My wife and I are travelling for leisure east coast US to Europe and return. Already have the outbound booked and it includes a 77W. My question relates only to the return flight. Is it worth the 1 extra connection and 4-1/2 more travel hours to fly (again) on the 77W? Specifically, I have two alternative routes for our one way CDG:BWI return flight. No. 2 below has the 77W. Class of service on all segments is business except as noted.

1. CDG-LHR-BWI

AA 6555 (operated by BA) Dpt CDG 1:55pm, Arr. LHR 2:15pm on A320.
AA 6174 (operated by BA) Dpt LHR 4:35pm, Arr. BWI 7:55pm on 767 (767-300 V3 Worldwide (763) per seatguru)
Total travel time: 12 hours. 1 connection

2. CDG-LHR-JFK-BWI

AA 6557 (operated by BA) Dpt CDG 7:30am, Arrive LHR 7:40am on A319
AA 101 Dpt LHR 10:30am, Arr. JFK 1:15pm on 77W
AA3044 Dpt JFK 4:30pm, arr. BWI 5:50pm on ER4 (coach)
Total travel time: 16-1/2 hours. 2 connections.

Obviously, I prefer the fewer connections and less travel time on No. 1 (not to mention the ungodly hour we'd have to wake up to arrive at the CDG airport for the 7:30am flght in No. 2). But I've read so many people rave about the 77W as the only way to travel AA business class, otherwise BA business class. Price for both alternatives is the same so a non-factor.

So, is the 77W experience worth the extra connection and travel time?