Just about to book a trip from LHR to AUA, probably via MIA or CLT.

I seem to have a choice between AA & BA mainly to fit my timings, so which offers the most comfortable/best business class product? Some of the flights between LHR & MIA/CLT are operated by AA & some BA, all off codeshares.

Have flown BA CW before and was disappointed last year on MCO>LGW leg. The service had dramatically altered from that I was used to a few years ago.

Comments?

The other option I have considered is LHR>AMS>AUA, but reviews I have read don't seem to rate KLM Business Class....

There is a growing consensus on the BA board that AA now offers the better business class product (especially on the 777-300s, which are available on the LHR-MIA route). You should do a search in that forum.

I think AA LHR-MIA-AUA will offer best product of those going through CLT/MIA. Any itinerary through CLT is AA as BA does not fly to CLT. AA LHR-CLT is legacy US Airways A330. Not bad but AA LHR-MIA is on 777-300 I believe so much nicer.

Seven posts in eight years! Remarkable restraint, if I may say so.

AA is a mixed bag:

In order of my preference (and I've flown in them all, other than the legacy US 757):

1) The AA 777-300ER, coded "77W" by AA, has the best of AA or BA Business horizontally flat solo all aisle access seats - same seats used by Cathay Pacific and others.

2) A bit less than half of the AA 777-200ER have been converted to all aisle access solo Business seats; AA codes them as "772" in the schedules, and they are two class aircraft.

3) The AA A330 aircraft offer solo / all aisle access horizontally flat seats that are a bit older than the newer 777 seats.

4) The AA 767-300ER used on transatlantic are all aisle horizontally flat seats, the Thompson Vantage seat , which is OK but narrower than above and some of the seats have smaller foot nooks.

5) BA have narrower horizontally flat seats that allow less privacy and in most cases require climbing over (or being climbed over by) another passenger to access the aisle. This is true of A380, 747 or 777. On the 747, the SUD offers the best seat locations, as mentioned in the BAEC forum (use the Dashboard thread to locate your aircraft information).

6) The other AA 777-200ER are often sold as three class and coded "777", and have the older "NGBC" 2 x 3 x 2 angled flat Business seats. These are the least desirable of all. (Miles and copay or SWU can often be used to upgrade to First, an older but very spacious solo product with the largest bed of all, as well as mattress pad, duvet and pyjamas.)

7) AA 757-200 with 2 x 2 "NGBC" angled flat seats similar to the "777". (AA have announced a new seat is coming - the same as used in three class transcontinental Business on the A321T, but "coming soon".)

8) AA (legacy US Airways) 757-200 with 2 x 2 reclining flattish seats are the worst of this bag, usually found on lower density Europe flights out of PHL, possibly CLT. Avoid if any of the above are available.



The http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...s-ife-etc.html offers links to threads on each AA aircraft.

Thanks,

London Elite, dukerau & JDiver

Thanks for your responses, I will head over to the other forums you suggest.

I am 99% sure I will be booking AA, LHR>MIA>AUA, ensuring I don't get a BA operated codeshare.

Unfortunately due to medical retirement, I don't travel as much as I used to.

So not so up-to date with the best options!

Thanks!

Amusingly, BA uploaded this video today, presumably with permission/co-operation of AA.


It's like they know what pax are saying...

Love it, my now 13 year could have been one of those kids a few years ago, he'd have been singing BA's praises as upto then he'd only flown F & J TATL. He's now had to do BA Y & UA Y!

These days i am more of a leisure traveller, so it's usually Y as i don't have the miles or cash to spend!

Booked the trip in the end with AA all the way

LHR>MIA>AUA & return

J TATL & J/F Caribbean

It was much cheaper than BA, so we'll see!