BA vs Virgin - across the pond in cattle...
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BA vs Virgin - across the pond in cattle...
Apologies if this one's been done to death lately - I haven't been lurking around here for a while...
I'm headed over the pond in early November - LHR to LAX and back from SFO and wondered what the BA vs Virgin experience was like down the back in either cattle or cattle plus, aka economy and premuim economy - is there any different between the 2 airlines for the same cabin class? Aircraft type and flight times seem pretty similar, as do the costs, so is there anything more to think about than headline price?
I have an Avios/Exec Club card with BA, but it's hardly used, so I don't think it'll yield an upgrade or the likes. I'm going away with my g/f, who has already booked with Virgin in economy, but she's happy for us to travel seperately so I could be alone - and anyway, unless we upgraded to premuim economy, even if we were sitting together, there's likely to be a 3rd seat in the row... I'm not that tall, so don't 'need' extra leg room or an exit row (although it's always nice...) and don't have any special dietary requirements.
Any thoughts appreciated!
I'm headed over the pond in early November - LHR to LAX and back from SFO and wondered what the BA vs Virgin experience was like down the back in either cattle or cattle plus, aka economy and premuim economy - is there any different between the 2 airlines for the same cabin class? Aircraft type and flight times seem pretty similar, as do the costs, so is there anything more to think about than headline price?
I have an Avios/Exec Club card with BA, but it's hardly used, so I don't think it'll yield an upgrade or the likes. I'm going away with my g/f, who has already booked with Virgin in economy, but she's happy for us to travel seperately so I could be alone - and anyway, unless we upgraded to premuim economy, even if we were sitting together, there's likely to be a 3rd seat in the row... I'm not that tall, so don't 'need' extra leg room or an exit row (although it's always nice...) and don't have any special dietary requirements.
Any thoughts appreciated!
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The last time I flew that route was about 18 months ago - and when I did it, I was in PE with VS for a blokes biking holiday so I was slightly numbed if you know what I mean...
However, I have flown many times with both in a number of classes. Basically, it's 6 points for BA and half a dozen for VS. The seats and cabins are going to be much the same really so it's service, attitude etc. Food/wine similar, maybe some more choc-ices on VS. My way of looking at it is that BA are the BBC of flying and VS the MTV.
Sorry I can't be more help than that but have a nice time anyway
However, I have flown many times with both in a number of classes. Basically, it's 6 points for BA and half a dozen for VS. The seats and cabins are going to be much the same really so it's service, attitude etc. Food/wine similar, maybe some more choc-ices on VS. My way of looking at it is that BA are the BBC of flying and VS the MTV.
Sorry I can't be more help than that but have a nice time anyway
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Sorry for the slight drift, but I wish that people would stop going on and on about cattle class. Everyone should know that cattle are protected by EU regulation and must be given adequate room to lie down and turn around, they must be adequately fed and given liquids to their needs.
You'd be lucky to be treated as well as cattle are.
You'd be lucky to be treated as well as cattle are.
Last edited by ExXB; 17th Sep 2013 at 17:08.
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Much of a muchness I believe.
Although, maybe if you could book the BA A380, which starts LAX next week, then it might make for a slightly nicer environment for the outbound flight.
Although, maybe if you could book the BA A380, which starts LAX next week, then it might make for a slightly nicer environment for the outbound flight.
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Having travelled both VS and BA economy and premium economy, both the same economy tight for space, uncomfortable seats, service variable to non existent but ok to get from A to B if you're not too fussed. Premium economy on the other hand VS every time, better seat better cabin and service, BA on the other hand the only difference is the curtain separating you from the economy cabin everything else the same even worse premium gets served after economy so you may not get a choice of meal.
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chiswick, I am not sure which flight you were on, but WT+ is never served after WT. Purely from a logistical side of how the service is delivered onboard. It is either it's own separate cabin on some of the 747 aircraft, or it is served first at the front of the forward cabin of the other type of 747, or the 777 and 767.
Also, there are several product differences, so I can only take it that it has been some time since you flew in the cabin.
Also, there are several product differences, so I can only take it that it has been some time since you flew in the cabin.
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Yellow: Please, please take my advice. If your girlfriend has already booked on VS, follow suit. From very long personal experience (with girlfriends and wife), you will never hear the end of it should you voluntarily decide to travel separately.
Assuming that the VS fare is even remotely similar to BA's, that is by far the wiser choice. Sometimes personal preference for different airlines just has to take a back seat.
