OMG, I have to fly economy! (YVR-LHR, BA nonstop or AA)
Jan 6, 2023, 6:29 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: YVR
Programs: AA
Posts: 878
OMG, I have to fly economy! (YVR-LHR, BA nonstop or AA)
I' not happy to fly long haul economy but it is what it is and it's not the end of the world. I'm AA PLT and wondering if it makes much difference if I fly on AA or BA metal.
I'm leaning towards AA since I will be able to select preferred seating and will have a chance to upgrade on my domestic leg. BA has the better schedule but I'm not fussed about that. I can fly on either a 787 or 777.
Is there any reason to go with BA over AA in my case?
I'm leaning towards AA since I will be able to select preferred seating and will have a chance to upgrade on my domestic leg. BA has the better schedule but I'm not fussed about that. I can fly on either a 787 or 777.
Is there any reason to go with BA over AA in my case?
Jan 6, 2023, 6:36 pm
#2
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: DEN
Programs: AA EXP, AA Million Miles, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,586
Thousands of people fly long-haul economy every day, you'll be fine.
You don't tell us the route, so you are leaving some key details out. (For instance there are some differences if you are flying US-->LHR or LHR---> US, primarily around the available lounges as well as the delay/cancellation protections under UK law)
But AA will be more comfortable than BA...because you have access to MCE, which BA does not have.
You don't tell us the route, so you are leaving some key details out. (For instance there are some differences if you are flying US-->LHR or LHR---> US, primarily around the available lounges as well as the delay/cancellation protections under UK law)
But AA will be more comfortable than BA...because you have access to MCE, which BA does not have.
Jan 6, 2023, 6:42 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: YVR
Programs: AA
Posts: 878
Thousands of people fly long-haul economy every day, you'll be fine.
You don't tell us the route, so you are leaving some key details out. (For instance there are some differences if you are fly US-->LHR or LHR---> US, primarily around the available lounges as well as the delay/cancellation protections under UK law)
But AA will be more comfortable than BA...because you have access to MCE, which BA does not have.
You don't tell us the route, so you are leaving some key details out. (For instance there are some differences if you are fly US-->LHR or LHR---> US, primarily around the available lounges as well as the delay/cancellation protections under UK law)
But AA will be more comfortable than BA...because you have access to MCE, which BA does not have.
I'm flying YVR>LHR>YVR. Can go direct on BA or through SEA, LAX, or DFW on AA (AS to SEA) or also on BA.
Jan 6, 2023, 6:52 pm
#4
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: BOS
Programs: AA PP, DL PM
Posts: 2,086
On that route, I would suggest taking the direct flight on BA. You'll save a lot of time and hassle not having to have a connection and go through US customs.
Your oneworld Sapphire status will get you lounge access and free seat selection on BA. It's worth checking whether any good seats are available on the flight you want. It's not a published benefit, but BA has also been known to block the seat next to oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members, see the Theoretical Seating thread on the BA forum.
Your oneworld Sapphire status will get you lounge access and free seat selection on BA. It's worth checking whether any good seats are available on the flight you want. It's not a published benefit, but BA has also been known to block the seat next to oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members, see the Theoretical Seating thread on the BA forum.
Jan 6, 2023, 6:55 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: Top Tier with all 3 alliances
Posts: 11,683
Or, if you can get the two seaters on row 20 on the AA 77W, it will be almost like flying PE and may be worth the trek to SEA, but perhaps not to LAX or DFW.
Jan 6, 2023, 7:06 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,616
I think that it depends on how tall the OP is. Standard seat pitch on AA and BA long-haul Economy is 31 or 32 inches. Seat pitch on AA long-haul MCE is 35 or 36 inches I would gladly connect and go through U.S. Customs for that extra room.
Jan 6, 2023, 7:12 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: YVR
Programs: AA
Posts: 878
Not worried about customs as I have GE. I'm also a towering 5'7 on my best of days.
Jan 6, 2023, 7:54 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,239
Yeah, both DFW and LAX are *way* out of the way - both add about +35% to the distance flown. (In fact, YVR is actually slightly closer to LHR than DFW is)
I would have maybe suggested ORD as an alternative (still >20% longer) to get on AA metal with MCE, but seems like AA doesn't even fly YVR-ORD.
Just take the nonstop, and maybe there's a reasonable upgrade offer to Premium Economy.
I would have maybe suggested ORD as an alternative (still >20% longer) to get on AA metal with MCE, but seems like AA doesn't even fly YVR-ORD.
Just take the nonstop, and maybe there's a reasonable upgrade offer to Premium Economy.
Jan 6, 2023, 8:25 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: YVR
Programs: AA
Posts: 878
Yeah, both DFW and LAX are *way* out of the way - both add about +35% to the distance flown. (In fact, YVR is actually slightly closer to LHR than DFW is)
I would have maybe suggested ORD as an alternative (still >20% longer) to get on AA metal with MCE, but seems like AA doesn't even fly YVR-ORD.
Just take the nonstop, and maybe there's a reasonable upgrade offer to Premium Economy.
I would have maybe suggested ORD as an alternative (still >20% longer) to get on AA metal with MCE, but seems like AA doesn't even fly YVR-ORD.
Just take the nonstop, and maybe there's a reasonable upgrade offer to Premium Economy.
Jan 6, 2023, 8:51 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Washington, D.C.
Programs: AA, but I play the field
Posts: 1,440
Jan 7, 2023, 1:10 am
#15
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: In the air
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy LT Plat, Hilton Gold, GHA Tit, BA Gold, Turkish Elite
Posts: 8,723
I’d do AA for the MCE seat and a chance to stretch. Under no circumstances should you ever fly Economy on a BA787 unless you have a less than 26 inch waist to go alongside your statuesque 5’7’’ height.