Comparison of BA v QF First and Business Classes

[simongr]

Thanks bokflyer - explains why I am right

Seeriously most of my BA flights have been upstairs on the 747 and with the exit row preallocated - a great boon for me.

 

[Keith009]

BA crew are generally typically British -- cool and efficient. They respond best to people who are like them, polite, reserved and understated, which might explain why some Aussies battle with BA crew.

I don't think it's a cultural difference at all if you're talking QF vs BA. I find BA crew on a good day are every bit as good as QF crew. There was a time prior to 2003 when I'd consistently fly BA over QF due to the vastly superior J product, both hard and soft. But since then, the QF J product has improved dramatically, the service has become consistently some of the best in the sky, whilst BA's soft product has markedly worsened with more and more inconsistent service.

I am definitely not one of those 'polite, reserved' pax and defo NOT 'understated', I'd take every available opportunity to chat with my seat mates (yes those who don't like Chatters, beware - see my BA97 for flights to avoid ). I like crew that are engaging and I like to get to know the crew. I like crew that are casual and down to earth. I don't like being served by uppity automatons. Which is why BA or QF any time of the day for me over CX or JL/NH and SQ to a certain extent. It's like staying at a trendy boutique hotel (QF/BA) over an old stodgy one (CX/JL/NH).

But in the current context it's about service quality. With BA it's the lack of consistency that bothers me as I never know what I get on each flight. More and more I'm getting the perfunctory cabin crew who just want to get the job done and over with asap with minimal interaction with pax so that they can hide in the galley. On QF I'm always assured that I'd be taken care of, and that I'd have so much fun on a flight that I don't feel like leaving the aircraft when the plane has landed.

PS I don't have an Aussie background either.

 

[AviationNZ]

I would personally choose QF for J class as I find the AVOD better and even with the slightly sloped seats, I find them more comfortable for both sitting and sleeping (not sure if it's my imagination but they seem a lot wider). I have found the food and crew very similar.

Haven't flown F yet

 

[vt01]

So looks like my view of BA J is out voted - all these bloody aussies on here

Nah.. I would take BA J over QF J any day.. I much prefer their new J seat. In fact I even prefer their old J seat over QF J. I hate the QF sloping J seat .. Always feels like I'm slipping off my seat. Either that or keep waking up and have to move up to the top of the seat again!
I have had great service from BA in J on all of my last 6 long haul flights with them. Food was great.. Had the best sleep I've had on all their flights.. I don't sleep very well on QF J because of the sloping seat..
Oh, and I love the foot rest BA has in J. Perfect for relaxing. Much better than the extension on the foot of the QF J seat and the little flip up 'end' (required to stop you slipping off the seat!)
And I'm an aussie .

 

[NM]

I would personally choose QF for J class as I find the AVOD better and even with the slightly sloped seats, I find them more comfortable for both sitting and sleeping (not sure if it's my imagination but they seem a lot wider). I have found the food and crew very similar.

Haven't flown F yet

Note that BA is in the process of rolling AVOD into their fleet.

 

[Dave Noble]

Nah.. I would take BA J over QF J any day.. I much prefer their new J seat. In fact I even prefer their old J seat over QF J. I hate the QF sloping J seat .. Always feels like I'm slipping off my seat. Either that or keep waking up and have to move up to the top of the seat again!.

Indeed. I agree there. The BA product wins hands down. The latest BA J is far better than the sloping skybeds of QF

Dave

 

[serfty]

Personally, I prefer the SKybed, even with a slight slope.

I'm a fetal position sleeper, and the BA seat is too narrow for that comfortably. In reality, the Skybed, sloping or not, could have been tailor made for me.

 

[Skyring]

Personally, I prefer the SKybed, even with a slight slope.

I'm a fetal position sleeper, and the BA seat is too narrow for that comfortably. In reality, the Skybed, sloping or not, could have been tailor made for me.

I'm in the same boat on sleeping position, and that's one big reason why Business or better is so very attractive for me on longhaul. The best I can do flat out on my back is a nap. I need to lie on my side.

On narrow Y seats, it is impossible for me to get comfortable enough to sleep proper. I've even tried being flat out on a row of three, and while it's better, it's not good enough.

Flat is good in a seat, but wide is better. Nice wide airline blanket, too. I hate trying to fit under a mingy thin airline blanket with either my bum or my knees poking out into the chill.

 

[AviationNZ]

I'm in the same boat on sleeping position, and that's one big reason why Business or better is so very attractive for me on longhaul. The best I can do flat out on my back is a nap. I need to lie on my side.

I'm the same, the ability to turn over comfortably in the Skybed due to its extra width is a big advantage for me.

 

[Keith009]

I'm a fetal position sleeper, and the BA seat is too narrow for that comfortably. In reality, the Skybed, sloping or not, could have been tailor made for me.

I prefer the Skybed for the exact same reason.

(BTW where do I find the thumbs up smiley?? )

 

[NM]

(BTW where do I find the thumbs up smiley?? )

Insert as an image via a URL from another web site

 

[Keith009]

Insert as an image via a URL from another web site

Ahh... cheers for that.

 

[benhadi]

How much wider is the Skybed compared to the New Club World? In practical terms (not objective measurements given by the airline). Taking into account the arm-rests etc.

What abt the new QF J in the 380? How does that compare with the NCW?

 

[serfty]

Usable resting "platform" area on the Skybed is basically rectangular, the same at the head as at the feet.

The Cub World bed is narrower as well by a few cm. They fit 8 across a 747 while qantas fit 7 (the top/tail BA configuration assists). Also, the BA seat is narrower as the feet than at the head, forcing passengers to rest their feet in a central position.

Both are much better than any WHY seat ...

 

[simongr]

What abt the new QF J in the 380? How does that compare with the NCW?

Fully flat - perfect. Just have to worry about Neil Perry's menu...

 

[Keith009]

Just have to worry about Neil Perry's menu...

I've never had any worries at all, in fact I actually look forward to QF J food. Even though I think NP's resto is massively overrated, for plane food QF J is sensational.

(Not that I want to rehash this argument all over again )

 

[Chris_Leo]

Hahaha

you guys are a hoot! I love how my initial question has taken us down this path of discussion...

I am going to have to go with Qantas after reading all your emails for First Class. BA has me concerned, and I don't want to regret using 192k points on something that could have been avoided.

I am leaning towards flying first class on a 747, since the A380 is not available for award flights to London at this point in time.

Thanks for all your help everyone....really appreciate it!

Man this forum rocks!
Chris

 

[Keith009]

Hahaha

you guys are a hoot! I love how my initial question has taken us down this path of discussion...

You don't even know the half of it...:mrgreen:

 

[NM]

Thanks for all your help everyone....really appreciate it!

Please report back regarding your experience with finding QF First Class award availability to London. They seem to be rarer than an Indian wicket falling in Delhi.

 

[Chris_Leo]

Actually i havent checked recently, but the last time i checked (about a week ago), there were plenty of first class tickets from SYD - LHR on the QF1!!!!

Mind you, the scary thing about that is of course the memory of what happened to QF1 back in 1999!!! ugh!