BA or Virgin Atlantic? Long haul...

[angel1976]

Hi all,

Can I just get a vote for whether I should fly long haul with BA or Virgin Atlantic (London-Tokyo)? Both fly similar times, similar prices and flight time (BA is ever so slightly faster). If all things being equal, who would you book with?

This is for November and a surprise birthday present for my DH for his 30th and I would hate it ruined by something like the BA strikes as it's been a mission and a half to find childcare for both our little tikes as well as getting time off his work. We usually fly Singapore Airlines (to see family who live overseas) so have very limited experience of BA or Virgin, especially longhaul!

Thanks!

Ax

Virgin.

I had a terrible flight with BA to San Francisco. Really old plane, no legroom, squashed up in the middle seats. Old tv set with no extras and no room in overhead lockers to store bags. The staff were miserable as sin. First and last time flying with BA. Virgin was far nicer experience PLUS NO STRIKES.

Virgin gets my vote too. Great on customer service.

I have never flown with Virgin but I have unfortunately flown many times with BA - if I had a choice NEVER BA.

Have flown to the States twice, once with BA and once with Virgin.

Virgins service WAY superior. BA cabin crew didnt give a stuff. Unlimited drinks? Trolley came round twice in 9 hours. Tutted if I asked for a drink when trolley not out.

Virgin, every time.

Virgin.

TBH with the BA strikes this year I would be very reluctant to book with them full stop.

Virgin experience has always been v good.

Wow, how overwhelming Virgin! Might have to take them then... Please keep your votes coming. It's the BA strikes I am worried about but looks like Virgin seems way better in terms of customer service too.

And thanks everyone. You have made my mind up.

Virgin every time. Unless you are going business class.

BA planes are old, dirty (urine on bathroom floor not cleaned for 9 hours on a recent flight...) and the service is very patchy. If you are used to Singapore you'll be appalled!!

Virgin every time.

BA are too strike-happy, especially during British holiday periods. Avoid like the plague unless you are desperate.

Another vote for Virgin. Recently flew to New York with DD (6) and DS (4). Cabin crew were lovely and nothing too much trouble. Free newspaper and Hello mag on boarding, loads of films. Easy check in online, no delays and no strikes!

Unlike everyone else I'd say BA, more comfortable seats in economy and better food

Recently flew Virgin to Miami and the steward told me that the spend per passenger in economy for everything including meal is 5p per passenger, and it felt like that

BA=bloody awful!! But Virgin can be bad too! Have you considered alternatives?

I've flown Virgin to Florida a few years ago. It was the best flight I've ever been on and would definitely fly them again.

I've only flown BA short haul. If you're worried about strikes etc I'd go for virgin, I think BA are just too unpredictable now and every time we fly with them something goes wrong.

Would use BA, Virgin's economy seat pitch is appalling and the seat is very narrow as well. If you are flying economy I would use BA as their seat pitch is better as is the food.

Virgin were once regarded as innovative but the cost cutting on their airline is much in evidence. Regular virgin customers have noticed a very real decline in standards over the past few years.

I've flown long haul with Virgin ,I loved it

No, no other alternatives as we need direct flights, can only fly within a very tight time constraint (due to surprise element of the trip!) and within a tight budget too. I think I can suffer tight seats, bad food etc as it's just me and DH. Travelling without the kids would be 'relaxing' in its own right! LOL! I think I might have to go with Virgin just base on the strike risk of BA alone. I can put up with anything but cancellation of the flight! Thanks for all your input.

Virgin Virgin Virgin.

We fly to Barbados every year and it is a similar situation with the Tokyo route. Same times / same prices between Virgin and BA.

Previously we have gone BA, as have my parents who fly out there a couple of times a year.

This year with all the flight threats we have booked with Virgin.

Their customer service is better / the food is better / the flight attendants were fabulous.

We are off in a fortnight and really looking forward to going Virgin.

Virgin again! We went long haul economy with three children with Virgin - cabin crew were extremely nice, entertainment was fantastic. And I would be very worried about more BA strikes.

Virgin. Have flown all over with both BA and Virgin and when I have a choice they always come out tops.

Virgin. Used to fly Virgin regularly to the States when DC1 and 2 were young but over recent years we've flown BA as not able to book Virgin flights where we live.

However, after all the arsing around BA have done recently which we've been affected by we have now booked Virgin to go to Florida in October. We have 4 DC in 3 schools in 4 different countries and it was such a major military operation organising the holiday we cannot risk missing it due to BA cabin crews antics.

Yes, I think the strike issue is a real concern. Like I said, it's been a military operation here as here getting the okay from my ILs for childcare and also from DH's work on the secret that I just cannot risk not going due to the strike. You have all helped make my mind up. BTW, does anyone have any idea if Virgin will do a 'summer' sale? Not sure if I should wait or just book the flights now. Availability showing up as good ATM. Thanks again!

In your case I would book the flights now. They probably will do a summer sale but equally they may not do a sale for either the dates or destination you require.

From my experience I'd say book now. You can then get the dates you want/need and also, contrary to popular belief, prices tend to go up nearer depature date.
Prime example is DH has just decided to try to book a ticket home to the UK (from Middle East) during summer and the price now is more than double what it was a few months ago)

Not flown Virgin but had bad experiences with BA earlier this year. 3/4 entertainments not working. They got one going so dh & I just read/slept while kids were entertained. Coming back dd2 & I didnt get the headphones etc until I asked 4 times. That was after being upgraded to economy plus and sitting by staff.