How do they do it?

Any bias aside VS are one of the more transatlantic expensive carriers (Economy).

I have just looked at a particular journey and there is a (at the most) 100 difference between them and United, AA, US airways, Delta, Air France and BA. Whilst BA seem to be only marginally cheaper how do VS stay afloat?

I know their direct competitor is BA so do they price within that range? Or do the American carriers get preferential cheaper landing rights, thus reducing the cost of their flights?

In the past i have paid extra since i am a flying club member and i love the entertainment (to the west coast) but a difference of 100 is something i cannot afford to pay. How can they possibly compete and succeed in this market? (Obviously i know they do it somehow and they do it well!)

If you have flown long haul on AA economy you will know exactly how Virgin can charge £100 more.

My parents have recently traveled to US with AA and to be honest, the plane was empty, the CC weren't very good and when they were stuck in NYC by snow, the AA Ticket Desk didn't seem to care about getting the PAX home but clock watching so they can go home. If my parents had a choice they will go VS over any other provider, well with the expection of SQ

[preiffer]

Simple: Because they CAN.

Why are certain 'mediocre' cars more expensive than others? Brand image, perceived value, market forces, the works - ALL come into play.

There's not a strict answer on this other than 'if you could charge more for your product, wouldn't you?' [;)]

[HighFlyer]

I think the short answer is that if they can fill the plane most of the time at those fares, they'll keep selling at those fares.

Dont forget that to a lot of people (leisure and business travellers) that £100 may appear to be a small difference if they believe they are getting a better product. As a frequent flyer, I'd pay the extra in order to use my flying club status. Leisure travellers may pay the extra for the IFE, direct routing or perceived brand.

Thanks,
Sarah

Originally posted by ZippyUK
If you have flown long haul on AA economy you will know exactly how Virgin can charge £100 more.

When AA had more room in coach, and I couldn't affod anything more, I took them all the time for personal travel to the US. Yes, you put up with the sour attitude, poor food, poor IFE etc. - but the space made it.

When I had a choice, and a little more dosh, I switched to VS and unless someone enters the market with a better product, I think I'll stay.

Also, AA are having a lot of economy sales at the momment - over quite long periods and, although you are comparing flights on days, there may be differences in the fare codes expecially if VS's cheapest have already sold?

I have never flown AA over the pond but on the domestic flights we have always found service excellent, the food took a bit of a dip a couple of years ago but was still not that bad.The biggest revelation of the AA flights was departing and arriving on time.

I remember an AA flight where the CC crashed a trolley into a seated PAX's knee. The CC responded with 'so you want a cheap flight, well then you have to put up with a narrow aisle' !

Not impressed with Continental either. When a PAX asks for an apple juice, you don't glare at them like they're stupid. Just because they want something that is not in the top part of your trolley, there is no need for the attitude.

VS also charge £50 and £75 for Y exit rows - UA, AA and I believe BA don't charge.

They know that the seats have a high demand - Why not charge if your in their shoes.. [:)]

Like others have said, the extra benefits the whole VS package brings takes the extra money from me all day long. [y]

Originally posted by DarkAuror
Not impressed with Continental either. When a PAX asks for an apple juice, you don't glare at them like they're stupid. Just because they want something that is not in the top part of your trolley, there is no need for the attitude.

My recent best on Northwest was when I asked for a club soda, the FA did the usual of packing the glass with ice then filled it with a little water. I asked if I could have the whole can ... the look I received spoke volumes (as in, you want the whole can, who do you think you are) but I got it!

[Pete]

I'm not sure VS is always more expensive either - most transatlantic carriers have very similar pricing, but it all works in 'buckets' of availability, and the cheapest bucket almost always will sell first. If you look at two flights from two different airlines, you can't always tell if you're comparing the same bucket classes, as one may have already sold out of their most discounted codes whereas the other is practically empty.

If price is your only factor, fly the cheapest carrier.

To be honest i agree with most people on here. For me the biggy is the seat back TV's which seem to be a rarity these days and the direct routes.
Its actually surprising how many American airlines dont fly direct to some of the most popular destination in USA.

[Pete]

Originally posted by stu

Its actually surprising how many American airlines dont fly direct to some of the most popular destination in USA.

A lot of that is because of the Bermuda II agreement, which puts restrictions on which routes can been flown and by whom.

Originally posted by stu
To be honest i agree with most people on here. For me the biggy is the seat back TV's which seem to be a rarity these days

Really?[?]

Originally posted by Speedbird223

Originally posted by stu
To be honest i agree with most people on here. For me the biggy is the seat back TV's which seem to be a rarity these days

Really?[?]

United, AA and US Aiways Claim on their website to only have seatback TV's on selected aircraft.

I don't think all Delta transatlantic planes have seatback tvs either - may be wrong though...

Also the free beers/wine is a perk for some as well!

Originally posted by slinky09

Originally posted by DarkAuror
Not impressed with Continental either. When a PAX asks for an apple juice, you don't glare at them like they're stupid. Just because they want something that is not in the top part of your trolley, there is no need for the attitude.

My recent best on Northwest was when I asked for a club soda, the FA did the usual of packing the glass with ice then filled it with a little water. I asked if I could have the whole can ... the look I received spoke volumes (as in, you want the whole can, who do you think you are) but I got it!

Oh dear... but you must have noticed this is always how cold drinks are dispensed in the US? Stack of ice, small amount of drink????

Originally posted by stu


United, AA and US Aiways Claim on their website to only have seatback TV's on selected aircraft.

Correct, AA and UA's older B767's don't have PTV's.

Most british travellers to the US take it as granted that PTV's exist on all flights courtesy of VS and BA.

Beware of other carriers, your best to check individual aircraft type for the standard of IFE available.

Originally posted by tallprawn
Correct, AA and UA's older B767's don't have PTV's.

Internationally the only UA aircraft that doesn't have PTVs are the 747s (and only in Y) which seldom come to LHR.

My response was rushed as I'd forgotten more US carriers are sending PTV-less narrowbodies across the pond now...