Volume 04, Number 08
Travel
Top Trumps
British Airways and Virgin Atlantic battle it out, by Miles Hopkins
If I were playing the airline version of a game of 'Top Trumps' then I would be holding two of the bestknown cards in the pack; Virgin and BA. But to quote Jeremy Clarkson from Top Gear, it’s all well and good having two of the best cards in the pack, but I still want to know, "Which is best!" I’m currently sitting in BA economy flying from Tokyo to London and have created my five 'Top Trump' categories, so let’s find out… British Flag Carrier: We’ll that’s got to be BA, it’s got 'British' in the name…! Ah yes, an easy assumption, but Virgin has got the Union Jack flag painted on the wing tips ever since BA decided to drop the ensign from their planes' tails during the infamous re-design of 1997. Virgin wins this category by virtue of actually having the British flag on their planes’ wings.
Virgin 1 – 0 BA
Cool points: This one is tricky, as you generally feel pretty cool and trendy just by booking a ticket for a Virgin flight (well, I do anyway). The slim chance that you actually might get that illusive upgrade to ‘Upper Class’ just makes it all worthwhile.
For BA, it is hard to be cool when your entire time has been spent trying to stop Virgin trumping you at every opportunity.
The sad demise of Concorde really means that Virgin have this 'cool' category sewn up, for the time being ‘Drink at the on-board bar or an in-flight massage anyone?’. Moreover, when Virgin Galactic starts operation in 2009, well that will just take being cool to a new level!
Virgin 1 – 0 BA
Quality: BA, well, it is as old as your grandfather and just as dependable. It is like walking into a countryside pub and instantly feeling relaxed. Just getting on the plane feels like you have stepped back onto sovereign territory and nothing bad can get you any more.
Virgin feels like you've walked into an interior designer's playroom, where they've been told they can do what they like, as long as they use sliver, chrome and purple leather. The purple mood lighting gives it an air of the 'pimp' and this just adds to the coolness as you sip your pre-flight champagne.
Virgin 1 – 1 BA
Service: Now I have to say, both seem to do wonders here. I've flown each in the last three months and every time I was not short of wine, food or mid-flight snacks. Of course, if you are in Virgin Upper, then the service level increases with the Limo pick up and on-board bar. I've only had the benefit of the bar once before, with the pinnacle being on the Christmas flight when the head stewardess rather effectively banned two very plastered Upper Class customers from drinking for one hour mid-flight to give them a chance to sober up a little. I was amazed that this was just accepted by the two. Seems that the soft touch with a smile works wonders these days.
Virgin 1 – 1 BA
Unobtainability Factor: There is no contest here. The number of people I know who have flown on BA First Class wouldn't fill a Post-It note. It’s got a "British Establishment" feel with the lure of a private members club or a secret society that’s not taking any new members.
On entering the plane, you get just enough of a glimpse of the dark Walnut panelling of ‘First’, to make you spend the rest of the flight working out which body parts you could sell on eBay just to get the cash to have a go, just the once. The rumours that they serve vintage Krug Champagne in First goes someway to working out why the cost is twice that of Virgin Upper Class.
For Virgin, Upper Class can be yours as easily as just collecting your Air Miles. Within five return Economy flights to the UK, you’ll have enough points to upgrade from Economy to Upper Class for free… link your American Express card and you’ll get the reward even faster.
Virgin 0 – 1 BA
So back to my earlier question of "Who’s Best?" A quick review of the categories shows Virgin has snatched it by a whisker with a score of 4 – 3. (Had it been a draw, then Virgin would have nailed it easily during ‘Penalties’ based on the newly fully opened Virgin Clubhouse at Heathrow. It’s the best in class and truly puts BA lounges to shame.)
BA’s newly updated Club World, with the revamped fully flat beds, is trying to give Upper Class a run for it’s money, and Virgin have re-done their Premium Economy too which keeps it ahead of BA’s World Traveller Plus, for the time being anyway.
I’m not sure what further enhancements can be made by either company at the moment without costing a fortune but I am sure there will be a huge fanfare when the Airbus A380 is rolled out in the Virgin fleet currently from May 2008. Rumors of such luxuries as in-flight gyms, Jacuzzi’s, beauty parlors, private double beds and an in-flight casino are running rife online and in the Virgin camp.
So, while I sit here, in BA Economy wistfully willing a mid-flight upgrade, shall I feign a heart attack? Do I pretend to be famous? Can I wing it? I’m reminded of a story my brother’s godfather told me: Flying BA regularly between London and Beijing in the late 1970’s, Peter was checking in to fly back to the UK. Having a little trouble at the check-in desk, he said: "Do you know who I am? I'm an owner of this airline". A look of panic adorned the face of the check-in girl, "Of course Sir, please have this seat in First Class." In truth, he was a BA share holder, he had just the one share worth about £2.
That’s it, I’ve had a brainwave. Richard Branson has the right approach to ensure upgrades, he owns his own airline! I’ll just copy him.
I have already started saving.