CX vs BA vs QF Business Class
Dec 17, 2005 | 12:40 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Cheshire
Posts: 127
CX vs BA vs QF Business Class
I have just completed a OneWorld RTW trip in business class and the difference between in the products are huge.
My itinerary SYD-MEL-HKG-VYR-SEA-VYR-LHR-MAN-LHR-SIN-SYD
For food it has to be a close call between CX and QF. BA does not even come a close second! But it has to be said, BA is on a par with VS - go figure! None was great, not like the old days (10 years ago).
For entertainment its a close one again with CX and QF - both have AVOD and noise cancelling headsets. opn balance I would say QF as there headsets were more comfortable and there selection more towards my English tastes. As for BA - back to school for them - appauling selection, slow old fashioned play reel and to top what was already poor, a tiny screen and pathetic headsets. Had I been on a VS flight it would have been an unequivocable victory for them here - I love the SYD-LHR flight for the entertainment.
Cabin ambiance was a definite win for BA - I prefer the ying yang privacy on the upper deck - the CX cabin was otherwise the nicest in look and feel - QF on an A330 could not compete here as the cabin is too wide and big to feel anything particularly private.
Cabin Crew - no big surprise here with CX being amazing - they are so friendly, energised despite the 11 hour flight to Vancouver. A big thank you has to go to BA though, for pampering me with free bottles of champagne just becase they did not give me my meal choice.
Lounges - despite being Bus class I use the 1st class lounges - for those who have experienced it, the Wing at HKG is unbeatable and sets a standard others cannot meet, including VS. WOW that place hums and frankly I route through HKG often on my way to Europe just to use it - the CX expereince is sublime. As for BA - well they really should consider there lounge size and INCREASE them - they are over flowing and frankly not a haven of peace. The food offered is pathetic also.
Seats - well given my quick hop around the world, this was the most important factor for me and had VS flown the route on a RTW ticket I would have been with them as there Upper Class Suite beats everything and is even comparable to many airlines 1st class offerings. Well I couldn't so the prize here goes to BA...for being flat and private. CX, what were you thinking with that gradient? QF I really like, but a little more privacy and a horizontal position, at least for the legs would infinitely better.
So big surprise, but I chose BA because of the seat.
Off in January SYD-LHR-NCE-MAN-LHR-HKG-SYD and its BA for me (or maybe VS because that Suite is unbeatable!)
HAPPY TRAVELS
My itinerary SYD-MEL-HKG-VYR-SEA-VYR-LHR-MAN-LHR-SIN-SYD
For food it has to be a close call between CX and QF. BA does not even come a close second! But it has to be said, BA is on a par with VS - go figure! None was great, not like the old days (10 years ago).
For entertainment its a close one again with CX and QF - both have AVOD and noise cancelling headsets. opn balance I would say QF as there headsets were more comfortable and there selection more towards my English tastes. As for BA - back to school for them - appauling selection, slow old fashioned play reel and to top what was already poor, a tiny screen and pathetic headsets. Had I been on a VS flight it would have been an unequivocable victory for them here - I love the SYD-LHR flight for the entertainment.
Cabin ambiance was a definite win for BA - I prefer the ying yang privacy on the upper deck - the CX cabin was otherwise the nicest in look and feel - QF on an A330 could not compete here as the cabin is too wide and big to feel anything particularly private.
Cabin Crew - no big surprise here with CX being amazing - they are so friendly, energised despite the 11 hour flight to Vancouver. A big thank you has to go to BA though, for pampering me with free bottles of champagne just becase they did not give me my meal choice.
Lounges - despite being Bus class I use the 1st class lounges - for those who have experienced it, the Wing at HKG is unbeatable and sets a standard others cannot meet, including VS. WOW that place hums and frankly I route through HKG often on my way to Europe just to use it - the CX expereince is sublime. As for BA - well they really should consider there lounge size and INCREASE them - they are over flowing and frankly not a haven of peace. The food offered is pathetic also.
Seats - well given my quick hop around the world, this was the most important factor for me and had VS flown the route on a RTW ticket I would have been with them as there Upper Class Suite beats everything and is even comparable to many airlines 1st class offerings. Well I couldn't so the prize here goes to BA...for being flat and private. CX, what were you thinking with that gradient? QF I really like, but a little more privacy and a horizontal position, at least for the legs would infinitely better.
So big surprise, but I chose BA because of the seat.
Off in January SYD-LHR-NCE-MAN-LHR-HKG-SYD and its BA for me (or maybe VS because that Suite is unbeatable!)
HAPPY TRAVELS
Dec 18, 2005 | 4:30 pm
#2
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: LAX
Posts: 3,433
Originally Posted by ukblue
I have just completed a OneWorld RTW trip in business class and the difference between in the products are huge.
My itinerary SYD-MEL-HKG-VYR-SEA-VYR-LHR-MAN-LHR-SIN-SYD
For food it has to be a close call between CX and QF. BA does not even come a close second! But it has to be said, BA is on a par with VS - go figure! None was great, not like the old days (10 years ago).
For entertainment its a close one again with CX and QF - both have AVOD and noise cancelling headsets. opn balance I would say QF as there headsets were more comfortable and there selection more towards my English tastes. As for BA - back to school for them - appauling selection, slow old fashioned play reel and to top what was already poor, a tiny screen and pathetic headsets. Had I been on a VS flight it would have been an unequivocable victory for them here - I love the SYD-LHR flight for the entertainment.
Cabin ambiance was a definite win for BA - I prefer the ying yang privacy on the upper deck - the CX cabin was otherwise the nicest in look and feel - QF on an A330 could not compete here as the cabin is too wide and big to feel anything particularly private.
