QF vs BA- J class

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Trashy

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Hi,

I am looking at moving to the UK next year and will be booking a one way classic reward flight. Sadly my status is NB (having travelled a lot but always in the back of the plane).

The options I am looking at are:

Qantas SYD-MEL-DBX-LHR- 128k points, $642 payment
British SYD-SIN-LHR- 133k points, $422 payment

Which would you recommend? So far my pros/cons list looks something like this:

Qantas-
Better arrival time
Less points

British-
Less stopovers
Less $

Does the seat layout make any real difference? I would prefer whichever is the more private option whilst maintaining comfort and optimising the business class experience (which, short of finding a rich partner, will only occur very infrequently when I have enough points)

Thanks!!
 
I would also go for QF J. I think the service is better. QF9 is also a good flight in terms of timing.

BA service can be hit and miss... and their business class configuration is rather unusual, with half the seats facing backwards. (Not saying that some don't prefer this.)
 
QF J - better service, better food. However, the seat isn't the best out there and if you have a window seat you jump over your neighbour like a gazelle to get to the toilet etc

BA J - the seat is very comfortable but we should be aware that if you get one of those backwards facing middle seats you will be VERY close, almost intimate to your neighbour so if you're travelling alone - avoid. Also, I generally find their backwards/forward facing alternate layout really weird and not that comfortable
 
As a solo traveler, QF J in a heartbeat.

Is there no option to go via HKG on CX? IMO that would trump both BA and QF.
 
The BA seat is far more private if travelling alone. Especially if you get a window seat.

A window seat at the rear bulkhead in J is best, as it means you also have direct aisle access without having to jump over anyone.

If you travel on BA, you also get the BA Arrivals Lounge in T5 at LHR, which is quite good and a great way to freshen up after you land. (This may or may not be useful, depending on what your plans are for that day).

With the options you are looking at, I'd definitely go for BA.
 
Hi,


Does the seat layout make any real difference? I would prefer whichever is the more private option whilst maintaining comfort and optimising the business class experience (which, short of finding a rich partner, will only occur very infrequently when I have enough points)

Thanks!!

Seating is a real issue on BA. BA charges $$ to select a seat in business class (unless you have sufficiently high status). This will likely mean all the 'good' seats will be taken, and you could well end up in a middle seat, sharing an armrest with a stranger, or on an exposed aisle seat.

You also have to either climb over someone, or have them climb over you every time they want to go to the WC/stretch their legs.

I would take QF.
 
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On balance, I would take QF J in my opinion.

  • Service is on balance better in QF J than BA CW.
  • Food in QF J might suck if you don't like the options, but food in BA CW will suck (at best, it'll be very pedestrian, and/or you might find yourself pigging out at the Club Kitchen)
  • Neither are spectacular for privacy. BA CW has some "private" seats in the cabin, but they are difficult to select if you have no status (let alone on an award ticket versus a full fare ticket). Any inner middle seat or window seat on BA CW will allow you to box yourself in, but unless you select the best seats, you will always have to climb over someone's legs to get out (assuming the relevant seat is occupied). QF J you can select one of the seats in the middle block of 2 - not private nor can you box yourself in, but at least you will have unimpeded access to the aisle.
    That said, on QF J, if you pick a window seat, if the seat next to you is occupied, it won't be easy to get out. However, if you have been flying Y for a long time, you might be comfortable with the ins and outs (pun intended) of having to climb over people to get out, or having such people do so over you. In the window seat, with the divider in place, it's fairly private enough once you are in your cocoon.
  • On arrival in LHR, QF J will grant you access to the AA arrivals lounge, but BA CW will grant you access to the BA arrivals lounge. The BA one is better in terms of design and facilities (full English breakfast and possibly spa treatment available at the BA arrivals lounge), but the AA arrivals lounge suffices for a refreshing shower on arrival and a coffee/tea and pastry before you head off.
  • Whether 5k points is worth about $200 is up to you (i.e. is this a deal breaker)
  • You cannot select your seat if you book BA CW in advance of check-in (since you have no status and you don't have a flexible cash booking), unless you pay for it (according to the BA website, Club World seat selection starts at GBP 55).
  • Checked baggage allowance in J for QF is 40 kg. For BA CW, it is 3 pieces, with each piece up to 32 kg. If you are moving (like I was), this alone might influence your decision.
 
Thanks all, it looks like QF is winning out...I did contemplate the extra luggage allowance with BA but I really don't want to end up taking 96kg of cough with me just because I can.

Also snabbu, I did look at CX but the only ones I can find around my dates are all in Y class.
 
As a QF P1 I would probably take QF in the hope of an upgrade to F, but in my opinion the BA J seat is much better than the QF Droopbed. As John Phelan wrote a window seat at the rear bulkhead is the best option.

From my experience, and I am a BA Gold too, the QF service is better. I'll be in a better position to comment when I hit GGL in October. It will be "simpler and fairer" :p to compare QF P1 to BA GGL.
 
I flew BA J last year SYD-SIN-LHR, had an aisle seat and didn't have any complaints. The service was maybe overly ingratiating which comes across as insincere to an Aussie, but it was attentive. I picked BA because I only needed a one-way flight and QF's price was ridiculous. Also I don't like transiting at DXB and I vastly prefer transit at SIN.
 
QF for service anyday. Can't stand that awful seat though. If you have no status, you Amy not be able to choose the best ones (assuming they're taken or blocked) so being stuck in the middle or window is just awful.

I'd go BA if I wasn't trawling for status. I like their seat, which is why I think people fly J. So for comfort they win. BA food is ok and the crew are fine (a bit hit and miss though)

At at the end of the day, first world problems. Either are an awesome step up from Y. Enjoy the trip (nearly said 'journey' but that's proprietary these days)
 
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