Virgin America or American Airlines from LAX to JFK ?

[hayden]

So I'm flying from BNE-LAX direct on September 2nd , flying Qantas and will arrive in around 7am at LAX. I'm trying to work out what flight to catch over to JFK... I'm torn between Virgin America (who I've never known with before) and American Airlines. Both are comparable prices, but have different pros/cons for flying them.

Virgin America - flight departs at 10.30am , I'd have no lounge access in LAX but would possibly be able to get an upgrade to their Main Cabin Select or First Class seats. Obviously this is going to be hit or miss, but reading through Virgin America (VX) FAQ Thread - FlyerTalk Forums seems like it might be worth a shot. Prices seem fair too.

America Airlines - flight departs an hour later at 11.30 , however I would have lounge access and possibly could have a shower etc to freshen up (according to the AA site they have showers in the LAX admirals club, I don't remember though) before getting on the New York bound flight. No chance of an upgrade here so would be sitting the 6 or whatever hours in economy , after having just got off the 13 hour flight from Brisbane.

So it comes down to
a) CHANCE of an upgrade with Virgin America and sitting in LAX with no lounge access or
b) lounge access at LAX but waiting an hour longer for flight to depart and sitting in economy.

Any thoughts from anyone?

Of course I wouldn't earn any points on Virgin America either.. but I haven't looked at the AA booking class yet either.

 

[serfty]

How much time do you have?

You could fly AA first class via DFW and for USD1250 and pick up 240 SC's.

Or you could shuttle over to LAS for USD70 and then fly First via DFW for USD900 and earn 210SC's.

 

[hayden]

How much time do you have?

You could fly AA first class via DFW and for USD1250 and pick up 240 SC's.

Or you could shuttle over to LAS for USD70 and then fly First via DFW for USD900 and earn 210SC's.

I've given up chasing SC's this FF year (my year just happens to be the same as the financial year) I don't have any plans other than these flights , so I wasn't going to bother doing the chase.

Kinda hoping I might get comp'ed WP again next year somehow given I wont qualify by a mile, but have DONE4 plans again for the following year which will kick me over again.

That's the only reason I looked at other airlines, to be honest I thought Virgin America must be new but it has been operating for a few years. Goes to show how much in the past I've been focused on points.

 

[TimB]

I've now flown US transcon in four different ways recently:

• AA in F (via DFW, as suggested by serfty)
• Virgin America in Main Cabin Select
• JetBlue in an Even More Legroom seat
• AA in Y (after I missed my connection to QF108)

Here's a case where you get what you pay for; I've listed them in order of decreasing cost (although I'm not sure about the AA Y flight) and decreasing quality. I would never choose AA Y, but I'd be happy with any of the others, and would choose based on whether I wanted the SCs (AA F), extra comfort and in-flight wifi (Virgin), or to save money while still getting decent legroom (JetBlue). If you're time-sensitive, then schedule will come into the choice as well.

 

[hayden]

I've now flown US transcon in four different ways recently:

• AA in F (via DFW, as suggested by serfty)
• Virgin America in Main Cabin Select
• JetBlue in an Even More Legroom seat
• AA in Y (after I missed my connection to QF108)

Here's a case where you get what you pay for; I've listed them in order of decreasing cost (although I'm not sure about the AA Y flight) and decreasing quality. I would never choose AA Y, but I'd be happy with any of the others, and would choose based on whether I wanted the SCs (AA F), extra comfort and in-flight wifi (Virgin), or to save money while still getting decent legroom (JetBlue). If you're time-sensitive, then schedule will come into the choice as well.

I wouldn't say I'm time sensitive, but I don't want to be rocking up in New York at midnight either.

Both flights work out around say $250 each, unless of course I manage to snag the upgrade on Virgin to either MCS or First (so $150/$300 from memory) extra.

I did consider Jetblue but figured it was comparable to Virgin in regards to cost and departure time, so left it out of the equation. Also I've only ever had to fly in Business/First on AA previously, so I haven't had my AA Y experience yet.


Seems like I might be leaning to dismissing the lounge access in the hope for a more comfortable flight.

 

[TimB]

Both flights work out around say $250 each, unless of course I manage to snag the upgrade on Virgin to either MCS or First (so $150/$300 from memory) extra.

I did consider Jetblue but figured it was comparable to Virgin in regards to cost and departure time, so left it out of the equation.

One point I omitted is that JetBlue has 34" seat pitch, except for Even More Legroom, which has 38". In contrast, Virgin has 32" seat pitch, and MCS is only 36".

The cost for EML on JetBlue is a fair bit less than the upgrade to MCS on Virgin, I seem to remember. So on those points, if legroom is a big factor for you, then JetBlue comes out ahead of Virgin, both in standard seats and in the upgraded seats (excluding First on Virgin).

 

[hayden]

One point I omitted is that JetBlue has 34" seat pitch, except for Even More Legroom, which has 38". In contrast, Virgin has 32" seat pitch, and MCS is only 36".

The cost for EML on JetBlue is a fair bit less than the upgrade to MCS on Virgin, I seem to remember. So on those points, if legroom is a big factor for you, then JetBlue comes out ahead of Virgin, both in standard seats and in the upgraded seats (excluding First on Virgin).

legroom/being comfortable at a reasonable price

hence why I considered the upgrade path with virgin, and their first class looks kinda funky actually.

Didnt know Jetblue did the Even More Legroom, might have to look into their costs etc.

 

[hayden]

One point I omitted is that JetBlue has 34" seat pitch, except for Even More Legroom, which has 38". In contrast, Virgin has 32" seat pitch, and MCS is only 36".

The cost for EML on JetBlue is a fair bit less than the upgrade to MCS on Virgin, I seem to remember. So on those points, if legroom is a big factor for you, then JetBlue comes out ahead of Virgin, both in standard seats and in the upgraded seats (excluding First on Virgin).

Just checked the Even More Legroom on JetBlue - only an extra $60 on top of the standard fare. And yeah you're right, 38" pitch.

Now I need to add that into the mix I guess because its a guaranteed seat, versus the chances of me scoring a MCS seat at 24 hours prior.

decisions decisions

 

[stuartfaz]

Flew with both Virgin America and jetBlue when I was last in the States, both great airlines.

Would pick Virgin over jetBlue for the IFE and service though, they were fantastic.

 

[hayden]

Flew with both Virgin America and jetBlue when I was last in the States, both great airlines.

Would pick Virgin over jetBlue for the IFE and service though, they were fantastic.

What seats did you sit in for both of these airlines?

 

[lindyb]

Just wondering what you ended up doing with your flights? as I have the same dilemma at the moment

 

[Noob]

Just wondering what you ended up doing with your flights? as I have the same dilemma at the moment

Virgin America = Better seat pitch, AVOD in flight entertainment on all flights, huge assortment of food and beverage with seat back ordering - plus the mood lighting, and mini bar at the back of the plane.