Thank you everybody for your thoughts. Deep down I realise you are probably right. Best to take a direct 747 rather than an indirect 777. Even if it is not refurbished. The indirect flight would have added four or more hours to the journey.
A question re seat selection. One reason I haven't flown with BA in recent years is the inability to choose your seats when booking. I assume I cannot book my seats until 24 hours before the flight? And I guess there is no way around this? Short of paying, of course, which I am not inclined to do. Are the sets of two seats at the back of the plane standard seats, or are they chargeable?
One more question if someone can help. Are there any downsides to booking these flights through a codeshare partner (ie Iberia, or Finnair)?
Again, thank you for all your help with this.