I can't comment on British carriers not having made any recent atlantic crossings with them. I have however just today returned from the USA having gone out BRU-EWR with CO and returned EWR-AMS with NW, both in Business Class. Mrs BRUpax and I found both carriers passed the BRUpax quality audit! NW perhaps just pipped CO to the post because of the cabin crew on the day. In fact this is what it really comes down to. The cabin crew are the airlines' front line and they can make all the difference on how pax perceive a "good experience" flight. It's down to individuals and their mood on the day.