Flying to New York - BA or Virgin?

chris.tarry85

chris.tarry85

chris.tarry85

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29 Sep 2005
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Am looking to take the family to New York in October half term next year and surprisingly the prices seem very reasonable for school holidays at the moment (less than £400pp).

BA and Virgin are almost identical on price, so I think the decision will be based on the plane itself.

I understand that if you get a BA 777 from Heathrow he vast majority have been re-furbished over the last few years and look like an OK place to be (will avoid the ancient BA 747's!)
But what I am not clear on is how they would compare to an A340-600 (which is what Virgin seem to use)?

Has anyone flown economy on both and can compare?

Also, it seems there is a chance Virgin may put a 787 on this route at some point next year, would this swing the decision for you?

Thanks
 
I think it'll come a lot down personal preference with people just saying which they prefer.

Both airlines will be great so just go with the one with the best flight times? Or as you said the plane itself, so go with virgin if there's a chance of a dreamliner.

I flew with Virgin direct to LA on a 747 a few years ago, 14hrs and was a pleasure no complaints. We sat upstairs (standard class still) and it was very nice. Only two banks of 2 seats and you got a big shelf where the plane sloped.
 
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In 8 flights with Virgin (4 round trips) only one went as it should, without having to pretty much beg for what was supposed to be pre-booked meal requirements etc.

BA on the other hand have only ever been spot on in about 12 flights.
 
What's the cheapest? "most" economy flights are broadly similar.

Used BA to New York on 4 occasions and they have always been good, pleasent and on time. Free drinks etc (not sure about Virgin)
 
Flew to Orlando with virgin earlier in the year on a 747. Would highly recommend. Staff and plane were excellent. My wife surfers from very bad anxiety about flying and the crew went out of there way to make the flight enjoyable.

Ps pay to use the v lounge in the airport. Just do it.
 
Both are fairly similar and I would choose between them based on price rather than anything else. However one thing to be aware of is that the seating config on the Virgin A340 is 2-4-2 so if you are travelling as a couple its much nicer than the 3 abreast layout on the 777.
 
TripleT said:
I flew with Virgin direct to LA on a 747 a few years ago, 14hrs and was a pleasure no complaints. We sat upstairs (standard class still) and it was very nice. Only two banks of 2 seats and you got a big shelf where the plane sloped.
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14 hours?! Did the pilot get lost :D
 
[TW]Fox;28993572 said:
Both are fairly similar and I would choose between them based on price rather than anything else. However one thing to be aware of is that the seating config on the Virgin A340 is 2-4-2 so if you are travelling as a couple its much nicer than the 3 abreast layout on the 777.
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We're actually a family of four, so four seats together would be a nice change compared to being split as we usually are!

Are the A340's reasonably modern inside? AVOD is a given I would hope?
 
Whichever is cheapest.

I always sense an odd contradiction in flight threads - flights are 'absolutely crap' if they aren't of a 'low price', but it's worth paying ~£150 more for meals / entertainment for 6 hours. Cheapest is always the best IMO (providing it's no less safe!) and I'm 6'2" - look like a daddy long legs in a corner on most flights but pfft it's only a short trip. To be fair I would pay £30 for extra legroom on a long haul flight.
 
I've spent an age doing the transatlantic runs, both to NYC and Seattle. NYC always flew Virgin, Seattle always went BA.

Have learned to loath and dread flying BA. Always seemed to be a bit of a mess.
 
nutcase_1uk said:
In 8 flights with Virgin (4 round trips) only one went as it should, without having to pretty much beg for what was supposed to be pre-booked meal requirements etc.

BA on the other hand have only ever been spot on in about 12 flights.
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MacRS4 said:
I've spent an age doing the transatlantic runs, both to NYC and Seattle. NYC always flew Virgin, Seattle always went BA.

Have learned to loath and dread flying BA. Always seemed to be a bit of a mess.
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See completely conflicting opinions :D

Just pick whichever has the best flight time and price.
 
Virgin. I never fly BA I once flew BA from Sydney to Auckland and it was like flying British Rail - filthy the staff as British Rail. This was the tail end of a flight from the UK obvious no cleaning up in Sydney. But in fairness the flight was very cheap - and I do love cheap
 
Virgin always for me.

Been 5 times with Virgin airlines, everything just seems easier from booking seats and so on.

Went with BA once because it was cheaper, in the end the flight out was with American Airlines and the return flight was BA. American Airlines experience was not great. Never had a problem with BA mind, but I personally just find Virgin airlines slightly better.
 
MacRS4 said:
I've spent an age doing the transatlantic runs, both to NYC and Seattle. NYC always flew Virgin, Seattle always went BA.

Have learned to loath and dread flying BA. Always seemed to be a bit of a mess.
Click to expand...

Agree with this. Flew BA a few times in recent weeks, would try to avoid them in future.
 
I flew BA in the 747 ( I think? ) it was horrible. No leg space, crushed up next to my friends. The TVS were like watching horrible cam copies.

Poor choice in flights, but then it was one of the few available at the time.
 
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