BA Planes - 747?

[angel659]

Hi

We have been quoted £237.00 less than Virgin. We have never flown with BA other than Gatwick-Aberdeen.

What is the plane model that flys to Florida. If it isnt a 747 I dont think Bruce will go and he would rather pay more and fly with Virgin.

Does anyone have any photos of Economy seating in BA? Are they generous? I found Virgin economy impressive compared to other airlines. Are the meals better?

I hope you can help. We just cant seem to make that decision.

 

[Miffy2003]

Angel, I have no idea of the technical specs, the names etc but when we flew BA a few months ago the seat pitch seemed the same as Virgin. The configuration was 3 - 4(?) - 3 and to my inexpert eyes looked the same as the Virgin flight we flew on 7 months previously.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Just put some dates in on the BA web iste and it says it is serviced by a Boeing 777, not a 747

 

[Cochise]

Looking forward to my first T7 flight.No time in the future though

 

[Cochise]

Hopefully this will help on the BA T7 plan. Note that this states it is a 4 class flight when there are 3 class also flying.

 

[Cochise]

Jeez this is messing me about.

 

[Cochise]

Double posted

 

[kristieuk]

On all our trips with BA to the US over the past 7 years or so (many trips to Tampa, JFK, Atlanta Chicago), we have always flown on a 777, rather than a 747. I'm no plane expert, but I think the seat configuration is the same ie 3 - 4 - 3 in economy as a Virgin 747. American Airlines 777's are 2 - 6 - 2, so it obviously depends on how the airline want the seats configured.

A 777 certainly doesn't feel small, but I think there may be less rows in total than a 747. and it doesn't have the upstairs 'bubble' - but unless you're flying first class, you wouldn't see that anyway.

I could be wrong, but I think the 777 is a newer model of plane, and it seems to be the aircraft of choice for transatlantic flights when airlines are buying new. I believe they are lighter and more efficient, and therefore cheaper to run. There aren't actually that may airlines aside from Virgin who fly 747's on transatlantic routes these days - they seem to be reserved for longer ranges.

In our experience, BA 777's have a very modern feel, seat back tv's, and decent seat pitch. I don't think you would be disappointed.

 

[JohnnySharp2]

Boeing 777's are a newer type of plane, have never flown on one though.

The 747 as everyone knows has been going for many many years, there are many versions of this type such as the 747-200 and 747-400, the 400 being the newest version.

Not sure about BA, but know that Virgin now only have the 400 type in it's fleet.

You can tell it's a 747-400 by the upward facing 'tip' on the wing of the aircraft.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

More info on the aircraft here
http://www.boeing.com/commercial/products.html

 

[Claire L]

The 777 is a nice plane I flew on it with UA in 1995 about 2 months after it's innaugural passenger flight. It is a wide bodied jet ie has two aisles the main difference to the 747 is that it has no bubble and only has two engines, but very very strong.

Claire

 

[angel659]

Hi

I dont think Bruce will like the 777 then. He has a fear of flying and he loved the size of the boeing 747 especially considering it had 4 engines. We thought it was the nicest plane we have been on long haul. We went on a DC10, which was awful and the plane sounded rickety and hated the crew (this was JMC) flying to Mexico.

The 777 looks so small compared to the 747, but its £237.00 more to fly with Virgin than BA. At least we know what we are getting with Virgin. Is Virgin really worth paying the extra?

 

[disneyholic family]

Hi

I dont think Bruce will like the 777 then. He has a fear of flying and he loved the size of the boeing 747 especially considering it had 4 engines. We thought it was the nicest plane we have been on long haul. We went on a DC10, which was awful and the plane sounded rickety and hated the crew (this was JMC) flying to Mexico.

The 777 looks so small compared to the 747, but its £237.00 more to fly with Virgin than BA. At least we know what we are getting with Virgin. Is Virgin really worth paying the extra?

call us crazy, but we will only fly the 747-400 across the Atlantic for the very reason you mention - those 4 engines.....since a 747 can fly on one engine, i figure you have two extra chances to make it across the pond than with only the 2 engines on the 777...

as i said, call us crazy but that's our reasoning...

and yes, 2 of the 4 of us are terrified of flying...

 

[Frances999]

call us crazy, but we will only fly the 747-400 across the Atlantic for the very reason you mention - those 4 engines.....since a 747 can fly on one engine, i figure you have a lot of extra chances to make it across the pond than with only the 2 engines on the 777...

as i said, call us crazy but that's our reasoning...

and yes, 2 of the 4 of us are terrified of flying...

