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BA 747-400 or AA 777-300ER / 77W (Business Class)

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BA 747-400 or AA 777-300ER / 77W (Business Class)

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Old Sep 3, 2018, 11:19 am
  #1  
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BA 747-400 or AA 777-300ER / 77W (Business Class)

I'm not a very frequent flyer, and don't have any sense of the differences among the aircraft. I'm hoping someone can advise which of those two aircraft is better in business class. Many thanks.
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Old Sep 3, 2018, 11:26 am
  #2  
 
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If you’re comparing options to LHR on AA and BA (stab in the dark here), 747-400 will be on BA and their business hard product is consistently ranked poorly especially when compared to AA’s well-regarded hard product on the 777-300. 1-2-1 arrangement on AA with all-aisle access.
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Old Sep 3, 2018, 11:29 am
  #3  
 
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Originally Posted by pease
I'm not a very frequent flyer, and don't have any sense of the differences among the aircraft. I'm hoping someone can advise which of those two aircraft is better in business class. Many thanks.
American airlines don't have any 747s so I suspect what you are seeing is a code-share with British Airways on the 747 (could you clarify?). If you are seeing the 777-300ER then this is likely American's own aircraft.

Assuming you are comparing BA 747 to AA 777-300ER, the business class is much better on AA 777. On the 777 seats are configured 1-2-1, each seat having direct aisle access.
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Old Sep 3, 2018, 11:33 am
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This AA 747?
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Old Sep 3, 2018, 11:37 am
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Originally Posted by skunker

This AA 747?
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Old Sep 3, 2018, 11:48 am
  #6  
 
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How did that thing get onto the AA aircraft? Certainly the gate agent wasn't doing his/her job of enforcing the baggage sizer at the door to the jetbridge!
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Old Sep 3, 2018, 11:49 am
  #7  
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BA’s 744’s are antiquated relics—total buckets of bolts. The AA 77W is far superior as is it’s business class cabin. Club World is horrible and the food inedible.
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Old Sep 3, 2018, 1:23 pm
  #8  
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There are nuances to both products and with the 747 option, this largely depends on which type is plied on the route you're looking at. BA's 747s are split equally into two configurations: 86J and 52J. The 86Js are recently refurbished with mood lighting and the latest generation Panasonic eX3 inflight entertainment systems. The refurbishment program is now touching the 52Js with the first of this type now at Cardiff receiving a much needed refresh.

BA's Club World seat is now 12 years old and while not every seats offers direct aisle access, it's still a very comfortable seat whether in the lounge setting or in bed mode. BA's long hauls catering also received a substantial upgrade last year and the quality of ingredients has improved noticeably. Portions tend to be smaller than AA's offering but the quality is a good notch above AA (IMHO)

If you are able to share with us the route you are looking at, I'd be happy to give you a more tailored response.

Edited to add:
One further point since you say you are not a frequent flyer. BA will charge extra for an advanced seating assignment, which AA doesn't do. However, seat selection is available free of charge from 24 hour ahead of departure or if travelling on a fully flex ticket, at time of booking

Last edited by Prospero; Sep 3, 2018 at 1:32 pm
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Old Sep 3, 2018, 1:39 pm
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The only reason to fly BA in this case (on the 747) is if you're an avgeek that's never flown on the 747 before and want to fly it at least once before they're all retired in the next few years. Otherwise AA 77W J in a landslide.
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Old Sep 3, 2018, 1:39 pm
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The 77W in J is the best business class seat across the entire TATL joint venture (AA, BA, IB).
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Old Sep 3, 2018, 2:04 pm
  #11  
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Originally Posted by beachfan
The 77W in J is the best business class seat across the entire TATL joint venture (AA, BA, IB).
Agreed too.....avoid BA in general is my rule of thumb.
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Old Sep 3, 2018, 2:18 pm
  #12  
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Originally Posted by beachfan
The 77W in J is the best business class seat across the entire TATL joint venture (AA, BA, IB).
it is a great seat but you must admit, the upper deck of a 747 is an unparalleled location
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Old Sep 3, 2018, 2:32 pm
  #13  
 
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BA flies the 77W also.

Let's clarify - the business cabin on AA's 77W is superior, while the business cabin on BA's 77W is less than ideal.
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Old Sep 3, 2018, 3:38 pm
  #14  
 
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Originally Posted by asf-07
BA flies the 77W also.

Let's clarify - the business cabin on AA's 77W is superior, while the business cabin on BA's 77W is less than ideal.
And, to be fair, business class on BA period is less than ideal
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Old Sep 3, 2018, 3:53 pm
  #15  
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Originally Posted by Prospero
it is a great seat but you must admit, the upper deck of a 747 is an unparalleled location
It is decent if you can snag an exit row. Although you are seated backwards, but that really didn't seem to bother me.
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