Virgin pemium economy or BA world traveller plus

supersaint_2

:(Having just experienced BA world traveller plus going on the same route at the same time of year as using Virgin Premium economy--there is absolutely no comparison
BA is second rate; coupled with staff who think they are doing you a favour by even serving you
Seats are inferior-- no separate toilet facilities --same basic food and plastic cutlery as economy--only benefit on demand entertainment program
I would not even contemplate travelling with BA again

Mr_Lahey

Personally i think Premium Economy is a waste of money. The only time its worth it is if the upgrade isn't that much.

Why anyone still flies BA these days really is beyond me.

dmg24

You will find that flight experiences and airline preferences are down to personal experience. I actively avoid Virgin, but will happily fly with BA.

Mr_Lahey

dmg24 wrote: »

You will find that flight experiences and airline preferences are down to personal experience. I actively avoid Virgin, but will happily fly with BA.

I meant in terms of their reliability in regard to strikes, lost baggage, customer service and now the charges for choosing your seat!

dmg24

Mr_Lahey wrote: »

I meant in terms of their reliability in regard to strikes, lost baggage, customer service and now the charges for choosing your seat!

I have experienced significant (and badly handled) experience on Virgin, and very poor customer service. BA's seating policy is not an issue for me, and even if it was, I would still rather pay than fly with Virgin. As I said, people will go on their own experiences.

ferf1223

the other consideration for comparison is route and the planes that fly that route. A PE upgrade on Virgin on the old 747s out of LGW is much less valuable (IMHO) than a PE upgrade on Virgin on the newer Airbuses out of LHR...we've flown PE on both types of plane with Virgin and the difference is massive.

supersaint - which type of plane did you fly PE with Virgin? I'm just curious to know what you're comparing the BA World Traveller Plus to (I've never flown World Traveller Plus so it would be interesting to know).

malkie76

The only differences between ecomony and economy plus on VS and BA is slightly increased seat width and pitch. Same food, same IFE, same drinks etc etc there are a couple of absolutely minor differences in that you get a proper glass for your drinks, occasionally a paper, and priority boarding and disembarking. It's value for money if you are particularly tall, or on a particularly long flight and want comfort.

VS have recently installed brand new seats in their economy plus product, and apparently they are very good - I'd expect BA to follow.

Only real genuine uses for the ecomony plus tickets are buying them and upgrading with miles to business class.

Mr_Lahey wrote: »

I meant in terms of their reliability in regard to strikes, lost baggage, customer service and now the charges for choosing your seat!

Strikes ? I think it's been one strike since 1995. Lost baggage ? VS have identicial problems - you hear more with BA as they have significantly more flights than VS. Customer service ? Very subjective remark - I've excellent and poor service with both carriers. Charges for choosing your seat ? That's a total misrepresentation of the situation. I can't see how you can complain that they offer a new service never offered previously - don't like it then don't use it.

edit

Given the similarity of their products in economy and economy plus, it comes down to a personal choice between BA and VS - particularly as their tickets are usually within a few quid of each other. In terms of premium product BA exceeds VS, with the exception of the private entrance channel in T3.

Mr_Lahey

malkie76 wrote: »

Strikes ? I think it's been one strike since 1995. Lost baggage ? VS have identicial problems - you hear more with BA as they have significantly more flights than VS. Customer service ? Very subjective remark - I've excellent and poor service with both carriers. Charges for choosing your seat ? That's a total misrepresentation of the situation. I can't see how you can complain that they offer a new service never offered previously - don't like it then don't use it.

edit

Given the similarity of their products in economy and economy plus, it comes down to a personal choice between BA and VS - particularly as their tickets are usually within a few quid of each other. In terms of premium product BA exceeds VS, with the exception of the private entrance channel in T3.

BA might not have had a strike per se since when you quote (i haven't checked myself) But they have had third party strikes which have effected them and they at least yearly have the threat of strikes hanging over them. A strike threatening BA is as much a cert as rain in summer.

BA lose more bags than any other airline in the EU.

If you wish to choose your seat prior to 24hrs before the flight you have to pay - A service which is free on all other major Transatlantic carriers iirc.

I personally don't like the BA product and where i can avoid them i most certainly do, as does the company i work for.

malkie76

BA might not have had a strike per se since when you quote

Thanks

BA lose more bags than any other airline in the EU.

Incorrect. According to the AEA Summer 2008 Consumer Report (http://eventplanning.about.com/library/aea-summer-report-09.pdf December 2008), that award goes to bmi, with KLM, TAP & Alitalia coming in ahead of BA. True, VS have fewer lost bags per head, but it's worth pointing out that BA have almost 10 times as many passengers to cope with.

If you wish to choose your seat prior to 24hrs before the flight you have to pay

Which is correct, and not what you originally claimed. If you don't like their new service you don't need to us it. People on the same PNR sit together by default, so the new service is for people who particularly want their favourite seat. I really don't understand what your point is.

Mr_Lahey

malkie76 wrote: »

Thanks



Incorrect. According to the AEA Summer 2008 Consumer Report (http://eventplanning.about.com/library/aea-summer-report-09.pdf December 2008), that award goes to bmi, with KLM, TAP & Alitalia coming in ahead of BA. True, VS have fewer lost bags per head, but it's worth pointing out that BA have almost 10 times as many passengers to cope with.



Which is correct, and not what you originally claimed. If you don't like their new service you don't need to us it. People on the same PNR sit together by default, so the new service is for people who particularly want their favourite seat. I really don't understand what your point is.

I think the problem here is that you want me to absolutely strip down every statement i make. Most people will understand what i mean and i am so good that i am almost always right - This is one of those instances.

malkie76

I'll only correct you if you post inaccurate or misleading information which I feel is important enough to bring to the attention of fellow posters.

Imagine BA was £50 cheaper on a route than bmi, but a family chose to fly bmi based on your inaccurate comment that "BA lose more bags than any other airline in the EU. ". On a family of 4 that could mean £200 saved.

Everyone makes mistakes sometimes. :money: