Premium Economy - QF or BA?

[Aus ATC]

We are looking at booking Premium Economy BNE-LHR return in August/September. I have found fares for around $3100 which I am fairly happy with, and am debating QF vs BA for the first part of the journey.

Option 1: QF economy via SYD, connecting to the BA15 service on the B777. Benefit is a visit to the SYD FLounge for an hour or so, and slightly shorter overall flight time (later departure ex BNE on the domestic leg).

Option 2: QF51 Y+ from BNE-SIN, connecting with the same BA15 service after a 6 hour stopover in SIN. Benefit is the QF Y+ for the day time flight, which by all reports is a step up from BA WTP.

Returning will be via BA WTP on the A380, stopping over in HKG for a few days and CX Y+ on the A330.

For the BA flights, I am deliberately avoiding the B747, as by all reports the older Y+ is atrocious. But the B777 is "new WTP" and should be better (as should the A380).

Do any members have recent experience of each Y+ product? Which of the options would you choose and why?

Thanks,
Aus ATC

 

[blu]

I found the A380 Y+ seat (exit row) got very uncomfortable after 8 hours. Sector 1 service was 5 star (Aus crew). The Brit crew less.
It looks like it still remains, QF is business lite and BA economy plus.
There's a comparison on FT (one comment rated QF PE service better than Club World):
Trip Comparison: BA WT+ / QF Prem - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[smckay]

I second the seat comment on Qantas. We had the last seat row at the back of the A380 last August and neither myself nor my girl could get comfy. The haul home was the worst, both bone tired and couldn't sleep (the crew diplomatically asked how was your 'rest', BTW) For the price, I would have saved the $2,000 and taken a Y exit row at the very rear top deck.

Crew were similarly the same; Aussie crew great couldn't do enough. UK crew; except the hostie who appeared to have taken a shine to me they were just doing their job, nothing more.

The amenities were nice, blanket, pillow bigger meals. But headphones not great, foot rest doesn't allow any comfort if you are near 6 foot.

I would not spend more than 50% over an economy ticket for Y+ as thats about all it is worth in my opinion.

 

[boomy]

I really like QF PE, perfect for a relaxing day flight. Service, food & wine similar to J and if you are lucky you may get one of the old 747s with the old J seats (row 23 & 24).
I tried BA PE a few years ago and it was OK. Service & food not as good as QF IMO.

 

[Aus ATC]

Thanks for the replies folks - the Flyer Talk review in particular confirms my original thoughts that my option 2 would be best. Unfortunately the QF flight will be ticketed as a BA code share (fewer points), but will have plenty of time for a shower in SIN - and I don't have to explain to Mrs Aus ATC why we are backtracking to SYD (even though we will miss out on the FLounge).

The trip will also see me try out 4 different PE products - though the downgrade from QF to BA in SIN may be a bit hard to swallow!! Might have to do a trip report....

 

[TSVflyer]

I have flown QF Prem Econ and BA WT+ a number of times. The old BA WT+ was very ordinary. The new BA WT+ is as good as QF in the hard product, the BA meals used to be just economy meals, very poor, the new BA WT+ meals are a great improvement, not as good as QF, but acceptable. I will only fly BA these days. QF charges about $5600 SYD LHR return, BA charges about $3300!!! I also prefer to fly via SIN and arrive at LHR T5 rather than the very drab T3. As you happen to be QF Platinum you can also use the T5 arrivals lounge flying in any cabin on a BA long haul flight. Arriving at T3 you can not use the AA arrivals lounge unless you fly business on QF. You must make sure you fly on the 777/300 or you might get the old WT+ product. All flights out of SYD are 777/300. Some flights out of SIN are on the old 747 with the old cabin.
So in summary, BA is great value for money, QF does not warrant paying more than $2200 more for a product that is probably worth $200 dollars more. And you will of course get the same status credits as QF but but a lot less frequent flyer points on BA.

