Business seats - any still 2-4-2 on LHR to JFK?
Apr 14, 2021, 1:38 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 2
Business seats - any still 2-4-2 on LHR to JFK?
Hi everyone
We’re hoping to fly from Heathrow to JFK at the end of Aug (covid allowing). My 6yo daughter has cerebral palsy. We’re hoping to fly business so she has more space and can sleep etc. BUT we really need 2 seats next to each other, not for her to have to sit in her own ‘pod’ in business.
I phoned BA today and the chap said all the flights showed the new 1-2-1 configuration for business. Does anyone know of any of the planes/flights still have the old style cabin?
thanks 😊
We’re hoping to fly from Heathrow to JFK at the end of Aug (covid allowing). My 6yo daughter has cerebral palsy. We’re hoping to fly business so she has more space and can sleep etc. BUT we really need 2 seats next to each other, not for her to have to sit in her own ‘pod’ in business.
I phoned BA today and the chap said all the flights showed the new 1-2-1 configuration for business. Does anyone know of any of the planes/flights still have the old style cabin?
thanks 😊
Apr 14, 2021, 1:45 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC, Eurostar
Posts: 3,286
The understanding on this board was that NYC would be the first destination to get club suites on all flights because it's such a key route for BA. It's all up in the air due to covid but I don't expect that to change. You may get "lucky" if you're willing to go from Gatwick, but nobody knows if those flights will go ahead or not. Sorry.
Apr 14, 2021, 2:02 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2009
Location: London
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,739
I guess this raises an interesting problem. For the majority of passengers, the new club suites are a real improvement. But they’re terrible for the minority who really need to sit next to a partner/companion and/or have special needs - in which case you may be ‘better off’ in WTP or First. Difficult. And sorry I can’t help...
Apr 14, 2021, 2:13 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
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Hi Liz W and welcome to FlyerTalk!
Aircraft changes are possible at this stage and the schedule for August hasn't been finalized.
If you're not concerned about getting paying any applicable fare difference, in late-July, check the seat maps again and if there isn't still any 2-4-2 configuration; change your destination to EWR,PHL or somewhere nearby that offers the configuration.
Aircraft changes are possible at this stage and the schedule for August hasn't been finalized.
If you're not concerned about getting paying any applicable fare difference, in late-July, check the seat maps again and if there isn't still any 2-4-2 configuration; change your destination to EWR,PHL or somewhere nearby that offers the configuration.
Apr 14, 2021, 2:29 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 2
The understanding on this board was that NYC would be the first destination to get club suites on all flights because it's such a key route for BA. It's all up in the air due to covid but I don't expect that to change. You may get "lucky" if you're willing to go from Gatwick, but nobody knows if those flights will go ahead or not. Sorry.
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Thanks Bafan - it really does limit families like us who would have loved the original layout with the 2 seats together. I know why they’ve done it (for privacy etc) but wish they’d kept one set of 2 seats for those who prefer them.
Last edited by Prospero; Apr 14, 2021 at 2:54 pm Reason: Combine two consecutive posts
Apr 14, 2021, 2:35 pm
#6
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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Location: Leeds, UK
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Can I add my welcome to FT too Liz W 
I think as others have noted even if you book a flight now with the old club world layout on that route, there is little certainty that it won't change by August. In fact for JFK I suspect it is more likely you will see the new club suites which doesn't help you. I am genuinely not sure what to suggest here unfortunately.
I think as others have noted even if you book a flight now with the old club world layout on that route, there is little certainty that it won't change by August. In fact for JFK I suspect it is more likely you will see the new club suites which doesn't help you. I am genuinely not sure what to suggest here unfortunately.
Apr 14, 2021, 2:38 pm
#7
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC, Eurostar
Posts: 3,286
On a different note: you will be limited to 5 posts in your first 24 hours as a member. This is to avoid spammers. Just in case it happens to you, you'll know why!
Please do report back on how it goes for you, and good luck with your trip! Hope you get to enjoy it!
Apr 14, 2021, 2:39 pm
#8
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
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Posts: 13,243
Hello Liz W and welcome to FlyerTalk. It's a bit of a tricky one because aircraft can change right up until close to departure especially at LHR.
