Best economy flight to New York?
 

Hi there, I'm new to this forum and just had a quick question...thought somebody on here might be able to help.

So i'm wanting to travel to New York next month to visit one of my friend who's living there for a year. Unfortunately I can only afford to travel in economy. I believe I have the choice of the 747, 777, or 787? I know that the 787 is the newest, but have also heard it's a bit disappointing in economy? BA also only fly the 787 to Newark, not JFK, and my friend said that JFK is miles better to use.

There isn't any difference in price between the 3 aircraft types, so I was just wondering what you guys thought my best option would be?
Thanks in advance.

I would avoid the 787 in economy, very tight seating.
777 will likely have newer seats and IFE.
747 older seats and IFE.

Welcome calumc
 

I'm afraid I can't really help with the question as posed from personal experience (though there are a lot of past postings that suggest the 777 is the best way to do World Traveller). However I can certainly welcome you to Flyertalk and the BA forum calumc. I hope you find this board both interesting and helpful, please continue to participate here. Welcome on board.

If I had to fly economy on this route, I would choose American Airlines.

Nice new 77W. Main Cabin Extra (free for BA Golds) then gets you extra legroom (36" pitch) and extra width (3-3-3 vs 3-4-3 normally).

777 is the one to go for

What is Main Cabin Extra? Is it like World Traveller Plus?

It is not a separate cabin but part of economy. Extra legroom seats, service is the same.

I had a go on the BA 788 in economy a few weeks ago to YYZ (Same as EWR basically). Having never flown long haul before, I loved it and had no problems apart from the food. (I'm 6,3ish and young)

The fact is I can't compare it to the 777 or the 747 because I've never been on one. I had read the horrible reviews on the forums and was dreading the flight but I came of the flight being pleasantly surprised. Take from that what you will.

Can't comment on JFK or EWR, never been to either but flying to JFK next week and out of EWR a few weeks later so I'll know then.

Do only BAEC Gold members get to select seats there for free?

I normally travel in economy on this route, and have used both AA and BA.
My own personal experience would be 777, failing that 747 both on BA, AA would be my 'poor cousin' choice....but it isn't a very poor cousin.
I have yet to try the 787 ( but I never fly into EWR ).

YMMV

In my opinion your choice should be based on what is the best option for your departure from LHR (taking into account your journey there) or your arrival into JFK (again talking into accoount how long your onward journey) rather than what plane you may be on - afterall BA can switch planes at the drop of a hat.

Best economy flight to New York?
 

I've had a very good flight in Y to NY on the 787.

Plane was almost completely empty which clearly contributed to the flight being good.

If JFK is "much better" as your friend says, I'd discount EWR and thus 787 (assuming he's basing his view on distance / time to get to his place - I wouldn't base it on his perceived arrival experience at an airport). One of the upsides of the 787 can be that it is very fast thus meaning a shorter flight in a Y seat.

It's free for oneworld emeralds and sapphires.

777 definitely - the WT isn't actually that bad. Airports are equidistant generally; neither is amazingly convenient (depends on where you're headed) and passport queues can vary from empty to ludicrous.

My criteria if I have to fly Economy is "which flight gives me best chance of empty seat next to me?" I can live with legroom, but am a little on the broad side. In that respect, I'd be looking for a 747, pref Low J (= more Y seats), and would choose an aisle seat towards the back in the middle block of 4. Food and entertainment (unless you can guarantee new AVOD with 773 or 787) shouldn't vary too much. Another line I take is to look which flights show Avios avavilabilty on WT+ as those are more likely to generate cost-effective POUG offers to W.