you are on Virgin Atlantic business class to London from the West Coast, the cabin lights typically dim early, and a lot of passengers go straight into sleep mode. The kit supports that with a minimal fuss routine. Nothing in it is fiddly. No glass jars, no screw caps that roll away.
Where the kit could improve
Two small upgrades would move the kit from very good to excellent. First, a tiny facial mist or hydrating spray. Several airlines have included one, and it helps after brushing your teeth, especially on flights with long quiet periods. Second, a microfiber wipe for glasses and device screens. Cabin air leaves smudges, and a wipe is more useful inflight than another tube of lotion.
I would also not mind seeing an optional upgrade program in the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse. For a modest fee or Flying Club tier perk, you could choose between a standard kit, a skincare-heavy variant, or a tech-focused pouch with cable ties and a microfiber cloth. The airline already customizes meal orders and drinks in the Clubhouse. Offering kit variations would be on-brand and easy to communicate during check-in or via the app.
Where the kit meets Virgin’s brand of hospitality
Virgin Atlantic’s Upper Class vibe has always mixed a bit of fun with polished service. The kit reflects that balance. The pouch is understated but thoughtful, the contents practical, and nothing tries too hard. Crew introduce the kit casually, sometimes placing it on the side table with a glass of sparkling wine, sometimes tucking it into the side cubby. On one flight, a flight attendant noticed I had my own eye mask and volunteered extra earplugs for a seat by the bar. That small flexibility matters more than any fancy box.
The amenity kit pairs with touches around the seat. USB ports and AC power let you keep your own devices topped up. Entertainment screens come with decent noise-isolating headsets, though you get more from the experience if you bring your own noise-canceling headphones. If you do not, the earplugs help during sleep phases while the headset rests around your neck for movie breaks. Virgin Atlantic lie-flat seats, especially on the A350 and A330neo, cradle you better at the hips than the older 787, so your sleep hinges more on the bedding and eye mask than on fighting the seat angle.
The social spaces and how the kit plays there
Some Upper Class cabins include a bar or social area. On the A350, The Loft is a small lounge space with a bench and a screen. On the 787 and some A330 configurations, there is a classic bar with stools. If you are the type who likes to stretch out midflight and chat, the amenity kit’s lip balm and hand cream are the items you will carry with you. The pens come in handy for trading email addresses with someone you met over a nightcap, which happens more often than you would think on Virgin. The sock grips prevent awkward slips on the way back down the aisle when turbulence bumps the cabin.
A quick detour to JFK Terminal 4 and Heathrow Terminal 3
Leaving New York, the Virgin Atlantic lounge at JFK Terminal 4 sits across from gates used by several long-haul carriers. This is not a giant lounge, but it punches above its weight with attentive staff. You can eat a proper meal and avoid the first service onboard if you want to maximize sleep. That means you might open your amenity kit sooner, use the dental kit after you finish in the lounge, and be ready to recline right after takeoff. Priority Pass does not grant access to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at JFK, so access ties tightly to your Upper Class ticket or elite status.
At Heathrow Terminal 3, Virgin’s Clubhouse remains one of the most distinctive business class lounges in London. It has character, not just square footage. If you are connecting from a European feeder in the morning, take the shower and a coffee, then use the onboard kit sparingly. If you are on an evening departure to the States, pace your meal and keep the kit handy for a midflight refresh.
Photographs, seats, and the reality behind Instagram
You will see plenty of Virgin Atlantic upper class pictures and glossy Virgin upper class photos on social media, usually of the suite door half-closed and a glass of something bubbly. The amenity kit rarely features in those shots, but it supports the experience you do not photograph: the few hours of actual rest you snatch over the Atlantic, the comfortable feel of clean teeth at 3 a.m. UK time, the mercy of a decent eye mask when a neighbor’s screen glows. The kit is not the star. It is the stagehand making sure the curtain rope does not snap mid-scene.
Seat selection matters more than the kit if you are noise-sensitive. On the A350, rows away from The Loft are quieter and darker. On the 787, central rows can feel exposed during the night because of the aisle layout. If you find yourself close to the galley, keep the earplugs from the kit at the ready and use the eye mask to block the spill of light. The difference between a good and great night on Upper Class often comes down to those tiny moves.
Practical notes from multiple flights
Across several Virgin Atlantic business class flights this year, the kit contents virgin atlantic first class seats were consistent, with minor variations in brand label and scent. The moisturizer always felt light. The pen always worked. Earplugs were sealed. On one flight, no socks were present; the crew produced a pair within minutes after I asked. On a westbound day flight, extra moisturizers were available in the lavatory, which is helpful when the cabin cycles warmer in the afternoon sun.
I have flown Upper Class on the Virgin Atlantic upper class A330 and the newer A350 suites. The kit fit neatly into both, which is not always true on carriers with bulky cases. I also flew Virgin Atlantic business class LAX to London where the long crossing makes hydration the name of the game. The kit’s lip balm and the crew’s steady water refills meant I arrived without that dry, cracked feeling. If you bring your own skincare, the kit does not get in the way. If you forget yours, it covers the basics without drama.
A brief FAQ, answered from the seat
Does Virgin Atlantic have first class? No. Upper Class is the top cabin, effectively Virgin’s international business class. People search for Virgin Atlantic first class or first class Virgin Atlantic price, but what they are seeing is Upper Class pricing.
What is business class on Virgin Atlantic like beyond the kit? Think lie-flat seats, direct aisle access on newer aircraft, a good chance of a social space like The Loft, and a lounge experience at Heathrow T3 and JFK T4 that stands out. Service is warm, with a casual polish.
Are there TVs in Upper Class? Yes. Does Virgin Atlantic have TVs is a common question, and every Upper Class seat has a personal screen with a broad catalog.
How are the seats? The newer A350 and A330neo suites are the best, with doors and better privacy. The 787 seats are older but still fully flat. If you care about the layout, check Virgin Atlantic seat reviews for your tail number or route. Seat maps marked Virgin upper class seat plan will show you how close you are to galleys and bars.
Is the kit the same on all routes? Mostly, but small differences can appear due to provisioning or partner brand shifts. Outbound Heathrow flights and inbound U.S. flights in my experience carried the same pouch and core items in 2024.
When the kit matters most
The amenity kit earns its keep on the flights where you are time-pressured. A late-evening departure from JFK, a short sleep, and a morning arrival into Heathrow with a meeting an hour after clearing the e-gates. You will brush your teeth with the kit’s dental set, coat lips and hands, and throw the eye mask into your bag. You will forget about the pouch until you are on the Piccadilly Line or in a rideshare and realize you still have that pen to sign a form. That subtle continuity between cabin and ground is part of why Virgin Atlantic Upper Class reviews tend to skew positive over time. It is not one big wow. It is many small yeses.
Final assessment: a quiet win
Virgin Atlantic’s 2024 Upper Class amenity kit does not chase luxury for its own sake. It is compact, understated, and genuinely useful. If you fly often, you will reuse the pouch. If you fly occasionally, you will still finish the lip balm and hand cream before they expire, which is more than I can say for many premium kits. It pairs with the strengths of the wider product, from the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Heathrow to the calm, slightly cheeky service style onboard. If you are deciding what is business class on Virgin Atlantic beyond a seat and a meal, this kit is a small but telling piece of the answer.
And if you like souvenirs, keep the pen. It is not fancy, but it writes every time. On a long-hall timeline, reliability beats gloss.