Depending on where you're headed ultimately you might like to check PHL. It is currently showing the older 2-4-2 configuration towards the end of August. Here's an example for the BA 67 August 20th.
If you absolutely need to ensure there are two seats side by side you may need to either change cabin or fly with another airline with a more guaranteed configuration. Good luck with your plans.
Depending on where you're headed ultimately you might like to check PHL. It is currently showing the older 2-4-2 configuration towards the end of August. Here's an example for the BA 67 August 20th.
If you absolutely need to ensure there are two seats side by side you may need to either change cabin or fly with another airline with a more guaranteed configuration. Good luck with your plans.
Apr 14, 2021, 3:34 pm
#10
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges and Environmentally Friendly Travel
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 22,210
Welcome to FlyerTalk, Liz W
You might be better off booking an American Airlines operated flight, if you are able to select a Boeing 777-200 service as AA has a cabin layout with a mix of forward and rearward facing seats where the A and D seats (and H and L seats) located either side of the aisle actually face each other. You can study the relationship in the seat layout plan below:
There is unfortunately a likely pitfall I should warn you of - this being AA’s 777-200s come in two different configurations. The other being this...
What’s worse, AA is known to switch from one config to the other less than 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
You might be better off booking an American Airlines operated flight, if you are able to select a Boeing 777-200 service as AA has a cabin layout with a mix of forward and rearward facing seats where the A and D seats (and H and L seats) located either side of the aisle actually face each other. You can study the relationship in the seat layout plan below:
There is unfortunately a likely pitfall I should warn you of - this being AA’s 777-200s come in two different configurations. The other being this...
What’s worse, AA is known to switch from one config to the other less than 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Apr 14, 2021, 3:51 pm
#11
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,412
Welcome to FT.
May I ask, is NY the only option? (If we’re allowed that is!)
I ask because Boston might be a higher probability for getting the old CW layout. NY was planned to have a high proportion of the New Club Suites than most routes. Others will know more on aircraft designation and how it might pan out but I think it’s too early to tell.
Boston is a fantastic city to be more mobile in a more compact area than NYC. NYC has famous landmarks but other cities do compete well beyond those movie shot landmarks. As others have pointed out you could try Philly or Washington too.
May I ask, is NY the only option? (If we’re allowed that is!)
I ask because Boston might be a higher probability for getting the old CW layout. NY was planned to have a high proportion of the New Club Suites than most routes. Others will know more on aircraft designation and how it might pan out but I think it’s too early to tell.
Boston is a fantastic city to be more mobile in a more compact area than NYC. NYC has famous landmarks but other cities do compete well beyond those movie shot landmarks. As others have pointed out you could try Philly or Washington too.
Last edited by rockflyertalk; Apr 14, 2021 at 3:56 pm
Apr 14, 2021, 4:52 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: BA Gold, VS Silver
Posts: 399
If you really need to sit next to your daughter, I would seriously consider WTP rather than business. The same goes for families with very young children. Club suites are great if you’re on your own but not really suited for this.
Apr 14, 2021, 8:49 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2019
Programs: Flying Blue, Hilton Honors, Amtrak Guest Rewards
Posts: 2,394
Acela F also isn't a terrible way to get from BOS to NYC.
Apr 15, 2021, 3:13 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Aberdeen
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond, Accor Gold
Posts: 751
I have this very situation where I am travelling with my grandchildren for the first time and no matter how I try and work it, Club Suites really don't work
Apr 15, 2021, 3:34 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,579
If it didn't work then surely all of the other 1-2-1 configured airlines in the world would have seen the family leisure market fall through the floor a long time ago?
I've seen families with young children on QR in Business Class manage quite happily on many occasions. I really can't help but think that unless the kids are particularly badly behaved that sometimes it's the adults who are the ones overthinking the situation and creating barriers that aren't there.
I've seen families with young children on QR in Business Class manage quite happily on many occasions. I really can't help but think that unless the kids are particularly badly behaved that sometimes it's the adults who are the ones overthinking the situation and creating barriers that aren't there.