Wondering which aircraft has the best hard product from NYC-LON. I mostly care about the seat (bed). Is the 2-4-2 configuration cramped? Is upper deck on the 744 the way to go? Or is the CWLC service nicer?
I care less about food, amenity kits, etc. Really just the ability to sleep comfortably on the redeye.
__________________
Check out Without Bacon, reviewing vegetarian options at top restaurants! And PM if you'd like to write for the blog.
Programs: BAEC Silver,clubcard,clubcard plus, BA Amex................ And Mucci x3 ;)
Posts: 7,561
The A318 is a very private experience, id personally eat before in the lounge and try and get some kip.
Upper deck of the 744 in CW is also lovely, and im a very big fan.
However it also very much depends on where your heading on arrival in London ? If your heading into the city perhaps LCY might be better, there is an arrivals facility at a local hotel for use of the customers of this service.
If however your connecting onwards, perhaps LHR is better ?
cs
__________________
Doesn't really seem to fit in on BA flyertalk anymore, hey ho, times change, I'm still around and might post from time to time, still read forum and PMs
As i dont really bother posting elsewhere ill make a suggestion here about your other post.
If your planning on flying several Business class trips NYC-LON as well as some domestic US flying I would be using BA transatlantic and AA domesticly within the US and crediting all to a BA FF account.
The main reason is, if you can fly AA Instant Upgrade fares on say JFK-SFO which is an F booking you will earn I believe 210 tier points per sector on AA when crediting to BAEC, this combined with some transatlantic flights on BA, especially to LCY would get you a further 210 Tier points per sector and would get you to silver in say 3 sectors and gold very very quickly.
BAEC Silver members get access to the Admirals clubs when flying domestic within the US which AA premium members dont even get, BAEC Gold card holders will get access to AA flagship lounges where they still exist, even on domestic USA flights.
Hope that this helps you
cs
__________________
Doesn't really seem to fit in on BA flyertalk anymore, hey ho, times change, I'm still around and might post from time to time, still read forum and PMs
Thanks cornishsimon. The other (related, but distinct) question is about which airline/alliance has the best service to LON, accounting for elite status, etc. This is a much narrower question: which BA flight has the best hard product.
Really, the reason I ask is that even on a 777, the 2-4-2 configuration looks quite cramped. I'm used to DL's 1-2-1 on the 764, or even AF flying 2-2-2 on the 388. Is 2-4-2 cramped?
On the 744, is it hard to get a seat on the upper deck?
__________________
Check out Without Bacon, reviewing vegetarian options at top restaurants! And PM if you'd like to write for the blog.
Programs: BAEC Silver,clubcard,clubcard plus, BA Amex................ And Mucci x3 ;)
Posts: 7,561
744, 777, or A318 NYC-LON (biz)?
Where are you heading after your flight ?
And no with status upper deck isn't a problem just pre select your seat as far in advance as you can.
cs
__________________
Doesn't really seem to fit in on BA flyertalk anymore, hey ho, times change, I'm still around and might post from time to time, still read forum and PMs
The office is in Canary Wharf, so LCY is by far the most convenient. But if the LHR flights had a much nicer product I'd be convinced to fly in/out of there.
__________________
Check out Without Bacon, reviewing vegetarian options at top restaurants! And PM if you'd like to write for the blog.
Programs: BA Gold, AA ExPlat, UA 1K, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 2,254
Quote:
Originally Posted by crimson12
On the 744, is it hard to get a seat on the upper deck?
On a route like JFK I'd recommend paying the fee to reserve the seat.
744 UD every time for me. No question. 777 would be 2nd. 318 only for service into LCY.
I like my privacy and that's why I adore the normal CW (window) seat.
On a route like JFK I'd recommend paying the fee to reserve the seat.
744 UD every time for me. No question. 777 would be 2nd. 318 only for service into LCY.
I like my privacy and that's why I adore the normal CW (window) seat.
I take it you think the downstairs 2-4-2 configuration is tight?
If LCY weren't a factor (let's say all flights flew into the same airport) how would 318 compare to the 744?
__________________
Check out Without Bacon, reviewing vegetarian options at top restaurants! And PM if you'd like to write for the blog.
