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Original poster

Which airline do i choose, BA or Virgin?

37 replies

buktus · 09/02/2011 17:18

Planning a trip to Antigua have 3 kids aged 9,8 and 5. BA is coming out so much cheaper than virgin, would like to hear of your experiences with both, thanks

OP posts:
mummytime · 09/02/2011 17:45

I prefer Virgin, but someone has said BA now has more leg room. (The only time my bags have been lost/delayed has been 3 times with BA.)

In your circumstances I would go BA though.

pagwatch · 09/02/2011 17:49

Virgin. The children love virgin, especially premium economy. Nice and comfy.

Ba are endlessly on strike.

DuplicitousBitch · 09/02/2011 17:52

virgin. ba will lose your bags

Giddyup · 09/02/2011 22:23

I have flown to Antigua with Virgin. They were wonderful to DS who was 6 at the time. We were endlessly fed and watered and the entertainment was really good. However I did find the economy seats lacking in leg room. Have fun, I love Antigua Smile Envy

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 09/02/2011 22:24

Virgin. Can't guaramtee BA won't strke again.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 10/02/2011 07:13

BA lost one of our bags (it did not make the flight so had a little holiday of its own arriving at the hotel 3 days later) but it was not actually BAs fault; the baggage system used at the airport is to blame for that.

Virgin's economy seats leave a lot to be desired particularly if you are tall. They have hard seats. Their aircrew can be very hit and miss as well in terms of overall customer service.

If BA are cheaper than VA then I would be using them, Virgin is not worth paying the premium in my opinion.

No future strike dates for BA have been announced yet but Unite are going to ballot their members yet again.

PDR · 11/02/2011 15:33

How much cheaper are you talking?

I would be concerned about BA striking as well - if you going in schools hols / over a bank holiday that's is when they like to strike!

BA have lost my bags countless times as have KLM.

In my experience the service is a lot better with Virgin as well but that may be luck of the draw!

dickcheeseandthecrackers · 11/02/2011 15:46

Would never book with BA at school holidays or national holiday times.
Virgin all the way.

isitspringyet · 11/02/2011 15:50

It's the LHR based BA crew that will strike not LGW

gregssausageroll · 12/02/2011 08:06

I vote BA. Thought virgin were dreadful.

TooColdForPenguins · 12/02/2011 20:49

BA have said they will guarantee to cover staffing for all their flights if there is a strike. There are now sufficient of the new 'mixed fleet' staff and volunteer cabin crew that it doesnt matter if similar numbers walk out as in the last strike. In addition, it's only the Heathrow-based longhaul crews that will strike, not the Gatwick-based ones as they are on different contracts and are not in dispute.

exexpat · 12/02/2011 21:03

I've been choosing Virgin over BA for the last decade based on better service, entertainment and food (and they had the flat beds before BA, in the days when someone else was paying for me to fly Upper Class), and lower likelihood of being on strike. The only time I've ever lost bags was on a BA flight, and at times I have been doing ten or twelve flights a year. BA's only advantage over Virgin on the routes I fly are that they use terminal 5 rather than the dire terminal 3 at Heathrow.

Later this year I have to do one long-haul flight with BA as Virgin wasn't available for that route, and I'm hoping that after all this time I'll be pleasantly surprised - not counting on it, though. It's around the bank holiday when they may be on strike, so I'm hoping what they say about having back-up crew for the long-haul flights is true (I'm flying into Heathrow again).

Tolalola · 14/02/2011 13:31

I've flown to and from Antigua several times on both Virgin and BA, and would never fly BA again, given the choice. Virgin staff are so much nicer in general, and they're more child friendly, ime.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 14/02/2011 15:27

Horses for courses.

I on the other hand found many of VAs aircrew to be standoffish towards the pax particularly those in economy class. Their lively chats from the galley (and these people all seem to be in their early 20s) seems to take precedence over actually serving the pax and I don't think that some of them want to do the job. Their service over the last 5 years or so in particular has really declined and I remember how innovative they were when they first started. That's not the case now because they've continued to cost cut across their whole airline.

Don't get me wrong; some of BAs aircrew also leave a lot to be desired but on the whole they have come across to me as far more personable and professional in their dealings with the pax.

PinkWinged · 15/02/2011 16:13

Virgin every time. Decided to never fly BA again after a long haul flight 2 years ago - food awful, service lazy, incompetent & off hand, toilets dirty etc etc.

You might pay more but you'll be more relaxed after the flight!

sparklyjewlz · 15/02/2011 16:34

If cost is not an issue go with Virgin. They're especially good with children. Antigua? Lucky you!

newmumma · 18/02/2011 10:09

BA definitely - virgin seating is dreadful and whilst the staff can be friendly, I have also had some horrific experiences with them. Bag loss is not usually down to an airline, its the airport that handles that so blaming the airline isn't right. Strikes are a worry but if I had the choice, having used both many times, I would choose BA everytime.

Wotznotnow · 18/02/2011 18:13

Caribbean routes all go from Gatwick with BA and Virgin. Unite cabin crew (if they strike) will only affect Heathrow departures. All Gatwick BA flights all operated when the cabin crew at heathrow were striking. They are already on the new contracts. So with that in mind, it doesn't matter.

Original poster
buktus · 21/02/2011 18:45

All booked BA it is

OP posts:
Kiwinyc · 16/03/2011 14:40

BA are great with kids, absolutely wonderful. Virgin treats babies like a distasteful and irritating inconvenience.

strandednomore · 16/03/2011 14:45

I have flown with both to the Caribbean and would chose Virgin if money not an issue. However, it's only a flight and tbh it'll be awful whoever you fly with (not a fan of overnight flights with children unless going Upper/business) so just go with the cheaper. Oh, as you have.

bellavita · 16/03/2011 14:50

We have always flown Virgin - and have loved every single flight.

This year Virgin don't fly to where we are going and we are going BA. I have now got a lump in my throat reading all your horror stories Shock - especially as we are going from LHR

I know with Virgin longhaul you get your drinks etc is this the same with BA?

PestoSlurpsCider · 16/03/2011 14:52

Virgin

BA always on strike at holiday times

bellavita · 16/03/2011 15:00
Wotznotnow · 16/03/2011 15:18

Pesto it's the BA Heathrow Cabin crew that threaten to strike. Caribbean routes are all from Gatwick anyway.

Unite are doing a ballot now. Last one was invalid - see link. BA will operate a full normal programme at London Gatwick and London City. At Heathrow they will aim to fly 100 per cent longhaul operation & a substantial proportion of shorthaul services.

BA link flight updates and news

I would happily fly BA, they also have a far greater and newer fleet for longhaul and during the volcanic ash crisis got more passengers home, quicker and with less hassle.