Hello.
Got back last night from NYC. Ordinarily I take the JFK-LCY flight for convenience, but couldn't get a seat at the time I booked. So I opted for an AA flight to try the new F service. Having done BA F on the route recently, I had a good comparison.
Overall, I think BA nudges ahead, but for reasons that are more personal to me. Anyway, here goes...
Checking in
I'd already checked in using the app, so I had my boarding pass when I arrived. Was keen to use the Flagship Check-in to see what it was like - and I have to say it was excellent. It's a secret door to by the curbside check-in entrance, behind a velvet rope. It's available to International and Transcon First and Concierge Key customers - and it's brilliant.
The lady by the rope checks you're eligible, then you slide through the door to a private check-in area to check bags. I only had carry-on, so went straight through. The best bit is that the exit dumps you by the TSA Pre Check line, so there's absolutely no queue. As a UK passport holder I couldn't use the TSA line so had to go through normal security - but a Special Services-type agent took me to the front of a normal line and I was through in minutes. Much better than normal fast-track, as there was no queue at all.
So AA beats BA on check in. As a BA First customer at T5 (and being nowhere near Prem!) I kind of got dumped to make my own way through security with everybody else. Which I don't mind as I'm not really deserving of it anyway, but it's a nice touch from AA and felt like a step up from the norm.
Lounges
No competition. AA Flagship lounge is fine, but no better than GC in my opinion - certainly not as good as the Flounge - and nowhere near the CCR, especially the T7 one. The T8 lounge is just a bit underwhelming. Nothing more to say here.
The lounge agent was good, though. I wanted to get on the earlier flight and she sorted it with no fuss in about 3 minutes. Wonderful service and really friendly.
Overall: BA wins, hands down.
On-board
The AA seat wins hands-down for me. Feels bigger and I like the way you can swivel it round to face the window with the mini-desk. Just feels slightly bigger and better than the BA seat.
BUT my seat was broken. They had to manually set it as a bed - so I only had upright or flat. Not good and letter (or email) in the post...
Because the lounge food wasn't great I ate quickly on board. I asked if I could eat really soon after take off and the cabin crew were amazing. Really friendly and I ate a main and pudding really quickly. Food on a par with BA for me - but I'd rather be able to get a decent meal in the lounge beforehand so I can sleep more.
On that point, my main observation about AA F is that the cabin (although smaller) isn't as relaxing as BA F. There was a lot of talking, noise and a few people taking photos... Took about 2 hours to settle down, which (for a night flight) is a bit too long and meant I couldn't really sleep until about 3 hours in. From experience the BA flights are more focussed on sleeping, so I prefer them for that aspect. And the LCY flight is always good on that point.
Overall: BA slightly nudges it for cabin experience.
So...in summary
I think BA F marginally wins for me, just because I can get to sleep faster and for longer - which is the main thing on an overnight flight.
However, AA is upping the game with ground service - and the new seat is giving BA a run for its money.
Tight call. But for my money, I'd probably just choose BA.
Got back last night from NYC. Ordinarily I take the JFK-LCY flight for convenience, but couldn't get a seat at the time I booked. So I opted for an AA flight to try the new F service. Having done BA F on the route recently, I had a good comparison.
Overall, I think BA nudges ahead, but for reasons that are more personal to me. Anyway, here goes...
Checking in
I'd already checked in using the app, so I had my boarding pass when I arrived. Was keen to use the Flagship Check-in to see what it was like - and I have to say it was excellent. It's a secret door to by the curbside check-in entrance, behind a velvet rope. It's available to International and Transcon First and Concierge Key customers - and it's brilliant.
The lady by the rope checks you're eligible, then you slide through the door to a private check-in area to check bags. I only had carry-on, so went straight through. The best bit is that the exit dumps you by the TSA Pre Check line, so there's absolutely no queue. As a UK passport holder I couldn't use the TSA line so had to go through normal security - but a Special Services-type agent took me to the front of a normal line and I was through in minutes. Much better than normal fast-track, as there was no queue at all.
So AA beats BA on check in. As a BA First customer at T5 (and being nowhere near Prem!) I kind of got dumped to make my own way through security with everybody else. Which I don't mind as I'm not really deserving of it anyway, but it's a nice touch from AA and felt like a step up from the norm.
Lounges
No competition. AA Flagship lounge is fine, but no better than GC in my opinion - certainly not as good as the Flounge - and nowhere near the CCR, especially the T7 one. The T8 lounge is just a bit underwhelming. Nothing more to say here.
The lounge agent was good, though. I wanted to get on the earlier flight and she sorted it with no fuss in about 3 minutes. Wonderful service and really friendly.
Overall: BA wins, hands down.
On-board
The AA seat wins hands-down for me. Feels bigger and I like the way you can swivel it round to face the window with the mini-desk. Just feels slightly bigger and better than the BA seat.
BUT my seat was broken. They had to manually set it as a bed - so I only had upright or flat. Not good and letter (or email) in the post...
Because the lounge food wasn't great I ate quickly on board. I asked if I could eat really soon after take off and the cabin crew were amazing. Really friendly and I ate a main and pudding really quickly. Food on a par with BA for me - but I'd rather be able to get a decent meal in the lounge beforehand so I can sleep more.
On that point, my main observation about AA F is that the cabin (although smaller) isn't as relaxing as BA F. There was a lot of talking, noise and a few people taking photos... Took about 2 hours to settle down, which (for a night flight) is a bit too long and meant I couldn't really sleep until about 3 hours in. From experience the BA flights are more focussed on sleeping, so I prefer them for that aspect. And the LCY flight is always good on that point.
Overall: BA slightly nudges it for cabin experience.
So...in summary
I think BA F marginally wins for me, just because I can get to sleep faster and for longer - which is the main thing on an overnight flight.
However, AA is upping the game with ground service - and the new seat is giving BA a run for its money.
Tight call. But for my money, I'd probably just choose BA.