Virgin Atlantic VS British Airways: Britain's BEST Business Class?
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Date: 2023-08-28
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Comments and reviews: 29
travel
I have travelled to florida many times on VA and has seen a deterioration in the little extras that separated them from other airlines over the last five years, it is not the cabin crew just the background provisions like catering i was given to understand virgin has no say in what is provided in flight but was outsourced and the choice is pretty diabolical, i flew in May this year and the chicken or beef options or a vegetarian option was great for both dinner tea and breakfast and thought to myself wow has virgin finally got it right, HOLD YOUR HORSES went again 2 weeks ago and it was awful spicy food or pasta thats it, so had nothing to eat on the plane going and coming back other than a bag of crisps and a kit-kat i bought in the airport, i fly out and fly back into Manchester as i would say most of the 300 passengers are from Yorkshire or Lancashire and eating is pretty much traditional chicken or beef with mash and veg, so not sure the menu on this route should be the same a a passenger flying from Hong Kong to Malaysia, virgin is on track to be just another airline and should stop promoting itself as something special, since 2000 i have made about 35 trips on virgin, but virgin now will just be an option on pricing when looking for our next flight in May
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I have travelled to florida many times on VA and has seen a deterioration in the little extras that separated them from other airlines over the last five years, it is not the cabin crew just the background provisions like catering i was given to understand virgin has no say in what is provided in flight but was outsourced and the choice is pretty diabolical, i flew in May this year and the chicken or beef options or a vegetarian option was great for both dinner tea and breakfast and thought to myself wow has virgin finally got it right, HOLD YOUR HORSES went again 2 weeks ago and it was awful spicy food or pasta thats it, so had nothing to eat on the plane going and coming back other than a bag of crisps and a kit-kat i bought in the airport, i fly out and fly back into Manchester as i would say most of the 300 passengers are from Yorkshire or Lancashire and eating is pretty much traditional chicken or beef with mash and veg, so not sure the menu on this route should be the same a a passenger flying from Hong Kong to Malaysia, virgin is on track to be just another airline and should stop promoting itself as something special, since 2000 i have made about 35 trips on virgin, but virgin now will just be an option on pricing when looking for our next flight in May
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Aaron
While I agree that for the most part it shouldn't matter which direction you're travelling in, I do think that it makes a difference particularly when it comes to BA and its lounges. BA's lounges in Heathrow T5 are nice, but the food available in their JFK lounge is far superior.
I can't comment on Virgin Atlantic as I haven't travelled with them in business class, but I do think the lounge differences would be enough to alter the experience. That being said, you also get a much better check-in experience at Heathrow with BA compared to the opposite direction, so there's pros and cons to both.
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While I agree that for the most part it shouldn't matter which direction you're travelling in, I do think that it makes a difference particularly when it comes to BA and its lounges. BA's lounges in Heathrow T5 are nice, but the food available in their JFK lounge is far superior.
I can't comment on Virgin Atlantic as I haven't travelled with them in business class, but I do think the lounge differences would be enough to alter the experience. That being said, you also get a much better check-in experience at Heathrow with BA compared to the opposite direction, so there's pros and cons to both.
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Peter
I my former life (job) I travelled alot between NY and London on Business, and by default, was always booked into BA. until one day in 2017 when (for whatever reason) I was booked into Virgin. BOY what a DIFFERENCE! I don't know how they compare today, but THEN: it was like Virgin was the REAL business class, and BA some kind of glorified premium economy. Cabin crew at BA has always been great in my opinion, but as a whole product: BA was WAY behind Virgin in just about everything else. WAY WAY behind!
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I my former life (job) I travelled alot between NY and London on Business, and by default, was always booked into BA. until one day in 2017 when (for whatever reason) I was booked into Virgin. BOY what a DIFFERENCE! I don't know how they compare today, but THEN: it was like Virgin was the REAL business class, and BA some kind of glorified premium economy. Cabin crew at BA has always been great in my opinion, but as a whole product: BA was WAY behind Virgin in just about everything else. WAY WAY behind!
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Helena
There is a second BA business class lounge in the 'B' wing of Terminal 5 at Heathrow. Good if your departing from there. You may have found that quieter and less crowded. The main terminal lounge will have all domestic, European and other world wide passengers so always busy. There is a board that tells you how busy the lounges are when you arrive in departure, another handy wya to avoid the crowds. Great review have only flown BA business class but look forward to trying out Virgin now.
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There is a second BA business class lounge in the 'B' wing of Terminal 5 at Heathrow. Good if your departing from there. You may have found that quieter and less crowded. The main terminal lounge will have all domestic, European and other world wide passengers so always busy. There is a board that tells you how busy the lounges are when you arrive in departure, another handy wya to avoid the crowds. Great review have only flown BA business class but look forward to trying out Virgin now.
