Who would you fly with - BA, Virgin?
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Who would you fly with - BA, Virgin?
Slightly off topic and really just a personal indulgence but wouldn't mind a bit of feedback as to who is the best carrier to fly to the US with. I'm just looking at booking my flight to LAX to start in early Jan next year and would appreciate it if anyone could give me an idea of who they think is best out of BA, Virgin and any of the American carriers for food, films, comfyness, all round customer service.
Apologies but it is kinda relevant to this forum, in a round a bout sort of a way
Stephen
Apologies but it is kinda relevant to this forum, in a round a bout sort of a way
Stephen
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Stephen,
I don't what a/c BA use into LAX and I haven't yet had the pleasure of Virgin's A340's, but having made a couple of flights with both BA and Virgin between the UK and Florida over the past 12 months, I would say that for comfort I would go with BA everytime. The 777's they operate into Orlando are much more roomy and comfortable than Virgin's 747's.
However, I would say Virgin certainly have the upper hand in the in-flight entertainment department. Much bigger seat back screens and far more films and games to choose from to keep you amused.
OK, so we probably have a tie at the moment between the two. Now comes the decider, the FA's. Here there is only one choice in my opinion.
Well, I don't know if this helps much, probably not, but as the beast has already said ... the cheapest is always a good option.
I don't what a/c BA use into LAX and I haven't yet had the pleasure of Virgin's A340's, but having made a couple of flights with both BA and Virgin between the UK and Florida over the past 12 months, I would say that for comfort I would go with BA everytime. The 777's they operate into Orlando are much more roomy and comfortable than Virgin's 747's.
However, I would say Virgin certainly have the upper hand in the in-flight entertainment department. Much bigger seat back screens and far more films and games to choose from to keep you amused.
OK, so we probably have a tie at the moment between the two. Now comes the decider, the FA's. Here there is only one choice in my opinion.
Well, I don't know if this helps much, probably not, but as the beast has already said ... the cheapest is always a good option.
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The 747-400 is more comfortable. Both have in-seat entertainment, and offer free booze on the flight (unlike the American carriers).
Just bought a ticket to LA in Feb, £286 inc. tax on BA LHR direct, so that decided it for me!
Just bought a ticket to LA in Feb, £286 inc. tax on BA LHR direct, so that decided it for me!
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Having flown to Florida with BA, Virgin, American and My Travel I can certainly recommend American Airlines. 31 inches of leg room makes a serious difference and the 2-3-2 layout of the 777 means the plane feels more spacious as well. American have made a point of not cramming seats into Coach and I think it works for a cheaper ticket than Virgin and BA.(Entertainment and Food are top notch as well, including the customer service).
I don't recommend going with the cheaper carriers such as MYT or Brittania as they cram you in with crap food and dirty planes. The normal eight hour flight seemed like about ten when I went with MYT.
I don't recommend going with the cheaper carriers such as MYT or Brittania as they cram you in with crap food and dirty planes. The normal eight hour flight seemed like about ten when I went with MYT.
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flew with Virgin to orlando back in April. entertainment was really good, couldnt stop playing on the super nintendo system thats built into the control, was addicted to Mario Word for the whole flight, played a bit of street fighter too, lol. Service was great to, with the odd muffin and ice lolly brought round to nible on...fantastic. Flew BA years ago, and although they are good, i would go for Virgin. cost is the obvious downside, think i paid about £450 last minute. All depends whether you want to be cramped up on My travel with no computer to play and limited movies, or pay the extra for a more enjoyable flight.
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G-DANM
DANM
I think you'll find you were either in J class with a 2-3-2 config on a 777 or you were on a 767 seeing how you say the legroom was only 31".
But AA now have "more room through coach" so you'll find the seat pitch goes up to (about) 34" in economy.
To answer the original question - if you want space at a not too hideous fare (in econ) then I'd go AA. If it's frills & great staff I'd go BA. If you can afford it then VS Premium Economy.
cheers
FF
I think you'll find you were either in J class with a 2-3-2 config on a 777 or you were on a 767 seeing how you say the legroom was only 31".
