In (partial) defense of CW
#32
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
I like the CW seating and would add the following benefits to your list:
1) The folding & sliding tray table so you can exit the seat with it out
2) The footrest (I think this is personal preference but I like the Z-seating
3) With another person, facing each other during the flight for conversation
4) on the 747 UD (for now) the passenger:crew ratio and overall calm/quiet of the cabin can't be beat
My wife likes the privacy of the windows but that was already addressed
I don't like paying for J and being asked for money to choose seats. Especially since OW Sapphire is not typical for me, and in the past I haven't even been OW Ruby. Seat assignment fees are obnoxious in the premium cabin.
I get that some couples or families can find benefit in the inside pair, but it would be nice if those were only every other row, so that business/solo travelers don't have to pay extra to be sure and avoid them. My opinion (not that Cruz asked!) it would go like this
2-4-2 (current)
2-3-2 (Dreamliner seat config)
2-4-2
2-3-2
etc.etc.
But obviously cutting so many seats wouldn't happen, especially as long as they are filling up.
1) The folding & sliding tray table so you can exit the seat with it out
2) The footrest (I think this is personal preference but I like the Z-seating
3) With another person, facing each other during the flight for conversation
4) on the 747 UD (for now) the passenger:crew ratio and overall calm/quiet of the cabin can't be beat
My wife likes the privacy of the windows but that was already addressed
I don't like paying for J and being asked for money to choose seats. Especially since OW Sapphire is not typical for me, and in the past I haven't even been OW Ruby. Seat assignment fees are obnoxious in the premium cabin.
I get that some couples or families can find benefit in the inside pair, but it would be nice if those were only every other row, so that business/solo travelers don't have to pay extra to be sure and avoid them. My opinion (not that Cruz asked!) it would go like this
2-4-2 (current)
2-3-2 (Dreamliner seat config)
2-4-2
2-3-2
etc.etc.
But obviously cutting so many seats wouldn't happen, especially as long as they are filling up.
#33
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 85
Yes, yes, we get it. The A and K seats are amazing, especially on the upper deck. Well done! 1 in 4 seats.
Now try being a Gold, paying full fare for a last minute ticket (i.e. the most profitable ticket that BA could possibly sell), and finding an A or K seat on the Friday night flight back from JFK, Sunday night from LHR to JNB/DXB, etc
Basically, it's lovely if you can book early and nab one of the good seats, and I don't mind it for leisure travel where I can book it well in advance
But for last minute business, I can't guarantee a good night's sleep if I'm stuck next to a snoring stranger in an E or F (why isn't there a divider like on Every Other Airline), or if people are padding up and down next to an aisle seat, but maybe you lot don't mind that?
Now try being a Gold, paying full fare for a last minute ticket (i.e. the most profitable ticket that BA could possibly sell), and finding an A or K seat on the Friday night flight back from JFK, Sunday night from LHR to JNB/DXB, etc
Basically, it's lovely if you can book early and nab one of the good seats, and I don't mind it for leisure travel where I can book it well in advance
But for last minute business, I can't guarantee a good night's sleep if I'm stuck next to a snoring stranger in an E or F (why isn't there a divider like on Every Other Airline), or if people are padding up and down next to an aisle seat, but maybe you lot don't mind that?
#34
Join Date: Nov 2011
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,222
I like the CW seating and would add the following benefits to your list:
1) The folding & sliding tray table so you can exit the seat with it out
2) The footrest (I think this is personal preference but I like the Z-seating
3) With another person, facing each other during the flight for conversation
4) on the 747 UD (for now) the passenger:crew ratio and overall calm/quiet of the cabin can't be beat
My wife likes the privacy of the windows but that was already addressed
I don't like paying for J and being asked for money to choose seats. Especially since OW Sapphire is not typical for me, and in the past I haven't even been OW Ruby. Seat assignment fees are obnoxious in the premium cabin.
