Some coworkers and I were talking about my upcoming trip and airlines and it reminded me of my favorite part of flying BA-the professional consistency of the flight crew. Each long-haul flight I've taken the crew have ranged from friendly to polite and professional but each has responded to any questions politely and professionally and the quality of the crew rarely varies. I've travelled long haul on United and had one FA nastily inform me upon asking for a landing card that I should have been listening instead of talking when she handed them out before.

I've had friends and family fly Virgin and while there are some great FA crews who are the American epitome of friendliness, I've heard some horror stories about sullen crews that gossip in the back. One friend's seatback broke and the FA told her it was fine to sit in for landing.

They may not be the most glamorous or youngest crews but if something every happened, I'd feel safer flying with them. YVMV.^