Virgin now much too expensive - would love to know why

[Chris and Pooh]

I am finding Virgin very expensive compared to BA these days and cannot warrant flying with them anymore .
For example comparing identical Economy fly drives for 2 adults with full-size car and all inclusive insurance flying out 21.10.2017 returning 02.11.2017 with direct flights

Virgin vs27 outbound and vs16 return -- £3093.55

BA BA2039 outbound and BA2036 return -- £1623

Unless your not bothered about spending an extra £1470 to have the privilege of flying virgin its a no brainer ( figures correct as of 22:30 13.11/2016)

If there are any Virgin employees who can explain the discrepancy I would love to hear from them

 

[Elise79]

Virgin Holidays have been much more expensive for years. Try comparing a flight only booking with VA and adding car on separately - there most likely won't be much difference.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

British Airways has also gone downhill over the years. And Virgin has gone uphill. But this might be better on Flyertalk

 

[Jon84]

There is something about that time of year that makes a huge price difference.

I wouldn't say Virgin is going Uphill either, the 747s are showing their age already, and I can't seem them being refited as the Dreamliner will take over eventually.

 

[Chris and Pooh]

Virgin Holidays have been much more expensive for years. Try comparing a flight only booking with VA and adding car on separately - there most likely won't be much difference.

At this moment in time cannot as unlike BA, Virgin Atlantic has not released prices for the dates stated. But to some degree you are correct as Virgin add a massive premium for the car hire element, much more than if the car is booked direct though Alamo

 

[Chris and Pooh]

British Airways has also gone downhill over the years. And Virgin has gone uphill. But this might be better on Flyertalk

That is a matter of opinion. I have flown with Virgin since 1998 but due to the greed of the company I flew with BA in 2015 and was very pleasantly surprised.

 

[Elise79]

At this moment in time cannot as unlike BA, Virgin Atlantic has not released prices for the dates stated. But to some degree you are correct as Virgin add a massive premium for the car hire element, much more than if the car is booked direct though Alamo

I didn't spot that dates Thats why there is such a premium with VH as well then because you are booking pre-release. I price VA & BA flight only overtime we go and there is only ever a couple of £s in it.

That is a matter of opinion. I have flown with Virgin since 1998 but due to the greed of the company I flew with BA in 2015 and was very pleasantly surprised.

We fly with VA three times a year and really can not complain - tried BA in 2014 due to a good price and wow what a difference - crew were awful, plane was in need of a refurb and just generally a lesser experience.

 

[Jon84]

crew were awful

I've heard that, but at the same time with the experiments VA are conducting, I've experienced a reduced service in both Economy and Upper in the last year compared to two years ago where they were all over you.

plane was in need of a refurb and just generally a lesser experience.

With BA their planes are a bit hit and miss I agree. Again, my last flight in Upper VA in May, my seat stopped working, and I am not the first person to experience such a fundamental fail.

 

[Chris and Pooh]

I've heard that, but at the same time with the experiments VA are conducting, I've experienced a reduced service in both Economy and Upper in the last year compared to two years ago where they were all over you.



With BA their planes are a bit hit and miss I agree. Again, my last flight in Upper VA in May, my seat stopped working, and I am not the first person to experience such a fundamental fail.

Likewise, flew Upperclass with VA in 2011 and my wife experienced exactly the same and had to manually convert the seat to a bed.

 

[saintrob]

We use Virgin on the MCO route three times a year and our only bad flight was many years ago when we were in economy. We normally fly in UC and so far haven't had a bad experience although the service from the crew hasn't always been consistent. It's ranged from very good to outstanding/above and beyond. We've flown with BA occasionally and again the flight was good but I find that when VA does it right, for the price paid, they can't be beaten.

Aer Lingus business also does a great service across the pond.

 

[Woodview]

I am finding Virgin very expensive compared to BA these days and cannot warrant flying with them anymore .
For example comparing identical Economy fly drives for 2 adults with full-size car and all inclusive insurance flying out 21.10.2017 returning 02.11.2017 with direct flights

Virgin vs27 outbound and vs16 return -- £3093.55

BA BA2039 outbound and BA2036 return -- £1623

Unless your not bothered about spending an extra £1470 to have the privilege of flying virgin its a no brainer ( figures correct as of 22:30 13.11/2016)

If there are any Virgin employees who can explain the discrepancy I would love to hear from them

As Elise 79 asked Have you priced the flights only & then the car rental ?

Any result ?

 

[Chris and Pooh]

As Elise 79 asked Have you priced the flights only & then the car rental ?

Any result ?

Would be unable to do so at present as only BA has published prices for those dates, will have to wait a few more weeks before I could do so

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

I booked this morning for next October; yesterday BA were coming out £900 cheaper than Virgin for flights on the same day and at similar times. Today Virgin have come down to the same as BA so I have booked with them - sometimes it pays to wait a few days and they seem to level out a bit.

 

[Minniesgal]

Virgin flights always look really expensive when. Poked as a fly drive before the airline releases the flights. Booking direct with Virgin Atlantic is always cheaper. Ironically we always add on a Virgin holidays car and it works out the best deal. Would never book a fly drive they are not good deals