Sky-high Virgin Atlantic prices - LHR to USA?

Five years ago we were deep in recession and the industry was hit hard by a decline in travel, particularly corporate travel which is a huge factor on the London-NY corridor.

The economy's now in a very different place, corporate travel has picked up and load factors have increased. Ultimately airlines will charge as much as the market will bear.

Having said that $1000+ does seem exceptionally high for economy on that route.

Don't forget Kuwait Airways. I flew them once and surely didn't forget it

Why would you 'try to only fly Virgin'?

There are many options to NYC, you'd be mad not to go with whoever suits your budget.

Due to the various alliances there are essentially only 4 options (using 6 airlines) that fly direct from NYC to LON

VS / DL (EWR/KJF to LHR)

BA / AA (Ditto)

UA (from EWR to LHR)

Norwegian (from EWR to LGW)

Yes there are lots of others but they are indirect and not every one wants the bother of having to change planes somewhere with extra time (and for some people there may be immigration restrictions on doing that).

[Scrooge]

You cannot just do a currency conversion of a US-UK flight price from $ to £ and compare it to a UK-US flight.

The US-UK and UK-US markets are very different and will be priced accordingly due to airline competition.

Plus the fee's are different, VS charge more for the YQ ex US than ex UK.

Five years ago we were deep in recession and the industry was hit hard by a decline in travel, particularly corporate travel which is a huge factor on the London-NY corridor.

The economy's now in a very different place, corporate travel has picked up and load factors have increased. Ultimately airlines will charge as much as the market will bear.

Having said that $1000+ does seem exceptionally high for economy on that route.

You also need to look at which aircraft is now flying the route, the 333 gets a rotaion AND yes, there is DL who by having a metal neutral JV with VS are more than happy to funnel their massive FF base at VS.

I have been looking to travel in Feb/Mar via LAX and the prices seem jacked up. VA gave a slot to DL, there are 2 flights a day from LAX. I also been looking at loads and seats and it seems something is going on. It looks wide open. I hope this is not VA's way to get into the black. On a side note, if you take DL to LAX and arrive after 3pm, you will be bussed to Bradley International Terminal for HLS and Customs.