British Airways vs Virgin Atlantic - Which is the better airline?

British Airways vs Virgin Atlantic - Which is the better airline?

In this video I compare British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.

I'll take a quick look at the routes, cabins, service, food, loyalty benefits, customer service, and brand.

These opinions are my own based on flying with both airlines over the past twenty years.

I've flown British Airways on long haul and short haul, for both business and pleasure.

I've also flown Virgin Atlantic for holiday flights to the Caribbean.

In the case of BA I've flown in World Traveller, World Traveller Plus, and Club seats.

In the case of Virgin I've flown in Premium Economy.

First, the routes.

BA have a much bigger fleet and fly to many destinations in Europe, as well as long haul flights to most continents.

So in terms of reach Virgin can't compete, and that does have a bearing on the loyalty program since you can't use Virgin for short breaks in Europe.

That means you can neither earn any rewards nor spend any on short haul flights with Virgin.

Cabins and Seating

As you're probably aware Virgin have just three cabin types; Economy, Premium Economy, and Upper Class.

Although recently they introduced a tiered Economy class.

BA on the other hand have four; Economy, Premium Economy, Business, and First.

These are known within the airline as World or Euro Traveller, World Traveller Plus, Club World or Europe, and First.

So Virgin's Upper Class is on a par with BA's Club Class.

I'm not going to into the details of seat and pitch measurements as there are many websites that do just that far better than I can.

What I would say is that Club Class on BA is a bit strange.

They have seats side by side in opposite directions and this causes a number of complaints from both passengers and cabin crew.

If you're traveling alone and allocated a window seat in Club you can find yourself facing the tail of the aircraft.

You'll be separated from the person in the adjacent seat (facing forward) by a screen that has to be down for take-off and landing.

If that person decides to stretch out and sleep on the flight you'll have to step over their legs to reach the aisle.

Likewise, the cabin crew have to lean over them to pass any food or drink to you.

Premium on both airlines is fine for long haul, except perhaps when it comes to food.

BA's food in Premium is inferior that of Virgin. I don't understand how they can get something like that wrong after all this time.

Service from the cabin crews on both airlines is mixed.

It can't be easy being a flight attendant, especially when you see the way some passengers behave and their standards of hygiene.

They also have to work long hours on low pay, cope with jet lag, and the incessant demands of some very discourteous and ungrateful people.

On the other hand, it seems both airlines employ crew who can be both curt and unhelpful at times.

Food on both is, well, airline food. You have to fly Club or First before you'll get anything of restaurant quality.

Continued in the video...

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[BenLovegrove]

I forgot to mention airport lounges. I prefer the BA lounge at Heathrow, and the one at Gatwick is good too. How about you?

[itz_tixmmy]

3:18 lol I'm a flight attendant we don't get bad pay, if you work for a very low cost airline yes it will be low, but a regular low cost carrier up to mainline you can expect your pay to range from $3, 000 - $10, 000 believe it or not but the longer you work with the company the more you are payed, I have worked for American airlines for 3 years and my pay is 6.5k so we are payed very well ( btw we are trained to deal with those situations)

[reyhosein]

I have never experienced a virgin flight ( so unfortunately I cant compare) but I flew ba as my first travel experience, i liked it, and I enjoyed your video sir, thank you.

[doveronefoxtrot]

You're right about club world in long haul. The passenger seated next to me was using his foot stall and asleep, as was the passenger directly to my right, so a trip to the toilet involves waking at least one of them up, or you will not get out ! It's a ridiculous idea.

[jayd]

I like Virgin Atlantic though, as I’m a Delta Skymiles member

[jasonkrines]

I flew Virgin Atlantic to From JFK-LHR

[jayd]

The only reason I fly with BA is because I’m a 747 lover. But for some reason, when it’s any other airplane apart from a 747 or A380, the BA cabin crew are always tired, unfriendly, not smiling, etc

[autumnboy]

Ive been on both airlines before and i will say ba is better than virgin atlantic

[nathanrock]

The food I have had food in club on BA flights and I always have thought it is really good.

[karlwalentin]

I don't like none of them, but if I have to choose which one I like more, I will pick British Airways

[airzulu]

I remember coming back on virgin from Hong kong to London in economy because the airline I flew to Oasis Hong kong went bust . We came back on a A340 . Whilst the crew were ok and the flight . I've had better clacton deck chair seats bloody awful seat pitch or lack of it on virgin A340 . Whilst I dont expect a lot going economy class , I at least expect a seat that is comfortable for 10hr, s, and not get off a flight feeling I've been sitting in a deckchairs. Maybe after all these years virgin have improved this! Whilst Ian pleased that virgin sell a British brand, I still think British Airways are much more flexible.

[jasongabb]

If i fly East Emirates business, if i fly West Virgin Upper class. BA= Best avoided..

[Judireeve]

Have flown with both and Virgin are far superior to BA.

[yassclap]

Hello
Im looking to get one of the reward cards, could someone tell me what one would be good to have in terms on getting avios, i have BA in mind because of how many places i could go to long flights and short but then i have virgins quality and class in mind too but do they have good avios. I am torn help!

[xzing]

I'd take British airways Anyday. The other lied to us, they are not Virgins at all infact they have very high mileage 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[slickdealer]

BA Avios expires in 3 years, Skymiles dont.

[sabrinajeanmoser]

BA all the way because I have been a passenger since I was 2 years old and they are nice people and I am popular on ba and the ba lounge in Houston and London Heathrow and Lagos nigeria

[goalie]

My biggest comment is like what has been
VIRGIN are great if you are travelling where they fly to..but often that's very limited.

I could be very specific but....what's the point I know that flying to where a company can make the big buck seems the way these days but as an example Virgin dont fly to Canada at know there have been "almost s" but at the end of the day...


.

[michaelnunnery]

Customer service Ha
Virgin flat out lied to me.

So I sued them.

[tescotrain]

Both. I haven't even been on any of them anyway and I'm British. 😂