Originally Posted by
PJSMITH0
There are 14 suites just as on BA in the nose of a VS LGW 747, with the main difference being that there are only five down each side of the cabin with two pairs in the centre (on BA) where the bar is on the VS aircraft. As for seats I agree row five would suit you best and the cabin is generally quieter on BA as I tend to find the VS more has a party/ holiday atmosphere.
I would agree. While I haven't flown on a VS 744 for some years, the layout for those remaining looks like that of their old LGW 744 fleet, with just the nose having Upper. I agree that the BA F cabin affords a significantly quieter cabin, predominantly because of the bar. While I enjoy the bar on VS and other carriers, the set up in the remaining VS 744s isn't great if you're looking forward to some sleep as the noise carries throughout the Upper cabin.
Despite the criticism of the seat in F, compared to the VS Upper suite there is significantly more personal space in F. The personal attention from crew is also far better, and, again despite the criticisms of BA, the food and bev offerings in F are far better than you'd ever hope to receive in VS Upper.
Having said that, at Heathrow, personally I prefer the VS Clubhouse to the CCR. The CCR, while having better booze, is staffed by a third party caterer. While third party lounge catering can work, I find it doesn't work very well in T5 particularly in terms of a service, with largely disinterested and apparently demotivated staff going through the motions.
If you compare that service, to the Clubhouse in T3, or Qatar's lounge in T4, or even Malaysia's in T4 (MH's lounge is outsourced), it's a different story, where staff actually seem to care.