I must admit that reading it had only 2 engines kind of worried me as well. I (obviously wrongly!) assumed all trans-atlantic aircraft had four engines!

 

[Frances999]

Is Virgin really worth paying the extra?

Are you a member of the Flying Club? In my opinion it would be worth sticking with Virgin to accumulate some miles towards future trips.

 

[angel659]

Are you a member of the Flying Club? In my opinion it would be worth sticking with Virgin to accumulate some miles towards future trips.

My husband joined it yesterday. But the flights are £400 more if we booked flights direct otherwise its £237 more if we booked a fly drive.

 

[Claire L]

My husband joined it yesterday. But the flights are £400 more if we booked flights direct otherwise its £237 more if we booked a fly drive.

You can still book the Fly drive with VH get 10% off AND get your FF points with VA Flying Club membership

Claire

 

[angel659]

You can still book the Fly drive with VH get 10% off AND get your FF points with VA Flying Club membership

Claire

How does that work? It only mentions frequent flyers 10% discount. We joined the flying club yesterday. Do we pay for the fly drive and then email them our flying club member number?

 

[Claire L]

How does that work? It only mentions frequent flyers 10% discount. We joined the flying club yesterday. Do we pay for the fly drive and then email them our flying club member number?

No the FC ref number can be added to your online booking and the discount will then be applied once all confirmed

Here are the details from the VH details and payment page -

Welcome to The Frequent Virgin Club If you are a Frequent Virgin/Flying club member your discount will be applied after your booking. Please note that the online booking discount is not available in conjunction with your Frequent Virgin/Flying Club discount.


The Frequent Virgin Club is Virgin Holidays loyalty programme, offering its members additional benefits and extras to make your next holiday with us that little more special.

If you are already a member please enter your membership number in the box provided. The Club will automatically be notified and will start to process your benefits - you don't need to do anything else! (Please note we ideally need a minimum of one calendar months notice, prior to your UK departure date, to process all your benefits against your booking)

The benefits are:

10% discount* Book direct with Virgin Holidays and claim 10% discount off your full brochure package including pre-booked car insurance, attraction tickets & flight upgrades! Excluding travel insurance & wedding packages.
A personal membership card, luggage tag and a family ticket wallet and an exclusive welcome gift for new members!
When you see the 'Frequent Virgin Club' logo printed by a hotel in the brochure, this indicates that this hotel has confirmed that they are delighted to participate in the 'Frequent Virgin Friendly Hotel' programme. The hotel will provide the nicest room possible, subject to availability, upon your arrival and some hotels also provide extra perks or gifts when you arrive!
A car upgrade on mainland USA generously provided by Dollar Rent A Car!
Processed prior to UK departure, not available locally. This upgrade may increase any prepaid car insurance option you may have booked.
An exclusive phone number to assist you with any queries you may have with a priority line through to our Call Centre to make booking quicker and easier – if you don’t book on-line of course!
An exclusive phone number will make booking direct quicker and easier - if you don't book on-line of course!
Access to selected UK airport lounges (at a small charge)
"Full Velocity" - our Club Magazine - a regular copy will be sent to you twice a year and includes lots of news, reviews and exclusive offers.
Our exclusive Club website is regularly updated with loyalty club special offers and Virgin Holidays VIP Escorted Tours.
Our friends at FHR offer a Frequent Virgin Club discount on airport hotels and car parking.

The Flying Club is the Virgin Atlantic loyalty programme, where members collect air mile points when they fly with Virgin Atlantic. Flying Club members are entitled to a 10% discount off direct bookings with Virgin Holidays on full brochure packages including pre-booked car insurance, attraction tickets & flight upgrades! Excludes travel insurance & wedding packages.

>> Please note that the Frequent Virgin/Frequent Flying Club discount is valid on full brochure priced bookings and is not valid in conjunction with any special offers, alternative discounts, online booking discount or promotions mounted by or with Virgin Holidays.


HTH

Claire

 

[angel659]

You can still book the Fly drive with VH get 10% off AND get your FF points with VA Flying Club membership

Claire

Hi

Thanks Clare,

I have just phoned Virgin and they said yes once we have booked the fly drive to give them a call and they will apply the 10% discount and when we check in we have to give the flying club membership number across where they will add on the miles.

Thanks Claire I never knew this and it has definately helped. We have decided it will be Virgin. Yippeee my husband is pleased as its the 4 engines that overruled BA.

Thanks again

and thanks everyone for your help.

Love
Michelle