Now that my fave, Air New Zealand has left the station on this route, I'd love to hear recommendations on similar flat-bed business class airlines that do this route (preferring non-U.S. airlines, but willing to hear about those as well).

Singapore Airlines!

Lufthansa -- biz class from SFO has always been great. Lie-flat is comfortable.

KLM also goes nonstop. Efficient, friendly service rather than deferential.

Not this one!
My seat in business, flew TransAtlanic two days ago
Not an US airline, but the tail colors mimic the red white and blue of their Tri-Coleur
Don't want to say outright since I am waiting for their response.
Did not take a picture of a used dried up daily wear contact lens stuck to the armrest.
Oh yeah, and the seat would not go back from lie flat to seating position without having to manually move part of the lower cushion past a closing hinge. "Happens all the time" insert Gallic shrug here.
Watch those fingers!

Table

Table dirt

Table dirt

Vent dirt

table

Air vent

Foot rest dirt

Air vent

Air vent

Foot rest

Light after clean up

Light before clean up

cdnyul -

Nasty! Reminds me of a flight I took on Olympic years ago. Grubbiest plane I'd ever been on.

I'm guessing Aer Lingus?

No.

Geez, those photos are scary! And it's clear which plane you're talking about. #unionjack

I also read that Aer Lingus a few years back upgraded their business class and it's quite good now.

My guess was a wild-assed stab in the dark. Never flown Aer Lingus. I'd love to know which airline it was though, and not sure why it's such a secret, response from the airline notwithstanding.

Melnq8 - British Airways. Google their tail.

Ah, thanks Surfergirl. Didn't expect that.

You have a choice of four airlines flying nonstop between LAX and London: United, American, British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. Service shown by other airlines are all "code-share" flights operated by one of those; e.g. flights sold by Delta are on Virgin Atlantic "metal," those sold by Iberia are on either American or British Airways planes, and those sold by e.g. Swiss International are on planes operated by United.

So if you want a "non-US" operator your choices are either BA or Virgin Atlantic. A couple of reviews:

https://onemileatatime.com/british-a...-class-review/
https://liveandletsfly.com/virgin-at...-class-review/

I would personally select American's business class product on this route any day of the week. Their equipment (seats etc.) are state-of-the-art and their in-flight service has improved markedly in recent years. Here's another (pre-Covid, as in all cases) review: https://www.sageflyer.com/airline-re...class-lhr-lax/

I 100% agree with Gardyloo - I'd choose AA for LAX > UK. For the last 5-ish years all my UK flights have been in business (at least the east-bound legs. Once in a while I do Business east and Coach or PE home). Business on AA is better than BA by a long shot. Occasionally I do an AA codeshare on BA metal but only if the schedule and fare are a lot better. Haven't flown VS (Virgin) in maybe 8 or 9 years so not sure but with their financial problems can't imagine they have improved.

Ok.
AirFrance plane, but KLM gets the complaint since they sold the ticket.

It's been many years since I've flown with American, but now that I have that credit . . . !

I'd take Norwegian over American from LAX! I think people who like them have status. The rest of us, not so much!

I flew Virgin from LAX to London two years ago (an onward to Jo'Berg) and had a good experience as far as service.

Can't speak to the lie-flat situation, I went cattle class. Or to how they are doing now.

Likely not possible since they are abandoning long haul routes completely

So surprised AF. I had plenty of miles with AF KLM but back when business was not lie flat seats. And their biz lounge at LAX sucks - not that this currently matters.

does KLM now have lie flat seats in biz? I don’t mind detouring to AMS, as I love KLM

"but the tail colors mimic the red white and blue of their Tri-Coleur"

Mais oui, Air France. Color=Couleur

Yes.