I get that some couples or families can find benefit in the inside pair, but it would be nice if those were only every other row, so that business/solo travelers don't have to pay extra to be sure and avoid them. My opinion (not that Cruz asked!) it would go like this
2-4-2 (current)
2-3-2 (Dreamliner seat config)
2-4-2
2-3-2
etc.etc.
But obviously cutting so many seats wouldn't happen, especially as long as they are filling up.
1) The folding & sliding tray table so you can exit the seat with it out
2) The footrest (I think this is personal preference but I like the Z-seating
3) With another person, facing each other during the flight for conversation
4) on the 747 UD (for now) the passenger:crew ratio and overall calm/quiet of the cabin can't be beat
My wife likes the privacy of the windows but that was already addressed
I don't like paying for J and being asked for money to choose seats. Especially since OW Sapphire is not typical for me, and in the past I haven't even been OW Ruby. Seat assignment fees are obnoxious in the premium cabin.
I get that some couples or families can find benefit in the inside pair, but it would be nice if those were only every other row, so that business/solo travelers don't have to pay extra to be sure and avoid them. My opinion (not that Cruz asked!) it would go like this
2-4-2 (current)
2-3-2 (Dreamliner seat config)
2-4-2
2-3-2
etc.etc.
But obviously cutting so many seats wouldn't happen, especially as long as they are filling up.
#35
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 9,916
I tend to switch when i find something better - for example, BR usually is much cheaper than CX from the US to Asia, essentially the same seat product and better inflight food and drinks.
#37
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold (and other non-status plastic)
Posts: 1,889
With herringbone-type seats, it pretty much doesn't matter when you book or which seat you get, they are all very similar, all private, don't need to step over/be stepped over and you will get a similar, consistently good sleeping experience. That's true of CX, VS, SQ, the new AA seats to JFK. Don't matter if you book first or last, the seats are equally good, and nobody is disappointed
With BA, there are a handful of fantastic seats which are "better than first class" (64A/K), some very good seats (windows), and many, many very bad seats (aisle or middle seats as a solo passenger on overnight flights) on every flight. It would be fine if these were always strictly allocated according to fare paid or status of passenger, but they're not...
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
- I have found that the BA crews tend to be reliably more welcoming with a greater freedom to express their personalities and employ 'outside of the box' thinking to improve the customer experience (although I do understand the poor treatment and working conditions suffered by the QR staff so this is not to be unexpected).
not this old chestnut resurrected !!!
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
but then you spoil it. Bad seats are bad seats: seems you're suggesting they stop being bad seats if they are given to ex-EUs or Bronzers
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LON, ACK, BOS..... (Not necessarily in that order)
Programs: **Mucci Diamond Hairbrush** - compared to that nothing else matters (+BA Bronze)
Posts: 15,132
With herringbone-type seats, it pretty much doesn't matter when you book or which seat you get, they are all very similar, all private, don't need to step over/be stepped over and you will get a similar, consistently good sleeping experience. That's true of CX, VS, SQ, the new AA seats to JFK. Don't matter if you book first or last, the seats are equally good, and nobody is disappointed
Last edited by Jimmie76; Mar 31, 2017 at 3:49 pm
#41
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 582
I love the privacy of the window seat on long haul flights where I can watch soppy movies and shed a tear without anyone noticing. Loved the 'Danish girl' on our last long haul. Would not be happy sitting in an aisle seat but got an agreement with hubby whereby he gets the window seat on all our short hauls. Looking forward to watching 'Lalaland' in April, hope it is good dance moves and not a tear jerker!
#43
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 127
#44
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ
Programs: BA Gold/Marriott Gold/HH Diamond/IC Plat Amba
Posts: 5,992
My problem with CW is the lack of accessible storage. But as a Gold since FLY was introduced I've had the aisle seat next to me unoccupied on 3 of my last 4 CW which means I've been able to throw all the blankets pillows newspapers etc on that seat and it has made a big difference in the whole flight experience. Until FLY I had never had an unoccupied seat next to me in CW as on my route they usually totally ram the CW cabin with op-upgrades from WTP
#45
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: West Coast USA
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 559