Transatlantic airline choice

[Himeno]

If you had to pick between BA or AA for a LHR-North America flight, which airline would you choose? (or would you rather go via HEL on AY?)

 

[Lynda2475]

What class?

I flew BA LHR to JFK in June in Y on 747; the service was better and more food offered than when I flew them SIN-LHR (A380) the year before. Seat was no worse than other longhaul Y, and IFE was a nice change from QF content which I had exhausted.

Unless you are Gold or above, as there are no QF flight numbers, in Y you only get 1 checked bag (23kgs) and 1 carry-on max 20kgs. I found this odd as whenever I have flow in the US before other airlines have always given 2 checked bags as standard.

Had I flown AA, i would have paid $100 more for same time flight, but been given a second checked bag albeit reduced carry-on weight.

 

[Himeno]

What class?

I flew BA LHR to JFK in June in Y on 747; the service was better and more food offered than when I flew them SIN-LHR (A380) the year before. Seat was no worse than other longhaul Y, and IFE was a nice change from QF content which I had exhausted.

Unless you are Gold or above, as there are no QF flight numbers, in Y you only get 1 checked bag (23kgs) and 1 carry-on max 20kgs. I found this odd as whenever I have flow in the US before other airlines have always given 2 checked bags as standard.

Had I flown AA, i would have paid $100 more for same time flight, but been given a second checked bag albeit reduced carry-on weight.

J (well D )
QFWP. Bag limit isn't an issue for either airline.

This is all the trans Atlantic flights I've had to date:
LHR-JFK AA Y 2006
LHR-BOS BA Y 2007
SEA-LHR BA Y 2008
ATL-LHR BA Y 2009
JFK-CDG AA J 2010
JFK-FCO AA J 2011
JFK-BCN AA J 2013
JFK-ZRH AA J 2015
LHR-LAX AA J 2018
(RJ or QR ORD/DFW/PHL-AMM/DOH flights in 2012, 2014, 2016 and 2017)

 

[docjames]

Go via HEL for the SCs (and take the A350 if possible - not sure if they are using it TATL yet).

 

[Franky]

If you had to pick between BA or AA for a LHR-North America flight, which airline would you choose? (or would you rather go via HEL on AY?)

Have you thought of BA1 from LCY-JFK? It is an all J class aircraft which I understand is worth the experience.

 

[Himeno]

The one that stops in SNN for refueling and US preclearance?
Would require loss of a flight on the ticket for the LHR-LCY surface sector. Possible, but depends on what other flights I have on the ticket overall.

 

[Forg]

Have you thought of BA1 from LCY-JFK? It is an all J class aircraft which I understand is worth the experience.

Is that the correct flight number? I just had a squizz at FlightRadar24 & FlightTracker, and they both say it’s an A318 from Shannon (Ireland) to JFK ... ?

 

[Franky]

Is that the correct flight number? I just had a squizz at FlightRadar24 & FlightTracker, and they both say it’s an A318 from Shannon (Ireland) to JFK ... ?

That's the second leg after leaving LCY. They need to land at Shannon to fuel to get across the Atlantic, and do the pre-clearances whilst on the ground there. I don't believe they have the same fuel (nor clearance) issues on the return leg.

 

[Himeno]

BA1 has to stop in Shannon to refuel due to runway length and weight issues ex LCY. While in SNN, the pax go through US preclearance. The runway length isn't an issue for the return BA2.

 

[Forg]

Cool, ta ... an all-J A310, that’s just strange!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If you had to pick between BA or AA for a LHR-North America flight, which airline would you choose? (or would you rather go via HEL on AY?)

Probably the edge here goes to BA with the spa at LHR. BA's new meal service is much improved. I can't see any point going via HEL - a three hour flight in Euro Businness and no F lounges. + would still take up your additional sector (when you could do the BA1 as a much better alternative).

 

[MathNerd]

Jeb Brooks has a video review of BA1 on his channel, it is definitely worth a watch. I watched it as soon as it was released and that's when I first came to know of this unique route. Certainly one for the bucket list!

 

[Pleb Status]

I have flown on BA1 LCY-SNN-JFK (and the return BA2) and it is nothing special. It is a little like flying on the upper deck of a 747 with Skybed II seats (and without the lower deck).

Unless you are beginning your journey in East London and particularly want to tick off the A318, I would fly AA out of LHR. The BA J Club World seats are certainly worth avoiding. AA has lower fuel surcharges as well...