Best business class experience for a flight to LHR?
Aug 4, 2015, 3:43 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Mexico
Posts: 2
Best business class experience for a flight to LHR?
Hi everyone... Long-time lurker, first-time poster here...
I'll be travelling to London in October and the company policy allows us to fly business class on long flights. I'm no jetsetter, so my business travel is mostly domestic within Mexico and it's always economy since no flight is long enough to merit business class according to company policy. This will actually be my first time flying business.
Given the opportunity, what airline/plane would you recommend? I'll be flying via USA and practically any major hub is an option that doesn't affect my schedule. These are the options I've seen so far:
British Airlines 747-400
British Airlines 777-200/300
United Airlines 767-300/300ER
United Airlines 787-8 Dreamliner
American Airlines 777-300ER
Delta Airlines 767-400
Virgin Atlantic A330-300
Which of these airline/airplane combinations offers the BEST business class experience according to your previous travels?
Thanks!
I'll be travelling to London in October and the company policy allows us to fly business class on long flights. I'm no jetsetter, so my business travel is mostly domestic within Mexico and it's always economy since no flight is long enough to merit business class according to company policy. This will actually be my first time flying business.
Given the opportunity, what airline/plane would you recommend? I'll be flying via USA and practically any major hub is an option that doesn't affect my schedule. These are the options I've seen so far:
British Airlines 747-400
British Airlines 777-200/300
United Airlines 767-300/300ER
United Airlines 787-8 Dreamliner
American Airlines 777-300ER
Delta Airlines 767-400
Virgin Atlantic A330-300
Which of these airline/airplane combinations offers the BEST business class experience according to your previous travels?
Thanks!
Aug 4, 2015, 3:54 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: NYC
Posts: 9,124
My choice would be VS. Virgin is nice, good seats, and has great lounges. I like BA but it depends on the seat (and you'd have to pay for it).
I have no issue flying any of the US carriers and would likely prefer Delta for the VS lounge in LHR and UA for the seat. I suspect the AA seat is very good but haven't flown the 777-300 for a while so can't comment.
I have no issue flying any of the US carriers and would likely prefer Delta for the VS lounge in LHR and UA for the seat. I suspect the AA seat is very good but haven't flown the 777-300 for a while so can't comment.
Last edited by erik123; Aug 4, 2015 at 4:00 pm
Aug 4, 2015, 6:29 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, NH Plat, Former UA 1K
Posts: 5,666
If you're not worried about miles toward a program in any particular alliance then I'd most definitely choose VS from that list. BA would be second and wouldn't even consider the US carriers.
How about AC? It's not really any less convenient for connection compared to NY connections on a US carrier. I'd say AC third to VS and BA.
How about AC? It's not really any less convenient for connection compared to NY connections on a US carrier. I'd say AC third to VS and BA.
Aug 4, 2015, 6:37 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,588
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
NZ's Business Class service from LAX to LHR is said to be very good.
NZ's Business Class service from LAX to LHR is said to be very good.
Aug 4, 2015, 7:02 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,027
Is freq flyer miles a consideration? (this is Flyertalk
) http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/infor...help-here.html
Aug 4, 2015, 10:00 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New York and Vienna
Programs: PA WorldPass Platinum, AA, DL, LH. GHA Black, SPG and HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,870
I'd say it all depends what you are looking to get out of the experience.
For personal space (almost first-class like in terms of seat configuration and privacy) in a business-class cabin, American's 777-300ER cannot be beat, especially the mini cabin. Business class is in the same configuration (1-2-1) as the aircraft's first-class cabin, although the seats are not as luxurious or spacious and there's no turn-down service.
You can see a good review with photos here:
American Airlines Business Class New York-London – Review
For ground services, lounge, and food, I'd probably say Virgin Atlantic would be the airline for you, from the Virgin transfer to the airport, to the Upper Class Wing at LHR, to the Clubhouse (unquestionably a lounge I'd come early to spend more time in). It's also a "fun" airline to fly on.
You can see a review (this one by me) here:
Virgin Atlantic Airways Upper Class Flight 9 London-New York – Review
I hope this is helpful.
The above reviews appeared in FBT, where I serve as ed.dir.
For personal space (almost first-class like in terms of seat configuration and privacy) in a business-class cabin, American's 777-300ER cannot be beat, especially the mini cabin. Business class is in the same configuration (1-2-1) as the aircraft's first-class cabin, although the seats are not as luxurious or spacious and there's no turn-down service.
You can see a good review with photos here:
American Airlines Business Class New York-London – Review
For ground services, lounge, and food, I'd probably say Virgin Atlantic would be the airline for you, from the Virgin transfer to the airport, to the Upper Class Wing at LHR, to the Clubhouse (unquestionably a lounge I'd come early to spend more time in). It's also a "fun" airline to fly on.
You can see a review (this one by me) here:
Virgin Atlantic Airways Upper Class Flight 9 London-New York – Review
I hope this is helpful.
The above reviews appeared in FBT, where I serve as ed.dir.
Aug 4, 2015, 11:46 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Benicia, California, USA
Programs: AA PLT,AS,UA PP,J6,FB,EY,LH,SQ,HH Dmd,Hyatt Glbl,Marriott Plat,IHG Plat,Accor Gold
Posts: 10,820
I'd say it all depends what you are looking to get out of the experience.
For personal space (almost first-class like in terms of seat configuration and privacy) in a business-class cabin, American's 777-300ER cannot be beat, especially the mini cabin. Business class is in the same configuration (1-2-1) as the aircraft's first-class cabin, although the seats are not as luxurious or spacious and there's no turn-down service.
