[Closed] business class to new york

Just hope and pray that it's a code share and that you get to fly with someone other than BA. Worst. Airline. Ever.

I'll second webwonkmtber's sentiments. BA are an average airline at best. Go with someone like Virgin, or Emirates or Qatar airways all of whom care about their business clients.

the flight is an american airlines,iberia,BA flight OR there is a united airlines, lufthansa,continental air canada one.the flight code for that is UA so i presume its a united airlines plane both around the same price which would give the best service?

BA business is fine, I find the food a bit disappointing but generally drink enough champagne to dull the pain! Virgin is very good with car / limo service at both ends and a great fun lounge. Just double check you are getting the lie flat beds for the return flight in particular.

To avoid code share pick a BA flight number with 3 digits, in reality on the Lon / NY route is all BA operated I think, it's the partner airlines who share places on the BA flights. If in doubt check with them by phone.

I'll counter the anti-BA sentiments here by pointing out that they have been ace whenever I've used them. Which is rather a lot. IMO, I wouldn't bother going Club to JKF though. I would, however, do so on the way home if flying back overnight. The way there, I just save the pennies and fly Premium, to be honest.

Some people find the BA seating lay out odd when travelling as a couple. I rather like it as you sit facing each other, which is rather sociable.

I'd also like to very much praise the way they handled a cancelled flight recently. Got me home another way, very efficiently indeed.

I find that on the way out to New York I don't sleep and the trip back is too short to sleep properly so I don't go business class. The West coast is a different matter!

People actually pay for business class with their own money?

The BA Direct flights between London and New York are either operated either by BA themselves or AA. The BA operated flights all have flight numbers BA0nnn, whereas those operated by AA have flight numbers BA15nn.

Worst. Airline. Ever.

You need to get out more. Not the best, but nowhere near the worst.

I doubt I'll ever pay for Business Class out of my own pocket. Premium Economy / whatever they call it, yes. 4+ times the price? Nope - use that for several more trips instead.

Ba is our favourite on LHR to Chicago. Never fly American, they are not good.

People actually pay for business class with their own money?

Of course not! Work pay for the business class trips, then I use the air miles to fly business for fun!

Went to business class a few years ago with BA, we got a tip to be polite and smile nicely at check in to get a free upgrade. It worked and had a bloody lovely flight and always have with BA. Champagne cocktails all the way and fillet steak for in flight meal. Nice reclining chairs, with our own TV screens that had a choice of films. Was great.

BA Business are good imo (unlike economy)

I found EOS were better to NYC but they went bust.

BA is the best airline ever. Anyone who says differently is clearly smoking crack.

@jam bo - quite a few people fly business and first with their own money. They are what you'd describe as very comfortably off.

@ben w - on further reflection I'd echo CFL's comment re business class just for the way back, if at all. To be honest I'd suggest you fly out and back in premium economy but take the day flight back. You loose a day of your holiday but you'll save a fortune which will pay for a great hotel/dinners/some nice shopping (you can buy a Rolex each for what you'll save !). It's only a 7hr flight and aside from the champagne, quick check in, lounge and the flat bed on the way back it's pretty marginal that it's worth £4k vs £500 economy.

if it was upto me i would be in economy but the wife is insisting and she is paying as she is the main breadwinner.we went two years ago and were in the front row of economy cramped up while the next row in front the otherside of an open curtain were being served the cheese board with port whilst clearly not cramped as they were virtually lying down so the decision was made!the tickets are 1600 euros each by the way or 570 for the economy

I'd echo CFH, I would rather have the return leg as business class and fly out economy...however...given that it's for a (special?) holiday, you'll probably appreciate the experience more on the way out (but it's definitely better from a tireness/faff perspective on the way back).

I would never pay for business class out of my own pocket for a holiday, it's just so much cash for stuff I could be using on food/wine/hookers while i'm away. That said, I do normally upgrade on one segment using airmiles if it's long haul.

