747 or the 777

[Alex 009]

Flying back BA world traveller plus from Sydney to Glasgow at the end of the year (BA due to the ease of connection at Heathrow), and have the choice of the 747 or the 777. Which one should I take?

[manintheback]

747 can fly faster, dont know it actually does in practice. Also has 4 engines - good enough for me.

[Hotel Mode]

Flying at the end of the year definately take the 744 it will most likely be video on demand fitted, the 777 almost certainly wont be.

The 747 is quieter in the cabin and anecdotaly has better air circulation.

[chornedsnorkack]

777 is narrower than 747. In WT, BA has 10 abreast on 747, but 9 abreast on 777. In WT+, it is 8 abreast on both. Therefore, WT+ on 747 is wider.

[Pax Vobiscum]

The 747 shaves a whopping 45 minutes off the travel time (22:40 vs 23:25)!

[Alex 009]

Had a look at prices, and including connection to glasgow the one way trip is AU$2820 on the 744, wereas on the 777 it is AU$2420. Is the 744 really worth an extra $400?

[apaddyinuk]

777 will have you dried up like a prune by the time you get to london! LOL! But also a smaller more modern cabins so makes it seem less crowded when full.

747 has four engines but tends to be high capacity version on the BKK/SYD route. Mind you the 747's are currently getting the AVOD system in line with the new club world and to my knowledge none of the 777's have been upgraded so this may be your better bet!

[PIK3141]

'BA due to ease of connection at Heathrow' !!! ???

Try Emirates - Sydney to Dubai, Dubai to Glasgow.

Avoids BA and Heathrow, now the recognised way of travelling Scotland / Middle East, Far East, Australia, NZ, South Africa etc....

And remember, if you arrive at LHR with 2 carry-ons, you'll only leave with one......

[Alex 009]

Yeah forgot about Emirates. Had a look at there business class prices and alot cheaper than BA Club. So with BA it looks like the vote goes for the 747, but with Emirates business, the A340 or the 777?

[manintheback]

Emirates business and BA business very different beasts. If the Emirates biz costs not too diff from BA WTP+ however - no contest. Dubai is a nice airport to connect through.

[chornedsnorkack]

but with Emirates business, the A340 or the 777?

B777 unless the A340 in question is A340-500.

Emirates is in the minority of airlines with 7 abreast Business on A330 and A340, except A340-500.
Whereas Emirates Business on 777 is 7 abreast. So, 7 abreast on 777 is much wider than 7 abreast on A340.
if the Emirates biz costs not too diff from BA WTP+ however - no contest.

Indeed. On 777, BA WTP+ is 8 abreast, Emirates Business 7 abreast.

[Monkeytoo]

Choose the Emirates 340-500 everytime (and it is the the 340-500 that does the Dubai to Sydney route non-stop) over the 777 in business class (it will be more expensive though) the old seats in the 777 (on the Dubai - south routes) are awful............when reclined they lay back nearly to the knees of the person behind!!! whereas the 340 seats are in a 'pod' and give the people behind much more room.

[Alex 009]

Going back to BA, the agent has offered me WT+ for a very good price, undercutting the previous BA quotes and the Emirates flight by a fair margin. The catch? BA 16 Sydney to Singapore then BA 12 to Singapore to London. So the 777 to Singapore then the 747 the to London. But there is only an hour between the connecting flights. Is this enough time?

[angels]

No worries at all in Changi. You'll even get a chance for gasper on the open air deck if you so wish.

[ThreadBaron]

angels - ever forthcoming with the important info!:ok:

[Pinkman]

Depending on which aircraft you get some BA 747s have the best WT+ seats just aft of the galley area there is a single seat near the door. One each side. It has the most leg room in the whole aircraft. The only catch? Club pax deciding to have a meeting/party in the vestibule area.... but doesnt happen often.

[Alex 009]

Went ahead and booked with BA on the 747 all the way to LHR. Is there anyway of telling what type of 747 this would be i.e. WT+ infront of Club, or WT+ behind Club with the single seat on row 28?

[brockenspectre]

Alex009 - there are a few seat config websites out there but I have always found www.seatguru.com (http://www.seatguru.com) to be reliable :ok:

Oh just realised that you will want to know what 74 type is operating your flight - maybe the airline website will inform? Then my website offering will be useful!! :)

[Hotel Mode]

Depends on the day of the week. 3 times a week its big club and 4 times the smaller version. Not sure which is which day.

[Alex 009]

November 25th, which is a Sunday if that helps?

[Impress to inflate]

No brainier, I have flown to Sydney 18 times over the last 10 years all with BA. The last flight I went on the 777 via Singapore to avoid Bangkok. The 777 was a breath of fresh air compared to 747. Never again will I fly on the big bird if there is a choice. :=

[Alex 009]

Interesting that you say that. Any particular reasons, and what class were you travelling in? Any others prefer the 777?