Heathrow-PHL: US Airways or BA?
Jan 6, 2013, 4:42 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 117
Heathrow-PHL: US Airways or BA?
Does US have the economy plus seating, as BA does?
If not, it'd mean we'd be booking business, a good deal more expensive I believe.
Has anyone flown both and can make comparisons?
Thank you.
If not, it'd mean we'd be booking business, a good deal more expensive I believe.
Has anyone flown both and can make comparisons?
Thank you.
Jan 6, 2013, 6:21 pm
#2
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Alexandria, VA - DCA
Programs: BA Gold, American Airlines, Marriott Plat, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 5,075
US has only coach and business class (Envoy Class). If in business, I'd sleep the whole way in US's Envoy Suites if I were you. 
Jan 6, 2013, 6:24 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: CLE/CAK
Programs: AA EXP, United Silver, HHonors Diamond, Marriott Plat, Hertz 5-Star, National Exec Elite
Posts: 44
Yeah, flown both...Only two classes on US...Coach and Envoy. Only have done Envoy once on a return from LHR a couple years ago but it was very comfortable.
Jan 6, 2013, 6:54 pm
#4
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: PHL / SFO
Programs: free agent
Posts: 797
My $0.02: if you're in coach, BA has the edge in terms of service and cabin comfort. But in my opinion, the Envoy suites on the A330 are definitely superior to the BA J product - they're a lot more roomy, plus the BA ones are in a bit of a strange configuration with the reverse facing suites.
Jan 7, 2013, 8:09 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 117
Many thanks for the replies. We're elderly and travel is kind of stressful these days, even at best; so I'd like to try to have as comfortable a trip as possible.
We rarely are able to sleep on planes. I've never been in those envoy seats. Am I correct that one is not very close to one's traveling mate? I guess business seats tend to be for solo travelers? But I'd not enjoy being angles away from my husband; doesn't seem as if it'd be very easy to converse, much less touch. (I get scared when things are bumpy, and need to grab a hand.)
We rarely are able to sleep on planes. I've never been in those envoy seats. Am I correct that one is not very close to one's traveling mate? I guess business seats tend to be for solo travelers? But I'd not enjoy being angles away from my husband; doesn't seem as if it'd be very easy to converse, much less touch. (I get scared when things are bumpy, and need to grab a hand.)
Jan 7, 2013, 8:17 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 3
I still prefer BA, used to travel with US but no offense, BA offers better services...
Jan 7, 2013, 8:25 am
#7
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA PP, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 71
If you're in Envoy suites, you will definitely have a hard time holding a conversation - best bet for a conversation is actually aisles across. holding hands I would think would be near impossible. but the seats lay completely horizontal and are very comfortable. Service is also very good.
Jan 7, 2013, 1:30 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
Folks,
Do we have to have the same thread opened every week...
We discussed BA vs. US just after Xmas... Please use search facility...
Do we have to have the same thread opened every week...
We discussed BA vs. US just after Xmas... Please use search facility...
Jan 7, 2013, 1:58 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: PHL
Programs: AA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 480
Jan 9, 2013, 1:00 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 117
I much appreciate the feedback-- the kind replies at any rate.
I've also been trying to decide which airline to take from Phila-Stockholm (same trip). I'd hoped for SAS or Lufthansa because we've had very good service on those airlines in the past, when we flew economy. But I learned that their business class seating for this route does not have flat-bed seats. We've never been able to sleep on planes, and we'd like to think that maybe we could on the lie-flat. So it looks as if it'll be PHL-Frankfurt-ARN. I don't like the idea of having to transfer in Frankfurt (would rather make the switch state-side), but so be it. I've also never had especially great service on US.
Can anyone tell me for sure whether we'll be connecting in the same terminal, hopefully even from a close gate? Or does one not know that sort of thing until way later?
Thank you!
I've also been trying to decide which airline to take from Phila-Stockholm (same trip). I'd hoped for SAS or Lufthansa because we've had very good service on those airlines in the past, when we flew economy. But I learned that their business class seating for this route does not have flat-bed seats. We've never been able to sleep on planes, and we'd like to think that maybe we could on the lie-flat. So it looks as if it'll be PHL-Frankfurt-ARN. I don't like the idea of having to transfer in Frankfurt (would rather make the switch state-side), but so be it. I've also never had especially great service on US.
Can anyone tell me for sure whether we'll be connecting in the same terminal, hopefully even from a close gate? Or does one not know that sort of thing until way later?
Thank you!
Jan 9, 2013, 5:15 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: BGM/ PHL
Programs: US (Silver, *A Silver), AA, Starbucks (Gold)
Posts: 2,242
Have you looked at VS Premium Economy? Think domestic F - deep recline cradle seats with legrests (4 across on the 744 upper deck, 7 across on the 346), improved catering, etc.. more like a "J Lite" product and generally regarded as a step up over BA's World Traveler Plus. You also get bonus PQM's if you credit to US.
United has "Economy Plus" but it's really just regular coach seats with a few extra inches of legroom. Delta's "Economy Comfort" is similar, but also gives you a few extra inches of recline along with free beer and house wine.