Qantas vs British in Economy

[azza_1992]

If I were to fly to London on economy am I better off flying Qantas or British Airways?

I am not actually planning a flight but it is just for future reference.

The two flights I'm basing this on both take off in Sydney within 20min of each other and land in London within 20min of each other. They are both the same price so I was wondering which one would offer the best flight.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Dave Noble]

They are much the same I would say. There isn't a great deal between them and I would take the one with the best availability. BA has the benefit of Online Check in

In business and 1st class I would take BA over QF

Dave

 

[thadocta]

In WHY I would go for QF any day - the seats are better. QF uses slimline seating at the same pitch, which results in slightly more room. QF have wrap-around head support, whilst BA has fold down head support. I find the QF version better for sleeping.

In J, I prefer the QF Skybed over the BA NCW, but then I have trouble sleeping on a plane anyway.

In F, dunno, never had the chance to turn left.

Dave

(btw, QF carries Vegemite, never seen it on BA).

 

[Mal]

thadocta's comments mirror my own closely. I would fly Qantas over BA in generic economy any day.

BA World Traveller Plus vs QF Economy is a totally different battle that BA wins hands down.

Havn't flown enough Qantas vs BA F/J to be able to compare them correctly.

I also feel that the 747 aircraft that BA use are also older / more worn, and the lack of directional air vents is annoying.

You can find some cheery BA staffers sometimes, and they are definately more liberal with the provision of alcohol in economy. I think they also spend more time in the cabin than Qantas staff do.

 

[Febs]

Seats are one thing. Service is another altogether.

Having recently travelled the Kangaroo Run in BA (WT), I would never, ever do it again. The seat was fine, but the service, entertainment, food etc... was utterly woeful. Losing my bags for 3 days wasn't great either (and I didn't even change airlines - 2 trips, both on BA planes).

I'm planning on posting up a report soon, but suffice to say I will never again travel BA if I can help it. Thank heavens I'm on QF for the flight home.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[NM]

And don't forget that QF has personal air vents that can be directed onto a recliner in front of you. BA does not this important line of defence against recliners.

 

[parsonstrish]

i flew ba economy sing. - lhr, not world travellor, '04, never again. reasons room, staff, food, etc. flew short haul lhr-paris, no worries.
trish

 

[NM]

i flew ba economy sing. - lhr, not world travellor, '04, never again. reasons room, staff, food, etc. flew short haul lhr-paris, no worries.
trish

BA's economy cabin is called World Traveller and has been since way before 2004. Are you sure you don't mean "not World Traveller Plus" which is the premium economy cabin.

 

[clifford]

You can find some cheery BA staffers sometimes, and they are definately more liberal with the provision of alcohol in economy. I think they also spend more time in the cabin than Qantas staff do.

I have flown BNE-SIN several times recently on the QF 330's and haven't found a problem with the alcohol handouts. When you run out, just walk to the back and ask for more.

However, wouldn't travel QF internationally in Y class on a 747. (Zoo class).

 

[JohnK]

I find QF and BA economy class travel very similar.

I mostly fly with QF but recently flew BA from SYD-BKK and enjoyed the flight. The service from BA's flight attendants was very good and they were always there to help. When asking for spirits they hand out 50ml bottles so you can make drink as strong as you like. Although not that important the IFE on BA is not as good as that provided by QF.

 

[parsonstrish]

you are right NM, i meant I didn't fly world traveller plus. It was my first o/s trip in many yrs. and didn't know anything abt. plus. Wished I had.
trish

 

[justinbrett]

So just confirming BA have free & unlimited alcohol when on all international flights? (like Qantas).

I'm travelling London - Moscow (return) and London - Reykjavik (return) whilst I am there next year - I guess these would be considered as short haul international but not sure if they include free alcohol. Would be great if they did....

To bad there's no oneworld club in Reykjavik... just have to make up for it on the plane.

 

[Dave Noble]

So just confirming BA have free & unlimited alcohol when on all international flights? (like Qantas).

I'm travelling London - Moscow (return) and London - Reykjavik (return) whilst I am there next year - I guess these would be considered as short haul international but not sure if they include free alcohol. Would be great if they did....

To bad there's no oneworld club in Reykjavik... just have to make up for it on the plane.

All BA flights, domestic, shorthaul and longhaul provide alcoholic drinks free of charge

The flights from LHR-DME and LGW-KEF are operated using shorthaul aircraft, which are (IMO) better than the longhaul ones for economy travel. Just get a seat in rows 1-26 on the flight to DME and 1-12 on the flight to KEF and you will be in the convertable section of the aircraft and have 34" seat pitch rather than the 31" on the longhaul economy seats

Dave

 

[NM]

So just confirming BA have free & unlimited alcohol when on all international flights? (like Qantas).

Unlimited is not a term I would use to describe the service. If they think you have had too much, it will become a limited supply. The supply of alcoholic beverages is at the discretion of the cabin crew and will be determined by the behaviour of the passengers receiving the supplies.

But yes it is included in the ticket price with nothing further to pay on board. In my experience (mostly in J however), BA are quite generous with their servings, especially the first time round the cabin.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Unlimited is not a term I would use to describe the service. If they think you have had too much, it will become a limited supply. The supply of alcoholic beverages is at the discretion of the cabin crew and will be determined by the behaviour of the passengers receiving the supplies.

and in some cases (a plane full of aussies?) also by the supply itself. Once it has run out there is no stopping by the local bottle shop to pick up some more

 

[NM]

and in some cases (a plane full of aussies?) also by the supply itself. Once it has run out there is no stopping by the local bottle shop to pick up some more

And Boeing is yet to convince the FAA that air-to-air "refuelling" is acceptable for commercial passenger aircraft.

 

[JohnK]

So just confirming BA have free & unlimited alcohol when on all international flights? (like Qantas).

That has been the case in my experience but I will only have a maximum of 4-5 alcoholic drinks.

If you want an accurate confirmation just get Boonie to test the limits.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

That has been the case in my experience but I will only have a maximum of 4-5 alcoholic drinks.

If you want an accurate confirmation just get Boonie to test the limits.

please see post #15 - no need for a plane load if Boonie is a pax

 

[serfty]

So just confirming BA have free & unlimited alcohol when on all international flights? (like Qantas). ...

I believe the phrase "Duty of care" is relevent here.

 

[markis10]

Done the run to SIN a couple of times this year, BA in Y was not great although the drink service was more generous. In J I like the BA cabin upstairs as I like a Window seat and managed to score the one that exits into the emergency exit area, so it was like an Aisle seat with a window if that makes sense. I also prefer the BA J seat as it has more places to hoard books, mags, headphones etc when you dont have the luxury of a side storage area that you get in the 747 upper deck. Not sure what the cabin is like on the 777 now it is operating into Aus.