For what reason would a Y customer choose BA for Long Haul
Dec 27, 2018, 12:04 pm
#46
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: JAX
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Personally I'd pay the extra to go on BA, for a variety of small reasons that may/may not add up to £100 worth, but I'd still be happier with.
Loyalty, family shareholding in IAG, family employment, sense of already being 'home' when stepping on board a BA aircraft, better cup of tea, British drinks & snacks, TPs, Avios*, Bonus Avios for using BA credit card, product familiarity, etc.
(*although UA flights can be credited to EI, and the Avios transferred)
Small reasons perhaps, but enough for me. If the difference was much greater, then I'd be torn, but £100, definitely BA.
Loyalty, family shareholding in IAG, family employment, sense of already being 'home' when stepping on board a BA aircraft, better cup of tea, British drinks & snacks, TPs, Avios*, Bonus Avios for using BA credit card, product familiarity, etc.
(*although UA flights can be credited to EI, and the Avios transferred)
Small reasons perhaps, but enough for me. If the difference was much greater, then I'd be torn, but £100, definitely BA.
Dec 27, 2018, 4:48 pm
#47
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,985
I think the whole point of flying economy is to fly at the cheapest price point in line with whatever comfort level you require. And at level then BA, AA, UA, VS, Delta are all in a very similar place. If you're in the "I will pay more for extra comfort / benefits" argument, then the £100 may be justifiable via things like BA's generous hand baggage allowance or BAEC benefits; equally the fact that the UA service may well have wifi for example (though BA is catching up there).
If you're really trying to save money then - well it's astonishing what can be done these days. I flew on Wow a few weeks ago, LGW to BOS for £239 return (report in the Other European Airlines forum), which I though was amazing value, only to find out more recently that there are ways to fly UK to the USA for around £185 return. As I pointed out in that report, Sir Freddie Laker's Skytrain service was, in today's money, around £350 single, so some of the fares today are frankly breathtaking.
If you're really trying to save money then - well it's astonishing what can be done these days. I flew on Wow a few weeks ago, LGW to BOS for £239 return (report in the Other European Airlines forum), which I though was amazing value, only to find out more recently that there are ways to fly UK to the USA for around £185 return. As I pointed out in that report, Sir Freddie Laker's Skytrain service was, in today's money, around £350 single, so some of the fares today are frankly breathtaking.
As for the OP, I'd go with price and schedule, although other considerations like earning Avios, EWR v JFK (assuming United only fly to the former) could easily justify spending a bit more on BA. It would have been a no brainer (in favour of BA) a few years ago, but the US carriers have upped their game, so it's much of a muchness now (although I prefer BA crew).
Last edited by South London Bon Viveur; Dec 27, 2018 at 5:01 pm
Dec 27, 2018, 6:12 pm
#48
Join Date: May 2010
Location: YLMQ
Programs: QF Gold, WY Gold
Posts: 682
I'm not a big fan of British Airways, but when the price and schedule is significantly different to another airline, then I'd probably go BA.
Also, the prices you see available online aren't the same prices that some corporate travel departments get, I know with several previous employers we would regularly travel BA and the prices were significantly cheaper then the competition, but I couldn't find those prices published elsewhere.
Also, the prices you see available online aren't the same prices that some corporate travel departments get, I know with several previous employers we would regularly travel BA and the prices were significantly cheaper then the competition, but I couldn't find those prices published elsewhere.
Dec 27, 2018, 9:21 pm
#49
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Posts: 4,350
EU delay protection and the availability of an Eastbound day flight would be reasons for me to choose BA from NYC but the fare difference would have to be a small one and certainly below £100.
Dec 28, 2018, 1:37 am
#50
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 610
I actually prefer newark on united vs JFK on British for their departure lounge.. The plan was to land JFK and fly back from Newark (leaving heathrow because there is no way in hell i am booking the frequently cancelled Gatwick-JFK route). I wanted to fly out of newark anyway because i might go to Philly at the end of the trip and its much easier to get to from there than JFK (a direct train from 30th Street).
Because i dont have status, im with the normal folk in departures and JFKs BA terminal SUCKS. Like, i would actually prefer to be at Stansted than there.
I have found flights on BA (booking through Iberia) that are 20p less than the united ones so i am now torn.
Whats the newark British airways departure terminal like? Is it better than the JFK one?
And have they reintroduced the 2nd snack meal? i read somewhere that they did.
Dec 28, 2018, 2:59 am
#51
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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Newark was built only a few years later (1973) but they used a lot more vertical space so it feels less crammed in that T7. Up until a year ago EWR on BA was a more modern experience, though the gap has narrowed there. But United in EWR uses terminal C, which was built in the 1980s and though not as good as T8 it is still better than TB.
The more substantial WT second meal (well, sandwich tray) has indeed returned as of January 2018, as well as the ice cream on the LHR departures.
Dec 28, 2018, 4:43 am
#53
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Stockholm, Sweden.
Programs: BA, JAL
Posts: 689
Dec 28, 2018, 2:35 pm
#54
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,543
i flew American from Miami to Malpensa and back in Y+. Was definitely impressed with the food service, two decent meals with the second being a really healthy, mainly veggie based option. I'd be more loyal to AA as I'm based in Mexico, but with EQDs it's hard to get anywhere near Sapphire. Thus I guess my loyalty, whether in Y or Y+ is to Oneworld as a whole.
Dec 28, 2018, 6:25 pm
#55
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: California
Posts: 463
I have a strong preference for BA when flying LHR-India as they have the best safety record among the airlines that fly direct. The latter is much less of a concern when TATL so I would pick on schedule/airport convenience, need for Avios vs. other currencies, seating alignment (eg 9-across 777), etc.
Dec 29, 2018, 2:35 pm
#56
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Mexico
Programs: BAEC Gold / Marriott Platinum
Posts: 3,543
Is a fair point regarding safety when flying to Asia. I find with most TATL that service and seat tends to be more or less the same. Horses for courses really. Go with what you prefer and can afford