Which is better British Airways vs. Virgin Atlantic from us to uk
 

Hi
I have been posting about my upcoming trip to the uk and paris this march I am about to book my flight and found direct flights on both BA and Virgin about the same times and prices. I will be flying economy. I was wondering if anyone had any reccomendations of which airline I should choose.
Thanks

virgin is very cramped, BA less so, and american even more roomy. i usually use BA to go to the US. i'm not a fan of virgin for the lack of space and the disorganisation of their staff.

i like British Air a lot. it is cramped in coach for sure, but they have those seatback video screens, decent food, good music, reasonably friendly attendents, etc.

never been on virgin to compare.

whichever just make sure you get a seat reservation when you get your ticket so you don't get stuck in the middle!

I'd choose AA over the other 2..but I can fly direct from MCO on BA or VA. So if I don't have FF tickets on AA , I'd go for BA..it is a slight bit roomier...and from here ,has a lot less kiddies , who are all wired up from a week at Disney!

Wouldn't go any other way but Virgin!!!!

the space at the back of the bus is about the same on both. In my experience, service and staff tend to be nicer/friendlier on Virgin. The entertainment systems - at least on the planes I've flown - are better on Virgin. But I haven't flown BA in a couple of years so things may have changed.

But really 6 of 1/ half dozen of the other. My vote goes slightly to Virgin.

If miles are important - you won't get full miles for a coach ticket on BA - and if you get a discounted ticket you don't get ANY miles.

I haven't used these airlines in a couple of years and I do know that you are asking about economy but my information might be useful.

We flew Virgin Premium economy to the US and BA First Class back I preferred Virgin. The plane was newer and the service was better, the BA return flight was an older flight and needed a serious re-furbish. We were in first class and my TV screen was broken, They tried to mend it with Duct tape but it kept falling to the side so I had to share with my son, the flight was an overnight flight and the attendants seem to assume that everyone is asleep so we had to request service, Why did I feel guilty about requesting service that I would not think about on a daytime flight? We didn't pay less?

On the upside I saw the Northern Lights from the air and that was a wonderful experience :-)

I've had great experiences on Virgin Atlantic economy, better than any other airline while heading over to europe.

If I am flying in economy and it's between BA and Virgin, I just pick the flight with the best times and price.

Those things equal, I will pick Virgin. My experiences have been better with Virgin and I dislike the BA service but there are probably as many people out there that will pick BA for the same reason! Coach is coach between these two.

This very subject seems to re-emerge periodically..same topic, same airlines, same answers.

Our own experience was about a year ago, Virgini Premium Economy which "allowed" us to board with the Upper Class passengers, afforded a slightly larger seat which did NOT have the advertised "leg rest" but rather a foot rest, a mimosa upon boarding and a very nasty glare from the FA when I tried to take a second one....and the exact same food as in regular Economy.

I like Virgin's entertainment system which I think is one of the best in the air; I would NOT spend the extra money for "premium economy" however.

In general, the Virgin planes are newer, but some BA planes are newer than others. With kids, I think Virgin is much better. Without kids, it's a toss up although recent Virgin food has been awful. You might want to take note of the type of aircraft on the various flights you're considering and have a look on seatguru.com for info on comfort, legroom etc. Both airlines have more than 1 type of aircraft.

Thanks for the feedback, my friends that have been all say virgin. Like someone posted though coach is coach. Virgin and BA fairs are about the same and if I go nonstop, which I prefer. I will be purchasing the ticket next week. I am tall 6 ft 3 so hopefully I can get and exit row seat!
Thanks

What you need is to be upgraded. Dress nicely for the plane and ask on check-in whether an upgrade might be available given your height. If you're traveling alone, even better.

I just checked both the fares again, Yesterday they were both about the same, today Virgin went up $80.00 and BA went down $20.00, so if it stays like that I guess that will make my decision easier!

Thanks for the tip mclaurie I never would have thought of that!

I'd go with Virgin everytime but BA is a close second.

Personally i think Virgin are MUCH better than BA. BA still trade on a former rep, i find their FA rude and not nearly as helpful as the Virgin Atlantic ones and the Virgin planes feel more spacious. Service has ALWAYS been better for me on VA. I would always fly VA over BA even if the price diff was $100

Hope that helps

mclaurie,

we (4 travelers) were upgraded by Virgin from Premium Economy to Upper class while we were all wearing sweatpants (comfort fliers), 2 of our party were 12 and 18 yrs old.

There was a problem with 2 of our tickets (we were using ff miles for those tickets) but we just smiled and went with flow. I think our attitude helped, although these were one way tickets (emigrating) and I assume Virgin wanted us to have a good experience.

rd1, it helps if you're a member of the airline FF program, sign up asap.

If prices and times are the same, I'd probably choose Virgin. I detest BA and think they are one of the worst companies flying. It isn't true as someone said that BA gives you more room in coach. I've flown both and all airlines give you little space in coach, but BA's space is at the minimum available, as I recall (17" wide seats, maybe 31" pitch). Virgin may be the same, but BA is not more spacious. I hate BA's head rests and can't sleep on them, for one thing, but I just think they have worse service. AA used to have more room, but I thought they got rid of it so now they are like any other (not that they are in the running here).

I fly BA regularly for business and personal reasons. On business, I'm almost always in business class and no complaints whatsoever with checking, seat or service. On personal travel (i.e., when I'm paying), I fly Premium Economy and again, no complaints (the route I fly--Gatwick to Orlando--tends to use newer planes). However, if you do fly PE on BA, don't take a seat in the bulkhead row. In addition to not having anyplace in front of you to stow carryon luggage you don't want put in the overhead compartment, you don't get the footrest. On flights between London and Orlando, that's row 12.
If I had to go economy transatlantic, I would first choose the airline that offered me the shortest flight time (direct flight). Otherwise, I might pick AA or whichever airline happens to be using the newest planes (although there's no guarantee they'll actually fly that particular plane on your route).