350 vs 787
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Bloomsbury
Programs: BA Silver, AF Ivory
Posts: 2,201
350 vs 787
I just returned from a trip to Doha, out on the Qatar 350 and back on the BA 787-9. I'm interested in what people think of the planes, not the hard (or soft) product. I have found the 787 very quiet and comfortable in the past (esp. compared to the 777) but thought the 350 was even better in terms of cabin noise. Opinions on a quiet Friday afternoon welcome ...
Cheers
Cheers
#2
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: BAEC Silver, Flying Blue Platinum; Hilton Gold, IHG Diamond, Marriott Titanium, Wyndham Diamond
Posts: 787
I never thought the 787 was as quiet as it's made out to be, I think the A350 is quieter, but not as quiet as the upper deck on the A380.
Can't stand those dimmer windows on the 787 either!
Can't stand those dimmer windows on the 787 either!
#5
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: UK
Programs: BA Silver, IHG Platinum
Posts: 935
I've only flown on Qatar's A350 (in economy) . Never been on a 787.
I enjoyed it. Legroom was decent (I am 6"2) and there was also enough room to be comfortable and not feel squashed by the person next to you. The aircraft was indeed pretty quiet and on the whole felt very pleasant.
787s seem to get a terrible review in general in economy so I am intent on avoiding them if it'll be a Y flight. The A350 is fine with 9 across whilst the 787 is cramped due to not being designed with that in mind, seems to be the consensus. BA's 787s also seem to have those irritating IFE boxes blocking legroom, which will not help. As I said said though, never flown on it so could be doing it an injustice. Feedback does however seem to be scathing
I enjoyed it. Legroom was decent (I am 6"2) and there was also enough room to be comfortable and not feel squashed by the person next to you. The aircraft was indeed pretty quiet and on the whole felt very pleasant.
787s seem to get a terrible review in general in economy so I am intent on avoiding them if it'll be a Y flight. The A350 is fine with 9 across whilst the 787 is cramped due to not being designed with that in mind, seems to be the consensus. BA's 787s also seem to have those irritating IFE boxes blocking legroom, which will not help. As I said said though, never flown on it so could be doing it an injustice. Feedback does however seem to be scathing
#6
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Lewes
Programs: HiltonH. Gold Starwood Gold BA BLUES! Mucci.
Posts: 4,833
I have walked around both. The A350 just seems the latest generation and spacious, whereas the 787 seems slightly earlier time and Cramped.....
Last edited by Skipcool3; Nov 29, 2019 at 1:30 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: UK
Programs: Mucci, Diamond Status & on the Supreme Council des Conseillers, BA Ag, Bonvoy GFL/Plat, xVS Au
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A350 definitely quieter than the 787 and much better experience in Y due to the extra cabin width. I’m so torn between whether the a380 is quieter than the a350 and which I prefer overall. A380 upper deck probably edges it due to the side bins and forward toilets.
#8
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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I would also have a preference to the A350 to the B787 (having flown plenty of both BA's aircraft types) however I'd also say the game between the two is quite small, the big gap is between that and the 777-200 range in particular. So I don't think it's much of a factor if the choice is between the 787 and 350, given their route profile is likely to be quite similar, but it's a very different question if the comparison is with older aircraft.
The BA version of the A350 is much better than Qatar's incarnation, in my view, particularly in Club/business and WTP.
The BA version of the A350 is much better than Qatar's incarnation, in my view, particularly in Club/business and WTP.
#9
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: London
Programs: Many. Too many. I came here to cut them down. I failed.
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Purely on an economy level (just in case, I know there are one or two of you out there) - I flew two identical length day flights on Qatar A350 connecting to a B787.
Was dreading the 787 as i'm tall (really tall) and, I had every reason to be! The seats are narrower, legspace felt tighter, but air quality and onboard noise & entertainment felt identical.
Put it this way, I won't touch a 787 willingly again, and absolutely not if I can't book an emergency exit. A350 is now my preferred aircraft type, and will amend my airline accordingly to fly it!
Was dreading the 787 as i'm tall (really tall) and, I had every reason to be! The seats are narrower, legspace felt tighter, but air quality and onboard noise & entertainment felt identical.
Put it this way, I won't touch a 787 willingly again, and absolutely not if I can't book an emergency exit. A350 is now my preferred aircraft type, and will amend my airline accordingly to fly it!
#11
Join Date: May 2016
Location: EDI
Programs: Was BA GGL but no longer travelling
Posts: 583
I do EDI to DOH 3-4 times a year, and onward to BLR. My first trip was on the 787 and I really liked it. By the time I came to do the next one they had swapped to the 350 and I loved it! That sector has become one of my all time favourites now.
#12
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: South Glos, UK
Programs: BAEC Silver/OW Sapphire
Posts: 1,157
I’ve been lucky enough to fly the A350-900 and the A350-1000 in Business and Premium Economy on CX and I absolutely love it. Also flown in economy on QR and it was a pleasure.
I wouldn’t fly on a 787 unless there was no alternative. I’d even route with a stopover just to avoid it.
I wouldn’t fly on a 787 unless there was no alternative. I’d even route with a stopover just to avoid it.
#13
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,577
In my head the seating blurs with the rest of the aircraft into on experience, so I struggle to make an assessment of just the plane, but I found both aircraft to be pretty decent, maybe with a slight preference for the A350 as it is a little newer. Also in my head I still have an image of battery fires and engine micro fractures every time I hear B787 - though that by now is just my head.
#14
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Bronze
Posts: 573
Have tried both on QR in J and all four classes on the BA 787. I like both aircraft. The 787 in Y isn’t an experience I want to repeat in a hurry because of the width. However if in W and above I do like the 787. On QR I prefer the 787 because of the more intimate J cabin. The A350 J seems a bit big. One thing I did notice on the A350 was the fumes when the engines started. I believe the A350 has the usual system were air comes In from the engines. Whereas the 787 has a completely unique air intake system (not an expert just heard this). in terms on noise I couldn’t pick between them.
#15
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, Bonvoy Platinum, HH Diamond; others
Posts: 739
I’ve flown A350 and B787 on various airlines (e.g. CX, SQ, BA, AA, etc.) and I do prefer the A350 (better than either A380 or B787).
Any of these are a big step up from the B777 or the A330/340 and even from the B747 LD.
However, I’m not sure which I’d pick if it was a choice between A350 or B747 UD :-)
Any of these are a big step up from the B777 or the A330/340 and even from the B747 LD.
However, I’m not sure which I’d pick if it was a choice between A350 or B747 UD :-)