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The new American Airlines First Class advert is playing widely; I like the concept, but he does look a tad uncomfortable as he sits down at the end, as if to say "nine hours in this?":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNI36twOfDc
The cabin and seatcoverings are, as ever, hideous.
Like someone's granny did the interior in 1972 from curtains and finally found a use for the remnants of leather gear she found in granpa's secret drawer after his demise.
When I first saw the advert I thought it was business class. Watching again I can now see 'First Class Cabin' in the bottom right.
At least it makes the new BA first look good.
The seat is enough to put you off, it just does not look the part to be First. It looks a like a Club Europe seat on a B737 would be more comfortable!
It looks roughly the same as the domestic short haul first class, but with more seat pitch.
It fact it looks like a domestic 767.
Always makes me chuckle the number of American customers who ask "is that first class?", to which I reply, "no, that's economy plus."
What sort of first class product do the major US airlines offer on their domestic routes? It has been years since I flew one. I only really remember not having a life jacket, the small notice in front of me telling me to take my seat cushion with me in the event of a ditching, just as we blasted off over Lake Michigan (!)
Domestic F is actually quite tolerable if you like a large seat. Catering is vile and booze tolerable, IFE content is rubbish, if they have it.
I sat next to a well travelled, but obviously naive, American in Club once. He was very impressed with "First Class". He was pleased his secretary had taken the risk of booking BA. He was amazed when I told him he was flying Business Class; sadly it was a three class aircraft, so he couldn't sample F.
This sort of first class product: -
Same seats as economy except wider and more pitch. Must be better than Club Europe though, except for the service.
..and is the price difference similar to that of European carrier's economy/business class?
(& thanks for the pic Bucks)
HonestCrew: No. In some case a lot more expensive as the differences is greater.
He probably looks uncomfortable as the seats are so hard, though new BA style turndown service as part of One World improved it. Only real advantage AA first has over BA is legroom and space generally. They are much much less cramped than the BA First seats. I can stretch out when lying down which is impossible on BA.
They make a lot of noise about the swivel seats so you face window direct or dine and hold meetings face to face in middle seats using a real seat rather than the ottoman on BA. Does nothing for me though.
On decor I don't notice much difference between carriers. AA plus point is no fake wood veneer. You get a feeling of space that some carriers lack (particularly when they take the cubicle route.
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