Virgin vs Delta to US

[brucebrad]

I'm heading off to New Orleans next April. I gather that Virgin has better economy class than Delta across the Pacific (wider seats). However, when looking at prices, the prices seem to be cheaper if I book a Delta ticket operated by Virgin compared to a Virgin ticket for the same flights. Are there any advantages to one booking approach rather than the other? At the moment I have minimal status with either, but Virgin status points might come in handy later.

If I were to go premium economy on a Virgin flight the prices are the same either way I book, but I get booked in Y on the US Domestic legs if I book with Delta. Does that make any difference?

 

[smit0847]

Virgin metal is without questions far better than Delta metal. If it's cheaper to book through Delta - go for it.

Yes you will be seated in Y on the domestic legs. If booking through Virgin and you are given the option between Delta and Virgin America for the domestic legs I would without questions choose the Virgin America legs.

 

[pythonisman]

Virgin metal is without questions far better than Delta metal. If it's cheaper to book through Delta - go for it.

Yes you will be seated in Y on the domestic legs. If booking through Virgin and you are given the option between Delta and Virgin America for the domestic legs I would without questions choose the Virgin America legs.

I was looking at the USA in the future, and in Y+ with VA, (connecting through VX in the states), the booking page lists both legs (including VX) as "Premium economy class".
(example):

Now, VX don't have a Y+ class AFAIK - the page source has the fare class down as 'O' (full fare economy) so maybe you end up getting Main Cabin Select (bulkhead/exit rows, free food, priority treatment etc?)
But, that's only speculation.

 

[gwilli1]

My understanding is that if you buy a Y+ seat with VA and connect through in the US on VX , you will be seated in MCS. If you connect thru with Delta you will be seated in Y .
I am currently looking at this myself as i plan to head to BOS in Feb.

I was looking at the USA in the future, and in Y+ with VA, (connecting through VX in the states), the booking page lists both legs (including VX) as "Premium economy class".
(example):

Now, VX don't have a Y+ class AFAIK - the page source has the fare class down as 'O' (full fare economy) so maybe you end up getting Main Cabin Select (bulkhead/exit rows, free food, priority treatment etc?)
But, that's only speculation.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

Virgin metal is without questions far better than Delta metal.

... except IMO if you are flying in Business - J seats on DL's 777s all have direct aisle access flight Virgin Atlantic Upper Class and CX. If I was shelling out for a Business Class seat, I'd prefer not to have people climbing over me to get out while I'm sleeping or having to climb over someone who's asleep.

 

[Travel Guru]

My understanding is that if you buy a Y+ seat with VA and connect through in the US on VX , you will be seated in MCS. If you connect thru with Delta you will be seated in Y .
I am currently looking at this myself as i plan to head to BOS in Feb.

That's correct, you get seated in Main Cabin Select with FOC meals etc.

It's also then a pretty reasonable upgrade to First Class if done at check in or online at T-6 Hours (around $180 LA-NY)

TG

 

[Deewhy]

I was looking at the USA in the future, and in Y+ with VA, (connecting through VX in the states),

Now, VX don't have a Y+ class AFAIK - the page source has the fare class down as 'O' (full fare economy) so maybe you end up getting Main Cabin Select (bulkhead/exit rows, free food, priority treatment etc?)
But, that's only speculation.

You're speculation is correct. It'll book into MCS which is an economy seat with 4 inches extra legroom. One of the benefits of doing the VA/VX connection. Downside is that VX only have about 6 mth forward view into the future, so if you are booking it too early they can't see VX flights.