British Airways vs Virgin Atlantic: Which Offers the Superior Economy Class for London to New York Flights? Experts Weigh In.

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• READ MORE: Comparison of Virgin Atlantic’s Business Class versus Premium Economy via video review

London New York serves as the Shibuya Crossing for long-distance travel, with seven airlines managing approximately 200 weekly flights connecting the two urban centers.

This route holds immense commercial importance globally and stands out as one of the most fiercely contested ones.

This highlights the budget options provided by the two airlines based in the United Kingdom that operate on this route. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic (which offers five daily departures from Heathrow ), absolutely crucial.

This journey encapsulates the experience of long-haul flights for millions of individuals.

What contributions do BA and Virgin make to the event? Experts in travel from The Points Guy Set out to discover and document their journeys in economy class aboard a BA Boeing 777 flying from London Heathrow to Newark Liberty International Airport, followed by a ride on a Virgin Atlantic A350-1000 from Heathrow to John F. Kennedy International Airport.

This story revolves around 'extremely comfy seating', 'entertaining' staff members, 'unreliable' internet connectivity, and an infotainment system that seems 'obsolete'.

Continue reading for the complete assessments.

BRITISH AIRWAYS, BOEING 77SAIRLINES, SEATING ARRANGEMENT - 3-4-3

Putting British Airways for the test, TPG sent their senior marketing manager Liam Spencer , who spent $393 (£304) on his ticket to Newark.

Liam was pleased with the 'fresh and clean' cabin, the 'comfortable, adjustable' headrest, and the 'adequate' 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 few passengers complained – the seats were described as 'obsolete,' the IFE screens were deemed 'old-fashioned,' and the wooden utensils failed to make an impression.

The pillow also did not receive any praise, with Liam calling it 'slim.'

In the video, upon arriving in the U.S., Liam states: "Overall, it was quite a reliable economy class trip. Today, they exceeded expectations to ensure I felt welcomed. Food and drinks arrived promptly—service surpassed mere friendliness. Throughout the journey, their interaction was genuinely warm."

The seating seems somewhat dated, especially the IFE system on the 777. However, overall, I was quite pleased – plus, they arrived at my destination ten minutes ahead of schedule. It was remarkably efficient and swift.

Virgin Atlantic, Airbus A350-1000. Cabin Layout - 3-3-3

Putting the Virgin Atlantic The Points Guy Editor at Large put the economy cabin to the test. Nicky Kelvin , who spent $245 (£189) on their ticket.

He adored the 'comfy chair' featuring an adjustable headrest, observed the presence of dual USB ports for charging, and was thrilled about having a large 'IFE display.'

Any other plus points?

That's right, we're not done quite yet.

Nicky informed MailOnline Travel that the legroom was 'ample', the over-ear headphones were appreciated, and the staff were 'excellent'.

Any negative aspects to the trip?

Nicky mentioned that his portion seemed smaller than expected and pointed out that the Wi-Fi cost more compared to the BA service.

Upon arriving at JFK Airport, Nicky wraps up with this message for his audience: "The journey was fantastic; kudos to Virgin Atlantic! The seating was incredibly comfy, and I really enjoyed the flexible headrest as well as the adaptable tray table. Plus, the inflight entertainment system was top-notch. However, the internet connection left something to be desired. All things considered, though, it’s definitely a pleasant spot to sit through those long six or seven-hour flights."

The cuisine fell slightly short for my taste. While not disappointing, it could have offered more than it did. I had hoped for a larger, crisper salad. The primary course felt somewhat lacking as well. Similarly, the dessert portion seemed insufficient. However, whatever was served turned out quite enjoyable.

However, the treats available in the galley were up for grabs, and the afternoon tea was particularly charming — exactly what I needed.

But let's discuss the service. Virgin Atlantic consistently delivers exceptional service through its cabin crew, which was the highlight of my flight. The staff were incredibly enjoyable and welcoming. They made each passenger feel truly special. Indeed, they represent the true gem within Virgin Atlantic.

Thanks, The Points Guy.

To discover more content from The Points Guy, visit thepointsguy.com/uk-travel To view the complete video, please click here .

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