NYC - BA vs Virgin Opinions Please

[malleiras]

Hi All,

We are planning on going to New York next April with our DS's (12 and 16) It's our first longhaul flight and we're thinking of booking premium economy but not sure who to fly with. I'm hearing BA and Virgin are very good but they both seem the same to me.

Any opinions/experiences welcome :)

Virgin. Definitely. I always book with them given the choice.

Virgins planes tend to be newer and the food is better. I've flown both airlines economy and I've flown virgin premium economy and BA club. BA used to be something special but sadly it's not any more.

Virgin, although BA is fine.. NYC isn't that far.

Thanks so much everyone! :)

Is the flight from London to NYC generally ok or turbulent?

I'm actually a nervous flyer and the thought of 7 hours on a plane gives me sweaty palms but I'm not going to let it stop me!

Look at the seat configurations in Premium Economy as this differ in Virgin and BA. We chose Virgin on this basis but they were brilliant. I'm a nervous flyer and the wine and films kept me calm :)

Virgin. If BA strike as they regularly do your holiday could be scuppered. Or if they have an IT disaster like this year.

I'm also a nervous flyer and the flight was fine. We book a morning flight going and a night flight coming back.
I had originally booked with Virgin but the flight got cancelled. We ended up flying with Thomas cook. It was all good.

I'd go with Virgin purely on the basis they are less likely to strike.

And I have flown to NYC with Virgin and it was better than any equivalent duration BA flight I've taken too.

virgin hands down. And on a day flight over there, it's not really worth paying the extra for premium economy - there's great entertainment and food in economy and unless you're all over 6 foot 2, a couple of extra inches are not worth paying so much of your own cash for (return will be overnight so might be worth it to get some sleep if you go straight back in to work, though it'll be marginal anyway as not flat beds etc)

Virgin for sure. I've lots of experience with both and there's no comparison.

We booked with BA in December 2015 to fly to NYC over virgin as for the same hotel and dates it was £150 per person cheaper, we were also upgraded free to premium economy on our way out. However since I've had two members of my family have flights cancelled in the strikes on two separate occasions we've taken a plunge this year and booked with virgin to go to Florida over BA as we just don't want to take the risk. My partner has flown with virgin long haul and said they're both the same really.

I think the food on virgin is generally more vile than other airlines but I'd always book them over BA. They're customer service is really good and their planes are comfortable.

Just bring snacks.

With Virgin premium economy you get priority check-in and boarding, which you don't with BA.

Also, BA charge you to book your seats in advance, whereas Virgin let you book them months ahead on PE.

Virgin have a walk-up snacks/drinks station in PE on their transatlantic flights, too, which might be useful with teen boys if they're anything like mine...)

Those things are enough to sway me (we're booking PE for the first time as a huge treat and just discovering all this stuff!)

I flew Virgin Premium Economy back from NY as it was an overnight flight and it was great - really comfortable.

I flew Economy over there and the seats were really cramped, like sitting on a bus for hours, but it didn't matter that much. Free drinks throughout the flight - loved that!

Thought VA charge for seat allocation however, as well as BA. BA certainly charge for seat allocation and that is per sector as well.

PE customers do board earlier as well than economy pax with BA.

Do not rely on either airline to fully provide; take your own snack foodstuffs also.

On the VA website, they say they don't charge for seat allocation - C&P below.

Free seat assignment
As a Premium Economy passenger you can enjoy the luxury of selecting your seat from 331 days before your flight, free of charge. Just head over to My booking.

This article is where I've been trying to make comparisons, OP, in case that's helpful.

We haven't actually booked/flown either, yet, so other posters will be able to give you better info from experience!

Am glad to read they do not charge their PE pax such fees (they do for their economy pax though).

You would have to remember going onto my booking exactly 331 days before departure.

Regardless of whom you fly with OP I would suggest you become a member of their flyers program.

We had the pleasure of flying premium economy with Virgin to Orlando this year. Absolutely brilliant. Fantastic service comfortable seats and it was a pleasure. It was so nice at the end of holiday not to dread the journey home! Have a lovely time and enjoy which ever carrier you use. P

Thanks so much everyone, really appreciate all the comments and advice

I'm not a big drinker but think I'll be making the most of the free drinks to get me through 7 hours on a plane! :)

@EllieMentry, thanks for that article will defo have a look!