Clearly, it's your (wife's) decision, but you'll get a FAR better experience on holiday overall with that extra 2000 euro than an upgrade on what is a relatively short flight IMO 🙂

Try premium economy (more legroom) and bring your own cheese, then enjoy the best restaurants for a week while you're away!

I just realised we flew Club class not Business. 😳

I can only assume that those who reckon BA are the worst airline ever have never flown with anyone else or at least United. My experiences with BA have always been reasonable at worst and mostly very good. My experiences with United is that they have been mostly pretty poor, occasionally ok and sometimes downright abysmal. Always try and avoid flying with them.

I just realised we flew Club class not Business.

Same thing

I just realised we flew Club class not Business.

Club is just the name BA gives to its business class 🙂

For those that consider that BA isn't one of the better airlines, you need to get out more...

For me, London to New York flight choice would be, in order:

1 BA
2 Virgin
3 Any non-American airline
4 American owned airlines

A fair few years ago I took Air India (Raj class) on that route, and while to seat/tech was old fashioned (ie still had a pull-down screen), the service/food was second-to-none - plus it was cheap (work had just implemented a no Business policy, ahem...).

I'd echo this for any long haul, to be honest! But with a few others in the second slot.

1 BA
2 Virgin/Singapore/Emirates/Qantas
3 Any non-American airline
4 American owned airlines

One other reason BA always get to the top for me - Gold card..! More upgrades, better service, etc. Oh, and all those lovely air miles go on holidays!

Oh, and I'm not sure that 4th place is low enough for American owned airlines. They are universally awful.

Club is just the name BA gives to its business class

Ah! Carry on.

BA are pretty good club class.......dont under any circumstances pay good money to fly business on any American airline, they're all awful.

BA once upgraded me to Concorde. In fact they did it twice, bless them and their Johnnie Walker Blue Label.

IMHO you're better off with BA than any of the American airlines.
I can't speak from the point of view of the actual trip but I spend my days at work on and off aircraft at Heathrow and the BA fleet is far better and more comfortable than any of the American airlines.
Personally I think that even the older BA aircraft which haven't been refitted with the new interior are far nicer than the American stuff.

As for flying Club with BA, we're off to Cape Town next year flying Club and can't wait for it 😀

Am lucky enough to have done a couple of Tokyo-Heathrow trips in Club class due to upgrades (friends of friends etc) and have to say I thought the BA service was very good.
Used to do the BA LHR-JFK run a bit in the late 90's (sadly economy) and I say if you can afford it, and its for a special occasion, go ahead and enjoy no matter which direction you travel.

To add my hat to the ring RE airlines to fly with, I try to use the following (now mostly flying from HKG):
1. Emirates
2: Singapore
3. Virgin
4. BA
5: Cathay
6. UA/Continental

IMHO you're better off with BA than any of the American airlines.

+1, and I'd sooner go BA than Virgin.

Flew Virgin Upper Class once (and BA WTP/Club/First/Concorde numerous times whilst dad worked for BA) and was ridiculously underwhelmed, admittedly it was about 10 years ago, but BA flat bed Club was far nicer.

For €1600 I'd do BA Club, if you've got the money/are prepared to spend it, which you clearly are, just enjoy it! More worthwhile on a West Coast/Asian flight, but your call!

@benw - well if SWMBO says business it is not your position to argue and the price looks attractive. Just check the flight numbers as per @GJP's tip above and also the type of plane. I don't know if BA still operate the 747's on that route but it is fun to sit upstairs. They may have a more modern aircraft and the fit out / cleanliness will be better. Don't fprget to go to the club check-in / use the fast track / enjoy the lounge (the food is better there than on-board which isn't saying much) / post something on STW using the free wifi !

BA business is pretty good. BA economy to NYC is mid pack with many better options. FWIW Singapore is the best airline I've flown with for economy (LHR/SIN every 8 weeks for 2 years) and I'll be flying with them on Tuesday spending my own money.

I have had the intense displeasure of flying with Pan Am, TWA, Delta, United and American. All dire.