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Brad
We''ll pass through great cities, endless wilderness, peoples and their Nations, all at Icy altitudes and much of it through the Blue Yonder. so Now, let us away from New York, let us Transport you, and Let us all once more feel the miracles of Flight. Just spectacular. the captain should have played some relaxing Heavenly back ground music during this and that would have been incredible. they need more captains like this
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We''ll pass through great cities, endless wilderness, peoples and their Nations, all at Icy altitudes and much of it through the Blue Yonder. so Now, let us away from New York, let us Transport you, and Let us all once more feel the miracles of Flight. Just spectacular. the captain should have played some relaxing Heavenly back ground music during this and that would have been incredible. they need more captains like this
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Norman
I used to regularly fly to Shanghai and I preferred Virgin, they had enough films to keep you entertained for the entire flight and used to find BA flight attendants sometimes a bit aloof. Virgin and BA flights used to arrive and depart from China in a similar time slot, on this occasion I was with BA and the flight arrived over an hour late due to snow in London, I noticed the Virgin plane had arrived on time.
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I used to regularly fly to Shanghai and I preferred Virgin, they had enough films to keep you entertained for the entire flight and used to find BA flight attendants sometimes a bit aloof. Virgin and BA flights used to arrive and depart from China in a similar time slot, on this occasion I was with BA and the flight arrived over an hour late due to snow in London, I noticed the Virgin plane had arrived on time.
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Matthew
Virgin upper class is a between first and business, not really business and cost more, in fact on certain legs cost as much a first class tickets.
I agree staff, lounge and food is better on virgin but I'd fly BA due to the cost difference.
Great video though.
Now compare Emirates business to virgin, which is still less expensive than virgin upper class.
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Virgin upper class is a between first and business, not really business and cost more, in fact on certain legs cost as much a first class tickets.
I agree staff, lounge and food is better on virgin but I'd fly BA due to the cost difference.
Great video though.
Now compare Emirates business to virgin, which is still less expensive than virgin upper class.
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welshman28
As usual great video but your error Ive pick up on you didnt mention the differences in prices your flight from USA with virgin first class is very expensive for what you get, there is NO business class with virgin. There is a mark difference in the BA business class price. Sorry to be picky but its an import point
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As usual great video but your error Ive pick up on you didnt mention the differences in prices your flight from USA with virgin first class is very expensive for what you get, there is NO business class with virgin. There is a mark difference in the BA business class price. Sorry to be picky but its an import point
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Jeffrey
The quality of the staff always is determined by their relationship with how they are managed. If they are demeaned by management, they tend to demean the clients. This is why BA is so TERRIBLE. It all started with cost cutting and Willie. BA need a new Lord King. He will come but not for a few years. And so it goes.
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The quality of the staff always is determined by their relationship with how they are managed. If they are demeaned by management, they tend to demean the clients. This is why BA is so TERRIBLE. It all started with cost cutting and Willie. BA need a new Lord King. He will come but not for a few years. And so it goes.
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Donald
A more accurate comparison would have been to fly both carries from the SAME point. Once you start from different countries the dangers of factors, more to do with the country rather than the airline, could come into play, eg catering, airport management - flight delays, terminal queues, terminal facilities, etc
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A more accurate comparison would have been to fly both carries from the SAME point. Once you start from different countries the dangers of factors, more to do with the country rather than the airline, could come into play, eg catering, airport management - flight delays, terminal queues, terminal facilities, etc
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Basman59
VA has always been better. I use fly frequently Denver to London on BA business class some 20 years back while decent and drink service was a whole lot better than you experienced we all knew VA was better but BA flew direct then whereas VA we'd have to have gone to LA. Good job!
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VA has always been better. I use fly frequently Denver to London on BA business class some 20 years back while decent and drink service was a whole lot better than you experienced we all knew VA was better but BA flew direct then whereas VA we'd have to have gone to LA. Good job!
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Gary
You should have flown them the opposite way around then you'd have really seen what Virgin lounges are about. The Virgin Clubhouse at LHR is unbelievable, the one in NY is not in the same league. I also find the BA Galleries lounge at LHR equally tired and in need of a refurb.
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You should have flown them the opposite way around then you'd have really seen what Virgin lounges are about. The Virgin Clubhouse at LHR is unbelievable, the one in NY is not in the same league. I also find the BA Galleries lounge at LHR equally tired and in need of a refurb.
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Marcello
Virgin Atlantic is the best by far for musicians. BA don't allow you to bring guitars on board meaning you have to risk it getting smashed up in the hold. whereas every other airline Ive been on allow it. BA's customer service is non existent too. Worst airline ever
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Virgin Atlantic is the best by far for musicians. BA don't allow you to bring guitars on board meaning you have to risk it getting smashed up in the hold. whereas every other airline Ive been on allow it. BA's customer service is non existent too. Worst airline ever
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Jackson
No contest, having flown both. The Virgin experience is better all-around. Another crucial aspect is dealing with problems, like delayed bags or other issues. I've unfortunately got more experience than I'd like dealing with BA customer service, and it's abysmal.
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No contest, having flown both. The Virgin experience is better all-around. Another crucial aspect is dealing with problems, like delayed bags or other issues. I've unfortunately got more experience than I'd like dealing with BA customer service, and it's abysmal.
