British Airways vs Virgin?

alext · Sep 8th, 2006, 08:25

I will be traveling through London on my way to India this year. I have never flown either of the 2 above mentioned airlines, so I have been reading up on reviews. An English friend told me she had been on Virgin in the past and thought it was great - HOWEVER recent reviews sound really horrible in terms of comfort, food and service.

Any opinions on either of these airlines (economy class)?

Any other airlines that I should check that will carry me from Oakland/San Francisco to London to Delhi?

Thanks for any info.

SitaParityaga · Sep 8th, 2006, 10:48

If you take British from SFO, looks like a longish trip...unless you want to make a stopover in London?

If so, then perhaps a BA trip to London alone Then book another leg after you have made your stop in London.. on any variety of carriers.

BA looks like a comfortable choice. I thought about it, but didn't want to do a layover in London in the winter. Don't know about Virgin.

alext · Sep 8th, 2006, 11:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by edsita

If you take British from SFO, looks like a longish trip...unless you want to make a stopover in London?

If so, then perhaps a BA trip to London alone Then book another leg after you have made your stop in London.. on any variety of carriers.

BA looks like a comfortable choice. I thought about it, but didn't want to do a layover in London in the winter. Don't know about Virgin.

Thanks for the reply. Yes I am planning on stopping in London for a few days to visit my girlfriend who will be there at that time. From there I will go to India.

I have looked into tickets and BA will be about $200 more than Virgin. But I want to hear peoples opinion of Virgin if possible before booking.

JamesW · Sep 8th, 2006, 11:04

I wasn't impressed with BA the last time I flew with them from London to Delhi. My main issue was poor service and the antique 747 they used. It was a few years ago so perhaps they've improved. I prefer Emirates from the UK to India - not really an option from Berkley though. Never flown Virgin, but I've always heard good things about them.

crvlvr · Sep 8th, 2006, 12:29

I flew BA last year from LAX to BLR. I'd rate it a 7/10 (With Singapore Air being 10/10 and Lufthansa being 8/10)

You can also check ratings on this site

BA: http://www.airlinequality.com/Airlines/BA.htm
Virgin: http://www.airlinequality.com/Airlines/VS.htm

Nick-H · Sep 8th, 2006, 13:06

I fly BA London/Chennai but only because it is the only company to offer the direct flight. If there was competition I'd definately try it.

Indianworker · Sep 8th, 2006, 15:51

I have flown by Virgin to and from India each time I go back to the UK.

I am happy with the service they provide although not sure how much better/worse they are than BA.

My main reason for choosing Virgin in the first place was that they arrive in Delhi mid-morning when Delhi airport is fairly quiet i.e. no manic early hours of the morning arrival and the flights department in the early afternoon from Delhi to London so again no manic madhouse departure lounge in the late evening, just a quiet empty airport, well emptyish!

ChrisJ · Sep 8th, 2006, 17:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Indianworker

I have flown by Virgin to and from India each time I go back to the UK.

I am happy with the service they provide although not sure how much better/worse they are than BA.

My main reason for choosing Virgin in the first place was that they arrive in Delhi mid-morning when Delhi airport is fairly quiet i.e. no manic early hours of the morning arrival and the flights department in the early afternoon from Delhi to London so again no manic madhouse departure lounge in the late evening, just a quiet empty airport, well emptyish!

This is exactly the same reason I use Virgin. The flights leave London after 9pm so basically you can also get on the plane and go to sleep! As far as seating goes - In my opinion almost all economy seats are poor regardless of the airline.

stellap · Sep 8th, 2006, 19:14

we chose virgin over BA for our flights next Feb, better flight times and Virgin offer in flight gaming to keep my partner quiet on the journey!

kullukid · Sep 8th, 2006, 19:36

I've used virgin from Heathrow for the last 2 yrs, what i like about it is it's a direct flight NICK H!

the service & food are good & the first time i flew with them i pointed out that business class was half empty so they let me quietly move up a class where i had one of those big leather cushioned chairs Fantastic! (when it's free!) Also because it's an overnight flight i don't seem to suffer from jet lag, obviously flying from U.S. first is a different kettle of fish! Never used B.A. so can't comment. KK

Nick-H · Sep 8th, 2006, 20:21

Adding five or six ---or more--- hours sitting in an intermediate airport to an already long journey is not my idea of fun, even if it dows have a really good duty-free shop! Direct flights are winners even if the trimmings might not be so good.

Common Virgin! Fly LHR/MAA!!

kullukid · Sep 8th, 2006, 20:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Adding five or six ---or more--- hours sitting in an intermediate airport to an already long journey is not my idea of fun, even if it dows have a really good duty-free shop! Direct flights are winners even if the trimmings might not be so good.

Common Virgin! Fly LHR/MAA!!

Hi Nick, I wasn't paying attention just noticed you fly to Chennai,Virgin don't, but you already know this!

KK

crvlvr · Sep 9th, 2006, 00:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisJ

In my opinion almost all economy seats are poor regardless of the airline.

According to seatguru.com, economy seats on virgin have an extra inch of legroom compared to BA. I've got to give them a try..

justmakebelieve · Sep 9th, 2006, 00:29

If you fly Virgin, check seatguru, which will tell you which seats have the huge metal box under the seat in front (it contains the entertainment system apparently), therefore only being suitable for extra-small children.

