BA - VS Comparison............

I will try to get around to writing a proper TR shortly but my initial views of the comparisons between BA and VS following a trip to MCO in Economy

Firtly, I couldnt get on a 747 with BA, they only have the 777 on this route. I prefer the 747 so this was a let down at the start but to be fair it's my preference and not a slight to BA.

From start to finish, I felt that the service at BA was more professional than VS, from online check in through to disembarking the plane. It may not be as personal as VS, but it was consistent all the way through.

Having recently flown on a refurb 747 on the same route, I though the VS plane was a nicer environment and the AVOD was certainly superior on VS. That said I found the food better on BA and the drinks run appeared a lot more frequent, without any lectures on alcohol consumption !

I have to say as an overall experience, if I could combine the service on BA with the planes from VS I would be a happy camper, as it is thats not possible and for me there is now a definite choice to be made rather than a default being X.

One point to notice, although we flew EC, the WTP cabin on BA didn't look as nice as the PE cabin on VS - if our company policy changes and we fly PE from now on, I think that VS will have the slight edge.

FC

I certainly agree with the WTP/PE comment - if all else was equal, the VS premium offering is definitely better than BA, but there's not a great deal in it. It's probably the cabin environment and the seat that is the difference. However, from my perspective, not all else is equal, so the minor difference doesn't really bother me.

[Neil]

I certainly agree with the WTP/PE comment - if all else was equal, the VS premium offering is definitely better than BA, but there's not a great deal in it. It's probably the cabin environment and the seat that is the difference. However, from my perspective, not all else is equal, so the minor difference doesn't really bother me.

Interesting that you say that, I would say the biggest differences for me with regards to PE/WT+ is the 'extra's', the different meal, welcome drink, priority board/disembarking, priority baggage, separate check in etc.

Hi Neil - you make good points, and it just demonstrates that it's very personal, being based on circumstances and what one considers important.

The priority check in etc never mattered as I had VS AG, and now have BA AG - so the check in benefit of flying PE never really kicked in with me.

The welcome drink doesn't hugely matter to me either - whilst nice to have, I tend to stay in lounges and board late anyway.

As for the meals - well, I'd genuinely say that the meals etc provided now in WTP are every bit as good as those on VS PE.

The priority for baggage reclaim is one thing, when it works, that is very nice to have on VS PE - it's true, and not something I'd get in WTP.

In terms of VS PE, and when in the bubble, the whole cabin environment thing is the differentiator in my mind - but again, that's a very personal preference.

Horses for courses - I guess.

Horses for courses - I guess.

Don't give them ideas!

Horses for courses - I guess.

Don't give them ideas!

Prefer the Beef myself