Advice on best first/business class from Rome to SFO
 

I'm heading to Italy and trying to figure out best return option (flying BA First outbound from SFO to LHR to FCO). My debate on the return is whether to try and avoid the Heathrow connection on the way home as you have to leave Rome so early (and we may be in Cortona our last night) but most of the planes from Rome aren't the greatest. My options are as follows (Delta is the one I know the least about):

Option 1 - FCO to LHR to SFO on BA in First (most comfortable but have the early Rome departure issue to make connection).

Option 2 - FCO to ORD to SFO on AA in business - they fly a two class plane out of Rome and I'm not a huge fan of American's existing business class seats and I think they SE going to be rolling out their new seats a a snails pace given bankruptcy (and Rome route won't be high on refresh schedule).

Option 3 - FCO to JFK or ATL and then SFO on Delta - I just flew Delta to South Africa in business elite and the pod on the 777-LR was very nice. It appears the Delta flights from Rome are 767 or A-300 which have the older version of business elite. I'm worried this product may be tired and not very comfortable.

Appreciate any thoughts.

Looking at the Delta flight times, I'd far prefer the AA option personally - decent departure time from FCO and decent arrival at SFO, versus the DL options through JFK or ATL which mostly involve a significantly longer day.

A much prefer AA business in the 763s to business in the 777s, and frankly I'd rate AA's cabin/food/bev service to be superior to BA's (in business class). Often because the 763s are two-cabin, the business experience is closer to first class on the 777s compared to business class. Plus, get a seat in the middle 2 (2-2-2) and you have nobody climbing over you. And I've found that the ORD connections are much easier than comparable ones at JFK.

"I much prefer..." Doh.

Thanks Gardyloo. I wish AA had a three class from Rome as we really enjoyed AA First to Heathrow last summer. I just think they missed the boat on their 767 business class seats but agree it is better if in the middle two seats as if you're a window seat and the aisle is reclined you have to catapult over them. I found a pic of the Delta non-pod business class seats and pretty much nixed those based on the pic.

If you are going with Delta, then go through JFK. This will give you their premium transcon service, which gives you international-style seats (cradle-style, but 55" pitch and excellent recline), upgraded dining, AVOD, WIFI, and excellent service.

Personally, I would go with BA in F, but between AA and DL, I would go DL, since the domestic leg will be so much closer to international standards. The overwater leg might be a bit worse, but for a day flight, I think it will be decent enough. Service on DL is, IMO, the best among the US carriers.

Not sure what restrictions you might have on airline choice, but you might also consider flying SWISS, via ZRH. That one leaves Rome at 09:35 -- later than BA, but earlier than AA or DL.

The trade-off is that SWISS has one of the best F products going (I think the most comfortable trans-Atlantic F seat, and the Balik salmon is better than great), and their business class is very, very solid.

Wow. The Swiss Air First class seat looks great (kind of like BA New First). Pretty flex on airlines as have a few hundred thousand points on American and also Starwood and AMEX Membership Rewards which can be transferred to most airlines.

Have always want to try Virgin Upper Class, but have heard their product is a little tired and in need of a refresh (which is coming but appears to be slow).

Your answer is LH. True world-class F. Departs FCO at 12:10p, via MUC.