Babu
Jul 7, 01, 4:48 pm
I almost didn’t write this trip report based on the age old adage my mother taught me…”if you don’t have anything nice to say…” But actually I do have something very nice to say about them: the round trip first class ticket was US$ 2333, which is what prompted me to take them this particular time. Compare that with the $ 8,000 or $10,000 that the major carriers charge you! But, alas, you get what you pay for.
The service between JFK and LHR is offered three times a week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. Needless to say, this is a major drawback for a business traveler. But I could live with the schedule, as this was vacation, and I did not need to change.
Check in was actually a plus with respect to speed. There was no line, and the uninterested attendant checked me in immediately. No hello, just barked out, “this line is for first and business class only.” The check in staff is clearly subcontracted.
The lounge made available is the Northwest World Club. Gotta be the worst WC in the system. Seating for hardly 25 people. Only 5 operational phones, and no restrooms. And no bar fruit in the self service bar (sorry, pet peeve).
Boarding was announced, and I headed for the gate. No hello, welcome on board. Just grabbed by boarding pass, and pointed to seat 1A. They use door IL, which means all C and Y class pax come parading past you during boarding. The F seat does not recline all the way. Indeed, it was equal to what most carriers have in their business class (except BA and VS, whose J class seats are far superior). The first class seating on the Boeing 777 is 2-2-2 with 61” of seat pitch. A standard issue pillow and blanket were dispensed (the same as is made available in Y and J class). The headsets were of the noise canceling variety, and were nice. I never partake in the IFE, so I cannot comment on its quality, except that there were Hindi, Arabic and Western movie selections. Oh yes, and a rendition of the Holy Qu’ran was one of the audio choices as well. Juice and a newspaper were offered. (Kuwait Airways is a dry carrier, and no alcohol is served. But I knew that going in, and I didn’t mind). The cabin soon filled up. When the door was closed, and immediately after the prayer, I took the oppty to move to row 3, where I would not have a seat mate. Dates and Arabic coffee were handed out before take off. I asked for pain reliever, but it never came.
After our 30 minute late take off at 10:45 PM, all the lights were switched on, and the menus were distributed. I thought that was unnecessary, since many people just wanted to sleep—why do you have to turn all the lights on? In fact, they actually woke all the sleeping passengers to hand them the menu. Also, you can’t choose when you want to eat. The food is brought around on trolleys. The appetizers (they actually had caviar), salad and soup and brought on one cart. The entrees on another. And finally, the cheeses, dessert, fruit and coffee are brought last. I can’t recall the entrée selections (sorry Carfield!), but they were all OK. The choices were 50% western, and 50% Arabian. The dessert, pastries and ice cream were excellent. The crew is totally lacking in any refinement. They respond with statements like “what do you want?” “No, we don’t have any pens.” Requests for a refill of soda/ juice/ water are met with rolled eyes. It was not just me, I observed this type of behavior with all the other first passengers.
I took a restroom break. Sweet Jesus. I’ve seen cleaner rest rooms at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC. And this was the first class restroom! After dinner, they did turn off the lights, and I took the oppty to try and get 2-3 hours of sleep. Until I was awakened for breakfast. They should have asked if we wanted to be woken. What is wrong with these people?
Prior to landing, Fast Track cards were handed out, and a gift of some bird statue (I left that on the plane). We landed on time. No thank you, good bye from the crew. However, they were kind enough to hold back the J and Y passengers. Speaking of J class, I did take a peek, and that cabin appeared to be nothing more than a premium economy.
My last trip to LHR was on BA First, and I agree that is a tough act to follow. But I don’t care how much cheaper Kuwait is. That was certainly my last trip. Yep, you do get what you pay for!
The service between JFK and LHR is offered three times a week on Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday. Needless to say, this is a major drawback for a business traveler. But I could live with the schedule, as this was vacation, and I did not need to change.
Check in was actually a plus with respect to speed. There was no line, and the uninterested attendant checked me in immediately. No hello, just barked out, “this line is for first and business class only.” The check in staff is clearly subcontracted.
The lounge made available is the Northwest World Club. Gotta be the worst WC in the system. Seating for hardly 25 people. Only 5 operational phones, and no restrooms. And no bar fruit in the self service bar (sorry, pet peeve).
Boarding was announced, and I headed for the gate. No hello, welcome on board. Just grabbed by boarding pass, and pointed to seat 1A. They use door IL, which means all C and Y class pax come parading past you during boarding. The F seat does not recline all the way. Indeed, it was equal to what most carriers have in their business class (except BA and VS, whose J class seats are far superior). The first class seating on the Boeing 777 is 2-2-2 with 61” of seat pitch. A standard issue pillow and blanket were dispensed (the same as is made available in Y and J class). The headsets were of the noise canceling variety, and were nice. I never partake in the IFE, so I cannot comment on its quality, except that there were Hindi, Arabic and Western movie selections. Oh yes, and a rendition of the Holy Qu’ran was one of the audio choices as well. Juice and a newspaper were offered. (Kuwait Airways is a dry carrier, and no alcohol is served. But I knew that going in, and I didn’t mind). The cabin soon filled up. When the door was closed, and immediately after the prayer, I took the oppty to move to row 3, where I would not have a seat mate. Dates and Arabic coffee were handed out before take off. I asked for pain reliever, but it never came.
After our 30 minute late take off at 10:45 PM, all the lights were switched on, and the menus were distributed. I thought that was unnecessary, since many people just wanted to sleep—why do you have to turn all the lights on? In fact, they actually woke all the sleeping passengers to hand them the menu. Also, you can’t choose when you want to eat. The food is brought around on trolleys. The appetizers (they actually had caviar), salad and soup and brought on one cart. The entrees on another. And finally, the cheeses, dessert, fruit and coffee are brought last. I can’t recall the entrée selections (sorry Carfield!), but they were all OK. The choices were 50% western, and 50% Arabian. The dessert, pastries and ice cream were excellent. The crew is totally lacking in any refinement. They respond with statements like “what do you want?” “No, we don’t have any pens.” Requests for a refill of soda/ juice/ water are met with rolled eyes. It was not just me, I observed this type of behavior with all the other first passengers.
I took a restroom break. Sweet Jesus. I’ve seen cleaner rest rooms at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC. And this was the first class restroom! After dinner, they did turn off the lights, and I took the oppty to try and get 2-3 hours of sleep. Until I was awakened for breakfast. They should have asked if we wanted to be woken. What is wrong with these people?
Prior to landing, Fast Track cards were handed out, and a gift of some bird statue (I left that on the plane). We landed on time. No thank you, good bye from the crew. However, they were kind enough to hold back the J and Y passengers. Speaking of J class, I did take a peek, and that cabin appeared to be nothing more than a premium economy.
My last trip to LHR was on BA First, and I agree that is a tough act to follow. But I don’t care how much cheaper Kuwait is. That was certainly my last trip. Yep, you do get what you pay for!