First post in this BA forum -

I am looking at LHR-SFO JFK-LHR in August and fares in Club World or Upper Class are almost identical. I have been reading left and right about the pros and cons of both options, but would very much appreciate some expert opinions or a direction to a thread that would already outline this.

Is there a consensus that the BA product and service is superior to VA UC (I've never flown VA in any class)? I read some comments on mediocre service on VA and lack of comfort of the seat (either sit upright or lie-flat, nothing much in between, cumbersome conversion to lie-flat) as well as disappointing in-flight dining. Would you agree? Aside from the flight numbers specified on the BA site, am I pretty much guaranteed New Club World or does replacement with other aircraft occur frequently?

Some additional thoughts: Is the bar area in VA UC a plus? How does T5 Galleries for Club World compare with the T3 Clubhouse (which generally is deemed exceptional)? What about the comparison between lounges at SFO/JFK?

Would your recommendation change significantly based on the price difference? I am trying to convince my family to make a detour from the continent via LHR (where I am at the moment) on our way to NBO/DAR next year to board either BA CW or VA UC instead of (in my opinion) outrageously priced AF/KLM directly. To NBO (VA does not fly DAR) VA UC seems quite a bit better priced and at a handful of tickets, this starts to make a difference, so I am leaning to VA UC for this trip.

Many thanks in advance for your support.