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Johnathan
There is one catastrophic flaw with Virgin's offering. If you ever try to book it and live regionally in the UK, you are always just send via KLM and Delta to the US. They don't have any partner to collect passengers inside the UK and bring them to London.
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There is one catastrophic flaw with Virgin's offering. If you ever try to book it and live regionally in the UK, you are always just send via KLM and Delta to the US. They don't have any partner to collect passengers inside the UK and bring them to London.
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The
Its all about personal preference and ultimately huge variables in crew, conditions etc etc. for what its worth, Ive always preferred BA for its quiet, efficient and professional service. I also am not a fan of red, so BA will always win for me
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Its all about personal preference and ultimately huge variables in crew, conditions etc etc. for what its worth, Ive always preferred BA for its quiet, efficient and professional service. I also am not a fan of red, so BA will always win for me
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David
East Coast across the pond isn't really a great test. Vast difference between a 5. 75 hr flight and one that is 10-11+ hours long. Jeb--you really need to do some tests out of the West Cast, where the meal and 'bed' truly make a difference.
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East Coast across the pond isn't really a great test. Vast difference between a 5. 75 hr flight and one that is 10-11+ hours long. Jeb--you really need to do some tests out of the West Cast, where the meal and 'bed' truly make a difference.
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Sven
I think what is missing is that Virgin's Upper Class is also a upper business class and costs more. At least when I compare prices from LA to LHR. Substantially more. You could almost compare that to British Airwyas First Class.
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I think what is missing is that Virgin's Upper Class is also a upper business class and costs more. At least when I compare prices from LA to LHR. Substantially more. You could almost compare that to British Airwyas First Class.
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Theme
When I flew economy, it was Seats 1-1, IFE 1-0, Food 1-1, Service 1-1, and Virgin used its colours better as well. I much prefer blue as a colour but still liked the Virgin design more. Both airlines are very good though.
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When I flew economy, it was Seats 1-1, IFE 1-0, Food 1-1, Service 1-1, and Virgin used its colours better as well. I much prefer blue as a colour but still liked the Virgin design more. Both airlines are very good though.
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Aviation
I usually watched nonstop dan but after hearing him insulting basically every airline he flew and complaining about the little details i quit him and started watching you.
thanks for all your fun videos!
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I usually watched nonstop dan but after hearing him insulting basically every airline he flew and complaining about the little details i quit him and started watching you.
thanks for all your fun videos!
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Martin
BA is a truly dreadful airline with rotten service and rude, staff. They treat customers including business and first-class customers as an inconvenience and make no attempt to offer proper levels of service
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BA is a truly dreadful airline with rotten service and rude, staff. They treat customers including business and first-class customers as an inconvenience and make no attempt to offer proper levels of service
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Bobbo
What you failed to point out is virgin upper class is their top class but not so with BA club class theres another jump up - to first class. So all you comparisons are null and void. buck yer ideas up buddy.
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What you failed to point out is virgin upper class is their top class but not so with BA club class theres another jump up - to first class. So all you comparisons are null and void. buck yer ideas up buddy.
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World
Both airlines are as good as each other in my opinion, but in terms of usability British airways is far better with 183 destinations all over the world and the seat offers good privacy.
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Both airlines are as good as each other in my opinion, but in terms of usability British airways is far better with 183 destinations all over the world and the seat offers good privacy.
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Jasmine
Virgin Atlantic was founded out of spite. Richard Branson, Virgins founder, got frustrated with a cancelled flight and chartered a plane directly from Boeing
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Virgin Atlantic was founded out of spite. Richard Branson, Virgins founder, got frustrated with a cancelled flight and chartered a plane directly from Boeing
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GlasgowBhoy73
Haha. I used to work for VS and Ive been on 2 flights with that captain. He must have moved from A330 to A350. He does that little speech every time
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Haha. I used to work for VS and Ive been on 2 flights with that captain. He must have moved from A330 to A350. He does that little speech every time
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BILL
Last time when I flew BA justbefore the Christmas, the whole BA system for transatlantic is down, and the flight cancelled without any makeup flight
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Last time when I flew BA justbefore the Christmas, the whole BA system for transatlantic is down, and the flight cancelled without any makeup flight
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The
I also never have claimed to be the smartest bulb and yet, I have my pension since I was 42 years old, and an immigrant at that. Cheers America.
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I also never have claimed to be the smartest bulb and yet, I have my pension since I was 42 years old, and an immigrant at that. Cheers America.
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anynameyouwant
VA has set its stall out to cater for weirdos, noncey types, deviants and Christ knows who else. So it can only be BA from now on.
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VA has set its stall out to cater for weirdos, noncey types, deviants and Christ knows who else. So it can only be BA from now on.
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GD
Never been on Virgin, but I am NOT impressed with British. At all. Not interested in giving them another chance. V. next time, for sure.
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Never been on Virgin, but I am NOT impressed with British. At all. Not interested in giving them another chance. V. next time, for sure.
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