 

[drewbles]

As you happen to be QF Platinum you can also use the T5 arrivals lounge flying in any cabin on a BA long haul flight. Arriving at T3 you can not use the AA arrivals lounge unless you fly business on QF. You must make sure you fly on the 777/300 or you might get the old WT+ product. All flights out of SYD are 777/300. Some flights out of SIN are on the old 747 with the old cabin.
So in summary, BA is great value for money, QF does not warrant paying more than $2200 more for a product that is probably worth $200 dollars more. And you will of course get the same status credits as QF but but a lot less frequent flyer points on BA.

Unless it's recently changed, you cannot use the T5 arrivals lounge unless you were in J or F. The BA arrivals lounge is not a OW lounge so is subject to BA's rules (like the Concorde room).

 

[TSVflyer]

Unless it's recently changed, you cannot use the T5 arrivals lounge unless you were in J or F. The BA arrivals lounge is not a OW lounge so is subject to BA's rules (like the Concorde room).

I flew BA in October this year in WT+ SYD / LHR. I'm QF Platinum/Emerald and used BA T5 Galleries arrivals lounge. You are quite right, it is not a Oneworld lounge, which is why you can't use the AA arrivals lounge at T3 unless you fly J or F. However if you go to FlyerTalk and check the BAEC page you will find that: BAEC Gold members and OneWorld Emerald can use the T5 Galleries Arrivals lounge if arriving on a BA operated long haul flight, no guest allowed:
To me, arriving at T5 and using the arrivals lounge and paying $2000 less than on QF is a deal breaker. You also get to depart from T5 rather than T3. I find T5 is a much better terminal. The BA First lounge at T5 is also superior to T3.

 

[drewbles]

I flew BA in October this year in WT+ SYD / LHR. I'm QF Platinum/Emerald and used BA T5 Galleries arrivals lounge. You are quite right, it is not a Oneworld lounge, which is why you can't use the AA arrivals lounge at T3 unless you fly J or F. However if you go to FlyerTalk and check the BAEC page you will find that: BAEC Gold members and OneWorld Emerald can use the T5 Galleries Arrivals lounge if arriving on a BA operated long haul flight, no guest allowed:
To me, arriving at T5 and using the arrivals lounge and paying $2000 less than on QF is a deal breaker. You also get to depart from T5 rather than T3. I find T5 is a much better terminal. The BA First lounge at T5 is also superior to T3.

Not according to BA:

Arrivals lounges | Airport Lounges | British Airways

These lounges are exclusive to you if you have travelled in First or Club World, or are a Gold Executive Club Member, arriving on a British Airways longhaul flight. Capacity restrictions apply so we are sorry we cannot allow you to bring guests into these lounges.

I was denied access as OW Emerald in Y+, but have been allowed when flying in J.

 

[TSVflyer]

I arrived on BA from SYD on October 19th. this year. I had carefully read the BA Lounge Data base, I was a bit doubtful about my status regarding T5 Arrivals lounge. As part of my online booking with BA the e-mail confirmation included my SYD First lounge as well as SIN BA Galleries Lounge invitation as well as Galleries Arrivals Lounge invitation. And indeed, when arriving at LHR there was no problem using the Arrivals lounge. So there seems to be some confusion here!

 

[drewbles]

I arrived on BA from SYD on October 19th. this year. I had carefully read the BA Lounge Data base, I was a bit doubtful about my status regarding T5 Arrivals lounge. As part of my online booking with BA the e-mail confirmation included my SYD First lounge as well as SIN BA Galleries Lounge invitation as well as Galleries Arrivals Lounge invitation. And indeed, when arriving at LHR there was no problem using the Arrivals lounge. So there seems to be some confusion here!

Personally I think you've just been lucky. I've never booked direct with BA to see these invites you mention though. Perhaps it's a change recently and their website hasn't been updated to reflect it. If so, it's a great change!

 

[Alanslegal]

I'd fly neither BA or QF Y+ and head to the USDM threads and fly F for the same cost outlay

 

[Dalescott]

I'd fly neither BA or QF Y+ and head to the USDM threads and fly F for the same cost outlay

USDM thread, Please explain??????????

 

[Alanslegal]

USDM thread, Please explain??????????

Start here US Airways Dividend Miles