I do realize this is subjective but still I would like input from veterans here.

How do people compare the two? In terms of seats, food and service.

Thank you.

To summarize, there is no comparison. CX all the way. (I'm sorry if it feel likes i'm not really explaining anything by saying this, but it's the truth)

I want to ask, have you tried F on either airline yet? Or are you asking because you're trying to decide between the two?

Have been flying on CX F a few trips a year for past 15 years or so. Last time on BA was F about 12-15(!) years ago, hence the question.

You may (though probably not not) get different answers if you ask this question in the BA forum.

I agree! And I had thought of this as well! I tend to like CX a great deal more (in the past 3-6 years but not so much lately).

It is just that there may be cases where it is more convenient for us to go on BA for our coming trips - as they involve European segments that I am asking.

In fact, I think I vaguely remember some post here saying for F it is CX/QF and then BA. QF I have never flown on F to LHR so I wouldnt know!

Help will be much appreciated.

I doubt it. BA is good, but CX is unquestionably better.

Ask me again in a couple of weeks - I'm doing BA to LHR tonight, then BA to/from Cairo next week (when I understand they should have introduced some new aspects to the soft product, though they are day flights so I won't see all of them), and CX back from Paris after Easter.

But what I expect (based on my experiences a few months ago, and based on the 747 BA vs CX new F):

Seat: CX much better than BA as a bed; as a seat I actually prefer the BA one because it has some lateral support.

Environment: CX is better because there is much more space (9 vs 14). But BA still has overhead bins, which I prefer to CX's solution of putting your bag underneath the ottoman (the wardrobe is only really big enough for a laptop bag).

IFE: CX by many, many miles: the screen is about 4 times bigger and the selection of content about 10 times.

Food: BA by a short head in my experience, excluding the caviar of course.

Wine: Close, but again I think BA had it last time round.

Service: they're both pretty good in most cases. CX has days/crews which are way better than BA has ever been, but they aren't so common these days, particularly with a full cabin and one less crew. With BA I suspect being British and having a quick banter with the crew on boarding helps.

If you are doing a few F trips a year, just try a BA trip for a change. It's always good to have some variety. If it's a bad trip on BA, you'll appreciate CX more, if it's a good trip, you might have something to consider in future!

You won't.

christep analyses things nicely - CX is better but the gap has narrowed. BA's wine in particular have been very strong over the last 12-18 months.

I agree with christep except on food and wine. On food, I prefer Asian foods, so, naturally, I prefer CX. It's a personal preference thing, of course. For wines, while BA often has Chateau Talbot (a particular favorite of mine), there's just no way to beat unlimited Krug!!

Exactly what I have in mind!

I fly both BA and CX in F all of the time. For me the winner is CX and it is because I really like their suite. No comparison between that seat and what BA offers. I find CX food a bit more variable than BA. Then again, CX has caviar. I rarely have anything but the best service on CX.

I fully agree with Christep. I have taken numerous F flights on CX & BA in the past year.

Seats do not compare. AVOD is excellent on both but BA has a much smaller screen.
Food better on BA on average). CX serves some caviar but from a fish farm with little taste. Wines are better on BA. Grand cru of burgundy in reds and whites, better red bordeaux. But Champagne is often of lesser quality. Service generally excellent on both airlines, but sometimes not so great on CX; e.g. they let you handle your coats and jacket in your small private closet, while BA rushes to take care of your clothes when you switch to PJs. that's a small detail but indicative of some downgrade in service. Also if you depart from LHR you have access to the wonderful concorde room (great wines, food, cigar room, etc..), and still have acccess to the CX F lounge in HKG.

But for the same price, I would not hesitate a moment to choose
CX F over BA F because of the suite.

For my two points, BA is more consistant in F then CX between LHR and HKG.
If I am ending or begining my trip at LHR I prefer CX, but if I need to connect to another BA flight than its BA. T5 is far better a place to spend sometime in then T3. As for inflight, I am in the minority as I feel the new CX seat is way to big for me. I like the craddle effect of the BA F seat. Food is better on CX, but the over night flights from HKG I am more interested in a full 8 hours sleep then eating. I do miss the overhead bins on CX. But like the fact I dont need to go up front and rummage through the closet when I want to change.

BA is playing catchup but I feel the airlines have lost the concept. It is about a good seat/bed, good food, good entertainment and great service both on the ground and in the air. Today it seems about more space per person. But at the same time no airline has thought about installing to headphone jacks so Mrs Dben and myself can enjoy a movie together while flying over Mongolia.@:-)

CX F for the new seat and better AVOD! ^

Will wait for BA to introduce their new F and hopefully they'll be able to catch CX in that department.