V-Flyer

I am taking my wife to New York for her birthday and want to take her in style from LHR. I am torn between Virgin UC, BA Club World and United Business.

United, because I have FF miles with them, but from what i see BA and Virgin seem to be the front runners.

All prices seem to be comparable so not really an issue.

Any opinions on the best business/uc service? BA seem to have Molten Spas in JFK + LHR, what's Virgin like? I am yet to fly virgin and haven't flown BA for years and never flown business class. I'm looking for comfort and to spoil her, any advice?

Welcome to V-Flyer, Adam.

The best thing to find out about UC, is to have a wander round this site. Have a look in the Trip report section and the photo section.

Flying from LHR to JFK, you will get access to two very good Clubhouse lounges, including the new one at LHR plus Revivals at LHR on your return. We try to be fairly objective here, but I would urge you towards VS.

Nick

Hi Adam welcome to V-Flyer:D.

If you really want it to be special it has to be Virgin upper class and she will never forget it trust me it has to be Virgin.[y]

If I chose "the lower fare" for UC online, I know I don't get the chauffer service or the drive-thru check-in, but is there anything else you get for chosing the flexible ticket?

Hello Adam and Welcome to V-Flyer

The only thing you dont get with the 'lowest' fare in Upper Class, is indeed the limo transfers. Everything else is the same.

Regards

Adam

Take a look at this Trip Report of BA NCW from one of our members, gives you an idea of the flight and service, and at the bottom are a few pointers of comparison which you might find useful.

The main moot points for most in comparing the two are that BA generally has superior food and wine in terms of service, and obviously a good reputation and route network. For me, it will always be VS. The suite is bigger than the NCW bed, VS have the bar and IBFT in Upper, better IFE, a Flying Club scheme that pays dividends - and the whole ethic of VS being a fun airline really bags it.

VS UCS all the way.[:p]

Nowhere on BA can you sit at the bar, have a massage and then lie back to watch 10 hours worth of Friends, Little Britain and the Office!:D

Cheers,
VS045

P.S. This is my 600th post!!!!!!!!!!:D:)[8D][:p]
Only 400 more to go 'til I can join thr anorak club!;)

I would strongly recommend VS. Flew UA and BA in C-Cl recently. BA is good too, but more on the conservative side, though their food is excellent too.. but with VS you could treat your wife to a free Bumble and bumble haircut, a spa treatment in the lounge and even a massage on board the aircraft, take her for a drink to the bar and try the yummy rococo chocolates they offer!!
I recommend VS!!

I think it would be worth checking the Virgin Reviews on www.v-flyer.com and then check the BA reviews on www.ba-flyer.com and I think you'll find Virgin comes out tops:D:D

Welcome BTW

Paul

Originally posted by p17blo
..and then check the BA reviews on www.ba-flyer.com

Hmm... some excellent TRs and endorsements there..

http://www.ba-flyer.com......the link that never dies [y]

Well we flew BA club last Sept LAX-LHR and can only give it [y][y]

However this year we will be flying in upper class,I havn't flown VS since the suite's were put in,but after reading the trip reports it was something we felt we had to do.

Either way you should have a great trip,however I do think VS makes the flight a little more "special".

Originally posted by AdamUK
If I chose "the lower fare" for UC online, I know I don't get the chauffer service or the drive-thru check-in, but is there anything else you get for chosing the flexible ticket?

Well, there is ONE thing you don't get without a flexible (or semi) ticket - Flexibility

As the others have said, everything else is the same. If you have ended up with a "D" fare, rather than the "lowest low" Z fare, your confirmation will indicate that you have a limo service included. If not, you have a Z, and it's pretty much stuck on those dates and times.

If your travel plans are pretty rigid, a Z fare is a great way to do it - and beats BA's NCW hands down...

Originally posted by Tom
.. but with VS you could treat your wife to a free Bumble and bumble haircut, a spa treatment in the lounge and even a massage on board the aircraft, take her for a drink to the bar and try the yummy rococo chocolates they offer!!

Do you pay extra for any services like that on board or is it all complimentary? (Not that i'm a cheapskate, but wouldn't want any nasty shocks that's all!!)[:0]

It's all complimentary regardless of which Upper Class fare you are on.

Regards