I don't know if BA still operate the 747's on that route but it is fun to sit upstairs. They may have a more modern aircraft and the fit out / cleanliness will be better. Don't fprget to go to the club check-in / use the fast track / enjoy the lounge (the food is better there than on-board which isn't saying much) / post something on STW using the free wifi !

JFK is a mix of 777 and 747. If the latter, get upstairs and go for seats in row 62. 62A or K is my usual spot up there!

Stewartc, Cathay ex-HKG for me, if only for the noodles at the lounge on the way out! (Their herringbone seat on a 74 is dire, though. Haven't tried the new one yet)

CaptainFlashHeart wins either the 'frequent flyer' or the 'uber plane geek' competition! 😀

CaptainFlashHeart wins either the 'frequent flyer' or the 'uber plane geek' competition!

Seat Guru is good for when you're not familiar with the airline or plane

Seat Guru is good for when you're not familiar with the airline or plane

You're kidding; you mean there's an app for that?

It's true though. One thing I learned since being with the missus is that the 'pitch', i.e. the space between seats front to back, changes depending where the seat on the plane is. Apart from the obvious space the emergency exit confers, the pitch typically decreases towards the back of the plane, at least it does on the 73.

If you're travelling with your wife and you don't want to avoid each other during the flight consider using the centre pairs of rear facing seats. I've done this with Mrs R when upgraded from premium economy and it works well. Bear in mind most of the seats are designed so that business flyers can ignore each other (hence I have a preference for flying upstairs when on my own on a 747!).

If I could afford to fly in the class of seat I fit in, I'd not even bother reading this thread 😥

jam bo - Member

People actually pay for business class with their own money?

I did some work in the US in 2002. The airlines were struggling a bit in the [i]post-9/11 era[/i], so BA were doing a promotion, upgrading business class passengers to First Class in one direction.

Mixing with the rich & famous (well, Jay Kay) in the Concorde Lounge was an experience and the flight was very pleasant, but at £3800(! 10 years ago) it is not something that I am [b]ever[/b] likely to do again.

Virgin Upper Class was different (sharing the lounge with Patrick Stewart on one occasion), but the 'luxury' on the flight not up to the same standard as BA First Class in those days.

BA is the best airline ever. Anyone who says differently is clearly smoking crack.

You should try Business class via Saudi Airlines...i'm assuming that they spend all their money on maintaining the engines because the inside of the planes are falling apart. Although apparently they bought their fleet of 777's in the 80's so they're not in bad condition considering.

Although their wash bags are nice...but my wife says i'm not allowed to bring any more home as we've got loads of them.

I went for some meetings in Dubai via Emirates on an Airbus, that was nice. Huge seats, my own free minibar, and a bar on the plane too.

I wouldn't pay for these flights myself, it's nice to fly business but I couldn't justify spending that much on a flight.

On the flights to the middle east there seems to be a lot of families...little kids who fly business probably assume that's how people travel.

We flew to Oz a few years ago, with Emirates.
15+ hours from Dubai to Sydney in Self-Loading-Freight Class was truly awful.
If we go to Oz again I'd probably save up the extra.
I've flown to NY but wouldnt waste MY money going Bus Class for that distance, I'd happily waste someone elses though. 🙂

Have you thought about suggesting the Wife goes Business Class & you go Cattle Class...you could spend the extra on a proper holiday, biking somewhere...

Business on BA is OK but recently one thing they have done that has wound me up is their 'upgrade' to the entertainment system. Previously (and still on some flights) there was Video On Demand system which basically meant you could start to watch any film at anytime rather than having to wait for the loop to restart. As for the food, it mediocre at best and the usual 'beef' option is normally ok however TBH I try to eat in the airport first then drink/sleep on the flight.
I fly to the West coast, South America, Canada and Alaska multiple times a year and generally speaking if things go rat shit BA will look after you.

