Ozvirginuk From Australia, joined Jan 2005, 396 posts, RR: 8 Posted (6 years 10 months 1 day 13 hours ago) and read 1598 times:
I am seeking everyone's opinion. My partner and I are planning a trip to MCO in May, and want to fly business class. Although I work for VS, the fares are a bit out of reach for us, so we are considering UA or DL.
We are star alliance gold, and would be using miles to upgrade on UA, but it flies from LHR. If we choose DL we'd be paying for J class, but they leave from LGW (much more convenient).
I am seeking people's opinions about both carrier's business class products and services etc....
PA110 From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 1931 posts, RR: 36 Reply 1, posted (6 years 10 months 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 1582 times:
You'll have to connect on both to get to MCO. DL has a bit more legroom than UA, but I think from a service perspective they're probably both about the same. I think the DL seat reclines a bit farther, but I've always found the UA seat more confortable than others with greater recline.
Quite honestly, if its a choice between cashing in miles and paying for a ticket, use the miles and save the money for spending while on holiday.
Garri767 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 4, posted (6 years 10 months 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 1572 times:
its elementary
If you want a great trans-atlantic flight for cheap, and get treated better on business/first, which airline do you fly? ua or delta?
a. delta-they treat business ppl like coach and are cheap, i want to fly them
b. i am smart, ua offers tv , better business, and same price as delta, uaa!
Fbgdavidson From United Kingdom, joined Oct 2004, 3636 posts, RR: 36 Reply 5, posted (6 years 10 months 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 1572 times:
While UA J isn't the best J class on the planet if I were you the cost benefit isn't worth the outlay. plus, if you are UA *G you could score and upgrade, they are pretty generous with upgrades...
fbg's tip: Use the SAS/AC London Lounge at T3 and not the RCC
[Edited 2005-04-20 00:59:00]
"My first job was selling doors, door to door, that's a tough job innit" - Bill Bailey
XJRamper From United States of America, joined Dec 2003, 2148 posts, RR: 55 Reply 6, posted (6 years 10 months 23 hours ago) and read 1552 times:
I have not flown on UA period, so I cannot comment on their transatlantic.
That being said, I have flown 6 segments on DL international business, and I do have to say they treat you great, the seats are very comfortable, and I do have to say their IFE worked all 6 times. You get what you paid for on DL, and I have received more than I payed for. But thats just a Gold medallian talking.
Ozvirginuk From Australia, joined Jan 2005, 396 posts, RR: 8 Reply 8, posted (6 years 10 months 13 hours ago) and read 1522 times:
I do work for VS, but the Upper Class fare is a few hundred pounds higher than UA or DL. Of course the VS Upper Class Suite is a much superior product, but I have to pay for the ticket for this trip so price is important. I have flown UA business a couple of times and let's face it even UA business is better than economy.... but I am interested to see what DL is all about.
Maybe I should just shell out the extra few hundred quid and travel in the ultimate luxury that is VS Upper Class Suite.........
RoseFlyer From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 7217 posts, RR: 50 Reply 10, posted (6 years 10 months 8 hours ago) and read 1510 times:
I would evaluate on what type of plane they fly. There is such a huge difference on DL between the 767 and 777. Even though the 777 is much bigger, both planes are 2-2-2 in businesselite with 21 inch width on the 777 and 18.5 width on the 767, while UA has 2-3-2 in business on the 777. Numbers wise the DL 777 at 60 inch pitch and 21 inch widthe is best. Try to get a 777 on either airline you fly as they are better up front. UA has mostly 777s accross the Atlantic, while DL has mostly 767s.
I prefer UA, and am Star Gold myself. However UA vs. DL is a close battle. Both are decent with older generation seats (DL has 60 inch pitch, while UA has 55) in business. You will have an older selection of flight attendants and professional albeit not personal service. Between the two, I would just go for price and convenience, but if you are a strict numbers person, the DL seat is better and either one could be better in terms of service depending on the day, mood, or whatever.
If you have never designed an airplane part before, let the real designers do the work!
CarbHeatIn From Ireland, joined Jun 2004, 208 posts, RR: 0 Reply 12, posted (6 years 9 months 4 weeks 1 day 14 hours ago) and read 1487 times:
Don't VS staff get something like 7 FREE Upper Class tickets a year? And Unlimited for a small fee? Albeit they may be Stand-By but the money saved would be extremely significant. You could also buy Non-Rev tickets on UA and I'm sure DL as a Virgin Employee. UA at LHR tend to upgrade OA staff if possible but then you'd need to connect instead of LGW-MCO on VS.
Ozvirginuk From Australia, joined Jan 2005, 396 posts, RR: 8 Reply 14, posted (6 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 16 hours ago) and read 1448 times:
Quoting CarbHeatIn (Reply 12): Don't VS staff get something like 7 FREE Upper Class tickets a year? And Unlimited for a small fee?
Not quite my friend. We get 7 free stand-by flights in Economy (which is excellent) This kicks in after 6 months service (which I haven't got yet). Upper class upgrades start after about 2 years, and increase with years of service.
So at this point it would be paying for any ticket including Y class.
Quoting Burnsie28 (Reply 11): Well fares are ever changing, so have you tried NW out of LGW? Business class has lie flat seats and more.
I have not tried NW. Are they good? Anyone have any photos of Business cabin?? Definitely worth considering. But don't they fly DC10s to LGW still??? Not that keen on them.
UAalltheway From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 15, posted (6 years 9 months 3 weeks 5 days 13 hours ago) and read 1447 times:
Quoting Ozvirginuk (Reply 14): Not quite my friend. We get 7 free stand-by flights in Economy (which is excellent) This kicks in after 6 months service (which I haven't got yet). Upper class upgrades start after about 2 years, and increase with years of service.
Oh, ok. Than yea, UA All the Way!!!
Quoting Ozvirginuk (Reply 14): I have not tried NW. Are they good? Anyone have any photos of Business cabin?? Definitely worth considering. But don't they fly DC10s to LGW still??? Not that keen on them.
On NW (which would be from DTW to LGW) is still operated on a DC-10 (or at least that's what *I* pulled up on that route). The NW business on a DC-10 looks something like this:
Daron4000 From United States of America, joined Mar 2005, 710 posts, RR: 1 Reply 16, posted (6 years 9 months 3 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 1432 times:
Definitely go with UA, the seats, even if it sounds less than Delta, are ten times better, the recline is great, and whenever I fly them, even on short day-flights like 777 ORD-DEN, I can easily fall asleep.
AeroVodochody From Czech Republic, joined Feb 2005, 540 posts, RR: 3 Reply 17, posted (6 years 9 months 3 weeks 3 days 8 hours ago) and read 1426 times:
I'll take UA anytime, better seats, better service, Ch.9.
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