British Airways vs Virgin Atlantic
Side-by-side comparison of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic: cabin and checked baggage allowances, fees, online check-in deadlines, alliances, hubs and contacts.
United Kingdom
| British Airways | Virgin Atlantic | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 1974 | 1984 |
| Type | Full-service airline | Full-service airline |
| Alliance | oneworld | SkyTeam |
| Main hubs | Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport | Heathrow Airport, Gatwick Airport, Manchester Airport |
| Aircraft types | 10 | 3 |
| Cabin bag weight | 23 kg (51 lb) | 10 kg (22 lb) |
| Cabin bag size | 56 × 45 × 25 cm (22 × 18 × 10 in) | 56 × 36 × 23 cm (22 × 14 × 9 in) |
| Checked bag (Economy) | 1 piece · 23 kg (51 lb) | 1 piece · 23 kg (51 lb) |
| First checked bag fee | from 45 GBP (≈ 61 USD) | - |
| Extra bag fee | from 45 GBP (≈ 61 USD) | - |
| Online check-in opens | 24 h | 24 h |
| Online check-in closes | 1 h | 1 h 10 min |
| Airport check-in fee | free | free |
| Customer service phone | +44 20 8738 5050 | +44 344 874 7747 |
Key differences
- British Airways allows a heavier cabin bag: 23 kg (51 lb) vs 10 kg (22 lb) at Virgin Atlantic.
- British Airways lets you check in online closer to departure (1 h vs 1 h 10 min).
- British Airways is a oneworld member, so miles and status benefits carry over to partner airlines.
- Virgin Atlantic is a SkyTeam member, so miles and status benefits carry over to partner airlines.
Other comparisons
Allowances shown are for the basic Economy fare on most routes. Fees are the lowest published prices and change often - confirm on the official websites before booking.