First time in CW - a bit meh!
Oct 24, 2012, 2:30 pm
#61
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Lots, some no/low status some high status, can't be bothered to list them :-)
Posts: 1,951
-1.
Many of us who've been fortunate enough to fly the herringbone layout with VS, and also with AC and NZ, would strongly disagree.
My last flight in CW, for example, in the revered 62A UD no less, was a pantomime born of the cabin layout. Apart from being surrounded by filthy, yellowing and cracked cabin trim, we had this endless down up down up down up down of the screen between me and my neighbour, through which all my food and drink was passed over the poor chap's lap. Far superior in every way ? No way, BA.
Many of us who've been fortunate enough to fly the herringbone layout with VS, and also with AC and NZ, would strongly disagree.
My last flight in CW, for example, in the revered 62A UD no less, was a pantomime born of the cabin layout. Apart from being surrounded by filthy, yellowing and cracked cabin trim, we had this endless down up down up down up down of the screen between me and my neighbour, through which all my food and drink was passed over the poor chap's lap. Far superior in every way ? No way, BA.
I like both VS & BA, they both have pros and cons. For a J product I've not beaten the privacy of 62A/K from the east coast of USA back home to the UK when all I wanted to do was get my head down and not be disturbed.
Oct 24, 2012, 2:31 pm
#62
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: City of Kingston Upon Hull
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 4,940
First time in CW - a bit meh!
If anyone thinks that CW seats are bad, IMHO they are luxury compared with KLM business class seats on a 747 combi . Twelve hours from AMS to NRT on a sloping slippery seat is not my idea of business class. BA or nothing for me now despite what the bosses may wish.
Oct 24, 2012, 2:36 pm
#63
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 3,925
Oct 24, 2012, 2:41 pm
#64
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
CW = bed class for me. If the food is good, that's a bonus, and I would prefer to have good food of course but not essential. Ditto services.
Purely from my own perspective, good, private sleeping area + private working area (window seat is more private than F due to the screen) + being able to get out from the window seat easily enough = BA window seat in CW is good.
Purely from my own perspective, good, private sleeping area + private working area (window seat is more private than F due to the screen) + being able to get out from the window seat easily enough = BA window seat in CW is good.
Oct 24, 2012, 3:20 pm
#65
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, LH Sen, MUCCI, Junior Jet Club.
Posts: 8,101
For me, given the cost, I expect the following;
- comfortable lie flat bed
- decent IFE (but I understand financial and logistical issues that mean BA don't always have the latest and greatest)
- good quality food (equivalent of M&S ready meal)
- good quality alcohol (equivalent of £10 a bottle from supermarket)
- CC who provide good service but also some banter
- working desk and plug at seat so I can work
- lounge with hot food, wifi and plenty of plugs
IME BA usually hits the above.
- comfortable lie flat bed
- decent IFE (but I understand financial and logistical issues that mean BA don't always have the latest and greatest)
- good quality food (equivalent of M&S ready meal)
- good quality alcohol (equivalent of £10 a bottle from supermarket)
- CC who provide good service but also some banter
- working desk and plug at seat so I can work
- lounge with hot food, wifi and plenty of plugs
IME BA usually hits the above.
But I would also add fast track security...I hate having to hang around with needless formalities.
Finally, in my opinion, if you want a lovely special leisure travel experience, fly First.
Oct 24, 2012, 3:23 pm
#66
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That's pretty much what I expect too. Apart from the IFE...I really don't understand why in this day of Macbook Airs, iPads, noise cancelling headphones and iTunes movie rentals that people still persist with airline IFE. Even the much praised StudioCX is nothing compared to an HD movie that you yourself have chosen being played on an MBA and through a pair of Bose.
But I would also add fast track security...I hate having to hang around with needless formalities.
Finally, in my opinion, if you want a lovely special leisure travel experience, fly First.
But I would also add fast track security...I hate having to hang around with needless formalities.
Finally, in my opinion, if you want a lovely special leisure travel experience, fly First.
And I certainly don't own a pair of NC headphones. More junk to cart around - no thanks!
