Virgin America or Delta

[Jousams]

May need to book some internal US flights for July/August.

I would prefer to book with Virgin America as I THINK they have a better product, however I have noticed things have gone a bit pear shaped for them as of late. (I.e no profits)
What are everyone's opinions on ;
The likelihood that they will fold?
And their product offering compared to delta, I've personally only tried delta.

I also assume SC earn rates would be the same.

And if they did fold would I still get my money back if it was booked through a credit card? (NAB velocity gold Amex)

Thanks,
J

 

[lovestotravel]

Likelihood they will fold in the next 6 months - Nil
Product offering - Can't be beat - Except for the premium service East-West coast flights

 

[smit0847]

Absolutely Virgin America. They are a terrific little airline with the most modern concept to flying I have ever come across.

Im not surprised they dont make money though - they give you a hell of a lot for a cheap price.

 

[alister]

If you fly Premium oz to usa and then Virgin America, they don't have premium but you get a W class seat which is extra legroom, all you can eat and drink and watch for free (in the USA you pay for most things). Most times if the flight is not busy they will sit you by yourself as well which is nice when you a tired, grumpy and smelly from travelling for 20 hours. I am not sure how it goes with Delta but with V-USA you also get the same luggage allowance as VA which is nice when you bring a suitcase of goodies home.

 

[Jousams]

If you fly Premium oz to usa and then Virgin America, they don't have premium but you get a W class seat which is extra legroom, all you can eat and drink and watch for free (in the USA you pay for most things). Most times if the flight is not busy they will sit you by yourself as well which is nice when you a tired, grumpy and smelly from travelling for 20 hours. I am not sure how it goes with Delta but with V-USA you also get the same luggage allowance as VA which is nice when you bring a suitcase of goodies home.

It's actually not for me, I'm just booking it. so the 4 on the booking will all be velocity red. And all in Y, But I will definitely be booking VX when I can.

 

[Boris spatsky]

I love Virgin America, even in Y. Far better than DL. Worth booking the main cabin select or whatever it is called. Y seat but heaps of room. From memory you can even Upgrade online from Y within 24 hours cheaply if they are not all sold.

 

[Justinf]

+1 for Virgin America, but i don't mind Delta either for short flights.

 

[ckck]

Another vote for Virgin America. I have travelled with both Delta and Virgin America and I hope I never have to fly Delta again.

 

[Globetrotter]

You'll be glad you chose Virgin America. I've flown them a few times in main cabin and first class and every flight was excellent. I'm flying them LA to Ft Lauderdale next month and I can't wait.


See what others think https://www.routehappy.com/

 

[grubbidok]

Delta is your standard US airline fare, but IMO much better than others like AA. Virgin America is a very 'non-American' type of airline (which is a good thing). I fly them both, but Virgin definitely makes flying in the US less traumatic than any other airline.

BTW It's probably also worth noting that DL codeshare quite a bit in the US, and anything not actually on DL metal won't count for Velocity (except 'contractors' like Skywest). My major route in the US is LAX-SEA. DL do it, but through codeshare with AS on AS metal. Virgin America is the only points/SC option on this route.

 

[bigbadbyrnes]

+1 VX > DL.

The VX product is indeed superior to the DL in my experience.

 

[williamsf1]

Delta is your standard US airline fare, but IMO much better than others like AA. Virgin America is a very 'non-American' type of airline (which is a good thing). I fly them both, but Virgin definitely makes flying in the US less traumatic than any other airline.

BTW It's probably also worth noting that DL codeshare quite a bit in the US, and anything not actually on DL metal won't count for Velocity (except 'contractors' like Skywest). My major route in the US is LAX-SEA. DL do it, but through codeshare with AK on AK metal. Virgin America is the only points/SC option on this route.

AK= AirAsia , should that read AS Alaska Airlines?

 

[grubbidok]

AK= AirAsia , should that read AS Alaska Airlines?

Woops, yes. Have changed forthwith. Spent a bit too much time flying AS to AK!

 

[Jousams]

Thanks for your input guys.
I'm going to be booking VX on lax-ord, Las-Sfo & Sfo- Lax. (Not sure about east coast order yet)
Everyone was a lot less scathing of DL than I was expecting and I will still book MKE-JFK & JFK/IAD - PHX (or is Phoenix SKY?) with them over JetBlue a I think the SC that will pool to me will be worth it.

It's a pitty VX don't use Burbank, as I find LAX confusing. So I imagine it must be 5x worse for my parents.

Also, with the new domestic SC earning rules on VA, will I earn an extra 30 SC if its booked BNE-MEL-LAX vs BNE-LAX?
(Via Mel works out to be cheaper for some reason...)

If so I can taste platinum.

(No I'm not having a heart attack )

 

[MandM]

Thanks for your input guys.
I'm going to be booking VX on lax-ord, Las-Sfo & Sfo- Lax. (Not sure about east coast order yet)
Everyone was a lot less scathing of DL than I was expecting and I will still book MKE-JFK & JFK/IAD - PHX (or is Phoenix SKY?) with them over JetBlue a I think the SC that will pool to me will be worth it.

It's a pitty VX don't use Burbank, as I find LAX confusing. So I imagine it must be 5x worse for my parents.

Also, with the new domestic SC earning rules on VA, will I earn an extra 30 SC if its booked BNE-MEL-LAX vs BNE-LAX?
(Via Mel works out to be cheaper for some reason...)

If so I can taste platinum.

(No I'm not having a heart attack )

it has been, and I understand still will be, SC for BNE-MEL and SC for MEL-LAX if you choose that option. Just have a double check that your LAX flight is VA metal and not DL metal - that can sometimes be the reason for the price difference.
And one more vote for VX. If this is for your parents and they are doing the LAX-ORD flight on the day they land at LAX then I highly recommend main cabin select on VX. Work out the value to them, (1 free bag, free movie, free food and drink) but the extra comfort (leg room) after 14 hours in Y can be priceless.
edit: and the extra SCs you'll get for main cabin select will bring that elusive plat even closer

 

[MadFairlane]

Can confirm that BNE-xMEL-LAX will earn SCs for each sector/segment.

We used DL on our last trip stateside, had no dramas whatsoever (even when delta cancelled our flight it was no hassle to change it to another at no charge).

They flew where I needed to be, at the times I needed, I had no trouble accessing any skyclubs on the trip.

All in all a good experience and wouldnt hesitate to use them again, if the connections/flights etc worked for me.

 

[Justinf]

although i have recommended VX, I agree with Madfairlaine. My most recent trip included a few DL flights and all of them were on time, I had access to the Sky Clubs and it was generally a hassle-free experience. In fact, I experienced some truly outstanding service at LAX and SLC Sky Clubs with help about onward flights. I'd have no qualms using them again and probably will.

 

[serfty]

Looking to go LAX to NYC in June, travelling business/first.

DL I can do for $860, VX from $1200 ...

 

[MH_fan]

VX were great when I tried them for the first time 2 months ago. Main Cabin Select was totally worth it!

 

[Jousams]

Im also interested in a 30 day skyclub membership as AusBT reported last year. is anyone familiar with this?
Does Delta even sell them anymore, i cant find it on the site.
Travel hack: 30 days' access to Virgin Australia lounges for $90 - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller