Is British Airways the airline with the worst long haul economy seat?
Dec 3, 2018, 12:24 pm
#31
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 2,379
I had a similar conversation with someone on a BA transatlantic flight who said "who really cares about cattle class, you're crammed into an uncomfortably small space, it's going to be bad no matter which airline you're flying with". I disagreed with him and took the view that since you're in an uncomfortably small space the little things go a long way in economy.
I haven't done a long haul flight in QF economy for quite a while now but the last BA flight I did in economy was fine. I'm a 6'3/105kg rugby player and I didn't feel particularly uncomfortable. Food was average but the food in CW isn't much better frankly.
I haven't done a long haul flight in QF economy for quite a while now but the last BA flight I did in economy was fine. I'm a 6'3/105kg rugby player and I didn't feel particularly uncomfortable. Food was average but the food in CW isn't much better frankly.
Dec 3, 2018, 12:35 pm
#32
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: London
Programs: Qantas Platinum, United Premier 1K, HSBC Premier, AVIS President's Club, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 100
I was referring more to the non-ergonomic aspects - good IFE, clean cabin/bathrooms, access to water throughout the flight, noise cancelling headphones, edible food, good cabin service. I'm never going to be physically comfortable in any Y seat but those basic things can help with general comfort levels.
Dec 3, 2018, 2:05 pm
#33
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: Regarded as total and utter snob amongst the BAEC community.
Posts: 971
I was referring more to the non-ergonomic aspects - good IFE, clean cabin/bathrooms, access to water throughout the flight, noise cancelling headphones, edible food, good cabin service. I'm never going to be physically comfortable in any Y seat but those basic things can help with general comfort levels.
Dec 3, 2018, 2:05 pm
#34
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: LHR
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 484
F & CW are great cabins. People get hung up on the number of seats & the few that have to climb over someone’s feet but the actual seats are super comfy for sitting, lounging & sleeping !
Worst in first & business ...... makes me laugh !!
Dec 3, 2018, 2:50 pm
#36
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: London
Programs: Qantas Platinum, United Premier 1K, HSBC Premier, AVIS President's Club, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 100
Dec 3, 2018, 3:18 pm
#37
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 289
I flew the 787 between LHR and SIN and the A380 to/from SYD. This was Y on BA metal.
I've flown QF SIN-SYD and QF domestic within the last 12 months. All in Y. Much prefer the BA seats.
To echo the experience of our 6'5" rugby player up-thread. I'm 6'3" and the worst thing (which isn't really that bad, I don't feel like the seats are bad at all) about BA seats for me is that when I fall asleep my arms lose circulation because of how they rest against the armrests and I get pins and needles. Plus sitting up and sleeping is impossible. My knees fit fine.
I've flown QF SIN-SYD and QF domestic within the last 12 months. All in Y. Much prefer the BA seats.
To echo the experience of our 6'5" rugby player up-thread. I'm 6'3" and the worst thing (which isn't really that bad, I don't feel like the seats are bad at all) about BA seats for me is that when I fall asleep my arms lose circulation because of how they rest against the armrests and I get pins and needles. Plus sitting up and sleeping is impossible. My knees fit fine.
Last edited by jerub; Dec 3, 2018 at 3:26 pm
Dec 3, 2018, 3:28 pm
#38
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: LHR
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 484
I flew the 787 between LHR and SIN and the A380 to/from SYD. This was Y on BA metal.
I've flown QF SIN-SYD and QF domestic within the last 12 months. All in Y. Much prefer the BA seats.
To echo the experience of our 6'5" rugby player up-thread. I'm 6'3" and the worst thing about BA seats for me is that when I fall asleep my arms lose circulation because of how they rest against the armrests and I get pins and needles. Plus sitting up and sleeping is impossible. My knees fit fine.
I've flown QF SIN-SYD and QF domestic within the last 12 months. All in Y. Much prefer the BA seats.
To echo the experience of our 6'5" rugby player up-thread. I'm 6'3" and the worst thing about BA seats for me is that when I fall asleep my arms lose circulation because of how they rest against the armrests and I get pins and needles. Plus sitting up and sleeping is impossible. My knees fit fine.
Dec 3, 2018, 3:35 pm
#39
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: BAEC Gold, IHG Spire Elite
Posts: 289
Dec 3, 2018, 5:13 pm
#40
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: LHR/ATH
Programs: Amex Platinum, LH SEN (Gold), BA Bronze
Posts: 4,489
I don't mind BA's Y seats, and actually prefer them to AC and KL on the long haul.
NZ Y is far better though, mainly due to the 2 inches extra of pitch which really does make a difference!
NZ Y is far better though, mainly due to the 2 inches extra of pitch which really does make a difference!
Dec 3, 2018, 5:48 pm
#41
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Accor Live Limitless Gold, Hilton Honours Gold, Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 1,806
Recently travelled in Y on BA in both a 747 and a 787. As somebody at 6ft 1in, I found the 747 much more comfortable than the much newer 787.
Compared to recent trips on other OW carriers:
- QR A380 and A350 in Y pretty comfortable - more than BA 747 (but had bulkhead seats both times so this is skewed)
- QR 737 worse than BA 747, better than BA 787
- CX (can’t remember the plane) between NRT and HKG was the most uncomfortable I have ever been on a long haul flight
sorry I realise that this is not the clearest post ever made...
Compared to recent trips on other OW carriers:
- QR A380 and A350 in Y pretty comfortable - more than BA 747 (but had bulkhead seats both times so this is skewed)
- QR 737 worse than BA 747, better than BA 787
- CX (can’t remember the plane) between NRT and HKG was the most uncomfortable I have ever been on a long haul flight
sorry I realise that this is not the clearest post ever made...
Dec 3, 2018, 8:02 pm
#42
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: HKG,LON
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 31
While they are not exactly setting the world alight, but nowhere near the worst at all. The 747 seats are actually quite pleasantly cushioned and the newer 777 and A380 are nice modern seats with decent legroom and width until the 3-4-3 777 comes along.
That said the most comfortable Y seat I have ever been on are the ones on CX 77W but they are reconfiguring them too.
Must have been them fixed shell slides, was on a CX 747 a few years back, 12 hours, unbearable, talk about a bad long haul seat. Glad they reacted quickly and got them off long haul.
That said the most comfortable Y seat I have ever been on are the ones on CX 77W but they are reconfiguring them too.
Must have been them fixed shell slides, was on a CX 747 a few years back, 12 hours, unbearable, talk about a bad long haul seat. Glad they reacted quickly and got them off long haul.
Dec 4, 2018, 12:23 am
#43
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 2,379
I was referring more to the non-ergonomic aspects - good IFE, clean cabin/bathrooms, access to water throughout the flight, noise cancelling headphones, edible food, good cabin service. I'm never going to be physically comfortable in any Y seat but those basic things can help with general comfort levels.
Dec 4, 2018, 12:40 am
#44
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Gold, Accor Live Limitless Gold, Hilton Honours Gold, Avis Preferred Plus
Posts: 1,806
Yes that was it. Thank goodness they don’t have it on the longer flights anymore. I can’t imagine sitting in that seat for 12 hours!