FlewTooFew - 10/02/2012 14:11 GMT
My father in-law intends to take his wife First class to New York as a birthday suprise.
Unlike some of you lucky forum members I've never flown first (well 15mins on BA before landing so I could run out the door and catch another flight doesn't really count!) so I'm hoping your wealth of knowledge can help...
Firstly; who to fly with? I've been assuming BA from London (preferably in the new offering) but is it worth looking at another airline? As long as they fly from England getting to most airports shouldn't be a problem.
Secondly; the flight is going to be in December. Is it worth booking now or perhaps waiting until a sale, or simply closer to the time to save money?
Thank you all in advance
BeckyBoop - 10/02/2012 14:34 GMT
If money is no object then go BA FIRST otherwise I would go Virgin Upper Class which is currently being upgraded to a new product. You will also get a car to the airport, private terminal checkin at T3 LHR, clubhouse lounge with spa, barresturant etc. Onboard not as good as BA First but still for therir trip still enjoyable. Alo by dec the new product will be out and the new clubhouse lounge at JFK!!! FYI i have never flown VIrgin UC but i have heard lots of good stuff xxx
BeckyBoop - 10/02/2012 14:37 GMT
also they are lot more informal than BA so you will feel more relaxed xx
FrankFlyer - 10/02/2012 15:14 GMT
If flying out of the UK is your only option then BA new First is the best product by a country mile. I would only recommend Virgin UC to a younger crowd that want a slightly more 'rockstaresque' feel. Becky is right that you do get perks with the UC experience such as transfers but nothing beats the exclusivity of BA First despite the 14 seats. Wait until later on in the year for the BA sale then book. I picked up my flights for Dec 11 in the sale and paid around 2,500 GBP pp. Incredible value for a First product.
ScottWilson - 10/02/2012 15:30 GMT
I concur with Frankflyer.
BA First on a 747 is easily superior to all others on this route.
Virgin Upper Class once could have been touted as getting to be as "good as first". Its checkin experience is good and the Clubhouse is an experience in itself and great fun, but on board it isn't as refined and special (or modern) as BA First. BA First checkin experience is still rather good and the Concorde Lounge also feels special and more exclusive, just less "things to do", more private and intimate.
In addition, I think it is marginally more special to be seated in First in the nose of a 747, each of you at a window seat with a view guaranteed the New First product, than to be in the herringbone on an A340 (or nose of 747) in the dated Upper Class. There may be a few flights with refreshed Upper Class by the time they travel, but at least on BA you know you will get the new First product.
It really depends on First "expectations".
For an exclusive trip to New York and if, as BB recommends you consider Virgin upper, I would also consider LCY - JFK on the 318. Whilst not a First product, it is certainly has a business jet exclusive feel and the Shannon shuffle, is very novel and can save significant time (pre clear US customs in Shannon).
Certainly worth considering.
Hippocampus - 10/02/2012 15:38 GMT
I agree with Martyn about LCY-JFK.
If Avios redemptions/upgrades are not an option then wait for the next sale. You can either buy a First class ticket then, or if that is not palatable buy a Club World ticket and keep an eye out for fixed price upgrade offers in MMB.
On return I would recommend the day flight. Although there'll be no arrivals lounge option at LHR, the CCR at JFK is open in the morning and a short overnight flight is not the best way to maximise the First experience.
BeckyBoop - 10/02/2012 15:46 GMT
Still go Virgin! What the guys have said is true but Virgin is far better value than BA First and LCY CW. The LCY is not worth the hassle unless you live close to LCY and you wont get a lounge/spa etc. BA First are charging close to £6k (£5,900) where as virgin are only £3.104.00 (both quotes are rtn). Yes the BA on Board is far better, but as other will testify inconsitent service and no guarantee you will get BA NF. There will deffo be a sale later in the year and will get it cheaper. Virgin also have better package deals with hotels in the states, so unless you get BA cheaper than Virgin UC then take it otherwise stick to Virgin. xx
With regards to the price for LCY - JFK there are good deals to be had and getting to the airport is only a hassle by car.
I got to the airport in 1 hour 15 from north London using tube and docklands l r. The airport was a breeze, apart from being man handled by a male security operative. OK, the lounge is crap, but the experience is between NCW and First.
If you are after the all singing & dancing First experience, nothing though compares to 1 A / K on a BA -400.
FrankFlyer - 10/02/2012 15:59 GMT
Becky, you are guaranteed new First on the LHR-JFK route with BA and if you wait for the sale as I mentioned you can get some incredible deals such as the 2,500 GBP I paid for my Dec 11 flights.
I like Virgin UC but due to number of seats in the cabin it feels far less exclsuive even than BA LCY routing.
Loyal_BA - 10/02/2012 16:00 GMT
Becky- you seem to know a lot about BA First and Virgin UC - I can only assume you've flown them a considerable number of times to have such an experienced view?
BeckyBoop - 10/02/2012 16:01 GMT
Martyn its a birthday surprise!! Start by taking suitcases on the tube!!!...lol at least with Virgin you will get a car and take you in to a private terminal area. xx
FrankFlyer - 10/02/2012 16:04 GMT
If someone can afford a First Class fare they can afford to stump up the cash for a taxi to the airport.
