OK - I just got back today in fact from working in Singapore. - I flew the
QF10 from LHR - SIN in the new skybed
QF387 from SIN-LHR on a BA operated flight

Main differences IMHO
QF plane very clean and bright with new refit / BA Looking old with old overhead storage and J seats looking a little tired now
QF Toilets are very clean and modern even in WHY / BA looking like a 2 star motel to be honest - very noticeable

Beds... ok so here is my big issue here. The QF beds are very comfortable and wider, yes i would prefer the lie flat design on the Skybeds but using BA''s lie flat is a bit of a joke. unless you lie flat on your back to sleep, positioning yourself is an artform in itself, that''s without taking into consideration that whatever position including lying flat back, your feet always touch the end even at 5ft 11". The seat is lumpy, hard with lots of little dips and grooves to make it annoying. The lumber feels like someones hit you over the back with an iron bar which I presume is what's behind the foam cusioning, I lowered this completely in the end as I couldn't see any benefit in it at all.

To be honest, I was really dissapointed, I had never done the Lie flat seats in BA and was really looking forward to testing them out, I found so many obvious flaws with the design that I was really dumfounded how the finer points had not been ironed out when on the drawing board let alone when beta testing them. The privacy screens are great and I dont really have a problem with the front back seating arrangement as QF all in a row looks a bit unnatural as well, but the BA storage is pretty crap, the remote is positioned in such a way that if you are lying back your arm inadvertently changes channels, this happened to me on so many occasions I was a pro on the controls just using my funny bone.

I dont see the point of the footrest, why not just extend the seat like so many other airlines J class does? it seems to add an extra cumbersome(ness) to the whole episode of getting comfortable. The trays are crap in BA. Slide these little beauts too far away from you and it falls out of the groove on the other side and lurches downward, not the best when you got a full English piping on ya privates.

The little drinks trays are great as a consolation. I will in future reluctantly fly QF next time. The ooze a bit more quality, the finishing touches, the cabin appearance, the modernity blah blah blah. I really didnt wanna say that. I am a Brit and I love BA even on European Y class (long haul a different matter) and really think they are misrpresenting their fully flat ideology. If only it did what it demonstrates on the adverts (sleeping on a big double with a backdrop of NYC and then sun comes up with the bed in Piccadilly Circus London all revived) then I would fly them every time. But it doesn't do what it says on the tin, I felt just as achey as I would do in WHY on any long haul flight with any airline in economy, but I just managed a few more hours kip. With QF I felt ten times better. You still gotta down those pills to really go out like a light for a good few hours and I think for the premium BA are charging (well I think this applies to most airlines to be honest) I want something much more rounded and consistent and this is where QF are better IMO - the FA's can be bad and good on any airline and as long as they aint rude to me and I don't feel hassled then I am dandy.

I am not as seasoned or as well versed as some of you guys and girls and my opinions don't mean to sound forceful but unless I am seriously missing something I cannot see the benefit of the BA lie flat if lying flat is so bloody awkward and uncomfortable unless you are in a coffin state for 14 hours!