Wondering which aircraft has the best hard product from NYC-LON. I mostly care about the seat (bed). Is the 2-4-2 configuration cramped? Is upper deck on the 744 the way to go? Or is the CWLC service nicer?
I care less about food, amenity kits, etc. Really just the ability to sleep comfortably on the redeye.
If most concerned about hard product, I would recommend AA and the new 777-300. The seat is superior to any business seat on BA, though the service will not be as good. The 2-4-2 configuration sounds cramped compared to 1-2-1 on the AA 777-300.
That said, I am flying JFK to LON in July and opted for CWLCY for the unique experience.
If most concerned about hard product, I would recommend AA and the new 777-300. The seat is superior to any business seat on BA, though the service will not be as good. The 2-4-2 configuration sounds cramped compared to 1-2-1 on the AA 777-300.
That said, I am flying JFK to LON in July and opted for CWLCY for the unique experience.
I thought AA haven't installed any new j class seats as yet?
Programs: BA Gold, Delta Gold, HHonors Diamond, some stuff sitting around in marriott, sq and united
Posts: 194
Quote:
Originally Posted by cornishsimon
The A318 is a very private experience, id personally eat before in the lounge and try and get some kip.
Upper deck of the 744 in CW is also lovely, and im a very big fan.
However it also very much depends on where your heading on arrival in London ? If your heading into the city perhaps LCY might be better, there is an arrivals facility at a local hotel for use of the customers of this service.
If however your connecting onwards, perhaps LHR is better ?
cs
Ever flown that route? or on that aircraft? I think you are perhaps giving an armchair perspective. Your ba97 link doesn't seem to show you being on an a318 or on that route.
Programs: BA Gold, AA ExPlat, UA 1K, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 2,254
Quote:
Originally Posted by crimson12
I take it you think the downstairs 2-4-2 configuration is tight?
If LCY weren't a factor (let's say all flights flew into the same airport) how would 318 compare to the 744?
2-4-2 isn't tight given BA's yin/yang design. On United, which also has 2-4-2 744 J seating, it is quite a bit more tight. Then again, I always have a window on BA so I might be biased vs someone sitting in the middle seat.
The 318 has lots of fun novelty value. Cabin feels really private (but so does the upper deck!). Catering ex-JFK, I'd give a slight nod to the 318 flights. IFE is portable units on the 318 and is, I think, poorer than the 744 offering. I don't like the 318's seats - they are generic Recaro, you see everyone in your row, etc. They are wider than 744 seats and also don't have such high walls, so if you have claustrophobia they are probably better However, again, standard CW, especially upper deck window seats, have unparalleled privacy and storage. Better than AA, UA, DL, LH, LX, SK, AF, KL, IB, JL, TG, OS, SA, NH, etc etc. I think it's just a great place to be.
If you can bag 64A or 64K on the 744, there is absolutely no question as to what I'd go with. I can post a view from those seats vs the 318 if you like.
Really, the reason I ask is that even on a 777, the 2-4-2 configuration looks quite cramped. I'm used to DL's 1-2-1 on the 764, or even AF flying 2-2-2 on the 388. Is 2-4-2 cramped?
I had to do DL recently and was pleasantly surprised with the 1-2-1 layout on the 767. It offers privacy and uninterrupted aisle access. But on the down side the footwell is more cramped than BA and on the overnight from NYC there is a lot more cabin activity given that there is very little to eat in the lounge and more people appear to take a meal onboard.
I think I would choose any window seat on BA for the hop back to London.
Location: All over the place often South Wales and Lake District
Programs: BA Gold (GGL)
Posts: 2,166
Quote:
Originally Posted by bullroot
Ever flown that route? or on that aircraft? I think you are perhaps giving an armchair perspective. Your ba97 link doesn't seem to show you being on an a318 or on that route.
it's a while since I have done the A318 CWLCY but for me out of the BA CW the LCY has the best seat. It's more stable and doesn't bounce when you or your seat neighbours move. If I was working in Canary Wharf I would pick the LCY service every time. You lose the privacy of the window seat on the 777/747 but you could always do a few trips on the LCY service to get to Silver and onward to Gold and then you get the ability to select seats in advance for free as the LCY service gives F Tier points.
