BA 747 vs. BA A380 vs. AA 777
#5




Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Herts, UK
Programs: BAEC Gold, HH Diamond.
Posts: 3,422
BA 747 vs. BA A380 vs. AA 777
Do you have OW status?
If so you may get MCE on AA
If not, there is not a great deal of difference IMHO. Certainly the a380 will be newer with better IFE
If so you may get MCE on AA
If not, there is not a great deal of difference IMHO. Certainly the a380 will be newer with better IFE
#6




Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: BSL
Programs: AA (EXP); among others :)
Posts: 2,663
for the average, non-status passenger with no inclination to pay extra for premium seats or seat selection fees the BA A380 is best.
Very comfortable and quiet new plane, good IFE. 10-across seating is way nicer than in a 777 here.
The AA 777 will likely be a 777-300 - nice new plane with state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system and power, BUT sardine-like 3-4-3 seating in narrow and cramped seats.
BA 747 - old, loud and rattly. Here as well, terribly dated IFE and no power.
I avoid those if not seated in the upper deck or in row 1. BA is in the process of refurbishing those, but that's a long way from being completed.
Also, the 747 flight is the early departure, which is less than ideal as most people will struggle to fall asleep after meal service with their body clocks still set on Florida time.
The A380 flight and the two AA 777 flights are timed better with their evening departures.
One more aspect: If you don't finish your trip in LHR but connect to elsewhere on BA, it's preferable to fly BA instead of AA as AA lands in T3 and the BA connecting flight likely leaves from T5 - the terminal transfer from AA in T3 to BA in T5 is a pain, involving bus rides and long walks.
On BA, advance seat selection only free at check-in, so make sure to check in online right when that opens 24 hours before departure. Try and snag a seat on the upper deck for the best experience.
Very comfortable and quiet new plane, good IFE. 10-across seating is way nicer than in a 777 here.
The AA 777 will likely be a 777-300 - nice new plane with state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system and power, BUT sardine-like 3-4-3 seating in narrow and cramped seats.
BA 747 - old, loud and rattly. Here as well, terribly dated IFE and no power.
I avoid those if not seated in the upper deck or in row 1. BA is in the process of refurbishing those, but that's a long way from being completed.
Also, the 747 flight is the early departure, which is less than ideal as most people will struggle to fall asleep after meal service with their body clocks still set on Florida time.
The A380 flight and the two AA 777 flights are timed better with their evening departures.
One more aspect: If you don't finish your trip in LHR but connect to elsewhere on BA, it's preferable to fly BA instead of AA as AA lands in T3 and the BA connecting flight likely leaves from T5 - the terminal transfer from AA in T3 to BA in T5 is a pain, involving bus rides and long walks.
On BA, advance seat selection only free at check-in, so make sure to check in online right when that opens 24 hours before departure. Try and snag a seat on the upper deck for the best experience.
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA, Mucci!
Posts: 16,625
One more aspect: If you don't finish your trip in LHR but connect to elsewhere on BA, it's preferable to fly BA instead of AA as AA lands in T3 and the BA connecting flight likely leaves from T5 - the terminal transfer from AA in T3 to BA in T5 is a pain, involving bus rides and long walks.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: BOM
Programs: QR Plat / IHG Plat / HHonors Silver
Posts: 58
Thank you all for your input! By that time, I will be Qatar Plat/OW Emerald. Would this get me premium economy in either AA or BA? Also, what are the best lounges I can use in MIA and LHR with my status?
#9




Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: London
Programs: AA Executive Platinum
Posts: 781
I can't comment on what AA do for non-AA OWEs as I use the AA program.
If you are OWE, you can use any OW first class lounge. In T5 LHR (if you take BA) then that is Galleries First (next to the Concorde Room, not the other Galleries lounge at the opposite end of the terminal) or in T3 LHR you can use BA Galleries First or the AA Flagship lounge, or the CX lounge if the refurb is finished by then.
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jul 2010
Programs: AA, Mucci!
Posts: 16,625
Premium economy is a separate class and it will not get you that.
#12




Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 177
My first post so be gentle with me!
A complete no brainer for me and it would be the A380 every time, nice and new spacious and quiet.
I don't know how other One World airlines work but on BA you I think you only get promoted up a level at the end of you membership year rather than at the time that you have earned enough points.
A complete no brainer for me and it would be the A380 every time, nice and new spacious and quiet.
I don't know how other One World airlines work but on BA you I think you only get promoted up a level at the end of you membership year rather than at the time that you have earned enough points.
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: BOM
Programs: QR Plat / IHG Plat / HHonors Silver
Posts: 58
My first post so be gentle with me!
A complete no brainer for me and it would be the A380 every time, nice and new spacious and quiet.
I don't know how other One World airlines work but on BA you I think you only get promoted up a level at the end of you membership year rather than at the time that you have earned enough points.
A complete no brainer for me and it would be the A380 every time, nice and new spacious and quiet.
I don't know how other One World airlines work but on BA you I think you only get promoted up a level at the end of you membership year rather than at the time that you have earned enough points.
Based on what I've read, I'm definitely going for the A380.


