VS UC worth 50% premium over BA?

Just checking Business Class / Upper class pricing for a November flight, originating in the USA, SFO-LHR return, Z fares. All prices include taxes/fees:

United Airlines $4000
British Airways $3900
Virgin Atlantic $6000 (!)
..and no cheaper flights on surrounding dates

All non-stop flights. Why is VS so much more than BA for example? I haven't flown BA's business class, but don't they have full lie flat beds as well?

As much of a VS fan as I am, I would say that at that difference, BA is the way to go!

[Decker]

Second Barnstaple. Club World is fine so for that price difference I'd go BA.

[HighFlyer]

As for why there is such a large difference in price, its likely that VS have filled the majority of seats on that flight so are only selling from a higher fare class, or the dates of travel are during a peak time and VS think they can sell those seats at the higher price. Either way, given the price difference, I'd go for BA too. [:)]

Thanks,
Sarah

I queried something similar on the BA bit of this forum; the price difference was amazing and asked much the same question as you.

My only advice would be not to hang around thinking about it too much. We looked at the prices on the Monday and we went to book them on the Wednesday with BA and the prices had risen from £650.00 per leg to £958.00 per leg excluding taxes. If you like it and the prices are good book it before they change.

Good Luck.

I haven't flown BA's business class, but don't they have full lie flat beds as well?

They are flat bed seats in CW.

Odd ... booking from the UK and VS is c. £2,600 and BA c. £2,500 but booking from the US, VS is $5,800 and BA $3,800. Seems BA is more keen to get US flyers or maybe Virgin is spending its promotion on the new CC [}:)].

Definitely not worth the extra: Ba have horizontal, lie flat seats, food is better than Virgin, lounges are ok and crew have been (in my experience) always professional. A good, solid Business Class product.

Boo

Got to agree with everyone and say it is not worth the extra 50% in cost (if that is what it really is[:0]). Book it and save the extra cash for your spending [:D]

Iain

OK - Thanks to all who responded!

As much of a VS fan as I am, I've found it difficult in the past, in fact neigh on impossible, to get as good a fare from VS for UC as I could for BA's CW. SO have ended up flying BA a fair bit in the past.

It was only last February I managed to get a LGW-MCO return at anything close to BA's discounted / Consolidated fares. Similarly for an upcoming trip in September, I was stunned with an UC fare I got LHR-IAD / JFK-LHR & jumped at the chance.

But on balance, IME BA have always outstripped VS's fares.

Having travelled in both airline's premium cabins, I would have to say, that while VS are better than BA, it's not worth that sort of premium.

But the one thing to be aware of with BA, is that unless you are paying full fare (J) or hold Silver Status or above in the BAEC, you will not be able to pre-assign your seats in Club World. Instead, you'll have to wait until the lottery of OLCI opens at -23 hours prior to departure & take your chances with every body else.

I've read stories of couples not being able to sit together, because all the seat pairs are already gone, or being dumped into the middle (read worst) seats in the cabin.

I don't know if seat pre-assignment is a big issue for you, but it certainly is for me & has resulted in my dropping BA for all future travels. I think it is ludicrous to pay over several thousand Euros to travel in a premium class & not be able to have your seats pre-assigned [V]

But that's just my opinion & other's differ.

But it's just something to be aware of !

Originally posted by kered
But the one thing to be aware of with BA, is that unless you are paying full fare (J) or hold Silver Status or above in the BAEC, you will not be able to pre-assign your seats in Club World. Instead, you'll have to wait until the lottery of OLCI opens at -23 hours prior to departure & take your chances with every body else.

I've read stories of couples not being able to sit together, because all the seat pairs are already gone, or being dumped into the middle (read worst) seats in the cabin.

I don't know if seat pre-assignment is a big issue for you, but it certainly is for me & has resulted in my dropping BA for all future travels. I think it is ludicrous to pay over several thousand Euros to travel in a premium class & not be able to have your seats pre-assigned [V]

But that's just my opinion & other's differ.

But it's just something to be aware of !

Something I totally agree. Had booked flights to Dubai last February and as son as OLCI opened I was there. Already all side seats had gone, with only the middle seats remaining. In the time I had asked my wife her opinion, my choices were diminished again so I had to make the bold move of plumping for some seats towards the PE area, where noise, children and screaming ensued. I don't mind BA at all, but this policy is aboslutely rubbish! Glad I'm travelling First to China in September - at least I can choose my seats!

Originally posted by kered
As much of a VS fan as I am, I've found it difficult in the past, in fact neigh on impossible, to get as good a fare from VS for UC as I could for BA's CW. SO have ended up flying BA a fair bit in the past.

It was only last February I managed to get a LGW-MCO return at anything close to BA's discounted / Consolidated fares. Similarly for an upcoming trip in September, I was stunned with an UC fare I got LHR-IAD / JFK-LHR & jumped at the chance.

But on balance, IME BA have always outstripped VS's fares.

Having travelled in both airline's premium cabins, I would have to say, that while VS are better than BA, it's not worth that sort of premium.

But the one thing to be aware of with BA, is that unless you are paying full fare (J) or hold Silver Status or above in the BAEC, you will not be able to pre-assign your seats in Club World. Instead, you'll have to wait until the lottery of OLCI opens at -23 hours prior to departure & take your chances with every body else.

I've read stories of couples not being able to sit together, because all the seat pairs are already gone, or being dumped into the middle (read worst) seats in the cabin.

I don't know if seat pre-assignment is a big issue for you, but it certainly is for me & has resulted in my dropping BA for all future travels. I think it is ludicrous to pay over several thousand Euros to travel in a premium class & not be able to have your seats pre-assigned [V]

But that's just my opinion & other's differ.

But it's just something to be aware of !

Look at it another way (which has been debated elsewhere) it is a very nice perk when BAEC Silver/Gold to be able to choose your seats and have first pick .... nothing more frustrating than being VS Gold, book a flight a few days before and no seats left to choose from !!

I know which way I would rather have it [;)].

Just my 2c worth [:D]

Mark