BA or CX in F
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: SNA; AA EXP
Programs: aa exp, spg plat, HH gold
Posts: 155
BA or CX in F
I was almost ready to book my AONE3 and then had a slight doubt. Which airline is better in First Class LHR-HKG? I was thinking CX, but then I thought that BA might be better. I will have a long segment in BA's First (YVR-LHR) and a long segment in CX's First (HKG-JFK). So, which do you think is better and why?
Thanks,
Thanks,
#2
Original Member

Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,593
I've flown both CX and BA on LHR-HKG, most recently BA last week, and once upon a time the two were comparable with BA having a slight edge due to having better ground facilities at LHR (most notably the Concorde room and the MB spa). Now they are no longer comparable, CX is significantly better for onboard service in all respects. BA is still quite good, but CX is soooo much better. And those 2 extra seats squeezed into the BA F cabin make it seem much more crowded. I regret having chosen BA last week and won't make that mistake again. Too bad in a way, as BA started all the improvements in F service, but now they are more interested in selling J than F (perhaps a reality of the market).
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Boston, Jo'burg, HK
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Lifetime Diamond, CX Gold, Mrs. Pickles travels for free
Posts: 13,865
Also, the practicalities of where you are coming from should influence your decision. A couple weeks back I did BOS-LHR-HKG, in one shot. I chose the AA-CX combo (arriving into T3, leaving from T3), as opposed to the BA-BA combo (arrive and leave from T4). I was on the ground for 90 minutes, just enough to take a shower and a short break in the nothing-special FL in T3.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: SNA; AA EXP
Programs: aa exp, spg plat, HH gold
Posts: 155
Has the Concorde Room disappeared? I read about it in earlier posts, but have not seen anything about it in more recent posts. I think it is sad that first class is becoming less available (many AA routes) or gets downgraded. It takes away some of the fun of flying.
#6


Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,641
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by TimF10:
(snip)I think it is sad that first class is becoming less available (many AA routes) or gets downgraded. It takes away some of the fun of flying.</font>
(snip)I think it is sad that first class is becoming less available (many AA routes) or gets downgraded. It takes away some of the fun of flying.</font>
#7
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EXP, AMEX Cent
Posts: 223
I just finished AONE4 RTW. Flew LHR-HKG in CX and LHR-DXB-LHR in BA all in FC. Strongly recommend CX. CX is better in every aspect - service, IFE, seat/bed comfort, food. On BA, seat was broken, lousy headsets and service was non existant on DXB-LHR leg.
#9
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EXP, AMEX Cent
Posts: 223
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by TimF10:
I am sorry to hear about the service on the DXB-LHR segment as I am planning to go LHR-DXB-LHR. Would your experience be typical for BA's First?</font>
I am sorry to hear about the service on the DXB-LHR segment as I am planning to go LHR-DXB-LHR. Would your experience be typical for BA's First?</font>
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist



Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-PP, HL-DM, MR-LTP, HY-LTG
Posts: 26,017
Originally Posted by prudentbear
I might add service on LHR-DXB leg was excellent at par with CX.
One must remember that BA does not serve caviar anymore where CX still do on all long haul interntional sectors.
#11
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: None any more
Posts: 11,017
Originally Posted by Guy Betsy
One must remember that BA does not serve caviar anymore where CX still do on all long haul interntional sectors.
#12
Original Member

Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,593
Originally Posted by prudentbear
On BA, seat was broken, lousy headsets and service was non existant on DXB-LHR leg.
#13
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Chicago
Programs: AA EXP, AMEX Cent
Posts: 223
Originally Posted by number_6
You don't say which DXB-LHR flight, but one of the 2 daily services leaves DXB after midnight and arrives at LHR before 6 am ... most pax just want to get as much sleep as possible and skip dinner and breakfast ... thus the service tries to be as abrupt and invisible as possible. Is this what you mean by "non-existant"? If so it is excellent service (if only more flights did that).
#15
Used to be Sydneysider
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: CPH
Programs: AS MVP/Gold (and 75K aspirant)
Posts: 2,984
I don't see it
I must strongly disagree with those who assert that CX has a better seat in F than BA does. BA's seat is preferable in every way, IMO. Not only can you have a guest join you for dinner with the 'second' seat, it's also makes a more comfortable bed, not to mention the extra privacy the layout of the BA cabin gives you.
Service is definitely amazing on CX, but I would still give BA the edge.
Service is definitely amazing on CX, but I would still give BA the edge.