Note, only once I did fly separately from my wife. It was agreed to only because I was traveling on business and my ticket had been purchased by the company -- while her's was out of our personal funds and it could be had at far less cost on a different airline. But guess what, my flight went out on time, but her's was delayed and she missed a connection and had to spend the night in Cleveland. So even though she had agreed to the arrangement, I have not heard the end of it.
Assuming that the VS fare is even remotely similar to BA's, that is by far the wiser choice. Sometimes personal preference for different airlines just has to take a back seat.Note, only once I did fly separately from my wife. It was agreed to only because I was traveling on business and my ticket had been purchased by the company -- while her's was out of our personal funds and it could be had at far less cost on a different airline. But guess what, my flight went out on time, but her's was delayed and she missed a connection and had to spend the night in Cleveland. So even though she had agreed to the arrangement, I have not heard the end of it.
Paxing All Over The World
SeenItAll has it right! It is far better to endure delays together. 
I recall years ago travelling to NYC in Upper Class and (then) Mrs PB riding in Y, for the same reason. She was mollified by being able to ride into Manhattan in the Limo. Doubly good, that night it was a Stretch! Whew.
I recall years ago travelling to NYC in Upper Class and (then) Mrs PB riding in Y, for the same reason. She was mollified by being able to ride into Manhattan in the Limo. Doubly good, that night it was a Stretch! Whew.
The new NZ Premium Econ will knock spots off the others (although the pods mean you actually sit slightly facing away from each other). Of the other two, VS purple leather is better.
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I'd never thought about that option before - in fact, I didn't know it existed.
The Sky-couch thing looks rather clever. Much like a proper version of what economy flying used to be like 'back-in-the-day' when aircraft flew well under optimum passenger numbers and you could normally stretch out in Y .
I'd give it a go.
The Sky-couch thing looks rather clever. Much like a proper version of what economy flying used to be like 'back-in-the-day' when aircraft flew well under optimum passenger numbers and you could normally stretch out in Y .
I'd give it a go.
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I concurr with the above advice - travel together if you can...
But if you decide to try the BA A380 to LAX, make sure you don't get a K window seat in economy - I travelled downstairs in a K seat to FRA on one of the proving flights, and the IFE box, combined with the curvature of the fuselage basically meant that there was very little foot space left... These IFE boxes seem to be even larger than the VS ones....
But if you decide to try the BA A380 to LAX, make sure you don't get a K window seat in economy - I travelled downstairs in a K seat to FRA on one of the proving flights, and the IFE box, combined with the curvature of the fuselage basically meant that there was very little foot space left... These IFE boxes seem to be even larger than the VS ones....
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Doesn't Virgin fly the A340 on that route which arranges the window seats in pairs as opposed to the blocks of three on the BA 747 (or 380). Just a thought, if you want to hold hands without anyone watching...
1. Rule 1 of every flight you ever take. Be nice to everyone "serving" you, no matter how horrible they might be to you. Even Security. Especially Security.
2. Travel together. If you do not, sod's law will apply. And, as someone has already said, you will not hear the end of it until she dumps you.
3. There is no difference in quality between their basic product. The service on both varies wildly.
2. Travel together. If you do not, sod's law will apply. And, as someone has already said, you will not hear the end of it until she dumps you.
3. There is no difference in quality between their basic product. The service on both varies wildly.
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Getting wife stranded in Cleveland! Wonderful! How did you manage that again?
But as a happy ending, because wife's flight to Cleveland was delayed because of crew unavailability, and not because of weather, she was put up at the airport Marriott for the night on Continental's purse.
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Personally I would much prefer to fly with Virgin than BA long haul.
But, like other posters had said, if your girlfriend has already booked with Virgin, then it's an absolute no-brainer to get yourself on the same flights. Virgin sometimes uses the A340 on the LAX route, which is a 2-4-2 seat configuration in economy, so should be quite easy to get a row for just you and the girlfriend.
But, like other posters had said, if your girlfriend has already booked with Virgin, then it's an absolute no-brainer to get yourself on the same flights. Virgin sometimes uses the A340 on the LAX route, which is a 2-4-2 seat configuration in economy, so should be quite easy to get a row for just you and the girlfriend.
I've not flown VS recently myself but from what I've heard from others they have a more familiar 'matey' style, BA is a bit classier. It will depend upon personal preference, many like the VS approach others prefer that of BA. You can go on the Skytrax airline quality website - I suspect that a major criteria for posting is having had a poor experience - but you can pick up some general trends. BA is slightly ahead (6/10 average against 5/10).