Well, for my $.02, and having flown long haul in F on both BA (JNB-LHR) and CX (LHR-HKG) within the last 72 hours,....

I think that we should separate ground from in-air service. For in-air, I find them about equal. Yes, CX seats are a bit wider, but BA does have that nice pad for covering the seats. CX does have the Krug/caviar/salmon, but also sometimes difficulty understanding cabin crew. Honestly, I've never had a disappointment from either in F.

On the ground, however, CX has it all over BA. CX seems to be extremely attentive to detail, right from first contact at the airport. BA R zone check-in seems to be mostly an advantage due to shorter or non-existent lines. Staff doesn't really seem that different to me. CX's treatment on the ground, however, really leaves me feeling that I matter to them. Nothing is too much trouble, and no one has ever quoted a rule to me as a reason why something couldn't be done as I requested. And, on CX, "Priority Baggage" means exactly that. Literally the first ones to appear on the belt.

Of course, for LHR lounges, BA has it all over CX. All in all, when I do LHR-HKG again in a few months, I'll probably opt for BA. There have been sufficient posts about spotty in-flight service on CX 747s ex-LHR (although I, myself, have never experienced that). Also, I don't care for the Airbus series. The 747 F cabin has that small room feel to it because no one ever walks through to get to the front galley/lavatory/cockpit area. Much quieter, in my opinion.

Note that Seat Guru identifies row 1 on BA 747 as a problem due to the closet in the middle. I've never seen anyone access it once the lights went out. I was in row 1 JNB-LHR and slept fine wtihout any disturbance. Likewise, Seat Guru identifies right hand row 1 seat on CX Airbus as a problem due to its being right behind lavatory. Again, I just had this particular seat (LHR-HKG) and heard nothing, slept great.

No matter how one slices it, these are two really good carriers....