A personal gripe with Virgin - last time I flew to India all the food options were spicy, I'm a fan of spicy food, but seeing as it was a 10pm flight, delayed by one hour, and very turbulant after take-off, dinner was served at about 1am. Chicken curry not exactly my number one choice at that time of the morning. Plus the aforementioned box, and it added up to an awful flight.

Having said that, I'm flying Virgin again in October to Delhi - mainly due to their timing - both outward and inbound. I'm just planning on reserving a seat without a box in front, and pretending to have special non-spicy diet requirements....

Nick-H · Sep 9th, 2006, 00:53

I have often been looking forward to my first/last for a while non-curry meal ---only to be served with curry by BA

Do any airlines (in Economy class) offer a choice of menu these days?

Sep 8th, 2006, 08:25	#1
alext Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Berkeley Posts: 146	British Airways vs Virgin? I will be traveling through London on my way to India this year. I have never flown either of the 2 above mentioned airlines, so I have been reading up on reviews. An English friend told me she had been on Virgin in the past and thought it was great - HOWEVER recent reviews sound really horrible in terms of comfort, food and service. Any opinions on either of these airlines (economy class)? Any other airlines that I should check that will carry me from Oakland/San Francisco to London to Delhi? Thanks for any info. __________________ MyIndiaJournal

Sep 8th, 2006, 13:06	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,373	I fly BA London/Chennai but only because it is the only company to offer the direct flight. If there was competition I'd definately try it. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Sep 8th, 2006, 15:51	#7
Indianworker Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Delhi (expat from London) Posts: 161	Virgin Flights I have flown by Virgin to and from India each time I go back to the UK. I am happy with the service they provide although not sure how much better/worse they are than BA. My main reason for choosing Virgin in the first place was that they arrive in Delhi mid-morning when Delhi airport is fairly quiet i.e. no manic early hours of the morning arrival and the flights department in the early afternoon from Delhi to London so again no manic madhouse departure lounge in the late evening, just a quiet empty airport, well emptyish! __________________ Indianworker

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Sep 8th, 2006, 10:48	#2
SitaParityaga member in the forest Join Date: May 2003 Location: California Posts: 929	If you take British from SFO, looks like a longish trip...unless you want to make a stopover in London? If so, then perhaps a BA trip to London alone Then book another leg after you have made your stop in London.. on any variety of carriers. BA looks like a comfortable choice. I thought about it, but didn't want to do a layover in London in the winter. Don't know about Virgin.

Sep 8th, 2006, 11:04	#4
JamesW Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 146	I wasn't impressed with BA the last time I flew with them from London to Delhi. My main issue was poor service and the antique 747 they used. It was a few years ago so perhaps they've improved. I prefer Emirates from the UK to India - not really an option from Berkley though. Never flown Virgin, but I've always heard good things about them.

Sep 8th, 2006, 12:29	#5
crvlvr Guru Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: On the move in India.. Posts: 4,535	I flew BA last year from LAX to BLR. I'd rate it a 7/10 (With Singapore Air being 10/10 and Lufthansa being 8/10) You can also check ratings on this site BA: http://www.airlinequality.com/Airlines/BA.htm Virgin: http://www.airlinequality.com/Airlines/VS.htm

Sep 8th, 2006, 19:14	#9
stellap Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: UK Posts: 122	we chose virgin over BA for our flights next Feb, better flight times and Virgin offer in flight gaming to keep my partner quiet on the journey!

Sep 8th, 2006, 19:36	#10
kullukid Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: u.k. Posts: 992	I've used virgin from Heathrow for the last 2 yrs, what i like about it is it's a direct flight NICK H! the service & food are good & the first time i flew with them i pointed out that business class was half empty so they let me quietly move up a class where i had one of those big leather cushioned chairs Fantastic! (when it's free!) Also because it's an overnight flight i don't seem to suffer from jet lag, obviously flying from U.S. first is a different kettle of fish! Never used B.A. so can't comment. KK

Sep 8th, 2006, 20:21	#11
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,373	Adding five or six ---or more--- hours sitting in an intermediate airport to an already long journey is not my idea of fun, even if it dows have a really good duty-free shop! Direct flights are winners even if the trimmings might not be so good. Common Virgin! Fly LHR/MAA!!

Sep 9th, 2006, 00:29	#14
justmakebelieve Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: UK Posts: 29	If you fly Virgin, check seatguru, which will tell you which seats have the huge metal box under the seat in front (it contains the entertainment system apparently), therefore only being suitable for extra-small children. A personal gripe with Virgin - last time I flew to India all the food options were spicy, I'm a fan of spicy food, but seeing as it was a 10pm flight, delayed by one hour, and very turbulant after take-off, dinner was served at about 1am. Chicken curry not exactly my number one choice at that time of the morning. Plus the aforementioned box, and it added up to an awful flight. Having said that, I'm flying Virgin again in October to Delhi - mainly due to their timing - both outward and inbound. I'm just planning on reserving a seat without a box in front, and pretending to have special non-spicy diet requirements....

Sep 9th, 2006, 00:53	#15
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,373	I have often been looking forward to my first/last for a while non-curry meal ---only to be served with curry by BA Do any airlines (in Economy class) offer a choice of menu these days?

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