I always try to avoid BA because: 1) the seats are uncomfortable and the food is lousy (just opinions, of course); 2) the tax on J and F flights out of the UK; the fuel surcharge added on BA segments, in addition to the price of the ticket itself. I always favor AY, LA, IB, CX, RJ for long-haul business class. When I have to choose between BA and AA, I take AA because of the fuel surcharge, the food, and the crazy lay out of seats backwards and forwards on BA. Nonetheless, AA seats are less comfortable for sleeping and BA has better wines. For short-haul it really doesn't make too much difference, but I find BA more cramped than the others.