The problem Virgin and the fare paying public have, is that if BA get too strong, they could eventually have a long term goal of pushing Virgin out of LHR, regardless of how good their product is, by purposely offering fares on the Virgin route structure at a loss. Eventually having a total monopoly on short and long haul out of LHR and, therefore, charging what they like.
Poppycock !! LHR is one of the most competetive markets in the world. LHR is not just BA and VS; have you looked at a departures board recently?