JFK to LHR
 

Apologies if this was ask previously, but I am unable to find an answer

I am planning a trip from JFK to LHR. Does it matter if I fly on a DL flight or a code share with Virgin?
Last year, I obtained Platinum Medallion status, so I assume I will be in "Economy Delight" if I fly on Virgin equipment

All things being equal, is there a benefit of flying Delta equipment vs Virgin equipment?

Thanks

Dopey

No difference-use the VS lounge at JFK, it's pretty nice and much less crowded than the SkyClub.

Unless things have changed, I don't believe you will get "Economy Delight". They don't give automatic upgrades to Delta Platinums like you would have with Comfort+. But agree on the Virgin Lounge being nice. Remember that Delta does not give automatic Sky Club access on international flights any more just because you are a Gold/Platinum/Diamond member. You still have to have credit card access or a membership. Not sure how this works with the Virgin Lounge.

You can use the virgin lounge at either end whether you're flying DL or VS metal so that shouldn't factor into your decision.

earnings and status contribution will be the same regardless of metal.

honestly I think the differences in product are not that big and you should just book whichever has the best schedule, though getting the C+ upgrade for platinums may tilt you towards DL metal.

If flying in Y, I tend to go with DL for this route for the C+ upgrade.

Other thing of note is that Delta awards MQMs/MQDs based on marketing carrier not operating carrier. So if you are flying on a DL flight numbers, earnings are normal. If you fly on a VS flight number, you will earn based on the VS earnings table.

VS doesn't give complimentary upgrades to Economy Delight, which actually makes Delta metal preferable in this case if you're looking for extra legroom without a premium cabin.

Otherwise, the benefits are no different as a PM if you fly VS or DL. You'll have access to the Virgin Clubhouse at JFK and the Virgin Revivals Lounge at LHR. On the return, where you'll have pre-flight access to the Aspire Lounge at LHR (not the Virgin Clubhouse -- you'd need to be flying Delta One or Premium Select/Premium Economy for access to the Clubhouse at LHR).

Firstly there are no longer MQMs awarded. My question is are the Million Miler miles awarded the same…ie flying on VS metal regardless of which is the marketing carrier?

Yes, unless you are flying DL Basic Economy/VS Economy Light fares. DL BE fares earn no MM/MQD/Skymiles, but VS Economy Light fares still do (fare class T). VS Economy Light fares on JFK-LHR roundtrip would earn about 6902 MMs, 346 MQDs, and 1726 Skymiles (plus Medallion bonus).

I would choose Delta over VS for coach trips because your status may mean something with Delta where it tends to mean nothing on VS. Plus you can pre-select seats in C+. VS has newer planes on this route, such as the A350-1000 (I came home on a VS 350-1000 in Y last March; the plane was over 50% empty and I had three seats to myself near the back of the plane (I think I was in row 70), so it turned out to be a comfortable flight.

For trips in Premium (PS) or D1/Upper Class, Virgin tends to have better food and beverage service plus a generally more enthusiastic FA crew. I've gotten to the point where I eat in the SkyClub on a USA-UK trip and sleep on the flight, skipping dinner and hopefully through breakfast (an eyemask is your friend).

Coming home from LHR, you don't get to use the Virgin Clubhouse as a PM or a DM unless you are flying Premium/PS or business. I think Delta has an arrangement with the "Number One Lounge" in LHR if you are a PM or DM traveling in Y; if you have an AMEX card, you can get into their Centurion Club (at the end of duty free in LHR T3), where they don't have windows but they do have an excellent "full English" breakfast buffet.

This is a pretty short trip.
go with DL metal

Short ????
Most of my flights are JFK/LGA to PBI

Good thing my upgrade to Comfort was processed immediately

Thanks to all who responded. It was a great help

Dopey

HND and ICN are 14 hours.
even South America or central/west to Europe is 8-10 hours.
transcon is 5-7 hours. In crap planes.
6 is short.

Delta vs. Virgin Atlantic
 

Hi,

I'll be booking 3 round-trip tickets for my family from JFK-LHR.
We will most likely book on Virgin Atlantic.

I'm a Delta GM.

If booking through Delta, it says no points or MQDs earned for Economy Light.
If booking through Virgin it does not say that for Economy light.

Since I'm GM, I assume I get checked bags included regardless.

Thoughts?

Many thanks

Benefits will be more limited but I would take the VS day flight.

The day flight is doable if you live in the NYC area, but is iffy if you have to connect at JFK (I misconnected some years ago on a DCA-JFK-LHR trip and spent 12 hours in the JFK area; thank goodness Aqueduct was running that eay.

On a second try a few years later, Mrs. ND76 and I successfully made this connection, but it was an extremely long day. We left home at 4 am to make the 6 am departure from DCA to JFK. We got to JFK a few minutes early and got to spend 45 minutes in the VS Clubhouse, where they had breakfast but no adult beverages (we were there before 8 am). The flight got off the ground just before 9 am but didn't arrive at LHR until 2030 local time. It took us something like 90 minutes to clear immigration, then we took the tube to our hotel in central London, arriving there at 2345 or so.

The UK Home Office has improved the immigration queue significantly with the introduction of automated passport gates for US citizens (among others), so you should get through immigration within 20-30 minutes of stepping off the airplane (still a long walk from the gates Delta uses), and the Elizabeth line train is vastly superior to the Tube.

I have gotten good at sleeping on planes, and I can get a free tasty breakfast at the VS Revivals Lounge in LHR T3, so going on a redeye to LHR is fine by me.