Have you booked the BA tickets yet? If you are paying for Club/Business, consider flying out of London City to JFK with them - you get a (albeit smaller) plane with just club seats - quick stopover in Shannon to do the immigration stuff and when you arrive in New York you don't wait in any massive queue - worth the money in itself sometimes.

Captain - New Cathay 1st class seats/beds are good having been lucky to experience them on the 3am Mumbai to HKG redeye after staff felt pity for my sorry state while waiting for 5 hours for the flight!

Obvious troll is obvious.

Not really but my wife does fly for them (up front in the hot seat) so I am 100% biased.

Not quite sure why anyone would fly from the UK to New York via the Middle East, but that doesn't seem to stop people suggesting it's a good idea!

Business on BA is OK but recently one thing they have done that has wound me up is their 'upgrade' to the entertainment system. Previously (and still on some flights) there was Video On Demand system which basically meant you could start to watch any film at anytime rather than having to wait for the loop to restart.

The AVOD system [i]is[/i] the upgrade, however BA have some planes where this system can't be retrofitted due to the wiring system installed. One of the plus points with BA is that in long haul business you are guaranteed a fully-flat bed, but in some cases that might still come with an in-seat entertainment system whose screen is smaller than the one on your smartphone. Flying to JFK you should generally be OK though as it tends to avoid the really bad aircraft...

London City to JFK is interesting if you want to be different - and is the only BA route with on-board Internet access - but the lounge setup at the London end is nowhere near as good as at Heathrow.

I flew BA business class back from Hongkong. Was great. I got a little pi$$ed but also got in trouble for making too much noise with my Ninja Turtles.
I was only 11 though and it was 22 years ago. I was pinching my dad's whiskey and coke while he slept 🙂

London City to JFK is [s]interesting if you want to be different - and is the only BA route with on-board Internet access - but[/s] stupidly overpriced compared to a flight from LHR and in addition, the lounge setup at the London end is nowhere near as good as at Heathrow.

FTFY. 🙂

Just booked my flights to Vegas for a few weeks time. Which is nice. Upstairs both ways...! 8)

😆 @ logical!

Although apparently they bought their fleet of 777's in the 80's so they're not in bad condition considering.

Jesus, that is concerning, [url= http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_777 ]that's 5 years before their launch[/url] 😉

It was a conversation months ago that I had with someone who was involved in the deal between Boeing and Saudia, I'm sure he said 80's!

Well, to be fair they probably did buy them then, but fitted them out after launch!

For example, I went in to a 787 at Everett about five years before it was delivered to ANA. It was all painted up and ready, but not fitted out.

I'd never pay for business class personally (have done for work), it's just not worth it compared to the holiday things you could spend it on. Maybe consider paying for a lounge and a economy plus seat. Business works for business when you often away for only a few short days and can't afford to be tired.

2 sides of the coin

I don't fly BA now after some of their staff recently decided to strike over pay and conditions and caused untold people lots of grief and heartache. BA handled it terribly.

Years ago I snogged a pretty air hostess on London to Chicago which was quite good service as I really am quite unattractive. I flew with them all the time in the hope it would happen again.

Mega, there were reports of Cathay hosties being very "accommodating" last year.

All I got was a magic never-emptying glass of claret! 🙂

OP - I just spied this deal
Wondered if it could get you an upgrade to 1st

[url= http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/british-airways-book-club-world-get-free-upgrade-first-1314561 ]BA club world to 1st deal[/url]

Ooooh.....

Thanks. Might have to get on the phone to BA now!

Semi-flexible Club fares are probably a whole chunk more than 'normal' Club fares, First is just a bit too pretentious for my liking, unless I was going away anyway I'd save the Club trip for another time!

mega - good spot. Know someone that is travelling for work so...

Know someone that is travelling for work so...

You'll make sure they saw that link BEFORE THEY BOOKED?

AAAAAARGH! Dammit!

🙁

Oh well. Never mind.

oops - sorry
get your moneys worth from the free bar!

First lounge at LHR at seats upstairs....I'll suffer that! :-).