VS vs. SA Business Class? JNB to LHR
Aug 2, 2011, 8:09 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Home: Arlington, VA; Home airports: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Active: AA, UA, DL
Posts: 4,095
VS vs. SA Business Class? JNB to LHR
Going to make a booking soon. Which one do you recommend? Looking most for comfort. I haven't flown on either carrier.
Aug 2, 2011, 9:17 am
#2
Ambassador
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Frankfurt
Posts: 1,755
I've not flown on SAA's new A330s that they're using between JNB and LHR but I still think VS would be better.
I see you're a DL frequent flyer in which case you may have used their herringbone seats in international J. VS UC suites are similar but seem better quality to me.
The advantages of VS are the dedicated UC check-in area with a private security channel, the LHR Clubhouse and, for me, the fact that the seat flips over to form a bed which means it is completely flat with no "bumps" that sometimes occur when a seat reclines to become a bed.
What time of year are you travelling? If it's the SA summer VS will be using a 747 so you can get a seat in the nose.
If you want any more info feel free to PM me.
NB: both airlines suffer from inconsistent crew
I see you're a DL frequent flyer in which case you may have used their herringbone seats in international J. VS UC suites are similar but seem better quality to me.
The advantages of VS are the dedicated UC check-in area with a private security channel, the LHR Clubhouse and, for me, the fact that the seat flips over to form a bed which means it is completely flat with no "bumps" that sometimes occur when a seat reclines to become a bed.
What time of year are you travelling? If it's the SA summer VS will be using a 747 so you can get a seat in the nose.
If you want any more info feel free to PM me.
NB: both airlines suffer from inconsistent crew
Aug 2, 2011, 11:02 am
#3
Join Date: May 2006
Programs: VS Au, Skywards Au, BA Exec Ag, HH Diamond, Taj Au
Posts: 1,389
Did you post the same question on the BA forum, do not be surprised by tribal voting 
.
But, that said, I would take VS over BA on this route. Don't forget that both legs are night flights, in which case the VS bed wins over BA's reclining flat seats. VS gives you sleep suits, BA doesn't, if you want a relaxing drink at the bar, only on VS.
To be fair, BA has some benefits too, people who like to recline and relax have more seat options. But by recent reputation there's little now that divides the food in UC or Club ...
.But, that said, I would take VS over BA on this route. Don't forget that both legs are night flights, in which case the VS bed wins over BA's reclining flat seats. VS gives you sleep suits, BA doesn't, if you want a relaxing drink at the bar, only on VS.
To be fair, BA has some benefits too, people who like to recline and relax have more seat options. But by recent reputation there's little now that divides the food in UC or Club ...
Aug 6, 2011, 9:07 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast
Programs: AA CONCIERGE KEY & 1MM, HILTON DIAMOND
Posts: 11,970
The SA flat beds are wider and more comfortable in general. Food wise I also prefer SA. In terms of crews, SA has some bad apples like all other airlines do, but SA crews in my experience have been far better than VS'.
The downsides of SA J are: no bar and no sleep suits.
The downsides of SA J are: no bar and no sleep suits.