Option 3! More time in Paris and less connections! I've never been to MAN, so I'm intrigued, but not intrigued enough to add a connection to my trip home. It's not that much more time in Paris, but it let's you stay out later the night before, and relax in bed a little longer before packing like a madman. I think as Americans, we think VS is more chic, but why go to MAN and DAL if you don't need to? Have a great holiday!

I love this!

VS UC on the A350 is Exceptional.

I have flown UC on the 350 and 330 and DL One on the 330 and 767 in the last 6-9 months.

Lounges - Virgin all the way...not even close

IFE - Virgin - selection is similar, but larger screens, especially on the 350

Seats - Virgin - I don't see why people complain about the recline on the 330...I found it perfectly adequate and comfortable.

Beds - Virgin - I thought that both the 350 and 330 beds were MUCH more comfy than either of the ones on DL metal.

Food - Virgin again. Much better food.

Service - Virgin all the way...not even close.

All the US based carriers lag far behind most of the non-US carriers in pretty much all aspects of the flights. I try to avoid US carriers as much as possible when flying overseas. I would go with virgin all the way on this one!

also fair! good point.

You started the thread talking about wanting to make the trip the best for your wife.

Is your wife into air travel, lounges, and product as much as you? Would she be excited about the difference between a DL/AF lounge vs VS Club House that much? Would she want an extra leg just to experience a different product?

My guess is that, at the end of a very long vacation, she'll enjoy the F treatment wherever she is, but be ready to get home. Fewer stops, but still in very nice product, being treated well is probably what she'd prefer - regardless of whether or not it really gives you any more time in Paris. Unless she's like the rest of us nutjobs on these boards, I'd go with the most direct way home since you're still getting some of the best flying home possible.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/undefinedfunny you mention it.... I brought her into the discussion last night.

told her the situation. And my suggestion we do the later delta flight and why.

she looked up YouTube videos of the delta one cabin on the 777 and the upper class on virgin a330

Here are some of her comments after watching 2-3 video reviews of each airline.

”I would love a massage and to hang out in that virgin lounge. Especially after 2 weeks backing Europe. When are my chances to ever fly first on virgin again? You saved up those miles for YEARS!”

”who put those virgin seats facing away from the window? How stupid! And the seats on both airlines look way too closed in. I don’t wanna be in a closed up little room! Why do people like this? They’re both bad but virgins look more narrow”

”the bar on the virgin plane is so cool I want to experience that and the flight attendants look more attentive on virgin”

”are there as many meal choices on delta? Because I like the choices on virgin and those mini burger sliders looks great, the delta menu seems preset I don’t like that”

”we really do need some more time in Paris, I would love to get up and have breakfast at a cafe”

”my conclusion babe, Virgin looks like a better experience to me and I rather that, but it probably makes more sense to get more time in Paris. I’ll be fine with whatever you choose.”



big help! Lol

Virgin upper class lounges are better. Delta upper class / d1 seats are better and have more privacy. If you wear an apap during sleep / flight then you will want the delta flight by a mile. Otherwise the better lounges for virgin on the ground make up for the crappier privacy in the air.

People keep mentioning the Upper Class lounges as being much nicer (which they are), but you can access Upper Class lounges flying either Delta One or Upper Class. In the OP's case, accessing an Upper Class lounge hinges on an extra connection in Manchester. Is the Upper Class lounge a nice way to spend time in an airport? Absolutely, it's some of the most enjoyable times I've ever had in an airport. But I'd still rather be at my destination or home.

I said it earlier, but I think it's worth repeating: if you value being able to share the in-flight experience with your wife, you should choose the option on DL's 777. It's the only configuration among your options that would let you talk to each other easily without having to get up from your seats. Having more time in Paris and getting home faster are just icing on the cake.

were not sitting together. We both like window seats. But thanks for the advice.

it’s a morning flight, we don’t plan to sleep

As someone who makes connections in MAN on the regular, I would say avoid it... old airport that isn’t set up for flight connections, plus there’s a terminal transfer from AF to VS with a bus and an additional security check. Usually my connection there is for the same type of reason as you... I go a bit out of my way for a more premium experience (usually SQ to IAH in my case)... and usually I always end up regretting it because the airport experience is so miserable.

For me Delta by a mile. The VS product is sleeker aesthetically, but irritating (little recline, have to stand up to turn into a bed, claustrophobic, etc) and if you're tall enough the lamp digs into your shoulder while in little reclined position you can get. Food is fine on both. Crews can be hit or miss on both, too. Sometimes on Virgin they are snooty, sometimes on Delta they are grouchy.

Virgin Lounges at JFK/LHR exceed anything Delta offers, but leaving LHR you can use the Virgin lounge anyways so I don't know what the big deal is.

OP isn't traveling through LHR at all; he's flying Paris to Dallas. I suppose you could route via LHR on AF/VS/DL, but it would be 2 connections and I suspect no availability, hence the CDG-MAN-ATL-DFW routing, or CDG-ATL-DFW.
I definitely agree it's not really worth a detour to sit in what's basically a fancy hotel lounge, even if the food & beverage is "free."

Also remember that you can access the Air France Lounge at CDG with any of the Delta One options; reviews for that lounge are very positive

I've decided to make the switch to Delta... it's the best option.

As we saw lots of Virgin fans out there who cast some doubt in my mind (their lounge in MAN under construction is supposed to top LHR when it opens later this year), but I agree with you guys why go to MAN if you don't have to..... even if that Virgin product is a little sleeker. As the wife said, she'll be happy either way.

Appreciate the advice.