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Virgin Atlantic Airways vs United Airlines, London (LHR) to San Francisco (SFO): every cabin compared seat by seat, with scores, legroom, layouts and the seats to avoid.
Boeing 787-9
Boeing 787-9
Wide-body · One deck · 36 rows
Seats on board
In 3 cabins: Business, Premium Economy and Economy
Seats on board
In 3 cabins: Business, Premium Economy and Economy
5.6/10
Average seat score
Every seat rated out of 10, across 258 seats
5.8/10
Average seat score+0.2
Every seat rated out of 10, across 222 seats
15m quicker
LHR → SFO · 8,616 km
LHR → SFO · 8,616 km
Free Wi-Fi
In every cabin
Free Wi-Fi
In every cabin
Seat-back screens
AC/USB power in every cabin
Seat-back screens
AC/USB power in every cabin
258 seats from nose to tail
222 seats from nose to tail
Business31
Upper · Rows 1–11
Business64
United Polaris Studio® · Rows 1–17
Premium Economy35
Rows 21–25
Premium Economy35
United Premium Plus · Rows 20–24
Economy192
Rows 45–68
Economy123
United Economy Plus® · Rows 30–44
UpperFull flat
31 seats in rows 1–11
United Polaris Studio®Full flat
64 seats in rows 1–17
EconomyStandard
192 seats in rows 45–68
United Economy Plus®Standard
123 seats in rows 30–44
8 seats rated good or better+4
18 seatsMore
Extra legroom · 7% of seats
16 seats
Extra legroom · 7% of seats
London (LHR), local time
London (LHR), local time
San Francisco (SFO), local time
San Francisco (SFO), local time
1-1-1
3 seats across, two aisles, every seat on an aisle
1-2-1
4 seats across, two aisles, every seat on an aisle
Legroom
79"
+37″Width
22"
+1″Recline
180°
Legroom
42"
Width
21"
Recline
180°
5.8/10
Average seat score
Best seat 6.0
6.0/10
Average seat score+0.2
Best seat 6.8
Not available
No exit-row or extra-legroom seats
Not available
No exit-row or extra-legroom seats
2-3-2
7 seats across, two aisles
2-3-2
7 seats across, two aisles
Legroom
38"
Width
21"
+2″Recline
8"
+2″Legroom
38"
Width
19"
Recline
6"
5.6/10
Average seat score+0.1
Best seat 6.5
5.5/10
Average seat score
Best seat 6.5
Seats with more room or a bassinet
Seats with more room or a bassinet
Not available
Layout not published
Not available
Layout not published
Legroom
31"
Width
17"
Recline
5"
+2″Legroom
31"
Width
16.55-17.6"
+0.1″Recline
3"
5.6/10
Average seat score
Best seat 8.5 · 8 seats rated good or better
5.7/10
Average seat score+0.1
Best seat 8.8 · 4 seats rated good or better
Seats with more room or a bassinet
Seats with more room or a bassinet
4 seats rated good or better
Best stretch: rows 1–5, averaging 6.0
6 seats
Exit row · 2% of seats
6 seats
Exit row · 3% of seats
7 seatsMore
Bassinet position · 3% of seats
4 seats
Bassinet position · 2% of seats
43 seats
Close to a lavatory · 17% of seats
29 seatsFewer
Close to a lavatory · 13% of seats
13 seatsFewer
Close to a galley · 5% of seats
20 seats
Close to a galley · 9% of seats
18 seats
Limited recline · 7% of seats
9 seatsFewer
Limited recline · 4% of seats
24 seats
Wing in the window view · 9% of seats
20 seatsFewer
Wing in the window view · 9% of seats
4 seatsFewer
Misaligned window · 2% of seats
8 seats
Misaligned window · 4% of seats
2 seats
No window · 1% of seats
NoneFewer
No window
18 seats
Tray table in the armrest · 7% of seats
9 seatsFewer
Tray table in the armrest · 4% of seats
25 seats
No floor storage for take-off · 10% of seats
16 seatsFewer
No floor storage for take-off · 7% of seats
2 seatsFewer
Can get cold by the exit · 1% of seats
4 seats
Can get cold by the exit · 2% of seats
8,616 km
Great-circle distance
8,616 km
Great-circle distance
Best stretch: rows 6–9, averaging 6.2
