Virgin premium economy & BA world travellerplus

malkie76

I still don't see what you are clearly identifying as a 'little extra' - WTP is a separate cabin too, and there are more FAs per head than VA so the 'dedicated cabin crew' is slightly moot.

Regarding the timetabling......... just picking a few routes at random :-

BA217 gets into IAD at 205pm, closely followed by VA21 at 2.41pm
BA117 gets into JFK at 11.20am closely followed by VA3 at 12.05pm

UC on VA is looking tired and there are growing reports of equipment failure on a major scale. Conversely NGCW is easily the best in the business.

Pity VA don't offer a first class service as BA needs competition with it's new FIRST service.

bootman

I travelled for the first time with BA last year having only ever flown VA by choice. I was upgraded to WT+. The only difference I could see was that with WT+ you got a foot rest! The seats were as big as VA cattle class ones. I would not pay for it.

However on a trip recently back from the Middle East I was again with BA and bumped right up to CW. That is truely the way to fly. It was just lovely. If I could afford it I would be flying BA CW all the time, but while I can't I will choose VA economy.

Doshwaster

bootman wrote: »

I travelled for the first time with BA last year having only ever flown VA by choice. I was upgraded to WT+. The only difference I could see was that with WT+ you got a foot rest! The seats were as big as VA cattle class ones. I would not pay for it.

However on a trip recently back from the Middle East I was again with BA and bumped right up to CW. That is truely the way to fly. It was just lovely. If I could afford it I would be flying BA CW all the time, but while I can't I will choose VA economy.

You seem to do well with upgrades considering how little you fly with BA! I'm a BA Sliver Card holder and I only rarely get upgrades. Maybe it's their way of tempting new passengers to keep flying with them.

Yes, BA Club World is superb. The times I have been in CW, I haven't wanted to get off the plane. Flying to the US next week so fingers crossed for an upgrade.

Aidenr

bootman wrote: »

I travelled for the first time with BA last year having only ever flown VA by choice. I was upgraded to WT+. The only difference I could see was that with WT+ you got a foot rest! The seats were as big as VA cattle class ones. I would not pay for it.

That pretty much is my point !
at VA the 2 cabins are nothing like oneanother
In relation to quotes regarding BA or ANY other airline being given take off/landing clearance over another carrier doesnt seem to make any sense??
The examples that were quoted are schedule times, this has nothing to do with ATC
they are slots purchased by the airlines and at LHR, BA have dominance and have done since the dawn of time.

Im not saying that VA are better than BA or any other carrier, my best friend is a flight manager for them (CSD) so although I am slightly biased, I was just giving the OP an insight to the VA product
Little extra's that I have mentioned are those that are not offered in VA Economy, and head count is 2 dedicated crew members that do NOT work in both cabins and are there to give a personal touch to the service.

Aidenr

malkie76 wrote: »

UC on VA is looking tired and there are growing reports of equipment failure on a major scale. Conversely NGCW is easily the best in the business.

Pity VA don't offer a first class service as BA needs competition with it's new FIRST service.

What equipment failure are you referring ?
I do agree that the new CW is a great product, I did LHR-HKG 2 weeks ago and had a great service, and then HKG-LHR in VA upper

I totally agree, I hope that when and if VA ever get there B787 we will have FIRST, I know that there are lots of ideas in the pot and a new Economy seat is currently under trial on one of our LHR 747's so anything could happen

A

old_motters

FWIW, I'd pick the schedule, price and route that suited me best and pick that. Premium economy is a step up on either airline and will be more restfull that being at the back.

malkie76

Aidenr - a couple of inconsistencies creeping into your story. Firstly you claimed you worked for VA "I have just got back yesterday from Japan ( Narita ) as crew and I work for VS", but now it seems it's your friend "my best friend is a flight manager for them"

In relation to quotes regarding BA or ANY other airline being given take off/landing clearance over another carrier doesnt seem to make any sense??

Where did I say that ? I clearly stated scheduling in my original point. I posted "One final point is that in terms of scheduling (in my experience), BA flights take and land ahead of VA flights on the same route ", I said nothing about ATC or priority landings :rolleyes:

2 dedicated crew members that do NOT work in both cabins and are there to give a personal touch to the service.

But with BA you get 4, which is my point. Your entirely arguement around 'dedicated cabin crew' is entirely moot.

What equipment failure are you referring ?

Read the flyertalk forums for countless examples.

stoneman

Aidenr wrote: »

What equipment failure are you referring ?

You are joking, right. where shall we start. Entire suites being taped off as the seat has broken.The IFE is notorious for not working. Beds having to be done manually as the electrics have gone. ottomans broken, reading lights hanging off, and NEVER enough Champagne (maybe not an equiptment failure but thought I would mention it;))

old_motters

stoneman wrote: »

You are joking, right. where shall we start. Entire suites being taped off as the seat has broken.The IFE is notorious for not working. Beds having to be done manually as the electrics have gone. ottomans broken, reading lights hanging off, and NEVER enough Champagne (maybe not an equiptment failure but thought I would mention it;))

It's true. The general thinking on flyertalk is that Virgins premium cabin has nose dived in terms of quality. While BA has dipped a little due to recessionary cutbacks they're nothing on the scale of VA.

For US travel I'm looking forward to trying out the new Delta BE lie flat seat. It should cost $$$ less than VA and be better.

LHR777

stoneman wrote: »

and NEVER enough Champagne (maybe not an equiptment failure but thought I would mention it;))

Will be interesting see how BA go on the notorious binge drinking flight that is LAS. VS are regularly dry by Ireland, I wager BA will make it further, but all the way??

:beer: