British Airways vs Virgin Atlantic

[chrisj]

If you forget the cost, in my opinion both airlines are almost the same. Virgin have this
reputation that they look after kids, which they do. BA do as well but dont seem to be recognised
for it.

In my job, I fly BA at least 2 times a week if not more, I find them ok but then to be fair
as I fly so much to me its like getting a bus.

So in my opinion as they are identical, then it has to be price and virgin are cheaper than
BA and if you use Charter, they are even more cheaper

[ER]

Sorry, on this occasion I have to disagree, BA are definetly cheaper...

Virgin Travel Store from Edinburgh via Gatwick to MCO 23/12-10/01 £4357.00

BA from Edinburgh via Gatwick to MCO 23/12 - 10/01 £3772.50

Virgin from Gatwick to MCO 23/12 - 10/01 £3567.00 but this does not include the connnecting flights from Edinburgh to Gatwick and back.

However, if anyone knows of other sites offering these flights for less please let me know.

Regards,
Elaine

[Ian Dee]

any info about the difference in seat pitch between the 2? [8)]

[DMC]

Hi Everyone

We have flown Virgin for the last 8 years and on the whole been happy very happy with their price and service.

Although it has to be said that sometimes the Flight Staff can seem to have a "chip" on their shoulder, but we keep ourselves to our selves and they are on the whole very helpful and pleasant.

My wife is fliting with BA in November so we will be able to comment more following this trip.

The only advantage with BA is that, as has been mentioned above, they land into Orlando ahead of Virgin so their customers get a better run at Customs etc.

DMC

[blott]

quote: any info about the difference in seat pitch between the 2?

Try http://www.airlinequality.com/Product/seat_intro.htm for info about hundreds of airlines. It also has passenger comments, airline and airport of the year, etc which makes interesting reading for frequent flyers!

[Elaine311]

With regard to prices, when I was shopping around for flights for next July, Virgin was approximately £100 per person cheaper than BA. Needless to say, I opted for Virgin!

Elaine

[chrisj]

Thats what we found as well, that Virgin come in cheaper than BA next July

[Carla]

You probably will find that Virgin is cheaper initially, as you are booking so far in advance, when the flights have just been released. Wait a few months and then check out the prices for the same flights. Virgin's tends to go up quite a bit once they have sold the early booking seats, whereas BA tend to be more static in their prices. Although I prefer BA, I do use Virgin if they are cheaper when I am looking, but often because I book last minute or within a couple of months, I find that Virgin are more expensive.

Remember to check out the BA flight prices from Gatwick to Tampa as well. Tampa is only about a one hour easy drive away and at certain times of the year the prices are much cheaper than the Orlando flights - quite a saving for a family. BA are the only scheduled airline that have a direct flight from the UK into Tampa so you never get the crowds in immigration that you can get at Orlando. Tampa also has some nice restaurants to wile away the time in, whilst waiting to go home again.

[Nostromo]

I feel one problem with BA in recent times is that they have got too big for their boots and behave as though they own the sky. During our last Orlando visit, the BA stew was quite rude with an elderly African passenger simply because he asked for a glass of water a second time in 15 minutes during the meal service. As it happened, he was a diabetic who needed to take his tablets; he would not complain himself and I did so on his behalf to the captain and made the stew apologise. That is only one of several such incidents that have happened with BA, though i have heard a lot of these stories second hand from others.

[chrisj]

Carla

I didnt realise BA flew to Tampa. Ive flown there a few times on internal flights. Will have a look around
for prices as you say its only an hour or so away and will be less crowded