Biz First vs Upper Class..CO better think twice before going to LHR
Jul 23, 2007, 9:11 am
#76
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Chicago has the Blue Line with regular frequencies from O'Hare into the heart of downtown. The ride is c. 45 min. due to many stops along the way, but at peak hours this is not much slower--and possibly even faster--than a car on the Kennedy. And at a fare under $2.00, the price of the L can't be beat.
Jul 23, 2007, 9:11 am
#77
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Jul 23, 2007, 9:16 am
#78
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With respect to other cities, CDG, BRU, GVA, FRA (to some extent), MXP (to some extent), ORD, and AMS all get high marks from me for convenient train connections.
Jul 23, 2007, 9:20 am
#79
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BART is only convenient if you are staying somewhere in or near the financial district and/or Market Street. Otherwise, you have to alight and take a cab to whatever neighborhood in which you are staying. In fact, even if you are staying in the financial district, you may have to take a cab to the hotel due to distance and hills. Nob Hill is a good example.
With respect to other cities, CDG, BRU, GVA, FRA (to some extent), MXP (to some extent), ORD, and AMS all get high marks from me for convenient train connections.
With respect to other cities, CDG, BRU, GVA, FRA (to some extent), MXP (to some extent), ORD, and AMS all get high marks from me for convenient train connections.
But, yes, BART is really a regional railroad like Metro North, not a true subway service. Still, taking BART is a huge improvement over battling Hwy 101 or Bay Bridge traffic.
Jul 23, 2007, 10:05 am
#80
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I use BART to go visit my brother in Berkeley and in-laws in Walnut Creek. They pick me up when I get to their respective stations.
But, yes, BART is really a regional railroad like Metro North, not a true subway service. Still, taking BART is a huge improvement over battling Hwy 101 or Bay Bridge traffic.
But, yes, BART is really a regional railroad like Metro North, not a true subway service. Still, taking BART is a huge improvement over battling Hwy 101 or Bay Bridge traffic.
Jul 23, 2007, 1:59 pm
#81
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BOS has both shuttle bus to the subway and the bus/tram Silver Line with direct terminal pickups. Not super convenient, but not awful. MSP also has light rail.
Jul 23, 2007, 11:27 pm
#82
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As for other cities with decent public transit links to downtown:
OSL, CPH, and AMS all have trains that leave directly from the terminal, with minimal walking and very good frequency.
OSL, CPH, and AMS all have trains that leave directly from the terminal, with minimal walking and very good frequency.
Jul 24, 2007, 12:52 am
#83
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Fair enough, I was just throwing out public transit links I had taken during the past month or so.
Jul 24, 2007, 8:28 am
#84
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back on the original topic, if you are just going NY-London-NY the number of VS flight options make it a no brainer for me. You can spend most of a full day in London before catching an evening flight back whereas CO jams their flights into a 2 hr window.
Jul 24, 2007, 9:59 pm
#85
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The hole is filled in with the CO codeshares out of LGW. Which doesn't help me since my corporate fare is for VS metal only.
Jul 25, 2007, 7:18 am
#86
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Agreed -- but VS has a big hole in their schedule ex-LHR -- I don't think there's anything between 9am and 2pm, IIRC. And the 9am flight requires a 6am limo pickup! The hole is filled in with the CO codeshares out of LGW. Which doesn't help me since my corporate fare is for VS metal only.
The hole is filled in with the CO codeshares out of LGW. Which doesn't help me since my corporate fare is for VS metal only.
Jul 27, 2007, 4:21 pm
#87
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I think the Virgin staff are underpaid and/or poorly managed. The food is better on CO and I really like the 777 BizFirst seat.[/QUOTE]
You must be joking! There is no comparison between Upper Class and Biz First in terms of seat, service or anything else. I'll take Virgin any day.
You must be joking! There is no comparison between Upper Class and Biz First in terms of seat, service or anything else. I'll take Virgin any day.
Jul 27, 2007, 9:21 pm
#89
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Jul 28, 2007, 12:33 pm
#90
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Just a few points.
I have flown Continental BF and Virgins Upper class. Both have pros and cons going for them.
the big one for me is the Clubhouses compared to the truly awful Presidents Clubs.
I am 6ft 1in and have nver had a problem with either seats in seat mode. I wish that Virgin had continued with the ottoman being able to move just that little bit more so my feet don't sit on the end.
However, on flights from the USA back to blighty, VS wins hands down as I can actually get some sleep compared to the fitful uncomfortable BF seat. As I have a four hour drive back home that really makes a difference.
If Cont and BA had decent clubhouses, then the choice would be a lot harder.
On my trips to florida, I can actually get the best of both worlds, as the flights are VS Continental code shares and for some reason Continentals Z class equivalent fares always come out cheaper than Virgins on the same plane (BA always match VS prices, but not the Clubhouse)
Our child flies with us and the individual seats in UC are not a problem as we choose the closest together. With Continentla you still can disturb the passenger beside tyyou when trying to get to the lavs.
I have flown Continental BF and Virgins Upper class. Both have pros and cons going for them.
the big one for me is the Clubhouses compared to the truly awful Presidents Clubs.
I am 6ft 1in and have nver had a problem with either seats in seat mode. I wish that Virgin had continued with the ottoman being able to move just that little bit more so my feet don't sit on the end.
However, on flights from the USA back to blighty, VS wins hands down as I can actually get some sleep compared to the fitful uncomfortable BF seat. As I have a four hour drive back home that really makes a difference.
If Cont and BA had decent clubhouses, then the choice would be a lot harder.
On my trips to florida, I can actually get the best of both worlds, as the flights are VS Continental code shares and for some reason Continentals Z class equivalent fares always come out cheaper than Virgins on the same plane (BA always match VS prices, but not the Clubhouse)
Our child flies with us and the individual seats in UC are not a problem as we choose the closest together. With Continentla you still can disturb the passenger beside tyyou when trying to get to the lavs.