Well if the 777 is operated by one of the new 773s (which ORD does seem to get on a fairly regular bases) then you're gurenteed NF.

It's to do with how many J seats are on the aircraft (52 or 70) and location of CW (behind First or behind WT+) but nothing to do with the Upper Deck as all BAs 747s have CW up there.

295 is operated by a mix of 772s and 744s - and when it is operated by a 744 it is normally mid-J.
297 is operated by 772s.
Occasionally both flights see a 773 which will always have NF fitted.

Mid-j means there are 52 CW seats instead of 70 - the upper deck is still all CW, but in a mid-j, downstairs WT+ is located behind first, and CW is between WT+ and WT. On hi-J there are 70 seats and the lower deck follows a normal cabin configuration, i.e. First > CW > WT+ > WT.

Here's what I would do:

IF BA295 is operated by a 772 then book that - FTdash is currently showing 82% NF when 295 is 772 operated.
If BA295 is 744 operated then I would book BA 297 instead - when 295 is 744 operated, NF is currently tracking at 18%.
BA297 is tracking at 53% which is obviously better odds the taking a 744 operated 295.
(http://ftdashboard.net/overview/baflights.htm)

Bear in mind last minute equipment subs though.

Hi
I'm booked in may on the 107 / 106 LHR - DBX return in May. I spoke to You First yesterday who said it looked like OF config because of the position of the Bassinet (although this is not visible in MMB) . however, they said no plane number had been allocated to the route as yet...

I was hopeful of at least getting NF one way (stats seem to indicate about 75%), but now I am assuming the worst..

Can anyone offer a glimmer of hope or is the bassinet position an indication of a surefire OF plane?

I am thinking of changing my flight / destination as I really would love to fly NF...

Thank you for your thoughts

I think it's far too early to tell if your 747 is going to be OF or NF. I've
got a F flight to LAX late April and the seat plan is currently for OF but a few days before departure it could easily switch to NF.

I think unless your on a guaranteed NF route or flying on a 77W, maybe BA are putting OF seat plans up with the possibility of it changing to a NF seat plan closer to departure once BA know exactly which aircraft will be used on the day of your flight.

It's been stated on here quite often that people's F seat plans have
changed from OF to NF within a few days of their scheduled departure.

BA 108 / 109 is a 777 and I think it's flown using a 77W, which will guarantee you NF.

Thanks for that.. I won't give up hope just yet then.. in fact, will probably just leave in the lap of the gods and wait and see what the 'windows' look like when we get to the gate!! :-)

I now no longer wish to fly in anything other than 1A in NF.

That was brilliant

^
keeping my fingers crossed!!

Ah - just like my kids.. took them on their first LH flight at Xmas booked in J.. (thank you BA for the fabulous 2012 offer) ... my 13 year old looked me right in the eye as we arrived in Denver and said "mummy, I honestly don't think I could do this flight in the seats that we have when we go to Spain... " - poor love... don't think she'll be travelling very far until she gets over it!!

Reports in Business Traveller,

http://www.businesstraveller.com/new...ing-to-gatwick

There must have been a change as the BA12 turned out to be G-BYGD (Hi-J) with OF. I was initially disappointed on arriving at SIN and saw the 747 sitting there with no window blanks.

However, I have to say compared to my previous connecting flight on BA16 (G-YMMG) I found the OF seat much more comfortable and the lack of a leg rest is a flaw in the NF design imo. One of the senior crew on one of the flights was also a FT'r!!!

Fantastic and very enthusiastic crews, service, food etc on both, particularly the BA12. I really was spoiled and pampered. ^ (ba.com/well dones sent)

I slept for 6 solid hours on the OF flight and sad to say I just couldnt get 100% comfortable in NF and the galley noise was much more noticable on the 777 (200) compared to the 747.

I'm with a few others here that the OF is a comfier seat but YMMV.

Pete

Are all the mid-J 744s going to be done? I vaguely recall hearing a rumour that they weren't.

I find the lack of leg rest a MAJOR flaw in the desing, a complete and utter Cokc up!

I agree.

Yes - this is indeed a rumour although we have had information from several sources to this effect.

The key is that the Hi-J 747's are nearly complete (I think 2 left now but others can correct me). We will then see what happens to the others. I would have thought that the BMI/IAG merger will necessitate the 747-400's will be around longer as it is the Long Haul BA wants to expand (Asia and South America key targets) and that they might all get refitted with NF.

Also watch this space for 'guaranteed' NF routes. Once all the Hi-J's are done I reckon JNB, LAX and SFO are next for guaranteed NF (there will be enough Mid-J's around to sort this out I would have thought by then).

FD.

So there's no way to get your legs up when reclining? I suppose the ottoman is too far away for most folks, right? To me, having a leg rest is one of the top comfort factors you (usually) get with a premium seat. I'm looking forward to my first First this July (LHR-SFO) - I guess I should hope for old First.