BA or AA to JFK at the moment?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 81
BA or AA to JFK at the moment?
Is there any chance of getting upgraded on AA as BA Gold or will it only happen on BA?
AA economy flights to New York in September are extremely cheaper than BA. Never been on AA, and given the 1st lounge situation at Term 7 at the moment, is it time to choose AA?
Earlier this year I was upgraded to Premium on BA going out and Club coming back.
Thanks, in advance.
AA economy flights to New York in September are extremely cheaper than BA. Never been on AA, and given the 1st lounge situation at Term 7 at the moment, is it time to choose AA?
Earlier this year I was upgraded to Premium on BA going out and Club coming back.
Thanks, in advance.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2014
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Crikey I wouldn't book any Y seat and think I'm in with a chance of upgrade. I'd probably exLHR take AA for the T3 lounges, decent on board product, wifi guarantee rather than slim chance, decent IFE rather than risk aircraft swap and ropey IFE..
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
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Thanks Mike, I never expect upgrades and am happy to go Y as all I'm doing is going for a cheap trip to watch some baseball. I've had a good run of upgrades for some reason (hasn't worked on lottery wins though) but was just wondering if it only occurs on BA and wouldn't on a One World partner.
But if travelling in Y, sounds like AA is OK. I agree on T3 lounges. In there next week for a nice change from T5 all the time.
But if travelling in Y, sounds like AA is OK. I agree on T3 lounges. In there next week for a nice change from T5 all the time.
#4
Join Date: Jan 2011
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AA on their 77W's will be 3-4-3 in economy, which is a lot more squashed than either of the BA configs (777 is 3-3-3 or 747 3-4-3 with a wider fuselage).
#6
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Assuming there's space, won't you still get a free upgrade to MCE on AA? The extra legroom must be the biggest asset over any standard Y seat.
Coming back from the US, you'd also need to balance the loss of EC261 protection.
Coming back from the US, you'd also need to balance the loss of EC261 protection.
#7
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OP says he is BA GCH which means OWE which means free access to the first two rows of main cabin extra which is 2-4-2 and actually far less cramped than BA seating.
#8
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#9
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I may well be mistaken but if I understand it correctly, I think rows 20 and 21 are 2-4-2 like W. There was some question at first at to whether this could be part of W but my understanding is that only rows 18 and 19 are. It is only from row 22 onwards that the seating is indeed 3-4-3.
#10
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#11
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Yes, but as you point out, 772s are not a problem - with them, all MCE seats are actually a lot roomier than on BA with same 9 across but much more generous legroom so I thought your worry was more about the 77W (in which indeed, after row 21, you are stuck in 10 across, so I'd personally check the seat map before booking to make sure rows 20 or 21 are still free!)
#12
Join Date: May 2013
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I don't know anything about seat configurations on various planes, but the BA 747 I recently took LHR - PHL was the most cramped plane I've ever been on for international. In every way. I've been much more comfortable (a relative term in this discussion) doing AA transatlantic. YMMV.
#13
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I don't know anything about seat configurations on various planes, but the BA 747 I recently took LHR - PHL was the most cramped plane I've ever been on for international. In every way. I've been much more comfortable (a relative term in this discussion) doing AA transatlantic. YMMV.
#14
Join Date: Sep 2012
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I’m quite happy to travel AA LHR-JFK-LHR in Y as a Silver.
Free MCE seating (which now includes free spirits) T3 lounges and Flagship lounge at T8.
The downside is no EC261 protection. That isn’t a problem for me as I have plenty of family I could land on if there were IRROPS.
I am doing this journey in September !
Free MCE seating (which now includes free spirits) T3 lounges and Flagship lounge at T8.
The downside is no EC261 protection. That isn’t a problem for me as I have plenty of family I could land on if there were IRROPS.
I am doing this journey in September !
#15
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: London, England
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Posts: 3,772
If the price was the same I'd go AA for sure. If it is actually cheaper to go AA then there should be no discussion in my view.
Regarding pricing, shouldn't it be the same regardless of BA/AA metal (availability notwithstanding)?
Regarding pricing, shouldn't it be the same regardless of BA/AA metal (availability notwithstanding)?