British Airways v Virgin Atlantic?

quidsin

I'd go with Virgin. I've flown to Antigua with Virgin, and Barcelona with BA, the serice with virgin was first class, the BA flight just seemed a standard service. Flying back from Antigua, Sir Richard Branson boarded the plane, and took time
to go around the plane saying HI to everyone, how nice!

franklally

I really like BA long haul and have found their service with children brilliant.

Reading this thread though is making me think of trying Virgin as it does sound as though people's experiences are better - it is always that bit more expensive than BA in my experience though - but perhaps it's worth it.......... .

purplecatlover

i have never flown BA so cannot comment about them. a few years ago i managed to get my continental check in to upgrade me to the virgin seating of the same flight as i had met someone who was flying virgin. it was the same plane, same airports and same times. contintenal tend to be cheaper though, and booking through continentals website direct tends to come up an average of £150 cheaper than the flight search sites.

sorry that was kind of ot but id say go virgin

plane_boy2000

Each to his own, but having flown both I now opt for BA. Though Virgin was a bit gimiky, and felt like I was on a holiday flight with holiday reps as staff. When I fly long haul its usually for business, and I like the professional service that BA offer. I have also flown BA to Antigua last year in Economy with my partner who was six months pregnant at the time - the crew could have not have been more helpful - they moved us to bulk head seats so that we had more room, and provided my partner with large bottles of water so that she did not have to keep asking for drinks - they were very attentive and checked on us all the time.

plane_boy2000

Forgot to add that I am 6'2" and find BA economy OK on their B777's

themaccas

HAve flown with both, last year went with Virgin to Orlando and it was DIRE. The seats were dirty and shabby, service almost non existant and as for legroom well...there wasn't any and the food was disgusting, the entertainment conole kept falling out of the back headrest with all the wires exposed. We are going to NY in March and have opted to go BA, find it much better although with economy it is still like a cattle truck!

djl

jessielicious wrote:

Flying to New York later this year I have a choice of airlines with similar flight times and exactly the same fare. Can anyone recommend one more than the other? I have great memories of Virgin Atlantic but horrible memories of BA (no leg room). This was 10 years ago though, I need up to date opinions! Any help appreciated.

hi

we have flown virgin and ba long haul i would go with virgin anyday ba`s service is not very good to say the least :beer:

summerlou

have flown with virgin many times to orlando and twice with ba twice too many i may add.virgin have always been on time and friendly staff and could not do enough with the kids,ba on the other hand stuck up and rude no kids meals on both trips and they had been requested cant really comente on leg room as only 4ft 11 so plenty on both:j

mcgi6ah2

I think the thing to remember, and the reasons everyones experience is different, is that large airlines like BA and Virgin have many different age planes (in terms of cabin fit out) and many different staff. Invariably the experience won't be the same across the board.

It's worth pointing out that with many online bookings you can check the aircraft that the airline has scheduled for that flight and then check it against https://www.seatguru.com to see how it compares to their other planes. A good example of this is to deliberately book Emirates flights that use their older 777 aircraft as they are all configured with 2 or 3 inches more legroom.

Transatlantic for legroom American are configured well, but you have to pay for your drinks!

jetboy

There is no comparison between BA and Virgin. Virgin win every time for economy or premium economy services. I never fly BA now even if they are cheaper as I had the most woeful flight of my life with them from LHR-MIA. That aside, Virgin's econ service is definately better..better food, the entertainment system is better, there are more frequent bar services. As for service back-up...well yes BA have more flights but you are consistently under threat from industrial action by BA staff and usually at the most inconvenient times. At the minute the pilots are planning to strike as are the cabin crew.
Virgin's seat config differs between LHR and LGW. There are more economy/ prem econ seats on the LGW fleet
American Airlines used to have the best seat pitch across the atlantic. I believe they have reduced it now as the passenger numbers are growing