Oct 24, 2012, 3:35 pm
#67
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Marriott Bonvoy
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Englandshire
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Of course. I apologize. I think that "Click-Swish-Clunk several dozen times " would be a more accurate descriptor.
Oct 24, 2012, 3:36 pm
#68
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, LH Sen, MUCCI, Junior Jet Club.
Posts: 8,101
Ha! Well, I pre-load my iThingy because it means I'm guaranteed something that I want to watch, with perfect HD picture quality. For less than £10, it hasn't failed me yet.
And I happen to love my NC15s. Sitting on the upper deck watching a movie, you can't hear any engine noise which I find remarkable. And fantastic for sleeping too.
And I happen to love my NC15s. Sitting on the upper deck watching a movie, you can't hear any engine noise which I find remarkable. And fantastic for sleeping too.
Oct 24, 2012, 3:41 pm
#69
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: UK. BAEC AAdvantage
Programs: Mucci Des Oeufs Brouilles et des Canards
Posts: 3,671
Oct 24, 2012, 3:55 pm
#70
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: UK. BAEC AAdvantage
Programs: Mucci Des Oeufs Brouilles et des Canards
Posts: 3,671
When I get on a plane, I like a wide selection to choose from. The screen clarity on QF and SQ's A380s that I've experienced in Y, forgo the need for me to schlep around a piece of kit that's going to get in the way. And at 10.6 inches its even bigger than the ithingy.
Oct 24, 2012, 3:59 pm
#71
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, LH Sen, MUCCI, Junior Jet Club.
Posts: 8,101
Well, I've flown an SQ 380 in J and I didn't think the screen quality was that brilliant. It was big, of course, but not HD.
But I lug around a 13" Macbook Air because, well, normally I'm travelling business class to...well, get somewhere to conduct business. Therefore I need my laptop. YMMV, as always.
But if you really want free, just download a whole load of stuff from the BBC using iPlayer.
But I lug around a 13" Macbook Air because, well, normally I'm travelling business class to...well, get somewhere to conduct business. Therefore I need my laptop. YMMV, as always.
But if you really want free, just download a whole load of stuff from the BBC using iPlayer.
Oct 24, 2012, 4:31 pm
#72
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Oct 24, 2012, 5:07 pm
#73
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: UK. BAEC AAdvantage
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Posts: 3,671
Well, I've flown an SQ 380 in J and I didn't think the screen quality was that brilliant. It was big, of course, but not HD.
But I lug around a 13" Macbook Air because, well, normally I'm travelling business class to...well, get somewhere to conduct business. Therefore I need my laptop. YMMV, as always.
But if you really want free, just download a whole load of stuff from the BBC using iPlayer.
But I lug around a 13" Macbook Air because, well, normally I'm travelling business class to...well, get somewhere to conduct business. Therefore I need my laptop. YMMV, as always.
But if you really want free, just download a whole load of stuff from the BBC using iPlayer.
I did download a heap of stuff onto my netbook before my last few longhauls (SQ Y, QF J, but not A380 and BA J) from iPlayer, but again didn't find the need to watch it as there was enough to keep me going. If I had a plane with the 16 channel loop system, then I probably would consider bringing it out then. It was so annoying to have to sit and wait for the next 2 hour slot to begin. Still that was better than my first long haul in the 70s where we had head buster earphones and only a couple of movies on the big screen per sector because they expected you to sleep most of the time.
And the BBC isn't free. I pay for it with my annual licence fee.
Oct 24, 2012, 5:10 pm
#74
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Glasgow / London
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Oct 24, 2012, 5:23 pm
#75
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
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What might be just another commute in the air for regular work fliers could be a once a year treat to leisure fliers....hence why Swanhunters comments may seem strange to some on here. I can see where he's coming from though...shame his regular route isn't covered by a sleeper service.
Personally the last thing I want to do is sleep.....I can't anyway. I'll take everything that's going in the food and beverage department as it's a major part of the flying experience for me mainly to interrupt the boredom of long haul flying.