Virgin or BA to Miami?
Discussion
Might be going to Miami for a few days possibly. All my previous trans Atlantic flights have been with Virgin, but I notice that BA operate a similar flight at a similar price from the same airport (Heathrow).
Never flown long haul with BA, any particular preference for one over the other on this trip?
Never flown long haul with BA, any particular preference for one over the other on this trip?
djc206 said:
Much of a muchness if flying economy in my experience.
Have a look at Norwegian I believe they fly from gatwick to Fort Lauderdale which is close to Miami and I've read that they're very cheap
It will be economy (sadly), but beyond that I'm not paying so more interested in best experience (or at least, least worse since I'm cattle class! Have a look at Norwegian I believe they fly from gatwick to Fort Lauderdale which is close to Miami and I've read that they're very cheap
)trickywoo said:
I had a couple of really bad flights with Virgin switched to BA and all sweet - so far.
I'd sooner fly 777 than 747 given the choice. Don't know who flys what to Miami.
My previous flights with Virgin have been absolutely fine (better than fine actually, since coming back overnight I had a row of three seats to myself twice so could lie down). Just curious as to people's experience and whether to try BA this time.I'd sooner fly 777 than 747 given the choice. Don't know who flys what to Miami.
Virgin runs 747s to MIA and they all have the slightly older entertainment system. You're still able to choose the starting time of your moveis etc but its not the latest touch screen as seen on the Airbus A340s. Food is generally good and they keep you fed with snacks throughout. You can also splash about for an extra legroom seat which gives you the same pitch as Premium Economy.
Flew into Miami last night on BA and it was a good flight and service
But all the security machines broke at Miami and we all queued for 3 hours to get through and missed connections.
BA service was good albeit a little late in taking off (1 hour)
Forgot to say that Miami airport hotel is awful. Don't stay there.... And they even ruined the fruit for breakfast
But all the security machines broke at Miami and we all queued for 3 hours to get through and missed connections.
BA service was good albeit a little late in taking off (1 hour)
Forgot to say that Miami airport hotel is awful. Don't stay there.... And they even ruined the fruit for breakfast
Top Tip - The walk from the gate to immigration at MIA is around 1/4 mile. If there's one of those electric carts waiting when you get off the 'plane, bung him $10 and ride to the TSA. We zoomed past everyone and when we got to the TSA desks, queues were empty, we were out of the airport within 20 mins of departing the aircraft.
BA use their 747 fleet into MIA, it is always busy, especially on the way back to London as I think it is either the last or 2nd last flight back to Europe leaving MIA.
As BA code share with AA (which merged with US Airways) and Iberia anyone who is delayed into MIA (which happens on a frequent basis) or is transiting through MIA from the Caribbean ends up on the BA back in LHR on the 747, which are usually some of their older ones.
We have used both and tend to use BA simply because their connection with AA for onward travelling in the US as well as between the two of them, there are 4 flights a day from LHR to MIA, all at ok times. BA tends to have more business travellers where as Virgin have more holiday makers, that's been my experience.
Another advantage to the BA flights into MIA is they are usually arriving either side of the 5 o'clock nightmare at MIA that includes a load of flights from Mexico and the Caribbean which always slows the immigration and customs process.
Chris
As BA code share with AA (which merged with US Airways) and Iberia anyone who is delayed into MIA (which happens on a frequent basis) or is transiting through MIA from the Caribbean ends up on the BA back in LHR on the 747, which are usually some of their older ones.
We have used both and tend to use BA simply because their connection with AA for onward travelling in the US as well as between the two of them, there are 4 flights a day from LHR to MIA, all at ok times. BA tends to have more business travellers where as Virgin have more holiday makers, that's been my experience.
Another advantage to the BA flights into MIA is they are usually arriving either side of the 5 o'clock nightmare at MIA that includes a load of flights from Mexico and the Caribbean which always slows the immigration and customs process.
Chris
shakotan said:
Top Tip - The walk from the gate to immigration at MIA is around 1/4 mile. If there's one of those electric carts waiting when you get off the 'plane, bung him $10 and ride to the TSA. We zoomed past everyone and when we got to the TSA desks, queues were empty, we were out of the airport within 20 mins of departing the aircraft.
We are flying into Miami a week tomorrow (with Virgin) will remember this tip! 
The jiffle king said:
Flew into Miami last night on BA and it was a good flight and service
But all the security machines broke at Miami and we all queued for 3 hours to get through and missed connections.
BA service was good albeit a little late in taking off (1 hour)
Forgot to say that Miami airport hotel is awful. Don't stay there.... And they even ruined the fruit for breakfast
lol. i was stuck at that airport for a night with a missed connection once, absolutley awful.But all the security machines broke at Miami and we all queued for 3 hours to get through and missed connections.
BA service was good albeit a little late in taking off (1 hour)
Forgot to say that Miami airport hotel is awful. Don't stay there.... And they even ruined the fruit for breakfast
And to the OP. BA every single time.
We've been with Virgin 8-10 times to different parts of the US, Miami was the exception because of flight times. It wasn't a great flight, found service wasn't a good as Virgin and probably wouldn't fly with them again unless it was first class as they seem to exceed Virgin in that area.
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