Virgin Atlantic opens new business class wing at LHR

Virgin Atlantic Airways has set a November 2 opening for its new Upper Class Wing at London Heathrow’s Terminal 3, promising that it will offer “the world’s fastest airport check-in” for business class passengers – “moving from limo to lounge in under 10 minutes.” The facility will have a fast-track security channel for Upper Class flyers, who benefit from limousine transfers that take them to a separate arrival area where they are welcomed by a host to speed them through check-in. Virgin said it is spending $2 billion on terminal improvements at Heathrow over the net decade, to better compete against British Airways’ new Terminal 5, which opens next spring. Later this year, Virgin said, it will open a new check-in area for economy and premium economy passengers in Zone A.