Transatlantic: 744 vs. 777
#1
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248
Transatlantic: 744 vs. 777
Is there any difference in comfort or service between the 744 and the 777 on BA's transatantic flights?
#2
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Edinburgh UK
Programs: BA Silver, HHonours Gold, Mucci of Pucci, Oyster Card, Nectar Card, Father's Day Card
Posts: 9,372
Seat layouts are obviously different - but service should be the same (in terms of catering and drinks) subject to the calibre of the crew.
Some Gatwick based 777s have not yet been converted to the New Club World and World Traveller Plus configs and therefore have Old Club World cradle seats instead. These are all planned to be converted by mid-2004.
So it mainly comes down to which seats are best on each plane. Check out :
www.seatexpert.com
www.seatguru.com
For maps of 747 and 777s - with helpful added notes telling you which seats are best.
Some Gatwick based 777s have not yet been converted to the New Club World and World Traveller Plus configs and therefore have Old Club World cradle seats instead. These are all planned to be converted by mid-2004.
So it mainly comes down to which seats are best on each plane. Check out :
www.seatexpert.com
www.seatguru.com
For maps of 747 and 777s - with helpful added notes telling you which seats are best.
#3
Join Date: Sep 2002
Programs: Mucci Gold Class
Posts: 2,045
I prefer 747s. The 777s feel a little like a bus to me. Especially in J (cabin is too big). The cabins are broken up more on a 747 (at least to my mind) and of course you have the nose, the upper deck... there's just something special about the 747s.
#4
Join Date: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,140
You can't beat a 747 (400), in my opinion - beautiful plane (in a big, lumbering sort of way...). They have a character all of their own: to be a 777 is just like a metal tube - much less interesting.
Boo
(big 747 fan - how sad is that?)
Boo
(big 747 fan - how sad is that?)
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,433
I find the 777 very noisy in the middle and rear cabins. As noted above, the cabin feels too big and open - except for the forward cabin. The A330/340 family are much nicer - cosier cabin, quieter and just with a better feel.
I would take the 747 anyday, in any class.
I would take the 747 anyday, in any class.
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248
I should have mentioned that I'll be in F, if it makes any difference. I, too, have a thing for the 747: it's a beautiful bird, and a wonder everytime one of those things lumbers down the runway and lifts into the air!
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,813
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mtacchi:
I feel the 747 has a much more private feel in F than 777 does. Truely it is an exceptional experience.</font>
I feel the 747 has a much more private feel in F than 777 does. Truely it is an exceptional experience.</font>
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: East Ester, Alaska
Programs: Alaska Million Miler, United Million Miler, Wyndham Rewards Diamond, Choice Hotels Diamond
Posts: 12,148
Across the Atlantic, across the Pacific, over Africa, Asia or the polar regions, there is no finer perch to be had than a First Class suite aboard a 747. BA offers one of the finest examples of this.
Have a good trip!
Have a good trip!
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248
Thanks everyone for your input. I've gone ahead and booked one of the 747 LHR-JFK flights on BA, and grabbed seat 1A at seatguru's recommendation.
By the way, I flew eastbound on an AA 777. I very much am looking forward to comparing the experiences.
By the way, I flew eastbound on an AA 777. I very much am looking forward to comparing the experiences.
#12
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: London; Bangkok; Las Vegas
Programs: AA Exec Plat; UA MM Gold; Marriott Lifetime Titanium; Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,745
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Blumie:
Thanks everyone for your input. I've gone ahead and booked one of the 747 LHR-JFK flights on BA, and grabbed seat 1A at seatguru's recommendation.</font>
Thanks everyone for your input. I've gone ahead and booked one of the 747 LHR-JFK flights on BA, and grabbed seat 1A at seatguru's recommendation.</font>
#13
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Seattle, Wash. USA
Posts: 1,531
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Boo Boo Too:
You can't beat a 747 (400), in my opinion - beautiful plane (in a big, lumbering sort of way...). They have a character all of their own: to be a 777 is just like a metal tube - much less interesting.
</font>
You can't beat a 747 (400), in my opinion - beautiful plane (in a big, lumbering sort of way...). They have a character all of their own: to be a 777 is just like a metal tube - much less interesting.
</font>
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: MSY (finally); previously NYC, BOS, AUH
Programs: AA EXP, 6MM; BA GLD
Posts: 17,248
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Always Flyin:
How did you manage to grab 1A? It is generally not available for pre-assignment except to BA Golds.</font>
How did you manage to grab 1A? It is generally not available for pre-assignment except to BA Golds.</font>
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,655
The 747's are better in WT+ too as you get more room. Both aircraft are eight abrest in WT+, where-as the 777 is only nine abrest in WT, compared to the 747's ten. Although the actual seat size is the same, it feels roomier.