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- READ MORE: Comparison of Virgin Atlantic’s Business Class versus Premium Economy through a video review
London New York serves as the Shibuya Crossing for long-distance travel, with seven airlines running approximately 200 weekly flights connecting the two urban centers.
This route holds immense commercial importance globally and stands out as one of the most fiercely contested ones.
This highlights the budget options provided by the two airlines based in the United Kingdom that operate on this route. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic (which offers five daily departures from Heathrow ), absolutely crucial.
This journey characterizes the experience of a long-haul flight for millions of individuals.
What contributions do BA and Virgin make to the event? Experts in travel from The Points Guy set out to discover and document their journeys in economy class aboard a BA Boeing 777 flying from London Heathrow to Newark Liberty International Airport, followed by a Virgin Atlantic A350-1000 flight from Heathrow to John F. Kennedy International Airport.
This story revolves around 'extremely comfy seating', 'entertaining' staff members, unreliable Wi-Fi, and an infotainment system that seems 'obsolete'.
Continue reading for the complete assessments from this clash of affordable options...
BRITISH AIRWAYS, BOEING 777. INTERIOR LAYOUT - 3-4-3
Putting British Airways for the test, TPG's senior marketing manager took part Liam Spencer , who spent $393 (£304) on his one-way ticket to Newark.
Liam was pleased with the 'fresh and clean' cabin, the 'comfortable, adjustable' headrest, and the 'adequate' legroom.
He informed MailOnline Travel that the Wi-Fi was more affordable compared to Virgin’s pricing (£14.99 versus £20.99). Additionally, he mentioned that the cuisine was ‘excellent’ and praised the cabin crew for their outstanding service.
Any downsides?
A handful – the seat was 'outdated', the IFE (in-flight entertainment screen) was 'antiquated' and the wooden cutlery didn't impress.
The pillow also did not receive any praise, with Liam calling it 'slim.'
In the video, upon arriving in the U.S., Liam remarks: "Overall, it turned out to be quite a reliable economy class trip. Today, the staff exceeded expectations to ensure I felt at home. They promptly served meals and beverages—going well past merely offering friendly smiles. Their genuine interaction lasted throughout the entire journey."
The seating seems somewhat dated, especially the IFE on the 777. However, overall, I was quite pleased — plus, they delivered me ahead of schedule by 10 minutes. Extremely efficient and fast.
Virgin Atlantic, Airbus A350-1000. Cabin Layout - 3-3-3
Putting the Virgin Atlantic The Points Guy Editor at Large put the economy cabin to the test. Nicky Kelvin , who spent $245 (£189) on his one-way ticket.
He adored the 'spacious seating' featuring an adjustable headrest, observed the presence of dual USB charge ports, and was thrilled with his large 'IFE display.'
Any other plus points?
Yes, we're still not done.
Nicky informed MailOnline Travel that the legroom was 'ample', the over-ear headphones were appreciated, and the staff were 'excellent'.
Are there any downsides to the trip?
Nicky mentioned that his portion seemed smaller than expected and pointed out that the Wi-Fi cost more compared to the BA service.
Upon arriving at JFK Airport, Nicky wraps up with this message for his audience: "The journey was quite impressive. Kudos to Virgin Atlantic! The seating was extremely comfy. I really enjoyed the flexible headrest. Also, the reclining tray table was fantastic. The inflight entertainment system was top-notch too. However, the internet connection wasn’t very reliable. All things considered, it’s definitely a cozy spot for a 6 or 7-hour flight."
The cuisine fell short for me slightly. While it wasn’t poor quality, it could have been better. I desired a larger, crisper salad. The primary dish lacked sufficient portions as well. Additionally, I expected extra servings of dessert. However, whatever was served turned out quite satisfactory.
However, the treats available in the galley were up for grabs, and the afternoon tea was particularly charming — exactly what I needed.
However, let’s discuss the service. Virgin Atlantic consistently excels with its cabin crew, which was the highlight of my flight. The staff were incredibly enjoyable and welcoming. They made each passenger feel extra special. Indeed, they represent the true gem within Virgin Atlantic.
Thanks, The Points Guy.
To discover more content from The Points Guy, please visit thepointsguy.com/uk-travel To view the complete video, please click here .
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