Passengers can place bids for Virgin Atlantic flight upgrades

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Passengers can place bids for Virgin Atlantic flight upgrades

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Shai Weiss CEO of Virgin Atlantic | Official Website

By Sky Industry News

May 3, 2025

Passengers flying with Virgin Atlantic can bid for an upgrade to the next class of service. This option allows for a more affordable way of enjoying higher service without paying full costs. Bidding is only charged if successful, ensuring no risk to passengers.

Virgin Atlantic, founded in 1984 with Shai Weiss as CEO, is a full-service carrier based in the United Kingdom. Its hub is at London Heathrow Airport as it operates a fleet comprising widebody Airbus A330, Airbus A350, and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The airline flies long-haul routes, prominently to the United States, and is one of the two major UK-based airlines for long-haul flights.

The airline offers three primary classes: Economy, Premium, and Upper Class. The economy is subdivided into Economy Light, Class, and Economy Delight. Seat pitches vary from 31 inches to 34 inches. Premium economy comes with seats offering a 38-inch seat pitch. Upper Class includes fully flat beds and additional perks, making it Virgin's business class offering.

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Virgin Atlantic allows passengers to place bids for upgrades. The bidding process is conducted online with the mantra: "Name your price - we might just say yes." Successful bidding can provide substantial savings. Upgrade availability, bidding processing windows, and booking criteria are clearly delineated by the airline.

To place a bid, passengers must have a confirmed Virgin Atlantic ticket for an operated flight. The "Your Bid" auction service allows bids up to two days before departure. Bidders must be 18 years or older and capable of entering binding contracts. Multiple passenger bookings need to have bids for all passengers included.

Payment is processed no later than two days before the flight if the bid is accepted. If a flight is canceled or changed by Virgin, a refund for the upgrade may be available. However, if a passenger cancels, the upgrade fee is non-refundable, even with a refundable ticket.

Passengers who move from Premium to Upper Class can enjoy the added benefits of Virgin’s Clubhouse and social spaces in airports and on flights. Prices for such bids vary, with successful bids reported around $800, sometimes starting from $550.

The upgrade bidding system is designed to enhance customer experience while providing an opportunity for passengers to access premium services at reduced rates.