Loiscon

Trying to find out the difference in seating between business and first class on BA.

This is for flights from Boston to Heathrow and return to San Diego.

thanks

wally34949

Have you checked www.seatguru.com? Anyway, the business class seats are narrower while the first class seats are wider. Also in business class you could be facing the back of the plane. So, unless you are a wide individual, I think the Business Class should be fine.

Or another way to look at it is, is your credit card paid off?

wally34949

Here is a link for the site. http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Bri...nformation.php

Are you on a 747 or 777? I like the upper deck of the 747.

travelgourmet

The F seats are wider, plusher, and offer more personal space (there is virtually no at-seat storage in biz, except for upper deck window seats. They also all face forward, while many of the J seats face backwards. F also offers turndown service with a matress topper. In F, a friend can sit on your footrest and talk or eat; no sitting on the biz footrests. The new F seats are Quite nice, while the older ones look and feel a bit dated. None of the F seats are of the over-the-top suite variety, so the gulf between them and biz is not what it is on some carriers.

Lot of info at Flyertalk. Here is the link to the BA 'dashboard' there:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...ad-sticky.html

Personally, I would not pay the cash difference to sit in F on BA, thougt I might consider using miles to upgrade, or using more miles on a redemption. I would be more inclined to upgrade on a 777; I really like the exit row window seats on the Upper Deck, and so wouldn't be as eager to trade up to F.

FYI, I don't believe BA offers F on flights to or from San Diego.

DonTopaz

For me, the main differences between First and Business aren't in the seats, but in the service & perks. One important difference is that in F, you can have your meals served at whatever time you choose, and not on someone else's schedule. That can be important if you're trying to adjust your body routine. Also, the F lounge facilities are way nicer.

On a BOS-LHR flight, though, there isn't a whole lot of time to take advantage of a whole lot of in-flight service or to get a whole lot of sleep.

Don

travelgourmet

<I>On a BOS-LHR flight, though, there isn't a whole lot of time to take advantage of a whole lot of in-flight service or to get a whole lot of sleep.</I>

Depending upon the departure time, they may not serve a full meal on board, at least in biz. They ask you to dine in the lounge prior to departure.

Loiscon

Thanks..to explain. We have a voucher for a free flight if one of us buys another. (it was that BA credit card deal). Didn't want to call unless I knew more about it all.

mztery

to the OP - weren't you formerly loisco on this board?

Loiscon

Yes but my registration was mixed up and this name change got me on..happy you remember me.

julia1

If traveling in First, you can use the Concorde Room at Heathrow. Particularly great if you are transferring from transatlantic to an onward flight. Concorde Room has cabanas, individual small rooms with shower, chaise lounge, wide-screen television, snack and beverage service. You can reserve a cabana in advance for your arrival. There is also a restaurant with waiter service, food is good, and all complimentary of course.

First cabin on the newest 777-300s is a BIG step up from First on either 747s or older 777s. The new seats are much wider, about 32 inches. There is more storage at your seat, with a small flat closet for hanging your clothing when you change into the pajamas provided, as well as drawer and small cabinet for your personal items. With seat in seating position there is quite a roomy bit of floor space and good privacy. Seat opens out to a comfortable fully flat bed with good width and length. Bed is made up with a mattress topper, comforter and good pillow.

Unfortunately this new First isn't available on all routes. BA say it will be fleet-wide by early 2012. I flew it to and from Hong Kong earlier this year and it is well worth the experience. You can see some photos here: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...3&l=c1ae78e9de

First in 747s and the older 777s is good service and amenities but not an appreciable seating upgrade over Club, in my opinion, particularly if you fly Club in 747s and get seats on the upper deck, especially 62A or 62K. There you have the best you could get, apart from the new First, and better than seating in old First because you have quite a bit more space, personal storage and the cabin is roomier.

MissGreen

If you can afford First... why not go first. Surely there would be a difference on British Airways.

deedeedee

Just did the LAX to LHR on business upstairs. For me it was much better than downstairs. Not all the first class seats have been upgraded. I agree with Julia1. It would have been nice if they had matress toppers for the business seats. Other than that, it was very enjoyable. Also, there is a closet at the top of the stairs you can use if you have carried on your luggage rather than dealing with the overhead compartment.

travelgourmet

<i>If you can afford First... why not go first. Surely there would be a difference on British Airways.</i>

I don't think it offers sufficient incremental value to justify the extra cash cost. Is it better? Sure, but not several thousand dollars better. This is doubly true for the older style First seats.

sf7307

Seriously, you change into pajamas on a public plane? Not in a million years would I do that (so I guess I'll stick to Biz )

DonTopaz

<i>Seriously, you change into pajamas on a public plane? Not in a million years would I do that </i>

Tant pis pour vous, as they say. The PJs that I've gotten from BA/LH/CX are more or less like very light sweatsuits. They're also very good looking and from top brand names -- Bogner and Shanghai Tang, for example. During the long flight while I'm sleeping away in PJs, the FA has hung my clothes in the closet. So, when everyone gets off the plane, the F passengers look quite decent while sf7307 and the other business class passengers all look shlumpadinka.

julia1

Actually, it's lovely to lounge in comfy, stretchy pajamas before settling in for a good night's sleep. In my several experiences flying long-haul in First, it seems everyone does change and those one or two who don't are the odd-ones-out. If you try it, you might find you like it.

MissGreen

I was offered some ridiculously small sized pj's on a recent flight which I declined with a no thanks. Surely she would of realised that there was no way in hell that they were going to fit. Jammies might be comfy but they are a pain in the ass to change in to, unless you're in one of the Emirates A380 loos with more room!