Originally Posted by
ptklob
I'm heading to AUH via LHR from ORD, I'll be in 1st using miles. Currently im on AA to LHR and then BA to AUH and the same coming back, I may be able to get BA the whole route vs AA, does anyone have any thoughts on if that experience would be much better?
I know most FTers will rant and moan about AA while raving and exclaiming about BA, but my experience has been more mixed. BA has sleep pads and PJs, and overall better food, but the old (haven't flown new yet) BA F is not near as nice as the old AA F (Flagship Suites) which are more spacious and swivel to provide more flexibility. While the BA F lounges are overall nicer than the AA Flagship Lounges, the food is nowhere near as good as people say. I suspect people let their expectations color their judgement.
So, BA F or AA F? Why not fly one outbound and the other return and see for yourself? Then you'll get to try both for yourself.
Originally Posted by
hillrider
While I don't personally hate LHR with a passion, I find the fact that you have to go through a (badly run and always understaffed) "security" screening on connecting flights a complete hassle and one where your oneworld status is not recognized, and the additional "conformance" check and associated lines an absolute head scratcher customer dissatisfying bureaucratic hurdle. Don't get me started if you're arriving and departing from T5B: they train you to T5A so you can line up twice for "conformance" and "security" and then train you back to T5B. And if it snows 5cm, then all hell breaks loose.
Personally, I think LHR as a shopping mall rather than a connecting hub. As a mall, it's very pleasant indeed, but as a tool for facilitating travel, not very. Would rather connect through AMS or ZRH every day, or any of the US hubs.
What're T5A and T5B? I've done the dreaded T3-T5 and T5=T3 shuffle, which are both very annoying, but I thought that when connecting within T5 it would be fast and easy. I happen to have an upcoming trip with only about an hour for this, which is legal.