UK to Chicago. SAS vs BA
Back to Forum- This topic has 14 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 28 Feb 2016
at 14:42 by SimonS1.
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seasonedtravellerParticipantI have visited Chicago twice this year using BA in CW and SAS in Business from LBA/LHR and MAN/ ARN respectively .
What a difference. SAS experience was so much better then BA.
SAS, newly fitted out A340 with brand new cabin and a 1-2-1 layout.
On board food and drink were excellent, the service felt special & everything was a great experience. Quietly welcomed at seat by the CSD as a Diamond SAS member, I was told that if I needed anything at all, to simply ask for her.BA…well you know the drill…777 in 2 4 2 layout. Stepping over sleeping people. No welcome as Gold Guest list member. CSD nowhere to be seen.
Shabby and worn cabin. Crew fine but not outstanding. Food below average and service also below average.BA really need to take a close look at their competitor offerings. I will likely choose SAS again next month.and, it was £500 cheaper than BA to add insult to injury.
Going via ARN only added about an hour to my journey overall.
Edited to add – Free, high speed wifi on board for SAS Gold & Diamonds.
4 Feb 2016
at 14:32
FDOS_UKParticipantI haven’t flown SAS for a long time, but a colleague did recently and his description of the experience mirrored yours.
Having recently moved back to the NW UK after 10 years expat, I am discovering that
1 – BA is actually London and SE Airways to all intents and purposes
2 – if you have to change, there are many better connections than London
3 – there is a lot better value in the market
Might try SAS from MAN, next time I need to go to the US (possibly later this year) and I also hear their premium econony is a decent product for a day flight, at a very affordable cost
4 Feb 2016
at 14:45
seasonedtravellerParticipantFDOS.
At this time, make sure you travel via ARN as the CPH departure is still the old style 2 2 2 seating. Not sure when the refit is due.
ST4 Feb 2016
at 14:58
KSHaggagParticipantOooooooooooooooh God !!!!
I just was about to start a thread about SAS and its services !
I flew them two weeks ago for the first time ever LHR/OSL in SAS Plus and I can tell it is among the most decent in Europe!..great crew ,decent food and drinks on board ,great service and a Scandinavian touch all around !..just different !
I back you SAS ..I support you eagerly and I will seek your services whenever possible to USA ( now 7 destinations !!) and Asia ( HKG,PVG,NRT,BJS ) …4 Feb 2016
at 17:04
seasonedtravellerParticipantKSHaggag.
Well, I’ve been called a lot worse in my time 🙂
Ive just booked SAS over BA, MAN to Shanghai in May via CPH & even though it’s currently the old 2.2.2 configuration A340, it was a staggering £1,000 cheaper than BA
The only benefit to me, of LHR is my Concorde card, which isn’t a huge benefit really when all is said and done and, definitely not worth an additional £1000 on the cost.
4 Feb 2016
at 17:28
TravellerKevParticipantBA think they are the best but are nowhere near it – I flew to Sydney with Etihad – what a fantastic service and miles ahead of BA. BA are too arogant to even recognise how far behind they are other airlines
4 Feb 2016
at 19:26
BIllyBleachParticipantNot sure when you flew ORD last with BA, but most of the time I have flown on the few remaining 747s with the newly refitted J cabin.
Brand new seats, new IFE, very clean and modern. Combine that with the quiet of the upper deck and I have no complaints from BA.
4 Feb 2016
at 20:12
FDOS_UKParticipantCan’t agree with all of Jamie’s points:
Brand new seats – no they’re not, they are refurbished – although I’m sure it’s an improvement
new IFE – yes – better for the pax
very clean and modern – clean yes, modern no
Combine that with the quiet of the upper deck and I have no complaints from BA – pleased it works for you, I’d prefer a 1-2-1 seat layout, with direct aisle access – been woken too many times by people catching my legs as they step over
Still, each to their own.
Mr Michael – in the days of the ‘World’s Favourite Airline’, perhaps?
4 Feb 2016
at 20:50
seasonedtravellerParticipantJamie Stapleton.
Depends which flight you get to ORD. The second flight is very often a 777 as it was in my case.
Glad to hear that you are happy with the 744 refits though since I will be on the earlier flight in 2 weeks, I will be able to judge for myself.12 Feb 2016
at 15:31
seasonedtravellerParticipantHaving now flown the sector above (LHR-ORD) on a refurbished 747 as per Jamie Stapleton’s post 4/2/16, I can say, honestly, that it was a big improvement.
The refurbed seats looked much better & were at least, clean.
The IFE was also much improved.The crew upstairs were tremendous, best BA crew I’ve been with for months, enthusiastic, cheerful & friendly along with a quiet “thank you for being Guest List, if you need anything, let me know” from the CSD.
As we all know, a great crew can make a huge difference.
Only one niggle…..just one…..having to step over the sleeping lady every time I wanted to get out of my seat…. I accidentally kicked her twice – not nice for her, embarrasment for me.
I like the privacy of the window seat & access to the window blinds – I do not like playing leapfrog with sleeping passengers.
Sadly, the much sought after 62A had already gone when I booked my seat.Overall, a big improvement and, thanks mainly to the excellent crew, I quite enjoyed the flight. On time departure, ontime arrival. Excellent.
28 Feb 2016
at 14:17 -
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