Flying US internally

[mabur4]

Hi everyone,

I need to book a few internal flights in the States and was wondering what people thought of flying Delta and Virgin America? Is one better than the other? Both seem to have similar prices, I am a platinum velocity member will that get me extra luggage allowances, lounge access etc ?

Thanks,

Marty

 

[The Rok]

I am in the exact same position. Flying LAX to either MIA or FLL or MCO. Decided to do one way in Virgin America and one way on Delta. Both in First Class.

That's just how I roll.

 

[bullerdude]

If i understand the Velocity website correctly, as a velocity platinum member you will have access to delta operated lounges when flying delta but no access to Virgin America lounges at all. Additionally, it seems you can earn points and smtatus credits on delta but not on Virgin America. As for baggage, there seem to be no specific benefits except for checking bags all the way through to the final destination.

Seems like delta is the better choice.

Hope that helps.

 

[smit0847]

I don't know the difference between the two in terms of velocity points, status credits, lounge access etc but I after a LOT of research, in terms of the actual flight experience I think Virgin America is a sensational airline and Delta is terrible.

Virgin America is easily the most innovative airline I have ever flown and do so many things I have never seen other airlines do, simply because they can. Playing soul music at check in? Why not? The pilot coming out to the boarding gate to announce and explain any delays instead of ground crew? Why not?

I call it 'the little airline that could'.

http://www.ausbt.com.au/boston-to-san-francisco-virgin-america-economy-class

It is a small airline meaning if there are delays and cancellations the consequences can be significant (they are a MUCH smaller airline than VA) but I dont think it would be unfair to say that Virgin America is what VA should/hopes to be and Delta is more like what Qantas is becoming.

 

[chrisjrn]

I've flown both; I can safely say that once you're in the air, Virgin America is by far the better airline -- the service is friendly, the interior is better than Virgin Australia's new one (including quite impressive IFE, buy-on-board food from the IFE, mood-lighting, etc).

Luggage: there is no extra baggage allowance (even if you're booked on a VA ticket and *do* have a baggage allowance due to status -- make sure that VA have your correct baggage allowance written on your ticket for that reason).

Lounge:

• DL pax have free lounge access when flying on Delta-operated flights (for codeshares on a DL ticket lounge access is tenuous), lounges are at many airports where DL operate flights (here's the full list: Delta Sky Club Locations).
• VX pax have NO free lounge access, however at SFO, IAD and JFK, you can purchase access to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse for USD$35 at check-in (online or in-person) (Source: Airport Lounge And Clubhouse | Virgin America)

Benefits are broadly identical -- if you value having a lounge to go to before the flight, then Delta's the one to go for. If you go for short flights, I'd pick either; but for flights of more than 2 hours, VX is by far the better experience, even if you do miss out on a free lounge.

Hope this helps, let me know if there's anything else I've missed.

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

Hi everyone,

I need to book a few internal flights in the States and was wondering what people thought of flying Delta and Virgin America? Is one better than the other? Both seem to have similar prices, I am a platinum velocity member will that get me extra luggage allowances, lounge access etc ?

Thanks,

Marty

My experience in the US is that it depends very much on where the flights are going. After several years of flying around the States I choose
the flights by convenient times - not for the food, lounges etc. Most internal flights are similar to riding in a bus ! particularly if you are down the back.
(First class fares are expensive ! - and no J Class) Domestic Lounges are not to the standard we enjoy in Aus. Never been on Virgin but numerous others
and they all very much the same. Have crossed UA of my list unless unavoidable due to "Lost Luggage". Normally book the basic fare and pay extra
for legroom, food and luggage as required.

 

[antycbr]

And just as an aside both DL and VX earn Status Credits:

For VX:
Discount Y SC level: S, L, M, U, E, H, B, V (earn 0.5pt/mi)
Full Fare Y SC level: Y, Z, Q, O, W (earn 1pt/mi)
Business SC level: I, D, C, J (earn 1.5pt/mi)

For DL:
Discount Y SC level: L, U, T, (earn 0.5pt/mi) H, Q, K (earn 1pt/mi)
Full Fare Y SC level: Y, B, M (earn 1.5pt/mi)
Business SC level: P, F, A, C, D, J, I, S (earn 1.5pt/mi)

 

[Justinf]

Out of the two, I have only flown VA. LAX-SEA-LAX in 1st class (business) and LAX-JFK-LAX in main cabin select (premium).
What I liked about VA was a very good IFE system, the ability to order food and drink from the IFE system, reasonable prices, wi-fi and new aircraft.

