Russia - MOW-LHR. Should I fly BD or BA? J class of service

This is specific to Russia so I guess it belongs here. Both have their pluses and minuses, aside leaving from different airports, I actually prefer DME over SVO.
Despite the fact that SVO is closer to the center.

I friend who flew the BA service recently, told me that the 767 is in fact OLD, almost falling apart, and advised me to fly SU Business Class, which for a 4 hour + flight, is quite comfortable to lounge in. ( Not Euro Business).

SU has a pretty good rep for business (and economy) across Europe nowadays. BD has its own special mid-haul business class to MOW which I think many would say trumps BA. However, BA have announced that flights to DME will become the equivalent of long-haul next spring, with three class planes (First, Club, Traveller) including on certain days a 747. So while now BA might not be the top choice now, it could be by next May!

Interesting. Long-haul 3 cabin?. This does not surprise me one bit.

On the last few flights, (notably EK, DXB-DME and UA, DME-IAD) I was undone by a Russian entourage with ca$h. Specifically, buying THE ENTIRE BUSINESS/FIRST CLASS CABIN, WALK UP FARE. :eek:

Never in my life have I seen that.

And SQ, don't get me started. If you want a J seat DME-IAH, you need to book early. It sells out. Quick.

On United, pax who were on discounted business class tickets were asked to take different flights, or economy same day. This also included Global Services and 1K (top tier). On EK, they bumped people to the next flight. Compensated of course. Except on EK, the IO's got to keep their seats.

And yes, I agree, SU is quite the nice carrier now.

I'd go for SU, mainly because SVO airport is easier to get to the city from.

I have taken all three (BA, BD, SU) and to date, I have had the best experiences on BD and SU. Both have comfortable seats; BD has had better food.

That said, the reason I don't like BA's product on this route is because it has been Club Europe, a pathetic product that is not worth paying J prices for (and uncomfortable for a flight of this length). In the future, in any situation where I have the opportunity to fly BA on a long-haul-configured plane, I will be flying BA.

The other issue beyond "which airport?" is "what time is the flight?" That's been another issue for me with BA, since the timings of their flights are often not convenient for me to connect through LHR.

Interesting. Long-haul 3 cabin?. This does not surprise me one bit.

On the last few flights, (notably EK, DXB-DME and UA, DME-IAD) I was undone by a Russian entourage with ca$h. Specifically, buying THE ENTIRE BUSINESS/FIRST CLASS CABIN, WALK UP FARE. :eek:

Never in my life have I seen that.

And SQ, don't get me started. If you want a J seat DME-IAH, you need to book early. It sells out. Quick.

I have seen this happen many many times since ages. Russia is a crazy place^

Are you talking about the incident on EK-134 in Mid Oct when the Whole J & F cabin was resold again because GazpromNeft Executives along with some pretty damsels needed to go to DXB for a confrence & their chartered B767 rom SU suffered Hydraulic failure???:D:D I was on that flight in F on that day and still got to fly on it but it was not because of I/O status:D:D

Cheers

EGT

I have seen this happen many many times since ages. Russia is a crazy place^

Are you talking about the incident on EK-134 in Mid Oct when the Whole J & F cabin was resold again because GazpromNeft Executives along with some pretty damsels needed to go to DXB for a confrence & their chartered B767 rom SU suffered Hydraulic failure???:D:D I was on that flight in F on that day and still got to fly on it but it was not because of I/O status:D:D

Cheers

EGT

I've personally seen this happen on 2 specific routes

EK DME-DXB
UA DME-IAD

Allegedly it also happens here

SQ DME-IAH
(no surprise)

Watch out for mother Russia with a Ca$h. 2 million rubles + swiped at the ticket counter, no one blinks an eye.

On United, the compensation was dismal, $300 USD or fly the flight in Y. 10 hours?. Insulting. Even Global Services were bumped. I am just a 1K.

Unless you were in full fare J, your seat was not guaranteed. For this reason, I always ask people to pad their one time visas (if applicable) with a few extra days. Leaving when it expires is always a bad idea.

EK (of course) was much more generou$. My travel plans were flexible, so it worked out.