Emirates Business or British Airways First: Seattle to Cairo?
Dec 12, 2018, 11:49 pm
#31
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
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As far as I'm aware BA don't even do F between Cairo and London. No issues if you get a 787 or mid haul A321, a bit grim if you end up being substituted with CE with what is basically economy seating.
The fees and taxes on BA will likely be significantly more than EK too with the "carrier surcharge" coming into play. Upthread suggests about $500pp. Depends on traveller's pocket but if a family are travelling then you are into the thousands.
On the other hand EK basically involves flying 4 hours in what is effectively the wrong direction.
Plus J on the 777s is certainly not what it is on the 380s.
Best suggestion here is probably to go with the itinerary that suits where the OP wants to be and when.
Would certainly concur re the EK in J 777 v 380 comparison.
As you say, hard for anyone to make the choice on another’s behalf, and it’s ultimately a matter of personal priorities. The thread has at least helped to throw a lot of stuff into the mix.
Safe travels, OP ^
Dec 13, 2018, 2:34 am
#33
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
Tricky but remember BA won't fly you F all the way and an unlucky substitution will land you in Club Fraud...er Europe.
The suggestion to see if the difference in YQ would allow you to buy the miles for EK F is good because then there's really no contest with guaranteed private F Suite all the way to CAI.
Don't forget you asked this on the BA forum so views may be skewed
Dec 13, 2018, 2:52 am
#34
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
@ Skywardhunter : have always believed that acerbic remarks can very quickly lose impact if used too often ...... but ‘Club Fraud’ was a new one on me and certainly brought a wry smile ....... 
I guess you’re right about potentially skewed views. But in fairness I feel that (a majority of) the regulars here on BAEC do show a sense of balance ; plus, some might suspect similar ‘skewing’ from an airline Forum Ambassador, such as yourself !
I guess you’re right about potentially skewed views. But in fairness I feel that (a majority of) the regulars here on BAEC do show a sense of balance ; plus, some might suspect similar ‘skewing’ from an airline Forum Ambassador, such as yourself !
Dec 13, 2018, 3:30 am
#36
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Posts: 63,803
I've checked the figures for Club Europe substitutions to CAI and I can only spot 2 occasions in 3 years where this has happened. It may have happened more than that, but currently the numbers flying on that sector makes it very tricky to do, even with a 321neo. I would rule that out as a factor, more flights have been cancelled due to bird strike.
The Air France idea would give a CE style flight from CDG to CAI but for a shorter trip, but presumably a good transfer experience in Roissy. It's not so easy to get given the SEA start point however.
. My post was more in reply to a previous that alluded to a 23kg bag.
Dec 13, 2018, 6:04 am
#38
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: New York
Programs: QR Silver, BA Silver, FB Gold
Posts: 360
I agree about EK J being way overrated, at least so far as the 777 hard product goes (I have no experience with the A380). It is 2-3-2 seating in J which makes the seats somewhat narrower than you might expect -- could barely move my elbows without hitting some piece of plastic barrier or other, which gave me a bit of a claustrophobic feeling after a couple of hours (no complaints about the soft product, though). In this respect, it is *almost* as bad as the CW hard product on BA's 747s, 777s & 787s. The CW seats on BA's mid-haul A321 are certainly no worse. In fact, I prefer them, certainly to the BA 747-777-787 CWs, especially the individual seat on the A321 (it is a 1-2 layout in one row, then 2-1 in the next row), and perhaps even to Emirates' J seats.
Last edited by husseinbadr; Dec 13, 2018 at 6:09 am
Dec 13, 2018, 8:03 am
#39
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
Posts: 8,964
Thanks for all the superb comments.
A couple thoughts.
AF is not a possibility. Alaska ended their partnership with AF years ago when Delta became a serious competition threat to Alaska in their base city of Seattle.
I am aware that BA does not have F from LHR to CAI. ( I should have made that clearer) We have learned ( the hard way) when we fly BA F to LHR and then connect to a CE flight to Athens that the shock to our jet-lagged system of downgraded comfort and space was too much.... we have now started stopping in LHR for the night and resuming the journey the next day...somewhat rested and ready for the " downgrade". ( In this case it may not work to CAI as BA shows only one flight a day leaving at night....and we need to make the connection with in 24 hours..... a sleep aid may be our friend here)
We are leaning towards BA at this time.
A couple thoughts.
AF is not a possibility. Alaska ended their partnership with AF years ago when Delta became a serious competition threat to Alaska in their base city of Seattle.
I am aware that BA does not have F from LHR to CAI. ( I should have made that clearer) We have learned ( the hard way) when we fly BA F to LHR and then connect to a CE flight to Athens that the shock to our jet-lagged system of downgraded comfort and space was too much.... we have now started stopping in LHR for the night and resuming the journey the next day...somewhat rested and ready for the " downgrade". ( In this case it may not work to CAI as BA shows only one flight a day leaving at night....and we need to make the connection with in 24 hours..... a sleep aid may be our friend here)
We are leaning towards BA at this time.
Dec 13, 2018, 8:08 am
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Posts: 30,526
Add me to the list of those who would choose BA F without hesitation on that one! As others say it is a no brainer.
Dec 13, 2018, 8:09 am
#41
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
@ Skywardhunter : have always believed that acerbic remarks can very quickly lose impact if used too often ...... but ‘Club Fraud’ was a new one on me and certainly brought a wry smile .......
I guess you’re right about potentially skewed views. But in fairness I feel that (a majority of) the regulars here on BAEC do show a sense of balance ; plus, some might suspect similar ‘skewing’ from an airline Forum Ambassador, such as yourself !
I guess you’re right about potentially skewed views. But in fairness I feel that (a majority of) the regulars here on BAEC do show a sense of balance ; plus, some might suspect similar ‘skewing’ from an airline Forum Ambassador, such as yourself !
I think if EK F can be had for a comparable cost it is however not unreasonable to suggest that this might be favourable, especially going all the way, and the longer first flight arguably being a better opportunity for rest
Dec 13, 2018, 10:36 am
#43
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
Dec 13, 2018, 11:05 am
#44
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,612
On the EK A380, it's much closer. The seat is good and private, IFE is miles better and you've also got the option of the bar. Food is pretty comparable - not great on either to be honest.
Dec 13, 2018, 11:06 am
#45
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 574
I've checked the figures for Club Europe substitutions to CAI and I can only spot 2 occasions in 3 years where this has happened. It may have happened more than that, but currently the numbers flying on that sector makes it very tricky to do, even with a 321neo. I would rule that out as a factor, more flights have been cancelled due to bird strike.
The Air France idea would give a CE style flight from CDG to CAI but for a shorter trip, but presumably a good transfer experience in Roissy. It's not so easy to get given the SEA start point however.
Last edited by AnaTravel; Dec 13, 2018 at 11:19 am