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Flying cross-country, JetBlue or Virgin America?

Flying cross-country, JetBlue or Virgin America?

Old May 30th, 2012, 11:02 AM
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yk
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Flying cross-country, JetBlue or Virgin America?

Looking at nonstop flights between San Francisco and Boston.

Virgin America is a tad cheaper, but when I add in the checked luggage fees (JetBlue has none), the price is pretty much exactly the same.

Both airlines have convenient departure/arrival times for me.

Both operates A320.

My understanding is that JetBlue's seats have slightly better pitch (34")? vs Virgin America (32')? Am I correct?

Also, I think both have individual entertainment unit with VOD? And food for purchase on board?

Since everything is pretty much a wash; should I pick JebBlue b/c of the better seat pitch? Or is there something special about Virgin America that I have overlooked?

I haven't flown with either airlines before, and will unlikely to do so on a regular basis, so I'm not even considering joining their FF programs.
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Old May 30th, 2012, 12:38 PM
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JetBlue has more leg room. Also, JetBlue has a de facto babysitter on board -- the VOD includes a whole set of television stations, and kids tend to sit glued to their favorite programs.
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Old May 30th, 2012, 01:17 PM
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Fly JetBlue. Having flown on numerous transcon flights both on JetBlue and other airlines, you will be oh so much happier on JetBlue. And depending on how tall you are it may even be worth paying for the "even more space" seat...
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Old May 30th, 2012, 04:23 PM
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Haven't flown Virgin, but JetBlue is excellent.
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Old Aug 2nd, 2012, 12:21 PM
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I want to report back after my trip. I ended up flying JetBlue Westbound (BOS-SJC) and Virgin America Eastbound (SFO-BOS).

I actually liked both about the same. What I liked about JetBlue is:
1) Free first checked bag
2) Free snacks on board
3) Extra legroom in every seat (tho not a huge deal since I'm only 5'2")
4) Sirius XM radio on board

What I liked about Virgin America:
1) Live TV entertainment (watched Olympic coverage for most of my flight home)
2) On-demand food service and easy ordering via the screen

I guess I liked JetBlue a tad better but I wouldn't hesitate to fly with either airlines again.
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Old Aug 3rd, 2012, 11:36 AM
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Another Jet Blue fan here. I have flown cross country on Virgin as well and found it to be good and had no issues. I think the big tie breaker is no luggage fee
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