You can see a good review with photos here:
American Airlines Business Class New York-London – Review
For ground services, lounge, and food, I'd probably say Virgin Atlantic would be the airline for you, from the Virgin transfer to the airport, to the Upper Class Wing at LHR, to the Clubhouse (unquestionably a lounge I'd come early to spend more time in). It's also a "fun" airline to fly on.
You can see a review (this one by me) here:
Virgin Atlantic Airways Upper Class Flight 9 London-New York – Review
I hope this is helpful.
The above reviews appeared in FBT, where I serve as ed.dir.
For personal space (almost first-class like in terms of seat configuration and privacy) in a business-class cabin, American's 777-300ER cannot be beat, especially the mini cabin. Business class is in the same configuration (1-2-1) as the aircraft's first-class cabin, although the seats are not as luxurious or spacious and there's no turn-down service.
You can see a good review with photos here:
American Airlines Business Class New York-London – Review
For ground services, lounge, and food, I'd probably say Virgin Atlantic would be the airline for you, from the Virgin transfer to the airport, to the Upper Class Wing at LHR, to the Clubhouse (unquestionably a lounge I'd come early to spend more time in). It's also a "fun" airline to fly on.
You can see a review (this one by me) here:
Virgin Atlantic Airways Upper Class Flight 9 London-New York – Review
I hope this is helpful.
The above reviews appeared in FBT, where I serve as ed.dir.
I can't speak much to the trade-off between American and Virgin, however, beyond saying that jspira seems to know what s/he's talking about. All I'll add is that Virgin might well have better flight attendants, given how uneven American's can be. On the other hand, if you want to accrue some frequent flyer miles, American's are much more useful than Virgin's.
Aug 5, 2015, 11:30 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,090
VS for business. BA if you could get into First Class (which also offers the Concorde Room for departure). UA would be last, though if connecting or returning from LHR, the UA lounge in LHR 2 is surprisingly nice.
Aug 5, 2015, 11:34 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: New York and Vienna
Programs: PA WorldPass Platinum, AA, DL, LH. GHA Black, SPG and HHonors Gold
Posts: 3,870
I'd say it all depends what you are looking to get out of the experience.
For personal space (almost first-class like in terms of seat configuration and privacy) in a business-class cabin, American's 777-300ER cannot be beat, especially the mini cabin. Business class is in the same configuration (1-2-1) as the aircraft's first-class cabin, although the seats are not as luxurious or spacious and there's no turn-down service.
You can see a good review with photos here:
American Airlines Business Class New York-London – Review
For ground services, lounge, and food, I'd probably say Virgin Atlantic would be the airline for you, from the Virgin transfer to the airport, to the Upper Class Wing at LHR, to the Clubhouse (unquestionably a lounge I'd come early to spend more time in). It's also a "fun" airline to fly on.
You can see a review (this one by me) here:
Virgin Atlantic Airways Upper Class Flight 9 London-New York – Review
I hope this is helpful.
The above reviews appeared in FBT, where I serve as ed.dir.
For personal space (almost first-class like in terms of seat configuration and privacy) in a business-class cabin, American's 777-300ER cannot be beat, especially the mini cabin. Business class is in the same configuration (1-2-1) as the aircraft's first-class cabin, although the seats are not as luxurious or spacious and there's no turn-down service.
You can see a good review with photos here:
American Airlines Business Class New York-London – Review
For ground services, lounge, and food, I'd probably say Virgin Atlantic would be the airline for you, from the Virgin transfer to the airport, to the Upper Class Wing at LHR, to the Clubhouse (unquestionably a lounge I'd come early to spend more time in). It's also a "fun" airline to fly on.
You can see a review (this one by me) here:
Virgin Atlantic Airways Upper Class Flight 9 London-New York – Review
I hope this is helpful.
The above reviews appeared in FBT, where I serve as ed.dir.
This strikes me as an excellent analysis. I haven't flown Delta or Virgin, so can't speak from experience regarding their trans-Atlantic business products. But American is far superior to United or British Air in terms of the spaciousness, privacy and all-aisle access of its business class seats for LAX-LHR. And from what I can tell, it has the best seats of any carrier going across the ocean from the West Coast to LHR.
I can't speak much to the trade-off between American and Virgin, however, beyond saying that jspira seems to know what s/he's talking about. All I'll add is that Virgin might well have better flight attendants, given how uneven American's can be. On the other hand, if you want to accrue some frequent flyer miles, American's are much more useful than Virgin's.
I can't speak much to the trade-off between American and Virgin, however, beyond saying that jspira seems to know what s/he's talking about. All I'll add is that Virgin might well have better flight attendants, given how uneven American's can be. On the other hand, if you want to accrue some frequent flyer miles, American's are much more useful than Virgin's.
Aug 5, 2015, 12:57 pm
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Mexico
Posts: 2
Thank you everyone for the replies. That's what I love about this forum, helpful comments are only a post away 
My principal frequent flyer account is SkyTeam's Aeromexico so Delta would be a winner if considering miles, but I want to take this opportunity to try other airlines/alliances and not blindly bind myself to a SkyTeam member.
Quick follow-up question: Why is it that no one chose UA's Dreamliner? I've never flown in one, but it was at first my top pick since it seems to be the newest aircraft of the list.
After reading all your comments, I'm now pretty sold on VS...
My principal frequent flyer account is SkyTeam's Aeromexico so Delta would be a winner if considering miles, but I want to take this opportunity to try other airlines/alliances and not blindly bind myself to a SkyTeam member.
Quick follow-up question: Why is it that no one chose UA's Dreamliner? I've never flown in one, but it was at first my top pick since it seems to be the newest aircraft of the list.
After reading all your comments, I'm now pretty sold on VS...