BA return flight cancelled; back with Virgin - comparison PE

[Pootle]

On Friday we arrived at MCO (after on-line check in where World Traveller Plus seats were confirmed) to discover that our BA flight was cancelled; it hadn't left LGW! Yeh, extra day? No! The check-in woman was quick to tell us that they had managed to get everyone on the Virgin flight and yes, we had Premium Economy seats - the equivalent of BA's World Traveller Plus.

Here's my take on the differences. The private upstairs cabin was nice and roomy and the 2 dedicated crew were brilliant. Food was better on BA outbound but cutlery and presentation won on VA, plus they have the 'little touches' that don't cost much but are pleasant to have: hot towels and warm bread rolls.

For us though, BA wins because IMHO there is marginally more room. My (small) friend commented that when the seat in front was reclined fully, my knees were almost touching the seat in front, and this was not so with BA. I'm tall, and DH is 6'2" so would definitely choose BA if travelling with him unless there was a big price difference.

One final observation that on flight VS28 (the earlier of Virgin's 2 LGW flights) there were still empty seats with a few people having a row to themselves despite having 'swallowed' a whole BA flight-load of passengers.

The cancellation was allegedly due to some technical problem but you do wonder. It was obviously in both airlines' interests to combine their passengers on that day, technical difficulties or not

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

BA World Traveller Plus seats are 38" seat pitch and 18.5" width on 747's and 777's

Virgin's 747-400's Premium Economy are again 38" seat pitch but 20" wide.

 

[UKDEB]

I wouldn't read too much into the situation. Lots of flights were cancelled on Thursday due to the inclement weather here. The animosity between Virgin and BA is well-documented and seems to extend beyond that of normal business competition, so I'd really struggle to believe they were in cahoots. I'm guessing it was the most cost effective solution for BA. That Virgin was able to accommodate the BA flight suggests that both were quiet and I suppose that's what you'd expect at this time of year.

Thanks for the comparison - it's useful to hear it from someone who has experienced both offerings, on the same route, and within a short timescale.

 

[Pootle]

BA World Traveller Plus seats are 38" seat pitch and 18.5" width on 747's and 777's

Virgin's 747-400's Premium Economy are again 38" seat pitch but 20" wide.

Yup, seen the figures before but am totally sceptical and unconvinced - and about the width too. I'm ..... er ..... well-padded and can comfortably manage the controls inside the seat arm of BA's seats, but with Virgin, it was far more of a challenge - the seats might be wider but the passenger doesn't get the benefit .

Really, I've no axe to grind on this one - I'm not a member of either's fan club Obi

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Yup, seen the figures before but am totally sceptical and unconvinced - and about the width too. I'm ..... er ..... well-padded and can comfortably manage the controls inside the seat arm of BA's seats, but with Virgin, it was far more of a challenge - the seats might be wider but the passenger doesn't get the benefit .

Really, I've no axe to grind on this one - I'm not a member of either's fan club Obi

no, no its wasn't meant as any citisism, but just an observation really. I always find BA's cabins a little dull and dark myself, but each to their own really.

 

[Pootle]

I wouldn't read too much into the situation. Lots of flights were cancelled on Thursday due to the inclement weather here.

But this was the Friday mid morning flight from LGW which didn't take off! Could be knock-on effect I guess, or technical ...... but where any business is concerned, the bottom line is all powerful and despite well-publicised spats .... I just wouldn't be amazed at a little 'co-operation' that's all .

 

[waltfan1957]

But this was the Friday mid morning flight from LGW which didn't take off! Could be knock-on effect I guess, or technical ...... but where any business is concerned, the bottom line is all powerful and despite well-publicised spats .... I just wouldn't be amazed at a little 'co-operation' that's all .

I agree also on the pricing as well

 

[Mrs Stonfiesta]

Not sure if this is relevent but i may have the answer as to why the flight was cancelled on the Friday. We flew back from MCO on Thursday evening - the flight had about 50 people on board and we have very smooth trip home with all the seats around us free. On the way out (same plane) i had leaky water dripped onto my head (worse on take off) the air hostess informed me it was a leaky air unit and that they would arrnage for it to be looked at. On the return leg we checked in online and booked the same seats (row 25), on getting on the plane i looked at the ceiling and couldn't see any dripping water so i sat down thinking the problem had been fixed, after about 10 seconds i suddenly got a cold bum and realise that the seat was soaked and the plane hadnt been fixed. When i spoke to the air hostess who moved me (loads of spare seats) she infomred me that there were lots of wet seats due to the fault in the air con. this may resolve the issue of the technical fault, the leak wasnt confined to one area of the plane so may have been a biger issue than we thought

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

All scheduled airlines co-operate when an aircraft goes tech.
If seats are available only though.
However, BA would have had to pay Virgin for those seats, but still cheaper than chartering an aircraft and crew.
You would be sadly mistaken if you think that the BA/VS spat was just a publicity stunt though.

 

[Pootle]

You would be sadly mistaken if you think that the BA/VS spat was just a publicity stunt though.

Were you referring to this part of my last post in the above statement?

..... the bottom line is all powerful and despite well-publicised spats .....

If so, you misunderstood what I said. I know full well of the bitter history between the two companies dating back to the early nineties.

If you are referring to something said by someone else, then I apologise