Business Class Flight Question?
Discussion
Virgin without doubt - assuming your comparing their Upper Class service against BA's business class, Virgin win hands down..pick up and drop off in "limo", easily the best lounge at LHR, marginally better food, bigger beds, wider choice of entertainment and far, far, far better looking hosties 
I flew Continental to NY and then after a few days break on to Seattle this time last year. I'm 6"3 and always have problems on flights, but this wasnt as bad as I was expecting.
Only problem was coming back, I had 3 breakfasts in different timezones and I just wanted a burger. Turnaround again in NY but only for 3 hours
Only problem was coming back, I had 3 breakfasts in different timezones and I just wanted a burger. Turnaround again in NY but only for 3 hours
virgin upper class, then BA. New BA biz cabins are pretty good but not on all planes yet i think. Virgin premium economy is also nice but no flat bed (not sure again if all planes have updated cabin).
As previously said, if you go for BA business and its a 744 then row 60 to 64 are upper deck, A and K are the window seats - there you get loads of storage space as there is a window bin, its quieter too. You would have to climb out over someones legs tho to go for a walk etc.
As previously said, if you go for BA business and its a 744 then row 60 to 64 are upper deck, A and K are the window seats - there you get loads of storage space as there is a window bin, its quieter too. You would have to climb out over someones legs tho to go for a walk etc.
donutsina911 said:
Virgin without doubt - assuming your comparing their Upper Class service against BA's business class, Virgin win hands down..pick up and drop off in "limo", easily the best lounge at LHR, marginally better food, bigger beds, wider choice of entertainment and far, far, far better looking hosties
On virgin the 'limo' (term used loosely, it was a volvo estate last time I used it) is not available on the cheaper upper class tickets only the full fare or more expensive ones. The clubhouse lounge is superb I will give you that but the BA lounges at T5 arent exactly crap either.... The food onboard virgin is ok. The upper class seat you have to get up to flip it from seat to bed and the herringbone layout of the seats isn't that great (IMHO).
BA has AVOD now (all 747s, and every 777 in the fleet that has been converted to the new club cabin- not all are done yet) offering just as much entertainment.
The crew on BA is far more professional and consistent than on VS.
Upper deck on BA (seat 62K/64K is the best) is superb, and second only on the plane to first class in the nose. 2 crew upstairs for 20 pax and much quieter up there.
Personally I choose BA every time. I wouldnt recommend you consider the US carriers unless it is a significant saving- even the new AA First class is not that great TBH.
Premium cabins on US carriers are a long way behind.
Edited by GCH on Sunday 4th January 21:46
Edited by GCH on Sunday 4th January 21:47
GCH said:
donutsina911 said:
Virgin without doubt - assuming your comparing their Upper Class service against BA's business class, Virgin win hands down..pick up and drop off in "limo", easily the best lounge at LHR, marginally better food, bigger beds, wider choice of entertainment and far, far, far better looking hosties
On virgin the 'limo' (term used loosely, it was a volvo estate last time I used it) is not available on the cheaper upper class tickets only the full fare or more expensive ones. The clubhouse lounge is superb I will give you that but the BA lounges at T5 arent exactly crap either.... The food onboard virgin is ok. The upper class seat you have to get up to flip it from seat to bed and the herringbone layout of the seats isn't that great (IMHO).
BA has AVOD now (all 747s, and every 777 in the fleet that has been converted to the new club cabin- not all are done yet) offering just as much entertainment.
The crew on BA is far more professional and consistent than on VS.
Upper deck on BA (seat 62K/64K is the best) is superb, and second only on the plane to first class in the nose. 2 crew upstairs for 20 pax and much quieter up there.
Personally I choose BA every time. I wouldnt recommend you consider the US carriers unless it is a significant saving- even the new AA First class is not that great TBH.
Premium cabins on US carriers are a long way behind.
I Fly Delta and Continental regularly. Prefer Delta (nicer service, newer planes) also depends where you are going to and if you need to make connecting flights. Delta’s hub is Atlanta; Continental is Houston (or these are where I always connect through). I would fly Virgin or BA but they are always more expensive and I work for a US company so they are happier to pay for domestic carriers. I am not a travel agent so this is on experience only.
On virgin the 'limo' (term used loosely, it was a volvo estate last time I used it) is not available on the cheaper upper class tickets only the full fare or more expensive ones. The clubhouse lounge is superb I will give you that but the BA lounges at T5 arent exactly crap either.... The food onboard virgin is ok.
The upper class seat you have to get up to flip it from seat to bed and the herringbone layout of the seats isn't that great (IMHO).
BA has AVOD now (all 747s, and every 777 in the fleet that has been converted to the new club cabin- not all are done yet) offering just as much entertainment.
The crew on BA is far more professional and consistent than on VS.
Upper deck on BA (seat 62K/64K is the best) is superb, and second only on the plane to first class in the nose. 2 crew upstairs for 20 pax and much quieter up there.
Personally I choose BA every time. I wouldnt recommend you consider the US carriers unless it is a significant saving- even the new AA First class is not that great TBH.
Premium cabins on US carriers are a long way behind.
quote]
Totally agree, travel Lon-NY First/Business/Upper twice a month, the BA pods have it over the deckchair, windbreak and stool, also the standard of inflight entertainment on Virgin is below par, considering whom they are and where they come from this is rather odd.
