Why are Prices so High?

Going back to the UK in late May / early June. I ran the same route on VA, and BA. JFK > LHR, May 30 - June 17.

1) BA = $1373
2) VA = $1823

These are for flights at basically the same times (within an hour of each other).

I'm a loyal Virgin Atlantic passenger (I've been flying them for nearly 30 years... even flew on Maiden Voyager...). But the price difference (32%) is just ridiculous.

Anyone know why they're not competing on prices?

Maybe because the VS flights are busier, so the cheapest fare buckets have sold out?

I don't think that's the case. Family members have also booked flights (in March), and it was a similar issue - Virgin was just too expensive. They were monitoring prices months in advance, with no change.

I hope Virgin aren't pricing themselves out of the market. A typical traveler would never spend 32% more. Those of us who are loyal (to a fault) are the only ones who will.

It'll be what gumshoe says
BA and Virgin virtually mirror each other in fare buckets but usually Virgin have fewer seats at these buckets so always appear more expensive once a few cheaper fares have been sold

These look to be economy fares in X code, so not a particularly flexible fare code and in fact pretty much near the bottom of the pile

(Maybe there's a sale coming up ...)

David

As I mentioned, I've been flying with Virgin for many, many years - and have been comparing prices for many, many years. I understand buckets (have played the pricing game) - but prices are now consistently higher than competitors. I fly the highly busy NYC > London route, and there is a lot of competition.

I understand it's a profitable route, but gouging is never appreciated.

I can only think that Virgin are happy they will fill their seats up at this price then,
I notice they're similar in price to the American carriers so guess BA are just cheaper on this occasion

Another thought. Leaving JFK on a Saturday is always busy and more expensive. Also a lot of UK folk fly in & out of JFK and use internal connections to complete their destination (to Florida especially)

We as a family always use JFK coz AA & Jet Blue fly there.

30May will be a day when lots of people return to the UK from America, as it's the end of the Spring half-term school holiday.

Try a few days later to see if price drops.

Once again I'm staggered that anyone would consider paying 32 percent more to stay 'loyal'.

BA are very good. Take the best offer, which on this occasion is them.

After my first BA long haul experience in many years to Dubai last year as they were cheaper I for one will be paying more in future if needed to fly VS!

Maybe its Delta influence???

If they can make their margins with that price, that is what they will do.

On the occasions where I found VS to be more expensive, unless it's very last minute, I checked again after a few hours and the prices are matched with the competition (BA or even United most times). So I would echo the advice to check again in a few hours/couple of days if you have the time...

I've tried the "couple days in the future or past" to see if there's variance... there isn't. It's just more expensive, period.

I'm a sucker for Virgin, and will end up booking with them anyways... but my loyalty can only go so far. Especially as I'm booking Premium Economy, and paying a lot as it is.

If money is no object it's fine to waste it. I'd go with the best value but hey ho...

From personal experience VS offer better value for money

There's a useful tool from the IATA called 'Matrix Search', see here that allows you to do a compare on a route across airlines.

On your dates BA is indeed cheapest (and IB shows up as a code share), but VS is not expensive compared to the rest of the competition, indeed it is cheaper than AA for example:

I suspect, as has been commented already, that the lowest fare classes on VS have already been snapped up.

However, look what happens if you change your search to Newark, and this VS price appears to be in Premium Economy, not Economy:

Thanks for the heads-up on the Newark fares. Ended up booking for $1200 - really great price. As usual, you guys have helped me out. Thanks!

Now, if I can just find someone to get me into the Newark clubhouse, I'll be all set :-)

Thanks for the heads-up on the Newark fares. Ended up booking for $1200 - really great price. As usual, you guys have helped me out. Thanks!

Now, if I can just find someone to get me into the Newark clubhouse, I'll be all set :-)

Brilliant news. Post your itinerary on here and keep checking the itinerary calendar to see if anyone is on the same flight as you and offering CH access. We're on VS2 on 19 May so probably too early for you.

Any idea why VS018 is no longer on the route schedule? I prefer daytime flights, but it's not showing up in May...

Any idea why VS018 is no longer on the route schedule? I prefer daytime flights, but it's not showing up in May...

Didn't it get canned and replaced by a Delta flight ... can't remember but I did think at the time what a shame that was since I too often took the VS18 and found it a good option. It always seemed busy too.

Pretty sure that was the case that Delta got the slot. I too preferred the 18.

Maybe we should boycott VS until they reinstate the 18? ;-)

Pretty sure that was the case that Delta got the slot. I too preferred the 18.

Maybe we should boycott VS until they reinstate the 18? ;-)

I loathed the 18, hated having to get up at 0400 to leave our son's home in time to get to EWR. Much prefer the overnight, but I know I'm in a minority on the forum with that view.

My boycott is till they start a new LR from South Yorkshire to LHR, just a small exec jet that can land neatly at DTCI.

It seems that the boycotts are spreading!

I'm not a big fan of overnights, but it's been a while since I've done one. Flying PE should give me a better chance at sleeping... Here's hoping...