BeckyBoop - 10/02/2012 16:08 GMT
Frank a taxi!?!?!?! Virgin will give you chauffer car! TBF we doont know how well off the guy is or how the trip is being funded xx
Loyal BA with BA YES and to NYC and even in NF. Virgin No but i know people who have not including people on this forum. For a girl Virgin comes alot more appealling. Sadly BA can be very snobbish esp not nec the staff but the flyers too! Do i need to bump old posts to remind you of this :) xx
Loyal_BA - 10/02/2012 16:23 GMT
Strange - the only forums posts which come to mind are the ones where you've said you're a PA and book flights for your boss. Obviously my memory is selective here.
Next time my PA flies First to JFK then I'll know I'm paying her too much!!
BeckyBoop - 10/02/2012 16:38 GMT
You cheapskate! you obviously dont value her! :(
Yes i am a PA and book the boards flights, hotel and events but i also get to travel with them most of the time. We are a very small co and my travel ties in with all my benefits i am not telling you how much i get paid. He thinks its unfair to go in First and me to sit on my own else where when we travel together. If i am on my own i go CW and we have even been together in CW. I only fly First/CW when on business otherwise i fly in economy and on the LCC's. x
Infidel - 11/02/2012 01:42 GMT
With all due respect can anyone who reads, or posts frequently on this forum continue to believe, or for that matter respect any further posts from BeckyBoop? How on earth can this website be taken seriously when a forum poster recommends a product ( in this case Virgin Upper Class -BeckyBoop) when she/or he, admits that she/he has actually not experienced or tried the product! Complete lunacy. Whilst not a fan of BA First, I find it incredulous that these posts are allowed to be published. how on earth would he/she know "that they are a lot more informal" - when she/he has admitted that they have not even flown Upper Class. The whole "xxxx" thing is wearing thin too!
But are the facts that Becky Posts right or wrong?
Your imaginations are all going into overdrive. Whilst I have no knowledge of who the poster is or where the poster works and frankly it is irrelevant, I am, often in Corporate Jets across the Atlantic and to Asia with Senior Execs + their PA's and secretaries. Becky's travel pattern is not unusual, but if it is so bloody what!
The comment that VS are "a lot more informal" is factually correct, so why are you all getting your knickers in a twist. Leave the person alone. I can now see why the old bottle of plonk continually states, stick to the post and ignore who he is.
Can I just remind the forum that I have saved thousands by being part of this wonderful forum and have met 2 really nice contributors.
Concentrate on what is being written and the help being given, rather than trying to posture, flex man hoods and come across as big shots!
Its the weekend - go enjoy!
Gonzer14 - 11/02/2012 03:09 GMT
Fly to Few, I strongly recommend virgin Atlantic, I have worked on both airlines! While British Airways might be more "professional", Virgins upper class is a more luxurious and fun atmosphere. Another reason why you should fly virgin is because British airways food is terrible, absolutely disgusting, the flight attendants tend to be rude and unserviceable. Although I do like the new look of BAs NF, virgin Atlantic is a much better experience. I also believe that the seat and bed In virgin is more comfortable hope you make the right decision.
FlyingDoc - 11/02/2012 05:15 GMT
Hi all
I think personal preferences play a big part on your choice - I have been lucky enough to have been flying to and from NYC with BA 1st Class practically every week in the last two months. I also flew Virgin's Upper Class on a couple of occasions during this time.
I have always been keener on BA rather than Virgin, and these last few weeks have confirmed this. Of course this is a rather personal issue, and I agree the Clubhouse and the free transfers are good, but I still think the Concorde room at either LHR or JFK are fantastic. I also agree that if you are flying 1st Class the costs of transfers at either end shouldn't really be such a big issue...
I feel it is a bit unfair to Virgin to compare Upper Class with BA's 1st Class, as their service in Upper Class is supposed to be a mixture of Business Class and 1st Class, path followed by many other airlines. And I personally feel it shows, as you generally can't compare the two (to Virgin's detriment).
I hold my hands up that for a long time nowI have preferred BA anytime - I have always found Virgin to be all front but no substance. Having said that, I have also had bad experiences on BA 1st Class - on my last return trip last week, for instance, the outbound was on an old NF cabin (highly unusual on this route), but the crew were fantastic and the experience was superb. Returning on BA's day flight (which, incidentally, I had never tried before, but liked as I really seemed not to get jet lagged at all on my return) was in a NF cabin, but the crew were distant, and although polite the service was far from what you would expect from BA's 1st Class.
BA are far from fined tuned on their 1st Class service, but I must admit more often than not the experience is improving. The food is generally good, and at the end of the day we all have to accept we are 30,000 feet in the air in a metal tube and not at a 3 Michelin star restaurant, whichever airline you fly. I feel the catering in most airlines has improved beyond recognition in the last ten years or so, and this has to be applauded, even when we are still confronted with soggy sandwiches, for instance (sadly BA are high on the list for this).
Lastly, I can't comment on the London City service, as I am not based anywhere near the City, and to me Heathrow is an easier option.
At the end of the day, I think you will enjoy the experience whether you decide to go with Virgin or BA - but in case I haven't made it clear, I would go for BA! Have a fantastic trip either way !