 

[allitsab]

I'll echo the experience of a few other posters here - Virgin America is amazing to fly with, Delta sucks dogs balls. It's chalk and cheese really - of course you miss out on a pre-flight lounge, which in my experience on holiday is only valuable when a flight is delayed - but then again the only flights I had delayed on my last US trip were Delta ones - so I guess a good thing their lounge is now an option.

You'll earn status credits for both.

 

[dandandan]

Hi everyone,

I need to book a few internal flights in the States and was wondering what people thought of flying Delta and Virgin America? Is one better than the other? Both seem to have similar prices, I am a platinum velocity member will that get me extra luggage allowances, lounge access etc ?

Thanks,

Marty

I agree with others, do not fly Delta....I repeat do not fly Delta. I have flown Vegas to New York with Delta and New York to San Francisco, San Francisco to San Diego with Virgin America and would never fly Delta again until they make some changes. The Virgin Planes were new and have the cabin trim that we are converting to here. The staff were friendly and helpful compared to the obviously union tied Delta.

 

[MadFairlane]

Looks like I am well buggered then with my DL flights in April/May this year...

LOL...

 

[Jama]

We are Virgin members and yet get less SC's with Virgin America than Delta and NO lounge access as Virgin members. How does that work ? Sounds a bit retarded to me.

 

[777]

We are Virgin members and yet get less SC's with Virgin America than Delta and NO lounge access as Virgin members. How does that work ? Sounds a bit retarded to me.

Actually you get the same SC's on Virgin America as on Delta and VX don't have any lounges.

 

[chrisjrn]

and VX don't have any lounges.

That's not quite right -- there *are* lounges available at some ports (SFO, IAD (Washington DC) and JFK (New York)). People booked into First (Business) Class or Main Cabin Select (Premium) can pay US$35 to use the Virgin Atlantic lounges there. Apparently the ones at IAD and JFK are still reasonably well-located for the VX gates, but at SFO, the location is in another terminal, 10 mins walk from the new VX terminal.

 

[777]

That's not quite right -- there *are* lounges available at some ports (SFO, IAD (Washington DC) and JFK (New York)). People booked into First (Business) Class or Main Cabin Select (Premium) can pay US$35 to use the Virgin Atlantic lounges there. Apparently the ones at IAD and JFK are still reasonably well-located for the VX gates, but at SFO, the location is in another terminal, 10 mins walk from the new VX terminal.

Actually it's true. They aren't VX's lounges (they are VS's) and VA/DJ FF'ers can pay to access them in the same way VX folks can. In the context of the post complaining it was "retarded" that VA FF'ers couldn't access them it's important to point out that VX flyers don't get automatic access to them either.

 

[TonyHancock]

A timely thread for me, the possibility exists that I may have to be in CVG for a day or two in just over over a week. :shock: J prices are horrific so it looks like Y+ into the US and Y to CVG. :shock::shock:

As a result VA is looking like the cheapest option. The timings and connections with DL are pretty good too (actually very good!), but my concern is priority boarding with DL I can't find any mention of it on the VA website. I'm guessing it doesn't exist for Velocity Status pax, anyone have any experiences they could share please?

Cheers

TH

 

[Jama]

Actually it's true. They aren't VX's lounges (they are VS's) and VA/DJ FF'ers can pay to access them in the same way VX folks can. In the context of the post complaining it was "retarded" that VA FF'ers couldn't access them it's important to point out that VX flyers don't get automatic access to them either.

So bottom line is Virgin don't have lounges in the US and thats why we don't have access.

 

[777]

So bottom line is Virgin don't have lounges in the US and thats why we don't have access.

Pretty much. No one gets free lounge access on Virgin America. The only lounges they have access to are ones all their passengers have to pay for.

 

[MadFairlane]

A timely thread for me, the possibility exists that I may have to be in CVG for a day or two in just over over a week. :shock: J prices are horrific so it looks like Y+ into the US and Y to CVG. :shock::shock:

As a result VA is looking like the cheapest option. The timings and connections with DL are pretty good too (actually very good!), but my concern is priority boarding with DL I can't find any mention of it on the VA website. I'm guessing it doesn't exist for Velocity Status pax, anyone have any experiences they could share please?

Cheers

TH

Would be keen to know the answer to this as well... I am not getting my hopes up though

 

[FrustratedQP]

I flew about 14 US internal flights last year, best price for 1st Class (business) was by far UA. I got much better prices on the net than my travel agent could get no access to lounges though, I had to buy Red Carpet Club. Don't expect much in the lounges, very basic.