Thank you all.

This is the perspective I love flyertalk for.

It sounds like I am best sticking with PE on BA - which was my gut feeling, but I kept hearing awesome things about Emirates.

Maybe one day I'll be important enough to fly J............maybe

I have had issues with EK service and seating in EK long haul - based on 5 flights. Thus, I fly long haul with BA in WT+. The comfort of premium economy seats is pretty good, and the additional Tier Points help me keep Silver status. It is cheaper than Business class, BUT when in WT+ I do occasionally get an OPUP into Club World - which is always welcome.

However on a DOH-DXB flight I can deal with tight seats. I won't fly EK enough to get into Skywards "lounge access" status by doing this commute, so I have purchased Priority Pass.

A fair amount of the BA 'is better' view, is reliant on the aircraft type and whether the newer WTP seat has been fitted.

For Mumbai, on a 777-300, it has been - and it's a nice place to spend time - certainly comfortable and arguably better than EK Y (although the IFE will likely be better on EK).

However, if comparing WTP on a 747 (excluding the 86J birds), EK Y will be better as the WTP product is rather ancient and uncomfortable.

Unfortunately, where a 747 is rostered, you can never be 100% sure of the WTP product you will get, albeit you can make an educated guess at time of booking.

M

US domestic F often has wider seats.

Probably true. I guess as a lanky tall guy I care more about pitch and sharing armrests. Neither of which are a concern in PE and both of which I struggle with in EK Y.

I've flown both regularly:

Leg room will always be better in WTP so a win for BA on this point.

Seat: a WTP seat (old or new product) is way better than an EK Y seat on a 777 aircraft. An old WTP seat is not much better than an EK Y A380 seat although you have a foot rest on BA. overall a WTP seat is still better on BA for width and the foot rest so another win for BA here.

Cabin: WTP has its own cabin which will be a max of 5 rows. Some like the feeling of a smaller cabin environment, others find it more claustrophobic. It's generally calmer and less hustle and bustle. EK Y A380 feels roomy and spacious, a 777 feels more densely packed. Toilets are also more spacious, brighter and cleaner on EK. This point comes down to personal preference.

IFE: EK wins hands down on this although BA headphones are better (same as club world)

Food: BA has cut back on WTP service lately. The tray contains the bare minimum: starter, main course ( a choice of 2 dishes from the Club world menu) and a dessert. Starter and dessert are the same as economy. Hot towels, cheese and chocolates have all been removed. You get all these extras plus hot towel in EK Y. Additionally BA has done away with the second meal service in Y/WTP on flights under 8 (i think) hours. On EK you'll get a second meal on longer flights. In both WTP and Y the wine is given in small bottles. Overall a win for EK.

So my conclusion is BA wins on the hard product for the seat width, leg room and foot rest ( only just if you get the old WTP product tho) and EK is a clear winner on the soft product.