Travel test

WHAT: Virgin’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner Upper Class cabin WHERE: VS384 Heathrow direct to the Maldives departing daily next winter. From From £3,795 return in Upper, £803 in economy. virginatlantic.com

EXPERIENCE: I felt very much the VIP the minute I arrived at Heathrow where taxis pull up directly outside Virgin’s Terminal 3 upper-class wing making check-in and drop-off a slick affair.

I sailed smoothly through the dedicated fast-track security lane and was soon settled in Virgin’s Clubhouse lounge with a glass of champagne. After priority boarding I found my seat 11K temptingly close to Virgin’s excellent onboard bar. There was a party atmosphere on board. Canapes and fizz were served and there was also a great selection of soft drinks, beers and spirits too.

The cabin is arranged in a herringbone formation, so try to bag a row A seat if you don’t want to face fellow passengers. My 22-inch-wide seat cubicle had USB and 110V sockets, headphones and a recyclable ‘goodie bag’ packed with REN skincare products.

Wi-fi packages cost anything between £2.49 and £34.99 depending on your online needs.

Upper-class passengers can browse the menu online and order up to seven days in advance. Both my starter and main, Serrano ham with roasted squash and herbroasted chicken breast in a

Madeira sauce, hit the mark.

Having reclined and watched a movie on Virgin’s Vera in-flight entertainment system it was time to sleep. I changed into my Virgin PJS and socks in the bathroom while the cabin crew made up my comfy flat bed. I slept like a baby and awoke raring to go in the magical Maldives.

QUIBBLES: None.

VERDICT: 10/10 The perfect start to a dream holiday.