TATL in whY- BA vs AA as QF Plat?

[pythonisman]

I started at a company a few months back based in London and unfortunately we have a pretty resolutely ‘Y only’ travel policy, particularly at the moment.

I’ll be heading to Philadelphia and New York next month and am trying to work out whether to book with BA or AA as a QF Platinum (or a combination of both, in which case on which marketing carrier!)

I *think* I get preferred seating with both, but am a bit unsure how far that extends (eg to extra legroom seats which I value highly). AA flies out of LHR T3 so has much nicer London lounges, but the main wondering is in flight experience (Seat, Food/Drink, IFE etc)

I’m resolved to assuming I’ll be in economy for both sectors, but my upgrade (paid) likelihood is a fairly big driver - I don’t mind self funding anything better than Y if it’s reasonable, and anecdotally have heard from a friend that AA offered both Y-W and Y-J on one of their flights, but also don’t know how common that is. I know BAs ‘POUG’ upgrade system exists but also that it’s a maximum of one class upgrade. I’m not too fussed about the outbound being upright, but coming back overnight in Y isn’t my idea of fun.

In terms of comparison, I feel like the seats and crew in Y are probably more likely to be better on BA, which flies a 9 abreast 35K LHR-PHL vs AAs 9 abreast 789; both are a heinous 10 abreast 777 back from JFK though.

Any thoughts or personal experience would be greatly appreciated- the booking is likely to be in the “discounted economy” bracket unless I can argue a reason otherwise, and will be booked through our corporate TA. Thanks hugely in advance!

 

[justinbrett]

AA - better lounges in T3 as you say.

I would pick BA for the inflight experience. The hard product is going to be near identical (depending on type). BA has a much better soft product IMO. AA longhaul has been lousy on that front lately, even in J.

AA will get more QF FF points than BA, but SCs will be the same, but you can book BA on the AA code.

If it were me I’d go with BA.

 

[pythonisman]

Cheers. Yes we flew AA in J last year and had a real mixed bag of crews.

I also find the average punter in the UK less painful to be around*, so think I’m leaning toward BA.

Points are a pretty small factor, though I’ll check to see what the delta is - I’d assume booking BA with a BA code would make possible upgrades easier to secure but equally feel like sleep will just be something I get when I get home

*edit I know anyone can fly any airline- but still!

 

[drron]

But BAs soft product in J hasn't been good either for the last few years and steadily declining.
Back in the day I found AA crews in general were better than BA crews. but of course I was elite in Aadvantage.

AA has a closer relationship with QF than BA and that might make a difference.

 

[justinbrett]

AA has a closer relationship with QF than BA and that might make a difference.

Other than FF earn it won’t make a difference.

Better chance of an upgrade on BA as AA has far more elites.

 

[clifford]

I'd go with BA (much nicer crews) and the BA lounges (and self-pour champagne) in T5 really aren't too terrible for a OWE.