BA or Virgin to Washington. Any recommendations?

[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

[Bill Hicks]

Given the choice i'd fly with United!

[JonMace]

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

[Mark Greaves]

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]

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

[loz]

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]

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]

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

No queues, nice modern airport.

[Sianny]

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]

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]

Wouldnt worry so long as its not Qantas.

[Paul_HDLover]

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

[Dave Weystoner]

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]

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]

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...