Booking BA Business class - Feedback on experiences

[noddylion]

Evening all


I have booked but not yet paid for 3 (I) Business seats from PER - LHR via SIN, as this was the best price and I am footing the bill myself. Its been about 20 years since I last set foot on a BA flight, so I was wondering if anyone had info or tips regarding what BA are like these days. I'm hoping its improved, but then that could be just good photography on the webpage, as my last memories are not the best. The Club World Seats/Beds look great compared to what I can find surrounding QF but as I'm 6'5" I don't want to take too many chances.

My first preference was to fly QF however this fare is 4K cheaper than what QF could offer, amazing since the Per - SIN legs in both direction are in fact QF but code shared via BA.

BA appears to have better Business Seating/beds for the long haul section of the flight. Any and all input gratefully received.:?:

I'm sure there's lots of flight variations etc I have missed but for now Im just happy to have got this far.



Kind Regards

Noddylion

 

[ozmille]

Hi Noddylion, welcome to AFF!

From SIN to LHR my personal preference would be QF A380 but I have done this on BA a couple of times as well and will be back on BA in JAN from LHR to BKK. Personally I do like the BA seats as I don't mind the flying backwards and I feel the Upper Deck is very private. Depending if you have OW status you will either be able to select seats from booking time or you will have to pay or wait till online check in opens. My personal favorite is 64A on the UD.
The service on BA is a bit "firmer" than on QF but then there are some people on the board here that like that

Enjoy the trip!

 

[simongr]

I certainly rate QF A380 J much better than BA J. It is a tough call on the quality of service on BA. When travelling alone my experience on BA has been fine. I am fairly restrained quiet Englishman so the more formal service that is less chatty than some QF crew is fine with me - I don't find it firm at all.

However when travelling with my wife and nine month old baby BA were disgraceful - I had to take my tray back to the galley to clear as the BA crew obviously werent going to (that was the least of the problems)

 

[Andyzx]

Welcome Noddylion
Mrs Zx and I are flying BA to LHR in Dec, it’s her preference and probably mine. The 747 Upper Deck is very quiet, service is usually very good but like other airlines I have had a shocker or two including one in F from BKK. Downstairs the middle 2 of 4 plus one would be a good option for the 3 of you. The partion screen between the screen dops down when you push the button.

The fully flat ying/yang seats, windows facing backwards, are comfortable and although I will be beaten to a pulp, as good as SKY2 beds even though the seats technology is older. My reasons are fully flat, easy to converse another and I think better access to the isles. At 6’5” you should be just ok in club world especially if you sleep on your side in a Z position that fits well into their beds. No PJ's though. Recommend 64A or 62's
Entertainment is fine but monopolised by English moves and TV. Food is getting better, try the breakfast sandwich (bacon roll) or the fully cooked English breakfast.

If you flying after 1st April, you will have the choice of 747 (BA11/12) or their new 777-300’s (BA15/16) which have upgraded entertainment and better food prep. Arrival/Departure is at T5 with the T5 arrivals and departure lounge.

For 4K less I think it’s a bargain. Try looking for some Trip reports in here, Bus Traveller or Flyer Talk.

Cheers Andy

 

[amaroo]

BA are OK.

The J seat/bed is fully flat - IMO the service/crew have always been above standard and once you get over the seating arrangements (forward/backwards) everything is how it should be.

There is no way that QF A380 is 4k better!.....good decision & enjoy the trip.

 

[ozmille]

actually a gripe I have with BA in J is single ply toilet paper, just so cheap

 

[trooper]

That is more likely a requirement of the waste system onboard... Cruise ships have the same single ply too IIRC.

 

[noddylion]

Thank you all for tips and advice.

I ended up booking the tickets today for a juicy 19K for three seats either way and got them all upstairs. I do think its a bit rich to have to pay an extra $700 odd after paying the fare, to secure the 6 seats over 2 flights, but probably just as well as there were only 3 seats left on the leg to LHR and 4 on the way back to SIN. So we ended up with 63K 64 J&K on the way up on 30 DEC and 64 A,B & J on the way back 30 JAN...So apart from the added sting in the tail we are looking forward to it. And if master 7 doesn't like being upstairs that's just too bad )

Cheers

Paul aka Noddylion

 

[ozmille]

That is more likely a requirement of the waste system onboard... Cruise ships have the same single ply too IIRC.

QF seem to have better, thicker toilet paper (not 100% it is double ply but definitely better quality)

 

[coyote25]

Hi Noddylion, welcome to AFF!

From SIN to LHR my personal preference would be QF A380 but I have done this on BA a couple of times as well and will be back on BA in JAN from LHR to BKK. Personally I do like the BA seats as I don't mind the flying backwards and I feel the Upper Deck is very private. Depending if you have OW status you will either be able to select seats from booking time or you will have to pay or wait till online check in opens. My personal favorite is 64A on the UD.
The service on BA is a bit "firmer" than on QF but then there are some people on the board here that like that

Enjoy the trip!

Totally agree ozmille. I selected 64A as per my trip report back in September. Very good seat, totally private and easy to sleep in.


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