Advice needed: trans-Atlantic flight choice
 

I'm trying to juggle choices based on recommendations for an upcoming flight from the US to the UK - specifically NYC to London. I'm FF with USAir (currently Platinum, but have only flown 20K miles this calendar year). I've heard some tales of less than glowing satisfaction with US Airways on the transoceanic flights: older aircraft with fewer amenities, etc. Since USAir has a flight partnership with Virgin Atlantic and others, I'm thinking of booking travel on Virgin. The miles carry over mile for mile for credit to my FF account. Since I have a higher status with US Air, should I book travel with them or go with Virgin. VA offers nicer ammenities from what I hear. I have zero status with Virgin. I also have miles with British Airways, which are near to expiring. I could opt for them as a carrier, as the service I last had was exceptional. That would keep my paltry miles balance active, but not quite enough for a worthy redemption.

I don't do much travel outside of North America.

What do you think: book with US Air and get more miles (maybe an upgrade?) or book with Virgin with a lower earning opportunity? Should I be looking at some other options? BTW, I will be flying in the cheap seats; no business/envoy/first cabin for me as the company will not pay for it. Thanks!

I would make a decision based on the chances of getting an upgrade on US air. If you think you have an excellent chance of getting one, then I would probably go with them since business on US air is probable better than economy anyplace else even if they have better amenities. To me, sitting like sardines is worse than anything else no matter how great the amenities are. However, if you think your chances are not that good or downright low then it's a tough call between virgin and ba - maybe someone else can help you with that!

My vote is for Virgin--excellent service, comfy seats, better programming.

Virgin ^

Direct flight over the connection, go with VS.

As a rule, US doesn't do complimentary upgrades to Envoy. You would have to pay for it ~if~ there was availability.

forget the US Airways TATL product, that´s really horrible.

Assuming you'd just get stuck in the back on USAir, go for one of the non-stop options. If you've only gotten 20k this year, this might be a good time to abandon USAir and switch alliances (or at least switch to United, which lets you keep accumulating miles from your USAir flights). Perhaps you could get a status match?

Virgin Atlantic's reputation is primarily based on their Upper Class and Premium Economy products. The economy class cabin is pretty much the same as any other, the seats are narrow with limited pitch. (And if it is a 747 there is a high proportion of center seats, because they are configured 3-4-3 except near the tail.) Still, I would much rather take a nonstop NYC-LON flight and have it overwith than connect, unless I had a confirmed upgrade for the transatlantic segment.

I like the BA J service, depending on whether its JFK or EWR you could get to try the new terminal 5 which has calmed down to quite a nice experience now, I know its customary on these fora to say that BA are no good but I quite like them and I only have the choice of BA or US for the route I use

:confused: How do you think BA World Traveller (economy) compares?

Good service + free booze!

Any chance that you (or your employer - I'm not sure who is paying for this trip) would be willing to pay for premium economy. If so, then I'd recommend Virgin (1st choice) and BA (2nd choice). I've found with BA that about 1/3 of the time that I fly in Premium Economy on a revenue fare, I get upgraded to J. I expect that the chances of a similar op-up in Virgin are comparable; the premium economy cabin is relatively small, and if they need to op-up some people from Y to Y+, then they often need to opup some peopl from Y+ to J. Since you can collect miles with US on a Virgin flight, I'd go with Virgin. Also, BA has a lousy seating policy for "ordinary folks" (anyone other than Silver, Gold or full-fare J) - you can't pick your seats until about 24-72 hours before departure. Reason enough to boycott them. Also, on Virgin, I think they have separate check-in desks for their premium economy class (although no lounge privileges), so your trip will go a little smoother than on BA.

See, I just don't agree...I couldn't call it 'horrible'.

On a serious note, did you do the self-imposed TATL on LH in Y experiment? Can you compare LH and US?

Horrible is an appropriate adjective for all US flights, but particularly TATL coach service.

I think it is a tossup between BA and VS in coach - go with the one that fits best into your mileage accumulation strategy ;) Though the advance seat assignment might be the deal clincher for me on such a long flight.