Cabin Crew - no big surprise here with CX being amazing - they are so friendly, energised despite the 11 hour flight to Vancouver. A big thank you has to go to BA though, for pampering me with free bottles of champagne just becase they did not give me my meal choice.
Lounges - despite being Bus class I use the 1st class lounges - for those who have experienced it, the Wing at HKG is unbeatable and sets a standard others cannot meet, including VS. WOW that place hums and frankly I route through HKG often on my way to Europe just to use it - the CX expereince is sublime. As for BA - well they really should consider there lounge size and INCREASE them - they are over flowing and frankly not a haven of peace. The food offered is pathetic also.
Seats - well given my quick hop around the world, this was the most important factor for me and had VS flown the route on a RTW ticket I would have been with them as there Upper Class Suite beats everything and is even comparable to many airlines 1st class offerings. Well I couldn't so the prize here goes to BA...for being flat and private. CX, what were you thinking with that gradient? QF I really like, but a little more privacy and a horizontal position, at least for the legs would infinitely better.
So big surprise, but I chose BA because of the seat.
Off in January SYD-LHR-NCE-MAN-LHR-HKG-SYD and its BA for me (or maybe VS because that Suite is unbeatable!)
HAPPY TRAVELS
My itinerary SYD-MEL-HKG-VYR-SEA-VYR-LHR-MAN-LHR-SIN-SYD
For food it has to be a close call between CX and QF. BA does not even come a close second! But it has to be said, BA is on a par with VS - go figure! None was great, not like the old days (10 years ago).
For entertainment its a close one again with CX and QF - both have AVOD and noise cancelling headsets. opn balance I would say QF as there headsets were more comfortable and there selection more towards my English tastes. As for BA - back to school for them - appauling selection, slow old fashioned play reel and to top what was already poor, a tiny screen and pathetic headsets. Had I been on a VS flight it would have been an unequivocable victory for them here - I love the SYD-LHR flight for the entertainment.
Cabin ambiance was a definite win for BA - I prefer the ying yang privacy on the upper deck - the CX cabin was otherwise the nicest in look and feel - QF on an A330 could not compete here as the cabin is too wide and big to feel anything particularly private.
Cabin Crew - no big surprise here with CX being amazing - they are so friendly, energised despite the 11 hour flight to Vancouver. A big thank you has to go to BA though, for pampering me with free bottles of champagne just becase they did not give me my meal choice.
Lounges - despite being Bus class I use the 1st class lounges - for those who have experienced it, the Wing at HKG is unbeatable and sets a standard others cannot meet, including VS. WOW that place hums and frankly I route through HKG often on my way to Europe just to use it - the CX expereince is sublime. As for BA - well they really should consider there lounge size and INCREASE them - they are over flowing and frankly not a haven of peace. The food offered is pathetic also.
Seats - well given my quick hop around the world, this was the most important factor for me and had VS flown the route on a RTW ticket I would have been with them as there Upper Class Suite beats everything and is even comparable to many airlines 1st class offerings. Well I couldn't so the prize here goes to BA...for being flat and private. CX, what were you thinking with that gradient? QF I really like, but a little more privacy and a horizontal position, at least for the legs would infinitely better.
So big surprise, but I chose BA because of the seat.
Off in January SYD-LHR-NCE-MAN-LHR-HKG-SYD and its BA for me (or maybe VS because that Suite is unbeatable!)
HAPPY TRAVELS
i am suprised that BA food was not up to par.
maybe they should improve their food and save the seats for some other time
Dec 18, 2005 | 6:03 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD BXG
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,664
Originally Posted by ukblue
A big thank you has to go to BA though, for pampering me with free bottles of champagne just becase they did not give me my meal choice.
Dec 18, 2005 | 6:22 pm
#5
formerly gemini573
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: LAX, HKG, and BKK
Programs: CX Emerald, WOH Globalist, Marriott Platinum, AA Lifetime Platinum, Virtuoso, Prive, STEPS, STARS
Posts: 2,233
I can't wait till LAN introduces their new J class seats in March of '06. AA has announced new J class seats for next year, but who knows if they really are?
Dec 19, 2005 | 6:54 pm
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,735
Originally Posted by gemini573
AA has announced new J class seats for next year, but who knows if they really are?
All announcement, and no evidence, and a sketchy rollout plan which would not see many planes converted until 2008.
And they are installing "first generation" lie-flat (not horizontal) seats, while BA have had fully flat seats for years now, and will further revolutionise the Business Class experience with a new seat and cabin re-design to sort out AVOD and deals with other small niggles about the seat (storage, width) to make it compete more effectively with the VS suite.
Dec 21, 2005 | 3:25 pm
#8
formerly gemini573
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: LAX, HKG, and BKK
Programs: CX Emerald, WOH Globalist, Marriott Platinum, AA Lifetime Platinum, Virtuoso, Prive, STEPS, STARS
Posts: 2,233
Originally Posted by apudme
The AA seats appear to be a case of the Emperor's New Clothes!
All announcement, and no evidence, and a sketchy rollout plan which would not see many planes converted until 2008.
And they are installing "first generation" lie-flat (not horizontal) seats, while BA have had fully flat seats for years now, and will further revolutionise the Business Class experience with a new seat and cabin re-design to sort out AVOD and deals with other small niggles about the seat (storage, width) to make it compete more effectively with the VS suite.
All announcement, and no evidence, and a sketchy rollout plan which would not see many planes converted until 2008.
And they are installing "first generation" lie-flat (not horizontal) seats, while BA have had fully flat seats for years now, and will further revolutionise the Business Class experience with a new seat and cabin re-design to sort out AVOD and deals with other small niggles about the seat (storage, width) to make it compete more effectively with the VS suite.