The upper class seat you have to get up to flip it from seat to bed and the herringbone layout of the seats isn't that great (IMHO).
BA has AVOD now (all 747s, and every 777 in the fleet that has been converted to the new club cabin- not all are done yet) offering just as much entertainment.
The crew on BA is far more professional and consistent than on VS.
Upper deck on BA (seat 62K/64K is the best) is superb, and second only on the plane to first class in the nose. 2 crew upstairs for 20 pax and much quieter up there.
Personally I choose BA every time. I wouldnt recommend you consider the US carriers unless it is a significant saving- even the new AA First class is not that great TBH.
Premium cabins on US carriers are a long way behind.
quote]
Totally agree, travel Lon-NY First/Business/Upper twice a month, the BA pods have it over the deckchair, windbreak and stool, also the standard of inflight entertainment on Virgin is below par, considering whom they are and where they come from this is rather odd.
I have to fly BA. And I do, always business class. Usually once or twice a month.
Given the choice, I would fly to the US with Virgin.
BA can be a truly awful company. They have the capacity for the most monumentally bad customer service.
When BA is fine they are , at best, perfectly acceptable. But believe me, BA can truly suck sometimes.
Given the choice, I would fly to the US with Virgin.
BA can be a truly awful company. They have the capacity for the most monumentally bad customer service.
When BA is fine they are , at best, perfectly acceptable. But believe me, BA can truly suck sometimes.
Remember Continental and Virgin are now often shared codes - so you may book a CO flight and it will in fact be a Virgin plane (not bad) but also you might book a Virgin Plane and end up on a Continental flight...I tend to fly Virgin, about 6 US visits per year, only once upper class, but often premium economy, and I like them. Used to be a dyed in the wool BA customer, got to exec club gold, until I decided that 4 engines across the Atlantic was best...
Well I have just come back from a trip to South Africa on the way out lower deck Business class & on the return flight economy.
Cost per person on the way out £2.8k cost per person on the way back £600 (well it was a free upgrade). I thought the Business class with its flat beds real glass, real plates & cutlery (how does that work with security??) and so much room great service excellent headphones wash kit cleaned toilets (cleaned very often) the a la cart meal was stunning. Absolute bliss - didnt sleep though as I stayed up all night drinking Champers, London Pride & Scotch....
On the way back (12 hr flight) cattle class. Difference - no legroom, narrow chair, small tv screen (which didnt turn on until nearly 1 hr into the flight), very poor service - my call was waiting 20mins before being served (I was thirsty). Noise... surprising what a difference there is between Business & cattle class HUGE. Meal usual plane food i.e. you put up with it. Drinks plastic cup. Toilets all needed cleaning.
So would I personally pay £2.8k vs £0.6k.... um no its far far too much. I did however sit on the Premium economy to test it on the way out to see if it really is worth double the economy - and I certainly is proper legroom much wider seat and far more comfortable. Im not sure why premium economy is between Business & First though.
Cost per person on the way out £2.8k cost per person on the way back £600 (well it was a free upgrade). I thought the Business class with its flat beds real glass, real plates & cutlery (how does that work with security??) and so much room great service excellent headphones wash kit cleaned toilets (cleaned very often) the a la cart meal was stunning. Absolute bliss - didnt sleep though as I stayed up all night drinking Champers, London Pride & Scotch....
On the way back (12 hr flight) cattle class. Difference - no legroom, narrow chair, small tv screen (which didnt turn on until nearly 1 hr into the flight), very poor service - my call was waiting 20mins before being served (I was thirsty). Noise... surprising what a difference there is between Business & cattle class HUGE. Meal usual plane food i.e. you put up with it. Drinks plastic cup. Toilets all needed cleaning.
So would I personally pay £2.8k vs £0.6k.... um no its far far too much. I did however sit on the Premium economy to test it on the way out to see if it really is worth double the economy - and I certainly is proper legroom much wider seat and far more comfortable. Im not sure why premium economy is between Business & First though.
Windsorphil said:
Remember Continental and Virgin are now often shared codes - so you may book a CO flight and it will in fact be a Virgin plane (not bad) but also you might book a Virgin Plane and end up on a Continental flight...I tend to fly Virgin, about 6 US visits per year, only once upper class, but often premium economy, and I like them. Used to be a dyed in the wool BA customer, got to exec club gold, until I decided that 4 engines across the Atlantic was best...
What will you do when Virgin start using twin-engined planes?tricky69 said:
virgin upper class is better for business... but BA first is unbeatable
On my recent flight the price was as follows:-Economy "World |Traveller" = £600
Preimum Economy "World Traveller Plus" = £1,200
Business Class "Club Class" = £2,800
First Class = £5,700
How much better than Business Class is first class? What makes it worth double again+ over business? I had a peek into the first class cabin and it looked nice but the beds seemed not much bigger and assuming your company isnt paying for you how many here really travel 1st class out of their own pocket? Surely Premium Economy is the best option out of your own pocket?
Note when I went out on Business Class there was one family 4 kids and 2 parents... all with beds. He was simply wearing a track suit & went to sleep as soon as dinner was over no champers just one london pride!!!
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