Virgin V Delta...With a twist!

GIRLPOWER_2

I am trying to get flights in August for 4 adults and 2 children to miami/FLL via NYC and we live less than1 hours drive from Manchester Airport.

I have to choose from the following options with very little price difference which is approx 510.00 pp via expedia.

Option A.

Flights from Heathrow and travel with Virgin which would mean a 3 hour drive to the airport.

OR

Option B.

Flight from manchester with Delta which would mean when we return not having to face a 3 hour drive.

What would you do?

Can anyone compare the 2 airlines?

Thanks in advance.

Nikki.

duchy

Delta you'd have to change planes-Virgin you wouldn't (Hmmm just noticed the "via NYC" bit-do you mean with a stay in NYC or just changing planes ?)
Virgin have a younger fleet than Delta
Would you have to pay parking at Manchester or is it close enough to get a lift ? Heathrow parking costs can be very high.
Changing planes enroute doesn't bother me but you may find it a bit of a chore with kids depending on their ages. Cinncinati airport is a lot nicer than Atlanta which is HUGE and can be a trek between gates -which is your connection through ? (If either)
Those are the main points I'd be thinking about

GIRLPOWER_2

Thanks for the reply.

We would be staying in NYC for 2 nights. So changes and distances would be about the same.

We would pay for parking at both airports but normally get a deal for parking off site so not really factoring that either

Was just wondering if the difference between the 2 airlines would be worth the extra drive adding 2 hours to each journey

Has anyone flown both?

dmg24

I used to love Virgin (I would not fly with anybody else), but my last experience was very poor. I flew Delta years ago, and I would say it was no better or worse than any other airline.

If you were closer to LHR, then I would probably go for Virgin. But for the added time on the journey, I would go with Delta x

Edit: Sorry, might help if I justified my comments!

My first three flights with Virgin were great, the crew could not do enough to help you, and an excellent entertainment system. Then my last flight was delayed by four hours (in both directions!), in which time we were not allowed off the plane. The plane was cramped, I had paid for extra legroom and they had put me in a normal seat, and they forgot my vegetarian meal. Their response to forgetting my meal was to suggest I eat the bread roll?!!

Delta's service was pretty average, and they also forgot my meal. However, their response was to serve me something from the business menu (I did get some odd looks!).

With any economy flight, you just have to make the best of it that you can, and just see it as a way of getting from A to B ... x

broooce2229

Flew with both last year to the states and both were great, I would go for convenience of not having that drive on your return home, certainly wouldnt worry about delta.

duchy

OK so with the additional information-I agree with dmg-Go Delta.
Virgin used to be really good and I was a huge fan of them both for my own travel and my customers but in recent years they have slipped and there is no big advantage flying with them especially if the journey time is longer

bagand96

Personally I'd go with Delta for convinience alone, driving 3 hours after a transatlantic flight will be no fun at all, especially considering most transatlantic eastbound are overnight not sure if yours would be).

Not sure if this makes any difference to you, but on most American airlines (I'm sure this applies to Delta) soft drinks are free, but you have to pay for alcoholic drinks in economy. Virgin all drinks are free.

Have you tried looking at the flights on Delta/Virgin's own website. Expedia are good, but the airline's own websites are often hard to beat.

exel1966

I wouldn't say either airline is better than the other. Virgin have the gimmicks, but they're not what they used to be by a long straw.

Has to be Delta ! I would have said the overall factor sway would be the 3 hour drive after flying across the pond !! A 3 hour drive in the UK is a nightmare at the best of times, let alone when you've had very little rest/disturbed rest. It's a recipe for disaster on the Motorway !

GIRLPOWER_2

[QUOTE=bagand96;7777719)

Not sure if this makes any difference to you, but on most American airlines (I'm sure this applies to Delta) soft drinks are free, but you have to pay for alcoholic drinks in economy. Virgin all drinks are free.

Have you tried looking at the flights on Delta/Virgin's own website. Expedia are good, but the airline's own websites are often hard to beat.[/QUOTE]

Thank you all. Delta looks like a winner then. DH will be pleased as he would be the driver!

I will try Detla's site for a price but when I telephoned Virgin as they do not do multi flights on there site and AA were the connecting flight they were over 100.00 pp more.

Nikki. x

hammy_the_hammer

have you not looked at continental from manchester ...try the site direct ...they're pretty similar to the other US airlines ....Virgin are trading on the travel experience of years ago ...ask someone who they want to fly to florida with and a lot will say Virgin ...ask them why and they don't really know

stoneman

Virgin are absolute pants. Trust someone who has flown with them on average 4 times a year for the past 10 years. The product has gone so far south it is a joke. Last trip back from Vegas no In flight entertainment on the whole plane, and no overhead lighting, result on an overnight flight, BOREDOM!! Their compensation offer, 5,000 FF miles. Oh, and seat pitch in economy is about 3", in effect you sit upright the whole trip.
I miss my MAXjet!!