TransAtlantic in Y - AA or BA

[Timba-Jet]

Hi AFFers,

I'm looking to book a oneway LHR-SFO-SYD flight in Y in Feb 2011. Which is 'better' for Transatlantic crossing AA or BA?

Priorities for me in order are:
1. seat comfort, eg neck & back support, does seats have wings like QF
2. onboard service
3. VOD entertainment
4. food & drink, I like a wine or two (Does AA still charge for drinks?)

I have read both have their downfalls for Y service and food, any recent experiences?

Also, for LHR-SFO, I am looking at LHR-xJFK-SFO option to maximise QFF and SCs.
So if LHR-JFK on BA and JFK-SFO on AA metal, will I get the more generous AA baggage allowance, instead of the sting 1 23kg bag on BA?

Thanks, TJ

 

[PineappleSkip]

Flew JFK-CDG Y on AA about 3 years ago. The horror, the horror:shock:. Meals, yeh. They announced that due to a french strike we would only get 1/2 a meal each:shock:
Swore I would never do anything longish in AA again, and have kept my resolution.

Haven't flown BA in Y other than within Europe, only Y+ but it would be difficult to be more ordinary than AA

Others will have more recent experiences

Cheers skip

 

[JohnK]

I haven't flown AA long haul but I have flown BA across the Atlantic and Australia-Asia in recent years and cannot fault their service. Usually I can select bulkhead seats on the 747's and 777's which makes the flight a liitle more comfortable.

Regardless of what people say I am determined to try out AA long haul on the next Oneworld award.

 

[Lendav Orav]

BA has a decent selection of movies, quite good food and plenty of free wine. AA has none of these. Flew them transatlantic last year. Avoid at all costs! There is really no comparison.

 

[docjames]

In Y, BA by miles. In J/C the choice is much closer.

More than 2hrs in AA Y is horrible. Go with BA or go another way.

 

[Timba-Jet]

Seems all roads favour BA.

Flew JFK-CDG Y on AA about 3 years ago. The horror, the horror:shock:.
Swore I would never do anything longish in AA again, and have kept my resolution.

Oh dear, must of been bad

Go with BA or go another way.

thats a good way to put it!

I haven't flown AA long haul but I have flown BA across the Atlantic and Australia-Asia in recent years and cannot fault their service.
... I am determined to try out AA long haul on the next Oneworld award.

I feel a bit like that, probably will make people appreciate our flying roo more!

BA has a decent selection of movies, quite good food and plenty of free wine. AA has none of these. .

liking the sound of BA food & free wine

 

[Timba-Jet]

OK, looking at doing BA LHR-JFK, then connecting to AA metal (AF codeshare) JFK-SFO. Then SFO-SYD 2 days later on QF

BA website states:
"For itineraries beginning with British Airways and involving flights operated by American Airlines and Iberia, the highest allowance for the number of bags will apply across the whole journey."

Would it be safe to say, when checking in at LHR with BA, I will get the more generous AA allowance of 2 bags, instead of BA's stingy 1x23kg.

No issues with QF leg, I'll get 3 bags !