BA or Virgin ?

[Robert5988]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:As for the planes being old, I think you are wrong there, the do have one of the youngest fleets of Aircraft, avg 5.8 years old with 34 Aircraft.[/quote]

Whilst the average age of their fleet might young, that doesn't mean that Trevlad is wrong about the planes he used on the Orlando route being old and/or 'tired'.

Most airlines tend to use their newest aircraft on the routes that attract business flyers and/or where there is lots of competition e.g. New York.

Leisure routes such as Orlando, with lots of children as passengers and a higher percentage of 'cattle class' passengers are not classed as such an important route.

[Steve and Dawn]

Point taken Robert but as I did say he must have been unlucky. As I have never seen it on the times I have travelled. As for "not classed as such an important route", I'm not sure I would agree with you there. To run a six days a week service from Manchester full time (increased from seasonal), 2 daily flights a day from Gatwick with an extra one in the Summer and one starting from Glasgow in 2007 (Seasonal) I would say it is an important route for Virgin.

[Fran19]

Pheww! That took me ages reading through all of these! I have just booked to go over in November and booked with BA, although I must admit I wanted Virgin flights. Don't ask me why but I kept veering away from the BA flights. I have never flown with them so can't understand what I was thinking!!! Have flown numerous times with Virgin and mostly happy with them, although have had some bad experiences regarding the staff's attitude. Delta we found were excellent, although only having used them once I don't suppose that is a lot to go on. Anyway, have now booked BA and one minute reading the above I was glad and the next, not so!![msnsad] I think each and every flight you have to take as it is and it all depends on who is on that flight, both staff-wise and passenger-wise, although it does help if the staff deal with awkward passengers promptly and efficiently. We all have our good and bad days as I'm sure the staff on each flight do and trying to keep everyone happy and satisfied is a thankless task, I'm sure. Most passengers are polite and patient but I have witnessed some treating the cabin crew like servants.I think most of us on this forum are understanding of what a demanding job they sometimes have and we are all grateful for them getting us over to wonderful Florida each time!!It's all worth it when you land and walk outside into that heat. [msnsmile2][msnsmile2]

[Lynnes]

Flying off tomorrow with BA. ALways use them these days. have been with Virgin but in my opinion they do not compare.

[Robert5988]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:As for "not classed as such an important route", I'm not sure I would agree with you there. To run a six days a week service from Manchester full time (increased from seasonal), 2 daily flights a day from Gatwick with an extra one in the Summer and one starting from Glasgow in 2007 (Seasonal) I would say it is an important route for Virgin.[/quote]

I think "Important route" has been taken out of context as I did explain what I meant. However perhaps 'Prestige' or 'Flagship' route would be a more appropriate term.

I am not implying Virgin are the only firm who do this, to a certain extent most airlines prioritise their routes.

As age of aircraft was mentioned above I thought Id post this again as it covers the aircraft used on the orlando route from both manchester and gatwick[msnwink]

I thought you may all be interested to know the age of the aircraft on this route........


G-VLIP first flight 26 April 2001
G-VROM first flight 8 May 2001
G-VROY first flight 3 June 2001
G-VROS first flight 22 Feb 2001
G-VGAL first flight 5 April 2001
G-VAST first flight 5 June 1997
G-VTOP first flight 14 Jan 1997
[msnsmile][msnsmile]

[nicseg]

Virgin wins hands-down just because of the twilight booking.

Sue

[Sally D]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by nicseg
Virgin wins hands-down just because of the twilight booking.

Sue
[/quote]


You can also checkin day before with BA, we did last October.

[nicseg]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by Sally D
<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by nicseg
Virgin wins hands-down just because of the twilight booking.

Sue
[/quote]


You can also checkin day before with BA, we did last October.
[/quote]
Well that is good news, just goes to show how these forums work to our benefit. Sue

[freddiehollie]

We mainly fly from Manchester so we have no choice but to use Virgin for direct flights to MCO. We did once fly from Gatwick with BA. Sorry but no comparison to Virgin. Virgin were superior in every way, but as has already been said every one can have a bad day, with us BA had a bad day & Virgin hav'nt yet!
Also Virgin Downtown Disney check in is worth an extra day [msnsmile2] So Virgin it is.