BA or Virgin to Washington. Any recommendations?

Mark Greaves · 28-07-2008, 8:26 AM

Hi,

In September I have to fly to Washington. It's for work so I am allowed to go "Premium Economy". The choice is basically between BA and Virgin. I have flown trans-atlantic (all classes) with Virgin quite a few times and always been satisfied. However last time was 3 years ago so not sure if things have got better of worse.

Does anyone have recent experience of Virgin and/or BA trans-atlantic and can recommend one over the other, or even some one else? Thanks.

Cheers

Mark

Bill Hicks · 28-07-2008, 10:26 AM

Given the choice i'd fly with United!

JonMace · 28-07-2008, 10:33 AM

I would go virgin, but it has been many years since i have flown pren, normally fly UC

Mark Greaves · 28-07-2008, 12:33 PM

Thanks Bill - United only seem to have economy or full blown business class. My company travel policy allows us to stretch to the premium economy for long flights but will not go as far as business / upper class (shame

)

Thanks Jon - I have been UC with Virgin a couple of times as a result of upgrade and it is a different world! Happy with premium economy - that exra bit of space make a lot of difference.

May stick with Virgin at least I will get some frequent flyer points but they will probably expire like the last lot

Cheers

Mark

Nobber22 · 28-07-2008, 1:29 PM

Book the cheapest, making sure you tell your boss = brownie points. It's only 6-7 hours anyway, barely qualifies as long-haul.

loz · 28-07-2008, 2:19 PM

If you buy a full price World Traveler Plus ticket on BA, you stand a good chance of an upgrade to club at this time of year because world traveler is usually over booked and they are looking to move folk up a class.

They did for me last time.

jerryfb · 28-07-2008, 2:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Greaves

Hi,

In September I have to fly to Washington. It's for work so I am allowed to go "Premium Economy". The choice is basically between BA and Virgin. I have flown trans-atlantic (all classes) with Virgin quite a few times and always been satisfied. However last time was 3 years ago so not sure if things have got better of worse.

Does anyone have recent experience of Virgin and/or BA trans-atlantic and can recommend one over the other, or even some one else? Thanks.

Cheers

Mark

I'd fly BA just to keep my exec club status. If you're not above blue in exec and you don't collect miles then Virgin are a good choice. See if your in house travel company have any offers. Sometimes there's good upgrades to be had. I wouldn't fly united since an engine failed on me on an MD-80 above Dallas

Was a few years ago mind

loz · 28-07-2008, 2:28 PM

BTW, if it is convenient, I have found flying into Baltimore is a more pleasant experience than Dulles.

No queues, nice modern airport.

Sianny · 28-07-2008, 7:58 PM

I've flown with Virgin quite a few times in the past and have never had a complaint...this changed when i went to Las Vegas in October last year.

The staff were rude, the planes were old and on the way back they tried to sit me at the front of the plane and my boyfriend at the back even though we had already pre-booked our seats! Oh and our flight was delayed going out and coming home! Absolute nightmare and a let down seeing as I'd flown with them before.

I'm flying with BA when I go to Florida in September and I'm looking forward to it.....heard some pretty good things about them too!

Mark Greaves · 29-07-2008, 9:55 AM

Thanks everybody

I think it's going to be BA. Washington is not my final destination and the BA timings are more convenient. Plus I have never flown long haul with them before so am curious to see the difference with Virgin.

Will turn up smartly dressed to boost the chances of upgrade to next class

Cheers

Mark

Paul_HDLover · 29-07-2008, 10:41 AM

Wouldnt worry so long as its not Qantas.

Paul_HDLover · 29-07-2008, 10:42 AM

Companies are tight if they dont allow you to fly business class when on business. Look to change companies.

Dave Weystoner · 29-07-2008, 8:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nobber22

Book the cheapest, making sure you tell your boss = brownie points. It's only 6-7 hours anyway, barely qualifies as long-haul.

I had to fly virgin economy back from Dulles a few years ago. The (very large) guy next to me had a box-like part of the plane's structure under the seat in front of him so he couldn't stretch out. Both he and I tried to get him moved, to no avail. He ended up sleeping all over me for 6 hours.

Never Virgin economy again - and never Virgin if I can help it.

Dave

Chris Muriel · 29-07-2008, 9:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul_HDLover

Companies are tight if they dont allow you to fly business class when on business. Look to change companies.

We have to have an 8 hour or longer complete flight before we can go biz class - so only my flights to Asia qualify; this doesn't usually bother me on a flight to USA (normally have 5 or 6 such trips per year).
However, I was allowed to make an exception on my return leg from Boston next month because I am hosting and presenting 3 one hour web conferences 2 days after I get back to UK. I suspect many other companies have a similar policy.
I'm a loyalty scheme "tart" - belong to all 3 major ones though currently only have frequent flyer status with 1 of them; I choose most flights based on a mixture of convenience of the tinming and cost.
I can't say I honestly think any of them stand out above their competitors though.

Chris Muriel, Manchester

loz · 29-07-2008, 9:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul_HDLover

Companies are tight if they dont allow you to fly business class when on business.

Then there must be a lot of tight companies around...

graham.myers · 29-07-2008, 10:11 PM

its a sign of the times - anything to reduce costs. Dont get me started on Hotels! I used to stay in 4* now the new company I work for look for budget and 3* max

.

I've hardly ever flown business class on business - usually upgrades and I've racked up a few airmiles.

we've flown virgin twice in the last couple of years and flown premium economy on both and they're not too bad on legroom.

I have a united airmiles frequent flyer card (and Virgin (50k miles) and BA) and I've accumulated 320,000 miles on UA so this year we flew to vegas on the freebies. we flew economy plus!! so they do do it!

I've flown business on UA too and thats good but not as good as Virgin Business

did that in 2000.

Gossops · 29-07-2008, 11:28 PM

My experience is to NY (Newark or JFK) rather than Washington.

I thought I was a Virgin fan until my last flight with them (May 07).

I now prefer BA, but make sure I check in online 23 hours, 59 minutes before departure to get a decent seat. There are a few good websites that can advise on seat allocations if you need them. I've done 8 transatlantic flights this year and managed a bulkhead seat every time.

BA are better at bringing the drinks round (I mean water, for hydration purposes) than Virgin.

Virgin have cuter in-flight socks/earplugs/eyeshades etc packs than BA.

I have a BA blue card with 41,000 miles that I can't afford to use because you still have to pay the fuel surcharges... so loyalty schemes are dependent on whether you are prepared to use them or not.

Personally, I'd now choose BA over Virgin, but a couple of years ago that wouldn't have been the case. My selections are based on leg room and familiarity with the system!

Beobloke · 30-07-2008, 1:35 PM

In my experience, BA are great if you like to arrive at the airport to be told that your flight has been cancelled, or if you're not particularly bothered whether your luggage arrives at the same airport as you, or on the same day.

Virgin gets my vote every time, unless Continental do the route you need.