But AA now have "more room through coach" so you'll find the seat pitch goes up to (about) 34" in economy.
To answer the original question - if you want space at a not too hideous fare (in econ) then I'd go AA. If it's frills & great staff I'd go BA. If you can afford it then VS Premium Economy.
cheers
FF
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BA crew disappeared for many hours on the flight we were on to LA from Heathrow, if you wanted a drink you had to go and get it yourself from the galley, not a clue where they went. I have crossed the pond 14 times with various carriers, thought BA the worst by far, as soon as we were airborne on the return flight the lights were dimmed, the blinds drawn down, they were tying to settle us down to sleep, it was only 5 PM. Not impressed with other things either. Havn't flown long haul with them since, and wouldn't even if they were cheaper. Virgin gets my vote, no complaints at all.
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They are all much the same service wise in the back, not very good! But they all appear to be equally safe and that's what matters.
If you think you can rack up 50,000 miles on a single alliance next year then join United Mileage Plus and fly United. That will give you the best upgrade chances on dirt cheap tickets, access to business class check in, lounges, and best frequent flier mileage accumulation on dirt cheap tickets. If, like >97% of the flying public you don't fly 50,000 miles a year, fly the cheapest.
If you think you can rack up 50,000 miles on a single alliance next year then join United Mileage Plus and fly United. That will give you the best upgrade chances on dirt cheap tickets, access to business class check in, lounges, and best frequent flier mileage accumulation on dirt cheap tickets. If, like >97% of the flying public you don't fly 50,000 miles a year, fly the cheapest.
Too mean to buy a long personal title
FormerFlyer:
DANM
I think you'll find you were either in J class with a 2-3-2 config on a 777 or you were on a 767 seeing how you say the legroom was only 31".
DANM
I think you'll find you were either in J class with a 2-3-2 config on a 777 or you were on a 767 seeing how you say the legroom was only 31".
BA's World Traveller Plus is a good equivalent to VS' Premium Economy. Don't know much about VS pricing, but BA's best valid WT+ fare is usually £200 per sector over the best valid economy fare - although there are times when you can't buy the best economy fare so the effective supplement for the flight is less than that. At fare sale times, the best WT+ fare often comes down to a supplement of £150 per sector.
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After 10 years flying with BA and holding a Gold card, I became so fed-up with being treated like SLF fodder, I decamped to Virgin.
What an amazing difference. I have flown 4 times on Upper Class and it has been excellent. I have a trip to Tokyo in two weeks accompanied by my wife (for free) which gives me Gold status AND I will have 120,000 miles on my account.
Nice poeple, great service and a feeling that you are valued
What an amazing difference. I have flown 4 times on Upper Class and it has been excellent. I have a trip to Tokyo in two weeks accompanied by my wife (for free) which gives me Gold status AND I will have 120,000 miles on my account.
Nice poeple, great service and a feeling that you are valued
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I have flown BA over the pond a few times and a couple of other long hual trips. Never had anything to complain about. But maybe I just like the old fashioned things like the 45 mins BBC News 24 programme they show before the feature films (whilst offering you a nice cup of English tea). LAX-LHR was about 9hrs 45(fav winds). Had evening meal after take off, followed by drinks. Then lights down. Woken about 90mins before landing for breakfast leaving a healthy 7hrs for a kip inbetween.
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For regular Ppruners, this topic comes round every so often and usually ends up as a "Slag British Airways off!" posting.
Whether you enjoy your flight or not is partly within the airline's control, and partly not!
1. Crew behaviour - (a) Due to the increase in "air-rage" incdents, the attempted cockpit storming of our LGW-NBO service and 09/11, both ground staff and air crew have to be alert to the actions of our travellers. Sometimes, this wariness may be viewed by the customer as "aloofness".
(b) All airlines have good crew members and bad. Sometimes, there are personality clashes between crew members and, although professionalism should not allow minor disagreements to interfere with cabin service, sometimes it does!
(c) There ain't no polite way to refuse an upgrade request (and at least 90% of our passengers ask for one). However one answers the "U" question, the customer is bound to feel a little rebuffed and this rejection can get the flight off to a bad start!
