Hi all, I will be making a couple of return trips to London in the next two months.

Hi all,

I will be making a couple of return trips to London in the next two months.

I'm considering either Qantas or BA and would be grateful for any comparisons between the two, and any recommendations on which airline to go with.

I have travelled with other OW carriers (e.g. Qatar and MH, CX too expensive unfortunately), and so thought I'd give BA or Qantas a go.

Thanks very much,

J.

Which port in Australia will you be departing from?

Hi TRB - I will be departing from Sydney,

Thanks, J 

Hi Jamby,

Personally I would go Qantas, becuase you have the oppurtunity to get a codeshare with Emirates and really steps up the experience. Also when flying with Qantas/Emirates you have the choice to have a stopover in DUbai, if you have time I would and even hire a taxi to Abu Dhabi approx $80 aud each way.

There are some important differences between QF and BA on the route, so let's compare (with BA the former and QF the latter):

1. SIN vs DXB for layover. Personally I favour the SIN layover for its facilities (both the QF lounge and general transit area) but DXB has its advocates. It's worth noting that as far as I'm aware, a majority of passengers prefer to fly the shorter leg first; this makes SIN ideal as you basically stay up all the way to SIN, then flake out all the way to LHR.
2. 77W vs 380. BA flies only a 777 on the LHR route; Qantas flies the big whale ex-SYD.
3. Business: New Club World vs Skybed II. Both are fully flat; the BA seat has some bizarre kinks like half the cabin facing rearwards.
4. Premium Economy: WTP vs QF PY. WTP generally ranks poorer than QF PY, but they've improved the hard product considerably; still QF comes out distinctly ahead in most reviews.
5. Economy: It's a long slog either way.

I hope this is useful but if you need more information please feel free to ask further questions.

Thanks, Tom and Watson - 

I plan to travel in Business Class. 

I would be very interested to get your views on the standard of service and meals. 

Unfortuantely I don't think I'll have time to stop over. 

Thanks, J. 

If you are a Qantas Frequent Flyer, then Qantas is the preferred carrier as status credit earn on BA is terrible now. Otherwise they both have various pluses and minuses that sort of make it much of a muchness (although I'd give Qantas preference personally when deciding between the two if price is much the same).

By 'stopover' or 'layover' I'm actually referring to the hour or two you'll spend in the terminal.

But generally service and food is better on QF.

I believe meals are better with Qantas. Service for both may be variable so it depends on your luck.

If I were you, I would choose on the basis of your frequrnt flyer programme i.e. Which flights would give you the most tier points/miles/status credits  to hit your next status tier.

If accrual of tier points/miles/status credits is not relevant to you, I would consider your sleeping pattern on the flight. Does the longer leg occur overnight allowing you to sleep more easily or is it a day time flight? 

Personally I would choose Qantas but because of the transit in Dubai, I would err with BA. 

If you going to fly in J why do not try Cathay Pacific? Theit business on par with some first and prices usually better and similat to BA while Qantas usually dearer for a grand or two.

Jamby, the meals on QF are much better than BA.

I vote BA. Actually I LOVE their business class providing you choose proper seat – those window seat facing back that you can get in and out without stepping over your neighbor just gem, pretty much your very own mini suite. Upper deck of 747 was even better, but it not flying anymore. Also BA often run promotion when you buy business and they upgrade one way to First. It is true First with all perks including Concorde room, not like one upgraded with points. And Singapore IMHO is undoubtfully better stopover point

If you after Y it does not matter really.

Also if you have opportunity to fly many times why not fly both and let us know what is your vision?

Hop onto the EK service with a QF codeshare. EK is above in every aspect between  QF & BA. 

On a tangent, other than their IFE, I would vote EK economy at least, one of the worst in the sky.  United takes the crown for 1st.

EK IFE system is total crap. Bunch of Arabic movies I can't understand and barely a decent new movie selection, I was in Economy so I can't say for Business and First but I suppose all are the same.