BA or Virgin - flight to Los Angeles

FluffyFiFi

Hi,
Please help. We are looking at flying to LA over Easter. We have a choice of flights, either BA from Heathrow or Virgin from Gatwick. BA are offering a 747 service and Virgin are offering an Airbus 340.

We have two children, aged 13 and 10 and there will be me and DH.

If we book through Expedia does anyone know if we can still pre-book the seating on the Airline websites.

Also, anyway we can get a discount code on Expedia or the Virgin/BA website.

Lastly, we are looking at touring from LA to Vegas and up to Yosemite and back to LA, anyone got any hints about what is worth seeing and what is best to avoid.

Thanking you in advance for any help you can give.

Fifi

pennylane99

Virgin flies to LA from Heathrow

If you book through Expedia, you will be able to use the code on your itinerary to access your flight through Virgins website.

But also note, that even if you choose a seat, its not guaranteed, its only a seat request. You may be allocated different seats by Virgin later, although they do have a policy to try and seat families together

You can also get a discount if you book through Expedia using Quidco

SimbaSimon

I know BA doesn't allow you to choose seats until 7 days before your flight when booking with direct with BA, presume its the same if you book through expedia? Not sure about Virgin though.

Were flying to LA in February, can't wait! But choose BA as they were slightly cheaper then Virgin at the time.

sturll

Virgin, Airbus is far better than he 747.

Movies on demand etc, choose your seat etc etc...

VS every time.

Voyager2002

Why not fly on Air France? There are plenty of airlines, so why restrict yourselves to those two?

Anyway, VS economy seats are somewhat snug, so if any of your party are at all large you might prefer a different airline. However, their in-flight service is of a high standard, so if you are not liable to cramp you are likely to be happy with them.

FluffyFiFi

sturll wrote: »

Virgin, Airbus is far better than he 747.

Movies on demand etc, choose your seat etc etc...

VS every time.

Thanks, but why do you think they are better, is the seat pitch better, is the food better or the in-flight entertainment. I know it is only 10 hours of my life but when you've got 6'.2" DH and two children you want to be able to enjoy the experience.

FluffyFiFi

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Why not fly on Air France? There are plenty of airlines, so why restrict yourselves to those two?

Anyway, VS economy seats are somewhat snug, so if any of your party are at all large you might prefer a different airline. However, their in-flight service is of a high standard, so if you are not liable to cramp you are likely to be happy with them.

I have looked at these as they both fly direct from London and are the cheapest. I would be very happy to look at another airline but they have got to match the price.

London05

My OH flies with loads of airlines with his job, he likes Virgin & BA equally.He likes the Airbuses as well rather than the 747. Going to the USA ourselves next year BA - only cause we have more BA miles.

In both these airlines the economy is a bit snug, Virgin have a reputation for being a bit more friendly.

How about United , my friend has just come back with them

There is a website which gives you the low down on seat pitches etc - you might like to look at before you decide.http://www.seatguru.com/.



Ba says you should not be able to beat their online site so you may want to check out their prices before using Expedia

FluffyFiFi

London05 wrote: »

My OH flies with loads of airlines with his job, he likes Virgin & BA equally.He likes the Airbuses as well rather than the 747. Going to the USA ourselves next year BA - only cause we have more BA miles.

In both these airlines the economy is a bit snug, Virgin have a reputation for being a bit more friendly.

How about United , my friend has just come back with them

There is a website which gives you the low down on seat pitches etc - you might like to look at before you decide.http://www.seatguru.com/.



Ba says you should not be able to beat their online site so you may want to check out their prices before using Expedia

I'm only going through Expedia as I can get cashback through Expedia, but it is very low so would be happy to book through the main sites if it means I can pre-book our seats.

steveo3002

ive booked virgin to lax via expedia , within minutes your booking shows up on the virgin site and you can play around with seat options and meals etc

flown with them alot , theyre okay , nothing amazing but ive always got there when they said i would and never had my bags lost etc

sturll

FluffyFiFi wrote: »

Thanks, but why do you think they are better, is the seat pitch better, is the food better or the in-flight entertainment. I know it is only 10 hours of my life but when you've got 6'.2" DH and two children you want to be able to enjoy the experience.

The plane is far more modern and slick looking. The seat config better with only 2 seats next to window. For me it feels bigger, airier and is certainly quieter.