2. Passenger behaviour - Being strapped into a seat, only a few inches from a complete stranger, is an unnerving experience. When said stranger has some annoying habits, this minor source of irritation takes on major importance. If the last seats available happen to be the centre ones, you're in a negative frame of mind even before pushback!
At the end of the day, we get just as many compliments as we do brickbats! The "Bearded One's" airline does have the edge on us with IFE - but as personal DVD players are now available at less than £100, this will become of less importance in a year or two - but overall the two airlines are very similar.
Follow your instinct and let the fare decide!
Whether you enjoy your flight or not is partly within the airline's control, and partly not!
1. Crew behaviour - (a) Due to the increase in "air-rage" incdents, the attempted cockpit storming of our LGW-NBO service and 09/11, both ground staff and air crew have to be alert to the actions of our travellers. Sometimes, this wariness may be viewed by the customer as "aloofness".
(b) All airlines have good crew members and bad. Sometimes, there are personality clashes between crew members and, although professionalism should not allow minor disagreements to interfere with cabin service, sometimes it does!
(c) There ain't no polite way to refuse an upgrade request (and at least 90% of our passengers ask for one). However one answers the "U" question, the customer is bound to feel a little rebuffed and this rejection can get the flight off to a bad start!
2. Passenger behaviour - Being strapped into a seat, only a few inches from a complete stranger, is an unnerving experience. When said stranger has some annoying habits, this minor source of irritation takes on major importance. If the last seats available happen to be the centre ones, you're in a negative frame of mind even before pushback!
At the end of the day, we get just as many compliments as we do brickbats! The "Bearded One's" airline does have the edge on us with IFE - but as personal DVD players are now available at less than £100, this will become of less importance in a year or two - but overall the two airlines are very similar.
Follow your instinct and let the fare decide!
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I hate to say it Bealine, but At the end of the day, we get just as many compliments as we do brickbats! is not a good place to be for a company that is hugely reliant on a good customer service image.
Are we talking economy or premium seats? There are big differences between carriers when it comes to business/first class. However a business class seat on the worst carrier is usually a lot lot better than the best economy seat on the best carrier. So if you fly the miles, get into a frequent flier scheme where you get the op-upgrades and upgrade certificates valid on cheap tickets.
If it's economy class give the airline as little of your money as possible, you know they will be doing the same to you when it comes to providing service.
Are we talking economy or premium seats? There are big differences between carriers when it comes to business/first class. However a business class seat on the worst carrier is usually a lot lot better than the best economy seat on the best carrier. So if you fly the miles, get into a frequent flier scheme where you get the op-upgrades and upgrade certificates valid on cheap tickets.
If it's economy class give the airline as little of your money as possible, you know they will be doing the same to you when it comes to providing service.
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slim_slag - You're right.....however, Customer Service now takes second place behind safety and security. Since we had that prize tw4t storm the cockpit of our LGW-NBO service, we will not allow a repeat performance! If this makes customer service attitudes appear a trifle aloof, then so be it! The aircraft are all going out full anyway - even at the moment whilst we have a "slack" season before the Christmas rush - so we must be doing something right (and, before you say anything, our fares are about 20% higher than US carriers and, usually, about 5% higher than the "Bearded One's" excellent carrier!
The only reason BA are getting away with premium fares out of Heathrow is because you have reduced capacity, control far to many slots and have anti competitive alliances on some of your best routes through OneWorld. The natural consequence of this is complacency and overcharging. The BA Club World product is no longer best in class for seats, IFE, food or service. Why? Because it faces very limited competition. The complacency your post implies says a lot about what is wrong with BA!
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Well the Ozzy clan is flying to LHR from BOS tomorrow and we are going Club. I am looking forward to it, but I have heard nasty things about the pre flight meal in the Club at Logan. We are on the 20:55 and as I understand there is no meal served in Club on that flight (but there is in coach). Will be interesting!
Ozzy
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I thought BA was full because they offloaded loads of seats on the cheap via the Daily Mail. Wait until BMI start flying to LAX, should give BA cause for concern.