Have I just been "downgraded" from WTP in a 773 to WTP in a 747?
The particularly observant may recall (normal folk won't) a thread I started a few weeks ago about WTP fares ex-HKG. In the end I took the plunge and booked. After some more research, I decided to go for the 773 service HKG-LHR vv. instead of the 747, aiming to get the new seats.
However, it seems that on the return the 27 has changed to a mid-J 747 in the three or four days since I booked (flight is 15 April).
My question is, how distraught should I be about this? It seems like a bit of a pain to not have regular power sockets available, let alone USB. But at least we get AVOD on our (smaller) screens? Fortunately our connection to the 27 at LHR is more convenient than the 25 would have been anyway, so I don't feel burned as I would have done had we gone out of our way for this service. But it is somewhat disappointing. We should raid the club kitchen to console ourselves?
Also, how frequently does BA change aircraft on such routes, especially this far in advance?
To be honest, as a regular WT+ flyer, who has just experienced the new cabin for the first time, I'm afraid to say I would be very disappointed to receive the old one when I had selected an aircraft/ flight specifically for that reason.
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I would be disappointed too. Not least because of the power issues. The new seat is great - perhaps ask to be put on a CX flight instead? Same product 777-300 product, but with a pre-departure drink!
To be honest, as a regular WT+ flyer, who has just experienced the new cabin for the first time, I'm afraid to say I would be very disappointed to receive the old one when I had selected an aircraft/ flight specifically for that reason.
It is significantly superior to the old seat/ IFE
Really sorry, and I know it's not what the OP wants to hear, but I have to agree with this . New Wt+ really is better. If it were Hi-J it would be a bit better with the 'throne' at the front of WT+, but its mid J
I would be disappointed too. Not least because of the power issues. The new seat is great - perhaps ask to be put on a CX flight instead? Same product 777-300 product, but with a pre-departure drink!
CX is an idea, but I don't think our tickets would allow the change without a significant change fee, if at all (I suspect BA would say it's still the same travel class, even if FTers know better!), and for a night flight the power issue is unlikely to be so severe as to warrant an outlay when we could spend the money better on the ground.
Really, I'm just engaging in a time-honored FT tradition -- a solicitation for advice, a bit of a whinge, and then happy traveling.
ETA: Although I fear I'll jinx things if I say it, at least I'm glad we're not bumped down to a non-AVOD 772. And fortunately I prevailed on my traveling partner to book WTP, as I imagine old WT would have been even less impressive.
Taking a step back, thanks enormously to all the BA FTers. Your many contributions to the dashboard have already helped this interloper immensely. I wish our FAQ on the CX board was as comprehensive!
Last edited by CrazyJ82; Nov 22, 12 at 7:56 am..
Reason: Thinking of the bright side.
Same has happened to me - my BA27 has gone from 77W to a mid-J 747 in WTP. Mildly annoying as had chosen it to get the new seat.
I assume it is to free the 77W for BA15/16 to SIN and SYD. As I am booked to fly back from SIN on BA16 on the 77W I will still get to try it one way - will be very annoyed if they both get changed!
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On the upside, perhaps CW availability will open up, and you can Avios your way forward?! The old WTP seats are okay. They are still better than economy.
I live in hope of a return of the 77W in the next five months. It'll be past the school holidays, if I'm not mistaken, and although the 77W and mid-J 747 have roughly the same J capacity, they've left themselves with a significantly larger lot of WT seats to sell in the 747. If Seppy is right about the reasoning, maybe a new aircraft delivery in that time or some other change will allow for another schedule adjustment. One might as well dream!
On the upside, perhaps CW availability will open up, and you can Avios your way forward?! The old WTP seats are okay. They are still better than economy.
Not an option on this trip, sadly. While a roundtrip upgrade option is available (I think) for CX members like me, I have other designs on my stash of miles. I think this one gets filed under "We'll just have spent two weeks vacationing in Europe, will have lounge access, and will still be more comfortable than the plebeians in WT."
My Mum and Dad recently returned from a WT+ trip to China.
This was their first time in WT+.
They did LHR-PEK and the 747 with old WT+ and HKG-LHR on the 777 with new WT+. They both said that the new WT+ seat on the 777 is vastly superior to the old one on the 747.
So I fear that you may lose out from the up-gauge...
I recently flew old WTP on a 767 LHR-BWI & returned in new WTP on a 777 PHL-LHR.
Initially I was thrilled to see the new WTP on board the 777. I thought the cabin very fresh looking, the IFE system truly great & the seat very nice & spacious.
However, as the flight went on, I found that I wasn't able to achieve a comfortable snoozing position in the new seat & eventually concluded that the older seat on board the 767 was much more comfortable. When I mentioned this to Mrs Kered, she agreed & went on to say that on arrival into LHR, she had quite a sore lower back, which she didn't at all experience on the 767 BWI flight.
We're planning a wee Vegas / LA jaunt for early next year & are not at all fazed by the fact we'll be on 747's & therefore getting the older seats. We're quite looking forward to comfortable flights, like we had on the 767.
I have to say I found the 777 seat more comfortable, but its just personal taste of course. The old WT+ seats seemed very hard and my bum tended to go numb after a couple of hours - and it's not as if I have a small boney bum!
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One way to console yourself with the downgrade to old WT+ is to have a peek at the Y cabin during flight when you start feeling uncomfortable on the WT+ seats.
Seems to do wonders for my mental state. Not so good when I am plonked in Y with no way to upgrade, then all I can remember is how roomy the W seats were.
I have to say I found the 777 seat more comfortable, but its just personal taste of course. The old WT+ seats seemed very hard and my bum tended to go numb after a couple of hours - and it's not as if I have a small boney bum!
Just when kered had started to cheer me up...
Despite my initial disappointment, I'm quickly coming around to the Stez view of this 'problem'-that-isn't-really-a-problem-compared-to-the-real-problems-plenty-of-other-people-have.
My one outstanding question for the sages is, Is the plane likely to change again in the next five months? Do BA make a habit of substitutions this far out? I guess they must if they've already changed from 77W to 747, so my question is probably more about the frequency with which they do so.
. New Wt+ really is better. If it were Hi-J it would be a bit better with the 'throne' at the front of WT+, but its mid J 
Not so good when I am plonked in Y with no way to upgrade, then all I can remember is how roomy the W seats were.
