1. Prices are not the same. You can fly one-way JFK-LHR for under GBP600.

2. VS lounge at JFK T4 is a better experience than (J) BA lounge at JFK T7.

3. VS revivals at LHR T3 is a better experience than (J) BA arrivals at LHR T5.

4. Each sign-up for bmi diamond club, get 1500 free miles, buy 18000 miles each for about GBP200, and redeem a business class award LHR-NZ-LAX-UA-SFO. Enjoy a free stopover in SoCal. About GBP500 total per person for the one-way in J. NZ J class is like VS J, except the food is edible. NZ J is amply available for award inventory this summer, especially mid-week.

5. I would not fly in BA J solo when VS J is the same price. VS J is a far more private experience.

6. I would not fly in BA J with partner when VS J is the same price, unless I had access to advance BA seat assignment. Without it, you are likely to be in the middle 2 seats in an 8-across J cabin, if you want 2 seats together. There is not a rational person who would prefer to sit in such seats when VS upper class suite is an option for the same price.

7. BA J upper deck 744 confirmed 62 J/K is ~= to VS J. In any other instance, I choose VS J over BA J for sure. Point is that is the the only argueable equivalence point.

8. VS J earns bmi miles at 150% to 200%. One bmi miles is easily worth 2 BA miles (see my #4). Thus, BA J and VS J at same price, the mileage kickback bennie makes the VS J a better value option.