London to New York is the Shibuya Crossing of long-haul routes, with seven airlines operating around 200 flights between the two cities every week.
It’s one of the most commercially significant routes on the planet and one of the most competitive.
Which makes the economy offerings from the two UK players serving the route, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic (which has five daily services from Heathrow), absolutely crucial.
This is the journey for millions of people that defines what a long-haul flight feels like.
So, what do BA and Virgin bring to the party? Travel experts from The Points Guy set about finding out, filming their experiences in economy on a BA Boeing 777 from London Heathrow to Newark Liberty International Airport and a Virgin Atlantic A350-1000 from Heathrow to JFK.
It’s a tale of ‘super comfortable seats’, ‘fun’ crew members, ‘dodgy’ Wi-Fi and an entertainment screen that feels ‘outdated’.
Read on for the full verdicts.
BRITISH AIRWAYS, BOEING 777. CABIN CONFIGURATION – 3-4-3
Putting British Airways to the test was TPG senior marketing manager Liam Spencer
Above is Liam’s main meal on the BA flight. He described it as ‘really good’
Putting British Airways to the test was TPG senior marketing manager Liam Spencer, who paid $393 (£304) for his one-way ticket to Newark.
Liam was impressed with the ‘fresh and clean’ cabin, the ‘comfy, adjustable’ headrest and the ‘decent’ legroom.
He also told MailOnline Travel that the Wi-Fi was cheaper than Virgin’s (£14.99 vs £20.99), that the food was ‘really good’ and that the cabin crew service was ‘brilliant’.
Any downsides?
A handful – the seat was ‘outdated’, the IFE (in-flight entertainment screen) was ‘antiquated’ and the wooden cutlery didn’t impress.
Liam described the IFE screen on his BA economy flight as ‘antiquated’
Liam was impressed with the ‘fresh and clean’ cabin
Above – Liam’s afternoon snack before touching down at Newark Liberty International Airport
Liam concludes: ‘On the whole, it was a pretty solid economy flight’
The pillow, too, failed to win any plaudits, with Liam describing it as ‘thin’.
On the video, after landing in the U.S, Liam concludes: ‘On the whole, it was a pretty solid economy flight. The service went above and beyond today to make me feel welcome. They were quick with food and drink – it was more than just service with a smile. They were really personable throughout the entire flight.
‘The seat feels a bit outdated, particularly that IFE on the 777. But on the whole, I was very satisfied – and they got me here 10 minutes early. Very efficient, very speedy.’
VIRGIN ATLANTIC, AIRBUS A350-1000. CABIN CONFIGURATION – 3-3-3
Putting the Virgin Atlantic economy cabin to the test was The Points Guy Editor at Large, Nicky Kelvin
Nicky loved the ‘comfortable seat’ with adjustable headrest
Nicky said his meal could have been bigger and noted that the Wi-Fi was more expensive than the BA service
Above is Nicky’s main meal, which he describes as a ‘slight let-down’
Nicky gives his economy-class blanket a hug
Putting the Virgin Atlantic economy cabin to the test was The Points Guy Editor at Large, Nicky Kelvin, who paid $245 (£189) for his one-way ticket.
He loved the ‘comfortable seat’ with adjustable headrest, noted the two USB charging points and was delighted with his ‘big’ IFE screen.
Any other plus points?
Yep, we’re not finished just yet.
Nicky told MailOnline Travel that the legroom was ‘good’, the over-ear headphones a positive and that the crew were ‘brilliant’.
Any negative aspects to the trip?
Nicky was delighted with his ‘big’ IFE screen (above)
Above is Nicky’s afternoon tea, which he describes as ‘really cute’
On the video, Nicky says: ‘Let’s talk about service. Virgin Atlantic brings it every single time with its cabin crew’
After landing at JFK, Nicky tells his viewers in conclusion: ‘That flight was pretty brilliant. Well done, Virgin Atlantic’
Nicky said his meal could have been bigger and noted that the Wi-Fi was more expensive than the BA service.
After landing at JFK, Nicky tells his viewers in conclusion: ‘That flight was pretty brilliant. Well done, Virgin Atlantic. I found the seat to be super comfortable. I liked the adjustable headrest. I liked the adjustable tray table. The IFE was brilliant. The Wi-Fi was a bit dodge. But overall, a great place to be sitting for six or seven hours.
‘The food was the slight let-down for me. It wasn’t bad but it should have been more. I wanted a bigger, fresher salad. I wanted a bit more in the main meal. A bit more of a dessert. But what was there was pretty good.
‘But then [there were] the snacks they had in the galley for the taking and the afternoon tea was really cute – and really hit the spot.
‘But let’s talk about service. Virgin Atlantic brings it every single time with its cabin crew. And that’s what made this flight for me. The crew were so fun, so friendly. They made everybody feel that little bit special. They really are the jewel in Virgin Atlantic’s crown.’
Thank you, The Points Guy.
For more from The Points Guy visit thepointsguy.com/uk-travel. To watch the full video click here.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .