BUSINESS CLASS - LAX TO LHR ??? Which airline is best?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 1
BUSINESS CLASS - LAX TO LHR ??? Which airline is best?
Hi,
I am planning a trip to London - I am yet to find one airline that everyone loves for Business Class on this route.
We just flew Emirates to Africa and loved it. All airlines to London from LA seem to pale in comparison.
British Airways has a terrible seat configuration / Virgin seats seem skinny and odd / New Zealand seems the best right now.
I would love any feedback.
There are 3 of us traveling.. 2 adults and one kid.
Thank you!
I am planning a trip to London - I am yet to find one airline that everyone loves for Business Class on this route.
We just flew Emirates to Africa and loved it. All airlines to London from LA seem to pale in comparison.
British Airways has a terrible seat configuration / Virgin seats seem skinny and odd / New Zealand seems the best right now.
I would love any feedback.
There are 3 of us traveling.. 2 adults and one kid.
Thank you!
#2
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welcome to FlyerTalk
you should expect to get at least a dozen (if not a hundred) different answers, because what any one person subejctively defines as "Best" for them doesn't necessarily align with what anyone else thinks
I call it "Newton's Law of the Online Forum" -- For every self-proclaimed expert opinion there is at least one equal and opposite self-proclaimed expert opinion
you should expect to get at least a dozen (if not a hundred) different answers, because what any one person subejctively defines as "Best" for them doesn't necessarily align with what anyone else thinks
I call it "Newton's Law of the Online Forum" -- For every self-proclaimed expert opinion there is at least one equal and opposite self-proclaimed expert opinion
#5
Moderator: Delta SkyMiles, Luxury Hotels, TravelBuzz! and Italy
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A couple of months ago I flew AA 777 LAX/LHR and the comfort and service were absolutely superb. Flew on BA 380 (upper deck) on return and was very disappointed. Seats on AA were so much more comfortable, AA food selection was also superior. I was very disappointed in the BA flight and pleasantly surprised at the quality of AA/
Note: AA was the 77W and we sat in the mini-cabin.
Note: AA was the 77W and we sat in the mini-cabin.
Last edited by obscure2k; Jan 9, 2018 at 6:35 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
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If you hold OWS or higher that is. Otherwise access to the great seats on BA will probably be impossible (unless paying the quite substantial seat reservation fees). Without status AA 77W is IMO the way to go if OP wants to fly oneworld specifically. Otherwise there are already mentioned alternatives and, if OP is willing to pass through an European hub, LH, AF, KL, etc. .
#7
Moderator: Luxury Hotels and FlyerTalk Evangelist
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Location: Palo Alto, California,USA
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I haven't done it often, but every time i've flown ANZ on the LAX-LHR route in J, I've been impressed with the quality of the flight attendants. There is direct aisle access from each seat. The ANZ seats are very similar to the Virgin Atlantic seats. Wines are good but the last time I thought that the food was no better than the other carriers on the route.
#8
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Staffordshire UK
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If you ask my former corporate TA, they would suggest CX via HKG, because it miraculously came out the second cheapest route.
Another vote for NZ, although it has been quite pricey lately.
Another vote for NZ, although it has been quite pricey lately.
#9
Join Date: Dec 2009
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Ground experience winner is VS
In the air ranking:
Seat: AA 77W>NZ>VS>UA>BA 787>BA747 UD>BAA380 UD>BA all other sections.
Service Edge to VS & NZ. BA crew can be hit or miss but mostly I find them to be quite nice and professional. AA is similar but slightly less warm and UA just about there too.
In the air ranking:
Seat: AA 77W>NZ>VS>UA>BA 787>BA747 UD>BAA380 UD>BA all other sections.
Service Edge to VS & NZ. BA crew can be hit or miss but mostly I find them to be quite nice and professional. AA is similar but slightly less warm and UA just about there too.
Last edited by Yoshi212; Jan 10, 2018 at 3:56 pm Reason: adjusting info
#10
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if price becomes a factor, OP might think about connecting via continental Europe on the return (minimizes the UK premium cabin departure taxes, which are based on distance of the leg departing British soil)
#11
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welcome to FlyerTalk
you should expect to get at least a dozen (if not a hundred) different answers, because what any one person subejctively defines as "Best" for them doesn't necessarily align with what anyone else thinks
I call it "Newton's Law of the Online Forum" -- For every self-proclaimed expert opinion there is at least one equal and opposite self-proclaimed expert opinion
you should expect to get at least a dozen (if not a hundred) different answers, because what any one person subejctively defines as "Best" for them doesn't necessarily align with what anyone else thinks
I call it "Newton's Law of the Online Forum" -- For every self-proclaimed expert opinion there is at least one equal and opposite self-proclaimed expert opinion
If you hold OWS or higher that is. Otherwise access to the great seats on BA will probably be impossible (unless paying the quite substantial seat reservation fees). Without status AA 77W is IMO the way to go if OP wants to fly oneworld specifically. Otherwise there are already mentioned alternatives and, if OP is willing to pass through an European hub, LH, AF, KL, etc. .
I'll respectfully but strongly disagree with LondonElite re BA. It's business class is a sardine can compared to other airlines flying this route (and really, compared to most major international carriers), without all-aisle access (unlike most competitors), less room as it squeezes more seats in, very inconsistent service and high fees for simply reserving a given seat unless you're an elite. This is all in keeping with BA's ongoing race to the bottom.
With the exception of AA, I haven't flown the other non-stop competitors on this route. But while in-flight AA service can be just as inconsistent as BA's, the hard product is far better, especially roomier, and you won't get charged for reserving a specific seat. As for those other competitors, from the little I know I'd opt for them sight unseen over BA, except also steer clear of UA if it flies this route.
Whatever you do, I'd also advise flying non-stop. It's not worth the hassle or substantial added time of connecting via Europe, especially since business class on intra-European flights is pretty lousy (markedly inferior to U.S. domestic first class when it comes to leg room, though service can be better).
If price is a big factor, you might see whether Norwegian Air has a non-stop LAX-LGW, though be aware that its front cabin is really more like a glorified premier economy rather than business class.
Last edited by Thunderroad; Jan 11, 2018 at 4:30 pm
#12
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... I'd also advise flying non-stop. It's not worth the hassle or substantial added time of connecting via Europe, especially since business class on intra-European flights is pretty lousy (markedly inferior to U.S. domestic first class when it comes to leg room, though service can be better)....
#13
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imo it's not that much of a sacrifice for the ~1-hour flight from London to a European hub (I'm mainly thinking AMS/CDG) ... on the "strong positive" side, though (depending on where OP and family are going to be in London), OP could look into departing from LCY (London City airport) which would be an order of magnitude less hassle than LHR
#15
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Are you on the 77W? If so, think about buying up to their Economy Main Cabin Extra section. On the AA 77W in Y it is 10 seats across vs the more standard 9 across in Main Cabin Extra with 4-5 more inches of Pitch & up to almost 2 inches wider of a seat.