I recently travelled to two events, for the first I flew BA and on the second I flew with Virgin Atlantic.
I found the experience flying with Virgin Atlantic to be just so much more refreshing, enjoyable and fun.
On British Airways, I was offered a choice of white wine, Chardonnay or Sauvingon Blanc, I asked where they were from, and was told, ‘they are both warm so it doesn’t really matter. But this one is a bit less warm’ and was handed a lukewarm bottle of something, at which point I said just give me a red.
This caused me to think about the difference between these two contrasting brands. The comparison is clear as they both operate out of the same Hub serving the same market. And one is the challenger brand to the monopoly.
I had been flying BA, mainly because they have something of a monopoly. They are the established incumbent, and it just feels stuffy.
I wanted to see if this was just my own subjective bias or, was based on something broader. So I asked GPT to give an assessment of the difference between the two brands.
Key Takeaway
“British Airways evokes a feeling of status, structure, and seriousness, which some interpret as snobbish or uninspired.
Virgin Atlantic, by contrast, feels like it’s on your side — friendlier, more fun, and less burdened by tradition.
This reflects the emotional branding each airline has cultivated. BA is the institution; Virgin is the invitation to enjoy flying again.”
Its a testament to the Virgin Brand, that they have consistently maintained this identity and also, that their competitor has maintained theirs.
I know which brand I would like to be, and which I will choose where I can.
I hope that at BlueTech Research we can strive to create a sense of égalité, inclusiveness and passion.
