Feroze From India, joined Dec 2004, 771 posts, RR: 2 Posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 3077 times:
Hi all,
I will be travelling to BOM from LHR later this year. The fares for the two airlines are very similar and I am having a hard time deciding which to choose!
Problems with VS:
1. Because it's the A343, the UC Suites may not be installed
2. The discount fare does not include the chauffeur service to the airport.
3. The arrival time into LHR means the Arrivals Lounge will be closed.
So, all in all, which would you choose. Overall service, comfort, lounges (I think BA has a Terraces lounge at BOM).....any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Comorin From United States, joined May 2005, 2373 posts, RR: 7 Reply 1, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 3069 times:
Feroze,
I'm very biased towards BA, but my friends in BOM have been switching to VS because of the daytime schedule, Limo and Curbside check-in.
I think there is no question that upper deck on a 747 beats other choices. In fact, Club World or Upper Class downstairs is a very different experience.
If you are flying premium class, the daytime flights are a lot more enjoyable, otherwise you've just had a very expensive night's sleep.
I've used the BA Terraces lounge arriving from India, but it was en route to JFK. If you are ending your journey in LHR, then you would have to use the Arrivals lounge outside.
Jeremy Clarkson wrote an amusing comparison of BA vs VS in the London Times that you may want to google.
Fbgdavidson From United Kingdom (England), joined Oct 2004, 3415 posts, RR: 34 Reply 2, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 3050 times:
Quoting Feroze (Thread starter): 1. Because it's the A343, the UC Suites may not be installed
I believe there is only one A340-300 doing the rounds at VS that doesn't have UCS. I'm willing to be wrong on this one...
Comorin From United States, joined May 2005, 2373 posts, RR: 7 Reply 3, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 3018 times:
Fbgdavidson's excellent trip reports notwithstanding, you will need to compare CW vs UC on the UK-India legs as it is a very different experience. The transatlantic service on any airline is "Blue Riband" and is an airline at it's best. Mind you, I don't think BA deliberately cuts back on its India service, but it does feel like a step down.
From what I hear, the best J class service UK-India may be Jet Airways.
Feroze From India, joined Dec 2004, 771 posts, RR: 2 Reply 4, posted (3 years 6 months 3 weeks 2 hours ago) and read 2996 times:
Comorin, Fbgdavidson,
Thank you both very much for your useful insights. I will now address each of you in turn:
Comorin,
I won't have the advantage of the limo service or Kerbside C-In. It's no problem as I will be driving to LHR and leaving the car there. When I arrive in BOM I have to take a 9W flight a few hours later - I will therefore be taking the evening flight out to arrive in BOM at sensible-o'clock. The flight back is up for debate. With BA I have a choice. Thanks for telling me about the expensive night's sleep! Oh, and Jet Airways LHR-BOM J Class is too expensive (compared to VS and BA). And I won't be connecting at LHR (cos London's 'ome!)
Fbgdavidson,
Thanks for the links to the trip reports (shameless plugs notwithstanding!), I will go through them in turn when I get home tonight. I have been to vflyer and seen the reports there.
I'm leaning towards BA (refined) over VS (OTT) - would I be correct in this assumption?
Wrighbrothers From United Kingdom, joined Jul 2005, 1815 posts, RR: 12 Reply 5, posted (3 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 19 hours ago) and read 2979 times:
Quoting Feroze (Reply 4): I'm leaning towards BA (refined) over VS (OTT) - would I be correct in this assumption?
At a slight bias, i'd say that is correct, but it depends what you want/ like, if you want professional posh waiter style flying, then BA is good, but if you don't mind Virgin products and Branson in your face ( ) then VS isn't a bad airline, but personally, gotta be BA.
Comorin From United States, joined May 2005, 2373 posts, RR: 7 Reply 6, posted (3 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 2963 times:
Feroze,
I think you should go BA because CW Upper Deck is a defining experience, and it can become your benchmark to judge future trips.
Make sure you get a window seat upstairs, and you're all set for a real treat.
Trekster From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 7, posted (3 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 12 hours ago) and read 2960 times:
Dont forget, the IFE is getting updated in every cabin as off June, and were releasing a new club world seat and in flt product sometime in the next few months that is meant to be amazing
BCAL From United Kingdom, joined Jun 2004, 3384 posts, RR: 29 Reply 8, posted (3 years 6 months 2 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 2943 times:
Well I am biased, but I would point out that BA offers a choice of a morning or evening departure from both LHR and BOM, consistent high standards of service both on the ground and in the air, an established brand and years of experience, the possibility of a new Club World seat and new IFE by June, use of the lounges at both airports and a far superior product. They also offer you a choice of a 744 or 777.
VS, on the other hand, just has a early evening departure from LHR, inconsistent standards of service, constant plugging of Virgin brands/products and SRB's face thrown at you everywhere, often the oldest aircraft in the VS fleet allocated to the route, a relatively new brand in India, and (according to colleagues who have travelled VS between UK and India) a feeling that VS cabin crew are anti-Indian.
Enough said?
MOL on SRB's latest attack at BA: "It's like a little Chihuahua barking at a dying Labrador. Nobody cares."
Feroze From India, joined Dec 2004, 771 posts, RR: 2 Reply 9, posted (3 years 6 months 2 weeks 5 days 22 hours ago) and read 2929 times:
Dear All,
Thanks very much for all your pointers. I have now booked my flights: I'm on the evening flight (772) LHR-BOM - my diary constrained me to this flight - and I'm returning on the UD on the 744 (window, Comorin!). On your heads be it!
On a side point: it's amazing how much fares have come down since the glut of non-stop flights appeared last year!
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) then VS isn't a bad airline, but personally, gotta be BA.
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