UC or CLUB?

Long weekend in New york planned for March. I've flown UC last summer to new york. This time going to take the wife aswell.

Other than BA's club being 3.50 cheaper per seat I cant decide on which option to take?

1) I've never flown BA longhaul
2) Bored of VS's inconsistent service
3) Liked the VS seat though.

Anyone who does this route regularly got any strong views?

Thanks in advance.

Sounds like you have 2 of the key factors off to pat, and only you can say your preference on those. Add in another though - the VS clubhouse is better (although I prefer the BA Spa under new management)

I have to say the price difference would prob do it for me - you could get two pints out of that and still have change for 10 B&H.

VS wins on:

* Bed (UCS is one of the nicest beds in the sky)
* LHR lounge
* IFE (assuming you get vPort)
* FFP

BA wins on

* Seat (NNCW is much nicer to sit/lounge in)
* Wine
* Food
* Service (generally more consistent crew)

Not seen the VS JFK lounge so no comment there, and the bar/IFBT mean very little to me.

[RichardMannion]

If it were me, VS with that price diff.

I thought the BA Club seat was awful - coffin like though I know some people don't like UCS as a seat.

LHR CH is great, and so too is the JFK CH.

Thanks,
Richard

VS

[:X]

Given the choice and that small of a price difference, I'd take VS. Based on recent TRs, service seems to be improving. I did a detailed comparison between VS UC and BA CW (not NNCW) in a TR between LHR and DEN in November 07. I will see if I can dig it out, and remember how to link it.

Edited to add the following:
Here is the link to my TR with comparison. Also, here is my TR for the outbound leg of that trip, where I also talk about my opinions of the CW seat as compared to the UCS.

Of course it's just my opinion, but hope it helps a little!

I thought the BA Club seat was awful - coffin like though I know some people don't like UCS as a seat.

On the JFK route it would be the new club world seat which is a big improvement on the current 777 seat you experienced at xmas.

Personally, If departure was after the 27th of March I would go for BA to be one of the first pax to use T5.

Try an upstairs window seat on BA. You won't be disappointed with the space.

Thanks for all the information. Will be flying out 20/3 so I guess old terminal.

Still cannot make up my mind. Stars has almost swayed me to UCS (with his TR), but I was really looking forward to trying a different airline after some pretty bad service with VS.

Did NY JFK in August in NNCW and was very impressed. Seat better and more comfortable than UCS in my opinion.

Food good, lounges not a patch on UK one. I have not experienced the Virgin lounge at JFK yet.

It was a reward flight with a matching ticket. Total cost was just the Tax.

If the cost was the same, I would opt for BA.

Mark

This is a difficult one[:)]

I've never had bad service in Club (have in UCS), but I've got to say that since the prices are so close VS wins on the fact the Clubhouses are better than the BA lounges.

Mrs D

My preference would be for VS, mainly for the UCS and the LHR and JFK CHs.
My most recent flights in BA CW have seen consistently good inflight service which had been lacking on some off my VS UC flights last year.

Currently BA CW is cheaper for me than flying VS via JFK to the UK, so at the moment it is a money issue and BA are getting my dollars.

We flew NNCW LHR - MIA December. I think it is really a tough call - the Clubhouse is far far better than the lounge at Heathrow which is not even a BA lounge. On board if you are upstairs its very good, imo better than downstairs but both have a good seat. I actually prefer it to the suite because you can recline fully without having to lay down which you cant in the suite, either you lay down or you can only go back a little way. The food is ok, if I'm honest it is better than UC but I am not a lover of plane food. What is invariably very good is the CC - they are consistantly good, capable and professional in the air - which is more than can be said for their ground staff. I have never had a bad UC flight but have had problems with BA flights and while the crew have always been helpful our experience with BA 'customer services' has always been stressful, BUT I am a very stubborn individual and have eventually got a satisfactory outcome, but it would be nice if just once they would read their correspondence and respond accordingly instead of trying to fob you off. Anyhow I digress, the ife on our last flight was AVOD and worked well although the choice was a bit dull. My complaint of both NNCW and UCS is the amount of personal space in the seat area - its not too generous but Virgin wins. At MIA I think BA and Virgin now use the same lounge but not sure - anyhow there is no Clubhouse at MIA so no real advantage.
Our next flights in March are with BA but that is because at the time of booking BA were HALF the price of Virgin so there was no competition but if prices were the same I think it would have to be Virgin - the Clubhouse, and the fact that you do not have to climb over anyone to get out of your seat. And Mr A likes his sleep suit - he's a tall fellow and he is more comfortable in the suite. I apologise as I dont think I have of any real help as I am aware that I cant really decide which is the best! Virgin is definately more fun and they do not seem to lose luggage as often as BA.

More good comments. Does it make it easier if I'm not concerned about the lounges.

I going to base it purely on onboard personal comfort.

As Speedbird223 said if you can bag an upstairs seat in NNCW you will have a very good flight, the inflight service is more F than J up there.

According to today's press release announcing the London City-New York flights, it also goes on to say that all of BA's 747 aircraft now have the New Club World seat...so if you do pick BA be sure to go for a flight operated by the 747 to be guaranteed the new seat.

Press release here

Can't comment any more since I haven't flown in either VS UCS or BA Club World.

Ahh my taxi is here!

Regardless of seat - it is only a weekend. The Clubhouse gives you a much better start to the weekend than the BA lounge. As it's just a weekend I'd go UCS because you get more of an experience.

Mrs D

[honey lamb]

Originally posted by Mrs Decker
Regardless of seat - it is only a weekend. The Clubhouse gives you a much better start to the weekend than the BA lounge. As it's just a weekend I'd go UCS because you get more of an experience.

Mrs D

Ah yes! Spoken like a true virgophile [y][:D]

VS. They are more fun and still offer a great service ( I think its getting better each time I fly with them)

Definately VS, especially if you can get the chauffeur service with that. The BA Club World seats are horrible and looks like your in a fridge warehouse with all that beige/white plastic. Also for a £3.50 price difference, the Bumble and Bumble salon will pay back for that with a cut and trim in NY starting at $90. The Virgin Lounge is not as good as BA at JFK but, Heathrow makes up for that. Also the private security lane is so much faster than the BAA fastrack. I would go with VS if there was an £100 price difference.

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by Alex321bartie
Definately VS, especially if you can get the chauffeur service with that. The BA Club World seats are horrible and looks like your in a fridge warehouse with all that beige/white plastic. Also for a £3.50 price difference, the Bumble and Bumble salon will pay back for that with a cut and trim in NY starting at $90. The Virgin Lounge is not as good as BA at JFK but, Heathrow makes up for that. Also the private security lane is so much faster than the BAA fastrack. I would go with VS if there was an £100 price difference.

CDC's are only available with D and J fares.

What's wrong with the JFK CH, it is better than both the Concorde Room, and the Terraces facilities at JFK. Good seelction of hot food, attentive and friendly service. I've yet to find any Terraces facility that surpasses any VS CH.

I find the staff better at the JFK CH than at LHR. And the food is muiles better than restaurants I could name..