V-Flyer

Hi
Thinking of going to SFO around Xmas time and was wondering if anyone has done a direct comparison between upper class and BA new club world?
My wife and I have done 4 legs on the "Virgin" flat bed, 2 with VA (great) and 2 with Air New Zealand (great bed,terrible service). We would like to try the BA bed out but not if it is much worse than the Virgin bed. Both flights are around £1650 mark so not much difference in price.Any comments.

Having experienced the new Club World in August to New York and UC back from the US a few times this year.
I would say that BA have the edge on seat comfort, particularly when flat, it is more comfortable as a bed.
Virgin have the edge on the Club House and the seat layout.

Travelling as a couple on BA is OK, but I do not like to be on the inside having to step over a sleeping body.

If you have no preference to a particular airline, I would say go for BA.

Hi Cobra
Does the seat fold over like Virgins to reveal a foam mattress or does the seat just go flat so you lie on the top of the seat covering? Also how does the width of the seat compare to Virgins,I find on Virgin that I have to sleep on my side due to the curvature of the suite. Travelling as a couple on Virgin its hard to be close together due to the design of the suites so the new BA cabin looks quite good in this respect.Thanks for the reply...

Nope - it just goes flat, TOMCAT. You sleep on the same surface, just like UA's First and AC's Executive First offerings of "suites".

While I agree these seats (ie: BA's) are more comfortable for sitting than VS' offering, I can't possibly agree that they make a more comfortable bed (ESPECIALLY BA's, which is frankly quite small and bumpy, too) [n]

So Virgin still has the best bed in your opinion Preiffer,what about service and food,who's best? I must admit that I did enjoy the VA in flight bar going to Shanghai and returning from Tokyo,just seemed really civilised somehow and not like you were on a plane.[8D]

BA food far better.

Service, about equal, we were lucky and got good crews for both flights, BA were more relaxed than I was expecting, though my traveling companion seems to bring that out in people no matter what.

Have done both BA CW and VS UC.

Better things about VS:
- LHR Clubhouse is much nicer than BAs Lounges (BAs Lounges pretty good, but LHR Clubhouse exceptional....).
- I find the bed more comfortable to sleep in (more shoulder room)
- pillow and duvet nicer than BA's offering
- more privacy in the UC suites (especially if you are travelling on an A340-600).
- the in-cabin bar (personally I don't use it, but you say you do...)
- inflight beauty therapist.
- PJs supplied (although, when I fly BA, I take my own)
- Freedom dining (eat what you want, when you want)

Better things about BA:
- Seat more comfortable in the sitting mode (and much more degrees of movement between upright and fully flat)
- Food is generally a lot better on BA
- Seats are generally better if you are travelling with someone (i.e. you can face someone or sit beside them and talk to them easily - can't do that in the UC suite... wasn't very impressed with the UC "Buddy" seat).
- Service tends to be more professional/conistent on BA (tend to find VS cabin crew either really excellent or really quite bad and unprofessional...).
- Amenity pack a bit better on BA.

I still find the BA seat good to sleep in, but I am only 5'4" and slim... so can wriggle and lie on my back/side/stomach in the BA seat without too much trouble.

BA is generally not as glitzy of fun as VS, but it has a solid, professional, well thought out product.

If price is the same and you aren't actively collecting VS miles/tier points, then I think it is worth "trying" BA: it is nice to have variety and try different things.

Both are great ways to fly, whatever you choose
Boo

As Paul said, the bed surface is what you sleep on, and slides down to meet the footstool. I did not find it too bumpy and on a 5.5 hour flight, I had better sleep (4 hours without waking) than I have ever experienced in UC. I found the BA suite less restrictive and the bed surface softer.

I am 5'9 and I believe Paul is a bit taller so that may have an impact on how comfortable you find the seats.

The food was very good on BA, one of the best steaks I've had for a long time.

The lounge in London and JFK was not a match on the Virgin Clubhouses.

The service was pretty good, however, the cabin was around half full so we got a lot of attention.