Originally Posted by
Hyperacusis
Incorrect. AA and UA (the two US based airlines that offer international first class cabins) offer full-flat seating in F that handily beats out CW. UA's new F is at least as good as BA NF. AA's F product (soon to be overhauled) is IMO better than BA old F.
As far as American J seats go, BA lags behind some of the newer products, including the new UA J, new US Envoy J suite, new CO BusinessFirst, and the new DL seat. BA's seat is superior only to the older J products of the above airlines (being phased out), and to AA's current J product. Service can vary, but BA doesn't exactly set the standard there either.
In what way does BA lag behind? The seat connections I grant you e.g. the CO seat does offer iPod connections to the IFE screen etc. But other than that the BA seat especially the window seat offers the best privacy options by far, and based on just that I'd continue to fly BA. Of the others the UA seat looks nice but it suffers from being 4 abreast in the same diection in the middle on the 747. Also the lack of an adjustable IFE screen (inability to tilt for watching whilst lying flat). Should your window seat mate wish to visit the galley/lavs etc. they walk in front of your screen when leaving their seat.
The DL/AC seat is the Contour Solar and is actually quite comfortable and allows you to recline to flat (not flip over like VS), but I don't like having my feet sticking out into the aisle.
The reverse herringbone as seen in the US seat is not one I've tried but I always worry about having feet under the seat infront. From a noise/vibration stand point, there is just something that concerns me about having my head so close to where the person behind will be placing their feet.
The designer of the AA seat should be punished in cruel and inhuman ways like the AA J class pax are on flights.