Thomas Cook premium Vs Virgin Atlantic premium

[ScoobyRay]

So, we are getting ready to book for next September/October time so have been checking prices or. I know not to book as soon as flights get tried, but I've noticed that Thomas Cook are about a third of the price of virgin. Has anyone flew both premium economy? Is there a marked difference between them or is the cash saving on the flight with Thomas Cook better to have? I know there is a difference with the ife but other than that is it worth the extra cash for Virgin?

Thanks

[wdw-wanderer]

We’ve flown both Virgin and Thomas Cook in premium cabins. I find the seats not quite as well padded in TC but the prices are usually so much less. A bonus with Virgin is luggage - you can have 2 x 23 kg whereas with TC it’s only one unless you pay £55 for a second bag (to bring the shopping home). TC meals were ok (for airline food) although this week there was no choice on the return - it was BBQ chicken for all. I was surprised at the range and choice of films too - more than previously and also plenty for children, eg Polar Express, Frozen, Cars plus Mamma Mia (for me!).
For the price I find TC ok and I like the fact that you can select your seat before pressing the ‘book’ button, so if there are only single Premium seats available you can search other flights around the same date to get seats together.

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by ScoobyRay

So, we are getting ready to book for next September/October time so have been checking prices or. I know not to book as soon as flights get tried, but I've noticed that Thomas Cook are about a third of the price of virgin. Has anyone flew both premium economy? Is there a marked difference between them or is the cash saving on the flight with Thomas Cook better to have? I know there is a difference with the ife but other than that is it worth the extra cash for Virgin?

Thanks

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Hi Ray - we fly VA; overall bigger PE seat with 21" wide, pitch 38". TC has 19.7" of width and 35" of pitch. I appreciate it's personal choice, for us VA PE is worth every additional penny.

[SteveC]

Done them both PE plenty of times and think they are both good and we choose solely on price and availability of Virgin reward flights.

[ScoobyRay]

I would prefer to go virgin so we can get more miles, and if the price drops to about a grand each for premium I'll stay with virgin, but if they stay around 1500 I'll go tc. Thanks everyone

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by ScoobyRay

I would prefer to go virgin so we can get more miles, and if the price drops to about a grand each for premium I'll stay with virgin, but if they stay around 1500 I'll go tc. Thanks everyone

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Ray, many say book via the airline, but I've also used lastminute a few times as oft they're cheaper, plus they offer circa 2% cash back via Quidco. Had a schedule change that LM sorted in minutes once I suggested an alternative. This trip booked via Delta, £80pp cheaper than VA (remember to select VA FC and enter your membership number). Worth a look when researching fares.

[Pootle]

We have flown Virgin PE way more times than Thomas Cook, but I have done 3 Thomas Cook PE flights (Orlando and Las Vegas) and been very impressed and will always look at their availability and price in future.

[Dendycat]

Flew both this summer. If prices were equal, I would choose virgin just because the entertainment system is better and the tc version is quite limited. I actually thought that TC had better food and drink on the way out but both airlines’ meals were pretty dire on the way back.

[Juliemack]

I've flown both several times, prefer Virgin but not enough to book with them if TC are cheaper, which they are in most cases.

[ScoobyRay]

Thanks for everyones input. To add, Virgin have released the flights now for when we are going next year (sept 28-oct 12) and for econemy they are asking 1400 each, where I can go Thomas cook for 1500 premium for the both of us. I know not to book yet as Virgin's prices could/should fall, but man thats a steep price.