Differences between Business and First class that you value
Jun 10, 2019, 2:52 am
#31
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL
Posts: 843
... and just to prove that we're all different, I actively choose J on the sleeper service from Chicago over F. (In fact, I just made an Avios redemption on BA294 on a 241 from the UK, and chose J even though there was F availability and the increase in cost would have been only ~10,000 Avios per person and no difference in fees). I don't eat or drink at all on that service, and my favourite place to sleep is 62A/K - loads of room, no one bothers you, v quiet and private, and the proximity to the emergency exits means that the sleeping area is quite cool.
If you are BAEC Gold or OWE, you get a lot of the advantages of F anyway (First class check in / First Wing at LHR; first class lounge access; free seat selection; etc.). When flying from LHR T3, you can access the best OneWorld lounge in the terminal regardless of your class of travel. Without status, I think I would value F far more than I currently do.
If you are BAEC Gold or OWE, you get a lot of the advantages of F anyway (First class check in / First Wing at LHR; first class lounge access; free seat selection; etc.). When flying from LHR T3, you can access the best OneWorld lounge in the terminal regardless of your class of travel. Without status, I think I would value F far more than I currently do.
One advantage of F not described so far: when your flight gets cancelled / connections get missed, I'm pretty sure for any given CIV/status, F pax will be rerouted with higher priority than J pax.
Jun 10, 2019, 3:05 am
#32
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Lewes, UK
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 1,212
Benefits:
dine on demand (although I feel this is emphasised less...don't be afraid to ask for it)
more flexible menu...I prefer two starters and don't really do desserts, so i will ask for two starters often...although having the courtesy to say 'but only if there are spare'
more personal storage space (this varies by plane type however)
CCR and other First dining options where you can get a decent meal and then maximise sleep on the plane, e.g. from Washington DC to LHR, I will have a good meal and sleep on the overnight flight
However, I am price sensitive and will try and get these benefits at a reasonable price differential. I would not pay for F service at any price.
dine on demand (although I feel this is emphasised less...don't be afraid to ask for it)
more flexible menu...I prefer two starters and don't really do desserts, so i will ask for two starters often...although having the courtesy to say 'but only if there are spare'
more personal storage space (this varies by plane type however)
CCR and other First dining options where you can get a decent meal and then maximise sleep on the plane, e.g. from Washington DC to LHR, I will have a good meal and sleep on the overnight flight
However, I am price sensitive and will try and get these benefits at a reasonable price differential. I would not pay for F service at any price.
Last edited by pennineuk; Jun 10, 2019 at 8:41 am
Jun 10, 2019, 3:14 am
#33
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,766
I'm another regular CW traveller, and I've never paid for, or redeemed in First. For me it's just not worth it, by way of a counter-opinion to the entirely valid insights placed above. The big jump for me is WTP to CW, and since I'm a fan of the CW seat and the new catering, I am happy enough there. I do now accept free upgrades to First, whereas I used to be reluctant to do that on night flights on commuter routes. Someone would always be wanting to make the most of the experience.
Jun 10, 2019, 4:08 am
#34
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: London
Programs: BA LtG, Flying Blue Plat
Posts: 274
I would only choose F if I had to work. Despite being a ‘business’ class product, CW is not suitable for conducting business due to the small flimsy table.
I don’t care for lounges, turn up at the last minute, and go straight through North Fast track anyway at LHR. Each to their own - it can be what you want it to be.
I don’t care for lounges, turn up at the last minute, and go straight through North Fast track anyway at LHR. Each to their own - it can be what you want it to be.
Jun 10, 2019, 5:04 am
#35
Join Date: Feb 2008
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 176
Agree with a lot of the comments above, but the one that hasn't been mentioned and I LOVE is the buddy dining - the thing that Mrs BAECAddict and I enjoy most about a flight in F is being able to dine facing each other. I know you can currently sort of do this in CW, but actually having the table set up for two and then dine with a view is great fun. I should mention that this is best enjoyed on the A380 where there is LOADS of space and it also works quite well on the 777 which generally has enough space. The 747, at least rows 1 and 2, is a different matter and not recommended. We have avoided the 787 so far because the F seat doesn't have this option.
Otherwise, the better service, generally better food and drink and direct aisle access are all worth the extra plus CCR access is also a bit of a haven since the Flounge can get pretty busy at T5.
Otherwise, the better service, generally better food and drink and direct aisle access are all worth the extra plus CCR access is also a bit of a haven since the Flounge can get pretty busy at T5.
Jun 10, 2019, 5:04 am
#36
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver (temp demotion), *A Silver, HH Gold, IHG Diamond
Posts: 490
Hands down the best flight ever for me was F back from PVG. That was totally about the service (we were the only people in F that day); there was nothing 'first' about the airport experience (ie it was business class check-in, lounge etc).
But now I have experienced a few more flights in CW, I'm firmly in the CW-is-good-enough camp. Yet if there is avios redemption going west (or a day flight) I'll 100% take it. For me the very soft differences in the CCR to the First lounge (am Gold) and the onboard service level are worth the few extra avios. But would never pay cash.
But now I have experienced a few more flights in CW, I'm firmly in the CW-is-good-enough camp. Yet if there is avios redemption going west (or a day flight) I'll 100% take it. For me the very soft differences in the CCR to the First lounge (am Gold) and the onboard service level are worth the few extra avios. But would never pay cash.
Jun 10, 2019, 7:05 am
#39
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,710
You are probably right I am just in the 2%. With BA I fly a mix of cheap cash J fares upgraded to F or points bookings mostly in F. But even then it is not that many as I try to fly a mix of carriers out of necessity and/or curiosity. Thus I have never been more than Bronze with BA.
Jun 10, 2019, 8:32 am
#41
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,514
Actually not really. F is one of those cabins where a significant proportion of passengers don’t bother with FFPs and a large proportion of those paying full fare F will go for most convenient itinerary on an ad hoc way so you do have a fair number of people who never actually fly ba usually or do so without status.
Jun 10, 2019, 8:55 am
#42
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: W29
Programs: It's Complicated...
Posts: 6,811
As someone that is not a fan of the BA J seat and setup the upgrade to F is just more space and a comfortable flight. If it was JFK to LHR.....not such a big deal. It is all about the seat and space for me and would be worth it on that flight for me.
Jun 10, 2019, 9:09 am
#43
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 194
For me, if I want to travel in premium cabin in BA, F is the only option but I am happy with J as I care only about having a bed, nothing else matters. Unfortunately Austin has no McDonalds in the airport and I am unable to bring my own "food' to the F cabin 
Jun 10, 2019, 9:50 am
#44
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC, Eurostar
Posts: 3,287
Jun 10, 2019, 11:14 am
#45
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 1,830
This is very much like the debate between offices and no offices at work. Some people feel isolated by their offices, others enjoy the lack of distractions.