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BA First or VS Upper to South Africa?

Posted:
04 Feb 2013, 19:21
by narikin
I have both options for a long trip to South Africa next week. what would you choose?
(I know I may be burned at the stake!)
Been VS upper many times, felt like a change, and never done true First in BA, so figured I'd try that, but is this treasonous move asking for disappointment?
Re: BA First or VS Upper to South Africa?

Posted:
04 Feb 2013, 19:25
by slinky09
Do you get New First to SA? If so in a shot.
Re: BA First or VS Upper to South Africa?

Posted:
04 Feb 2013, 19:27
by joeyc
Easy question
new BA First ...... please do post a TR though, would like to hear all about new BA first from a v-flyer.
That all said, I will be at the front of the crowd brandishing a pitch fork, cheering whilst you burn
VS does not offer a truly First class option (yet) so if the finances allow it I would go First over the Business class (UC) any time. It is very pricy though 8D
Re: BA First or VS Upper to South Africa?

Posted:
04 Feb 2013, 19:36
by narikin
afaik you just can't be sure - you can call BA 24hrs ahead and find out, but hard to swap flights at 24hrs notice.
this link:
http://ftdashboard.net/dest/jnb.htmshows the past month has been mostly, but not always, the New First, so its probably worth a punt.
if you know more than me: outbound BA55 on 13th, inbound BA54 on 26th.
Re: BA First or VS Upper to South Africa?

Posted:
04 Feb 2013, 19:38
by narikin
Re: BA First or VS Upper to South Africa?

Posted:
04 Feb 2013, 19:40
by narikin
joeyc wrote:It is very pricy though 8D
Miles. 150,000 of them.
Otherwise, yes: 9000+
BA it is.
Re: BA First or VS Upper to South Africa?

Posted:
04 Feb 2013, 20:06
by ken54
Have done both and it would be BA first for me
Re: BA First or VS Upper to South Africa?

Posted:
04 Feb 2013, 20:56
by at240
If I had the Avios and there was availability, I would choose BA. You have a good chance of it being New First, which is a good product.
Re: BA First or VS Upper to South Africa?

Posted:
04 Feb 2013, 21:44
by spiceke
Tricky one.
Lucky enough to do 'Old First' a couple of months back to DXB for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - used a 2 for 1 as well so a great deal
This is where the 'but' comes in.
If it is 'Old First' it is not worth double the price of U/C
First is meant to be a step up from Business and I didn't think Old First was that different from U/C. Bits falling off the chair etc. Cash price would have been £4k each !
Old First was better, but not worth the differential.
Can't comment on New First though. I have a feeling that that is worth the difference.
Re: BA First or VS Upper to South Africa?

Posted:
04 Feb 2013, 23:56
by flabound
be interested to hear what you think. I just took out the BA chase card here and have hit the 3 bonus sectors in month 1 (100k avios) plus the spend adds another 25k
very tempted to try TPA-LGW first and then the LCY-JFK CW
Re: BA First or VS Upper to South Africa?

Posted:
05 Feb 2013, 06:30
by Hamster
BA First for sure! Went to JFK in January. It is the greatest flying experience, service fantastic. T5 CCR is great, good food and drink.
The new First seat is so much better than the UCS, and so it should be being a different class.
Re: BA First or VS Upper to South Africa?

Posted:
05 Feb 2013, 10:29
by clarkeysntfc
Try and book a 777 aircraft, as 100% of these will be converted to New First.
The 747 fleet won't ever be 100% New First, as about half of the ones with 52 Club seats are apparently not being refreshed.
Re: BA First or VS Upper to South Africa?

Posted:
05 Feb 2013, 13:33
by Hamster
clackeysntfc wrote:Try and book a 777 aircraft, as 100% of these will be converted to New First.
The 747 fleet won't ever be 100% New First, as about half of the ones with 52 Club seats are apparently not being refreshed.
Only all the 777-300 have NF, many 777-200 have old First, 82% have NF
But yes many 747's weren't going to get NF as they were to be replaced by the A380s but the latest rumour is that all 747's will be fitted with NF.
Re: BA First or VS Upper to South Africa?

Posted:
05 Feb 2013, 14:14
by clarkeysntfc
Hamster wrote:clackeysntfc wrote:Try and book a 777 aircraft, as 100% of these will be converted to New First.
The 747 fleet won't ever be 100% New First, as about half of the ones with 52 Club seats are apparently not being refreshed.
Only all the 777-300 have NF, many 777-200 have old First, 82% have NF
But yes many 747's weren't going to get NF as they were to be replaced by the A380s but the latest rumour is that all 747's will be fitted with NF.
I believe 100% of the 777's will be NF by the end of March.
Re: BA First or VS Upper to South Africa?

Posted:
05 Feb 2013, 14:21
by Hamster
Yes but not in time for the OP :-p.
Must say my return from JFK was on a 777, lovely aircraft, so quiet, especially on take off.