Virgin airlines vs AA to LAX (Dallas, Orange: wedding, vs., yard)

[loves2read]

We have wedding in CA in June--in San Diego

should have bought tickets as soon as we heard the date but waited to see if/when our kids would go--thought we could travel together
not the smartest plan w/adult kids

anyway
now Virgin has cheaper fares vs LAX or San Francisco to SAN vs the direct flight on American

those Virgin planes are the wide 3x3 vs some flights on MD80s or the other kinds with the 2x3 seating--
we flew a 3x3 from DFW to Tampa the last time and my husband HATED the seating

so just wondered if anyone here had flown Virgin to CA and had any comments on seating
I know it is longer flight
I considered flying through Las Vegas and spending the night each way
one day of Vegas goes a long way but too much hassle to pack/unpack

[jaime_mac]

I have not flown on Virgin but had a co-worker fly from Dallas to LA and he loved the airline. Couldn't say enough good things about it.

[galore]

No contest. Brand new Virgin planes vs. ancient AA MD80s. Much better service and entertainment. Cheap upgrades. I got a first class upgrade to San Francisco for $50. Virgin's first class is like an international business class, not just a wider seat and snacks like AA.

And Virgin's attendants are nice, not rejects from a Cruella DeVille audition like with AA.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Just got this month's Consumer Reports issue. Had an article rating customer satisfaction with airlines: Southwest was in 1st place, closely followed by Virgin. Can't speak to your route, just the overall rating.

[Mr.Bungle]

I flew VA from DFW to LAX and back the first week they offered service from DFW. I'm a fan. I'm flying them again in June. I'm a nervous flyer and the amount of space and in seat entertainment worked great for me. Also, currently they only have a small area with a few gates at both DFW and LAX so if they change your gate, you walk maybe a few yards. Super hassle free flying.

[loves2read]

but they don't fly direct to San Diego--
if it were direct routes in competition it would be easy to say Virgin is better choice
but we would have to fly into LAX and catch another flight to san diego
or their preference is to route through San Francisco and then to San Diego--
that makes for longer trip--like 2 hours with the layovers...

[Mr.Bungle]

Just drive from LAX to San Diego. If you have the time, make a few stops along the way. You can take the coast for a good portion through Orange County. The weather should be very nice. There is no sense in flying from L.A. to SD

[loves2read]

true--I should have rethought that post--
we have driven the Pacific coast before all the way south to SD from San Francisco
you are right about flying into LAX and driving--