US vs AB business class
Jul 25, 2014, 5:47 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Moscow, Russia
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 230
US vs AB business class
Hi All,
Looking to redeem miles for a J ticket from central Europe to JFK.
I'm 6'1" so seat comfort is very important. Which is the better seat, and which has the better lounges (there are several hours of layovers).
AB would be VIE-DUS-JFK or VIE-TXL-JFK
US would be VIE-ZRH-PHL-HPN (actually gets me closer to my home in Westchester county).
Thanks in advance for your input!
Looking to redeem miles for a J ticket from central Europe to JFK.
I'm 6'1" so seat comfort is very important. Which is the better seat, and which has the better lounges (there are several hours of layovers).
AB would be VIE-DUS-JFK or VIE-TXL-JFK
US would be VIE-ZRH-PHL-HPN (actually gets me closer to my home in Westchester county).
Thanks in advance for your input!
Jul 25, 2014, 6:14 am
#2
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: AA ExPlat, UA Silver, Marriott Lifetime Gold
Posts: 715
I just flew both in and out of FCO (USAirways) and TXL (AB). I'm only 5'6 and I thought the length of both seats was perfect. However, the width of AB seat was definitely worse. I also flew the short a FCO-TXL hop in AB in Y (no business class on that route) and I've never felt more cramped. Pitch is the worst I've had.
I was impressed with AB service aboard (if you need to deal with them on the phone, they are AWFUL) and liked the food ex-TXL better than USAirways food ex-CLT.
Both are oneworld partners, so you get access to the same lounges.
I was impressed with AB service aboard (if you need to deal with them on the phone, they are AWFUL) and liked the food ex-TXL better than USAirways food ex-CLT.
Both are oneworld partners, so you get access to the same lounges.
Jul 25, 2014, 7:25 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: IAD
Posts: 319
US vs AB business class
Unfortunately for the OP, while US operates an A330 to FCO with the new Cirrus J seats, ZRH is on an old 762 with recliners. ZRH-PHL is a day flight, so it might not make a difference to the OP, but for sleeping, the Solstys seat on AB is probably better.
Jul 25, 2014, 2:13 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: ZRH / SIN
Programs: FB Ulti, QR-Gold (OWS), TK *Gold, Bonvoy Ambassadort Elite, GHA Titanium, Accor Platinum
Posts: 531
I´m too 6'1'' - this seems to be the length of the AB seat - from head to toe. So, you might miss 1 or 2 inches on the AB seat for a bit more comfort, however I would prefer the AB-product to the old seats in the US 762 at any time. On the other hand, when I compare HPN with JFK, HPN is probably much more comfortable for you to arrive.
About lounges:
DUS: AB has an own lounge in DUS, however nothing to write home about.
TXL: AB contracts with the AF lounge, as OW Emerald or Sapphire you can alternatively use also the BA lounge one level down. I like both lounges even a bit better then the lounge in DUS.
ZRH: There is a OW lounge in the main terminal between A, where the VIE-flight most likely will arrive and B (however US departs from the satellite Terminal E). The lounge is in my opinion slightly better then the DUS/TXL lounges, also ZRH airport is very nice (and my current home airport)
VIE (my former home airport): AB/HG contracts with the Jet Lounge - they have great Do&Co hot dishes and soups there, or breakfast when you take the morning flight - out of the 4 mentioned lounges, this is my favorite.
About lounges:
DUS: AB has an own lounge in DUS, however nothing to write home about.
TXL: AB contracts with the AF lounge, as OW Emerald or Sapphire you can alternatively use also the BA lounge one level down. I like both lounges even a bit better then the lounge in DUS.
ZRH: There is a OW lounge in the main terminal between A, where the VIE-flight most likely will arrive and B (however US departs from the satellite Terminal E). The lounge is in my opinion slightly better then the DUS/TXL lounges, also ZRH airport is very nice (and my current home airport)
VIE (my former home airport): AB/HG contracts with the Jet Lounge - they have great Do&Co hot dishes and soups there, or breakfast when you take the morning flight - out of the 4 mentioned lounges, this is my favorite.
Jul 25, 2014, 3:38 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Moscow, Russia
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 230
Thanks for the input all! Very helpful.
One quick followup -- I have been able to find availability VIE-FRA-PHL-HPN and it seems FRA-PHL is on an A330 with US... would that change the comparison vs. AB in favor of US?
One quick followup -- I have been able to find availability VIE-FRA-PHL-HPN and it seems FRA-PHL is on an A330 with US... would that change the comparison vs. AB in favor of US?
Jul 26, 2014, 3:40 am
#6
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: BSL
Programs: AA (EXP); among others :)
Posts: 2,524
yes. The US A330s have the same (albeit less lavishly equipped) Cirrus seats that AA put into their critically acclaimed 777-300s, and a contemporary IFE.
If I lived near HPN, I'd value the convenience of the HPN arrival over the slightly better soft product that AB offers compared to US on the transatlantic segment.
If I lived near HPN, I'd value the convenience of the HPN arrival over the slightly better soft product that AB offers compared to US on the transatlantic segment.
Jul 26, 2014, 3:47 am
#7
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: IAD
Posts: 319
Jul 31, 2014, 3:28 am
#8
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Paris
Programs: AA LT Plat (4m+), AF Plat, A3 Gold, Hyatt Lifetime Globalist, Marriott Plat, IHG Plat/Ambassador
Posts: 2,648
I haven't flown on US but I did just fly JFK-TXL on AB and I agree-- the service was excellent and the seat is long enough. What I don't like is that the cabin feels extremely cramped in J...the seats are narrow and it's hard to get in and out of the seat (I'm not overweight either...)