Flight test: Virgin Atlantic Upper Class (business)

DURATION

12 hours 10 minutes, arriving into London Heathrow 40 minutes early at 4.45am, making me the first person to arrive at passport control.

THE FREQUENCY

Virgin Atlantic operates daily flights from Hong Kong to London, departing 11.25pm, arriving London 5.25am.

THE SEAT

Upper Class "suites" reputedly feature "the biggest beds in business class" at two metres. Each suite faces forward and has an ottoman seat opposite for visitors. Width at the shoulder area is 83 centimetres and, when not converted to beds, seats recline electronically to a comfortable doze position. A 1-1-1 layout for 45 upper class seats offers aisle access for all.

BAGGAGE

A huge allowance of three checked bags, each up to 32 kilograms and two carry-on bags to a combined weight of 16 kilograms.

COMFORT

A well-padded bed, enough space for my 1.86-metre frame and a light doona ensure a good sleep. One negative is a slight ridge in the bed at shoulder height.

ENTERTAINMENT

The new release movie offerings are not that generous across Virgin's "Vera" system but there are still more than 300 hours of entertainment and my 27 centimetre screen is a good size. I'm happy with some English comedy gold, from Ricky Gervais's An Idiot Abroad to Steve Coogan's nerdy Norfolk DJ Alan Partridge.

SERVICE

A bit brisk and breezy but attentive enough.

FOOD

Hardly gourmet considering the cost of Upper Class. A duck salad is dry and without a dressing, a main of tri-colour pasta with spinach and tomato passable and the breakfast bacon butty, served at 3.20am London time, is cardboardy.

ONE MORE THING ...

On the ground, Upper Class scores highly for its stylish Hong Kong lounge, with its to-table waiter service, and its excellent Heathrow "Revivals" area, beyond customs in Terminal 3. At Heathrow, I go straight for a refreshing shower, enjoy eggs benedict and a decent coffee, and a half-hour facial and scalp massage in the spa caps a revitalising arrival. I've booked a limo for 8am but it's no problem to bring this forward by 45 minutes when we arrive early. The seamless transfer in a top-of-the-range Volvo makes my heart bleed for those having to take the Tube to their final destination.

THE VERDICT

With the comfort of the seat, good entertainment and superb on-the-ground service, it's hard to grumble about average food and the less than spectacular cabin staff. I sleep for nearly nine hours, which, for me, is the measure of an excellent flight and frequent flyer points well spent.

Tested by Daniel Scott using frequent flyer points with on-ground assistance from Virgin Atlantic.