BA vs Virgin Atlantic
Discussion
I flew BA SFO to LHR at new year. Economy.
V good service.
Worth checking if there is a later flight same day, same route and same airline.... we were late getting to SFO (thanks United!) and BA put us on the later flight FOC.
Top tip if just two of you - use BA's online check in facility 24 hours before departure and move yourself to one of the 4 pairs of seats at the back of economy - that way you get to sit with your mrs and don't have any sweaty infested strangers sitting with you.
V good service.
Worth checking if there is a later flight same day, same route and same airline.... we were late getting to SFO (thanks United!) and BA put us on the later flight FOC.
Top tip if just two of you - use BA's online check in facility 24 hours before departure and move yourself to one of the 4 pairs of seats at the back of economy - that way you get to sit with your mrs and don't have any sweaty infested strangers sitting with you.
I’d fly with Virgin but both airlines travelling transatlantic are comfortable in economy from experience. I’ve only ever flown business class with BA on a free upgrade which was a nice surprise! However, my best friend flew first class with Virgin last year to Las Vegas and from his photos and what he said I wouldn’t bother looking at other airlines! It looked the nuts.
MrFlibbles said:
Just travelling boggo economy, no kids, just myself and girl who acts like kid sometimes.
It's been a while since I've flown in economy on either airline but I think the it depends on what environment you would like. I would be happy to fly BA economy, for me Virgin economy would be less attractive as it would be likely to have more people heading on holiday (and generally lots of kids). On the other hand if your off on holiday and looking for friendly cabin crew and good entertainment then Virgin would be fine.Virgin certainly have good onboard entertainment but I would guess BA have the same.
However I would take Virgin Premium Economy and Upper Class over BA Premium Ecomomy and Business. I don't have any experience of BA first.
I flew to and from Orlando last week with Virgin
I was upgraded to Premium Economy on the way out - fabulous, great seats, space, service etc. Economy on the way back was hell on earth.........
No space, middle seat etc. I paid $50 extra for legroom which was better than standard but still average.
The big issue on both flights was that it was a 747, and an old one at that - the flight out was filthy and they had the old school looping films etc. On the way back it was even older with fixed TV controls etc making it impossible to change the channel etc without shifting about - not great when it was over night and i was next to a stroppy cow that hated me breathing, let alone moving!
Overall, try to find a 777 with either Virgin or BA and you will be fine! Premium Economy with Virgin is worth every bean!
I was upgraded to Premium Economy on the way out - fabulous, great seats, space, service etc. Economy on the way back was hell on earth.........
No space, middle seat etc. I paid $50 extra for legroom which was better than standard but still average.
The big issue on both flights was that it was a 747, and an old one at that - the flight out was filthy and they had the old school looping films etc. On the way back it was even older with fixed TV controls etc making it impossible to change the channel etc without shifting about - not great when it was over night and i was next to a stroppy cow that hated me breathing, let alone moving!
Overall, try to find a 777 with either Virgin or BA and you will be fine! Premium Economy with Virgin is worth every bean!
MrFlibbles said:
Just travelling boggo economy, no kids, just myself and girl who acts like kid sometimes.
At that level it really is much of a muchness.The one single thing that would give a very clear and easy answer for me is that as much as I like Virgin they simply do not have enough spare capacity in their fleet. As such, if there is an issue with your scheduled plane they cannot bring another one into service to replace it but have wait for that one to be fixed. If you travel long haul a lot this is actually quite important as I often wander pass delayed Virgin passengers on my way home.
Chr1sch said:
I flew to and from Orlando last week with Virgin
The big issue on both flights was that it was a 747, and an old one at that - the flight out was filthy and they had the old school looping films etc. On the way back it was even older with fixed TV controls etc making it impossible to change the channel etc without shifting about - not great when it was over night and i was next to a stroppy cow that hated me breathing, let alone moving!
Virgin do like to use the old, tired kit on the holiday runs - we had a very old plane for the Havana run too.The big issue on both flights was that it was a 747, and an old one at that - the flight out was filthy and they had the old school looping films etc. On the way back it was even older with fixed TV controls etc making it impossible to change the channel etc without shifting about - not great when it was over night and i was next to a stroppy cow that hated me breathing, let alone moving!
ytrebil said:
I’d fly with Virgin but both airlines travelling transatlantic are comfortable in economy from experience. I’ve only ever flown business class with BA on a free upgrade which was a nice surprise! However, my best friend flew first class with Virgin last year to Las Vegas and from his photos and what he said I wouldn’t bother looking at other airlines! It looked the nuts.
That'll have been Virgin's Upper Class, which is a very nice Business Class - Virgin don't have a First Class.Bugger all difference in economy really.
Try to get an upgrade to premium if you can, sometimes its worth asking as they will want the economy seats for other people so you can get an upgrade for cheap/free.
Virgin Upper class is marginally better than BA Club world, but not much in it really, enjoyed both, but prefered virgin due to the little bar, and the offer of a massage, which i didnt get with Club World.
BA First looks the nads but not been lucky enough to travel in first class.
Try to get an upgrade to premium if you can, sometimes its worth asking as they will want the economy seats for other people so you can get an upgrade for cheap/free.
Virgin Upper class is marginally better than BA Club world, but not much in it really, enjoyed both, but prefered virgin due to the little bar, and the offer of a massage, which i didnt get with Club World.
BA First looks the nads but not been lucky enough to travel in first class.
Puggit said:
Chr1sch said:
I flew to and from Orlando last week with Virgin
The big issue on both flights was that it was a 747, and an old one at that - the flight out was filthy and they had the old school looping films etc. On the way back it was even older with fixed TV controls etc making it impossible to change the channel etc without shifting about - not great when it was over night and i was next to a stroppy cow that hated me breathing, let alone moving!
Virgin do like to use the old, tired kit on the holiday runs - we had a very old plane for the Havana run too.The big issue on both flights was that it was a 747, and an old one at that - the flight out was filthy and they had the old school looping films etc. On the way back it was even older with fixed TV controls etc making it impossible to change the channel etc without shifting about - not great when it was over night and i was next to a stroppy cow that hated me breathing, let alone moving!
Do BA have the same multimedia set-up as Virgin with selectable films etc...?
I have always flown Virgin to the US and most times am able to get an upgrade to Premium economy by using my airmiles...however they dont allocate alot of seats for this as i just tried to pre-book an upgrade for a flight to SF in June and there all gone already
I have always flown Virgin to the US and most times am able to get an upgrade to Premium economy by using my airmiles...however they dont allocate alot of seats for this as i just tried to pre-book an upgrade for a flight to SF in June and there all gone already
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