• Who do you favor more, BA or Virgin Atlantic? Cast your vote in our survey...
• READ MORE: Comparison of Virgin Atlantic’s Business Class versus Premium Economy through a video review

London New York serves as the Shibuya Crossing for long-distance travel, with seven airlines running 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 British companies operating on this route. British Airways and Virgin Atlantic which offers five daily trips from Heathrow ), absolutely crucial.

This voyage characterizes the experience of a long-haul flight for countless 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 trip 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 display that seems 'obsolete'.

Continue reading for the complete assessments from this clash of affordable options...

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 one-way ticket to Newark.

Liam was pleased with the 'fresh and clean' cabin, the 'comfortable, adjustable' headrest, and the 'adequate' legroom.

He informed MailOnline Travel that the Wi-Fi was more affordable compared to Virgin’s pricing (£14.99 versus £20.99). He added that he found the meals ‘excellent’ and praised the cabin crew for their outstanding service.

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 remarks: "Overall, it turned out to be quite a reliable economy class journey. Today, they surpassed expectations to ensure I felt welcomed. Food and drinks were served promptly—more than just going through the motions with smiles. Their genuine engagement lasted for the duration of the trip."

The seating seems somewhat old-fashioned, especially the IFE system on the 777. However, overall, I was quite pleased — plus, they arrived at our destination 10 minutes ahead of schedule. Extremely efficient and fast.

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

Putting the Virgin Atlantic The Points Guy Editor at Large tested the economy cabin. Nicky Kelvin , who spent $245 (£189) on his one-way ticket.

He adored the 'comfy chair' featuring an adjustable headrest, observed the presence of dual USB charge ports, and was thrilled about his spacious IFE display.

Any other plus points?

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

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

Are there any downsides 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 to his audience: "The journey was quite impressive. Kudos to Virgin Atlantic! The seating was extremely comfy. I really enjoyed the flexible headrest. Also, the movable tray table was nice. The inflight entertainment system was top-notch. However, the internet connection could have been better. All things considered, it’s definitely a pleasant spot for a six or seven-hour trip."

The cuisine fell short for me slightly. While it wasn’t poor quality, it could have been better. I had hoped for a larger, crisper salad. The primary dish felt somewhat lacking as well. Similarly, the dessert portion seemed insufficient. However, whatever was served turned out quite satisfactory.

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

However, 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 cheerful and welcoming. They made each passenger feel truly valued. In fact, they stand out as the true gem within Virgin Atlantic.

Thanks, The Points Guy.

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

Read more