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Hello!
Thinking of making an extra Avios splurge to fly first class between LHR and New York. Could anyone who has flown both first and club suite give me an opinion on how different the experience is between first and the new business suite? Is it worth the extra Avios and taxes? It’s something I’ve always wanted to do but it seems like the club suite is a vast improvement to the previous offering!
Not worth it for the actual seat experience. Definitely worth it for lounge, F & B and service. And seat selection if you don’t have the requisite status. And access to You First.
So on balance, I suppose I do think it’s worth it!
Bear in mind as well you could book Club Suites and get hit with a flight or equipment change and end up in the old CW seats. (Actually can you even tell if it’s Club Suite before you book? Probably some AV geeks will know!)
I’m in full agreement with Anna on that. As far as the seat itself is concerned I prefer Club Suite but with a travelling companion it is good to dine together in First. One other thing to factor in – if you get downgraded (very rare) then it’s obviously much better getting downgraded from F to J than from J to PY. Taking everything into account, I think that F is worth the difference in avios.
Or the saving in Avios! But a difference in taxes…
F is actually fewer avios (but more money) if you were going to go with RFS in CW!
*beat me to it.
I flew to JFK last week in F (777) and back from IAD in CS (350). F is fantastic and as others have said, from a lounge, F&B and service point of view it’s several notches above, and best enjoyed on the outbound flight when you can make the most of the CCR and onboard service, assuming you’re not driving the other end. Foot cubby in CS on the return overnight flight was quite tight and restrictive, unless you sleep in “coffin” configuration with no movement. Privacy in CS is great. Having previously done F on a 380, that is my favourite, the space is unbelievable.
Final point IFE is very dated across the fleet in F. CS screen is very good quality.
It all depends on your priorities. For me there is no comparison as I never use the IFE and I have no interest in hiding behind a door, the only two advantages of Club Suite. The F seat is much more spacious and comfortable, has no foot box, and, depending on aircraft, may allow you to buddy-dine or sit opposite your partner for a chat. F service is leagues ahead With a small, intimate cabin, the food is better, and depending on airport, the lounge and check-in experience will be better.
Personally, I really don’t like Club Suite. It’s been designed with solo travellers in mind and is really compromised for couples travelling together.
Amazing insight , thanks everyone. Struggling to see any JFK availability at the moment , only Newark.
I’d echo all the comments above, F definitely worth the extra especially if flying from LHR – I’m a big fan of the First Wing and Concorde lounge. Whilst F is very tired, on a recent flight to Johannesburg I found the bed very comfy and probably had the best nights sleep ever on a plane.
F on BA is acceptable in terms of service and F&B, I’d even go as far as to say it’s good, especially as it’s reasonably priced compared to some other airlines. BA CW on the other hand isn’t at the required standard for me, so I wouldn’t fly it unless I had to.
For the outbound at least you might be better with EWR, although I have to say that on my last flight to JFK (in F), we were through immigration and waiting for our taxi within 10 minutes of disembarking (we landed about 5 pm which might have a bearing on the arrival experience). Last time we were at EWR I think there was only one lounge for J and F pax so JFK is probably better for that.
F all the way for me. I prefer the far superior lounge at T5, and if connecting somewhere you get to use it on the way home also. Very handy to prepare for the dreaded connection to MAN 🙂 Galleries lounges are over-crowded, hardly anyone is Concorde.
The in-flight service and comfort are worth a shout also, although that can depend. I’ve recently come back from CHI in first on a A370 and it was poor in comparision to other aircraft.
I’m in full agreement with Anna on that. As far as the seat itself is concerned I prefer Club Suite but with a travelling companion it is good to dine together in First. One other thing to factor in – if you get downgraded (very rare) then it’s obviously much better getting downgraded from F to J than from J to PY. Taking everything into account, I think that F is worth the difference in avios.
Although the newer F seat doesn’t offer the companion dining as it has end fixed TV – this includes the 787s and the new 777s.
F on BA is acceptable in terms of service and F&B, I’d even go as far as to say it’s good, especially as it’s reasonably priced compared to some other airlines. BA CW on the other hand isn’t at the required standard for me, so I wouldn’t fly it unless I had to.
Agreed, but unfortunately BA has removed F from too many routes including EZE, CPT and, until it supposedly returns, PKX and PVG.
If you’ve never flown F, it’s worth doing once.
But with RFS, it’s now only really worth doing F if you can get it both ways.
F is about £500 each more than J. Personally, I don’t think it’s worth it if J is Club Suite, and on the flagship LHR JFK route, it almost certainly will be CS.
Whichever cabin you end up booking, so yourself a favour and take the morning flight home. You can enjoy the premium experience on the day flight and get a good night’s sleep when you get home.
For a long flight, LA or Tokyo, I would say F is worth it. Not for the short flights to the East Coast though.
(Flew F on an A380 last year. It felt very tired and dated. Buddy dining is overrated. Not especially comfortable for the person in the second seat and not enough space. Also, a lack of privacy, as you see people across the aisle when facing backwards. The 380s don’t go to JFK anyway.)
I cannot fathom as someone can state to prefer ClubSuite seats to First really. CS seats are narrower and you are crumped in when laying flat. I am 6ft tall (183cm) 200 lb athletic build and can never get a good sleep in CS (had better sleeps in the old CE cabin as at least I would not hit my knees against the under table frame /had lower legs in a foot Well).
Food and drinks (LGS champagne in particular) are much better on board as is the CCR and what is served in it at LHR.
My only comment is that NY would be a fairly short flight to fully enjoy it, and I would look for longer distance destinations
F on BA is acceptable in terms of service and F&B, I’d even go as far as to say it’s good, especially as it’s reasonably priced compared to some other airlines. BA CW on the other hand isn’t at the required standard for me, so I wouldn’t fly it unless I had to.
Agreed, but unfortunately BA has removed F from too many routes including EZE, CPT and, until it supposedly returns, PKX and PVG.
There is one flight a day to CPT with first, BA43. It may not be flying now, but it is next spring.
Thanks everyone, I went ahead and booked it. Seemed like a great way to spend some Avios 🙂
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