BA First Suite Inaugural Review
#46
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: London, England
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Sorry, AndyFlyer, another question:
As you flew out daytime and back overnight, who controlled the new internal window blinds on each flight?
I assume that you have your own control for your blind, but were you encouraged to raise/lower the blind on crew instruction (as normally happens) at relevant junctures, or was there some kind of centrally-controlled 'curtain call'?
Oh, and please don't tell me to 'pull myself together' .
As you flew out daytime and back overnight, who controlled the new internal window blinds on each flight?
I assume that you have your own control for your blind, but were you encouraged to raise/lower the blind on crew instruction (as normally happens) at relevant junctures, or was there some kind of centrally-controlled 'curtain call'?
Oh, and please don't tell me to 'pull myself together' .
#47
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
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Thank you for the comprehensive review.
Specifically per your statement "work and eat at the same time", would one be able to have a laptop open (playing DVDs) while the meal service is in progress?
Also, what type of power plug/receptacle is used - US-style, UK mains, or Empower?
Specifically per your statement "work and eat at the same time", would one be able to have a laptop open (playing DVDs) while the meal service is in progress?
Also, what type of power plug/receptacle is used - US-style, UK mains, or Empower?
#48
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Thanks for the review! ^
I've a decent amount of transatlantic BA F travel coming up so hope to try out the new seat soon. Knowing my luck I'll go for months without a sniff of it though!
How did you manage to go out and back on the aircraft with new F? As far as I know all aircraft going to the US come back the same day, it sounds like yours did a nightstop, unless you went to ORD and came back the same night!
I've a decent amount of transatlantic BA F travel coming up so hope to try out the new seat soon. Knowing my luck I'll go for months without a sniff of it though!
How did you manage to go out and back on the aircraft with new F? As far as I know all aircraft going to the US come back the same day, it sounds like yours did a nightstop, unless you went to ORD and came back the same night!
I flew to/from ORD...the first four segments operated with new First were to ORD, then I've read on here that subsequent flights were to SEA and JFK. The crew only knew an hour before that they were to be on the inaugural First flight...it was luck of the draw on the day, I believe. I have not heard any further where the a/c is heading (according to the captain, it is a long-range 777 capable of Shanghai, for example). The registration number is G-VIIU, perhaps you could track it on-line somehow.
#49
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Thanks for the review! ^
I've a decent amount of transatlantic BA F travel coming up so hope to try out the new seat soon. Knowing my luck I'll go for months without a sniff of it though!
How did you manage to go out and back on the aircraft with new F? As far as I know all aircraft going to the US come back the same day, it sounds like yours did a nightstop, unless you went to ORD and came back the same night!
I've a decent amount of transatlantic BA F travel coming up so hope to try out the new seat soon. Knowing my luck I'll go for months without a sniff of it though!
How did you manage to go out and back on the aircraft with new F? As far as I know all aircraft going to the US come back the same day, it sounds like yours did a nightstop, unless you went to ORD and came back the same night!
#50
Join Date: Feb 2007
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I have to say, im disappointed they havent redone the toilets, theyre too small and a bit grotty IMO. But then, appreciate this would require an entire redesign to accomodate a large toilet.
#51
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London WC2/W1
Programs: BAEC Silver; Muccis du Monde des Peluches
Posts: 6,627
I'm not clear from your description who has ultimate control. If the crew lower all the blinds, can you then open your own? I try to be considerate of other passengers, by for example only having one blind open if other pax are sleeping or watching the gogglebox, but I do like my light and my view.
#52
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: EDI
Programs: BA Silver / Bonyoy Platinum
Posts: 1,919
Great review Andy, but why no geeky pictures!?
What was it like for looking out the windows/ Do these new internal blinds reduce the view from your seat if looking outside? I always loved the feeling of openess in F on the 747 so hope it doesn't lose that feel.
What was it like for looking out the windows/ Do these new internal blinds reduce the view from your seat if looking outside? I always loved the feeling of openess in F on the 747 so hope it doesn't lose that feel.
#53
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,753
I assume that the blinds would be down during boarding to give the backlighting the maximum effect, no? I also assume that, as normal, they'd have to be raised for taxiing, take-off and landing.
I have to say, though, that I find it quite difficult enough to sleep in a projectile, pressurised metal tube attached to multiple furnaces roaring at 5,000rpm plus, without sudden foot-wide shafts of light bathing me in pools of high-altitude glare.
Frankly, if you intend travelling in a cabin that's clearly designed for sleeping and is valued by others for that purpose, but you still insist on attending to the view, my first thought would be to suggest that you get a cabin of your own.
On a boat.
I have to say, though, that I find it quite difficult enough to sleep in a projectile, pressurised metal tube attached to multiple furnaces roaring at 5,000rpm plus, without sudden foot-wide shafts of light bathing me in pools of high-altitude glare.
Frankly, if you intend travelling in a cabin that's clearly designed for sleeping and is valued by others for that purpose, but you still insist on attending to the view, my first thought would be to suggest that you get a cabin of your own.
On a boat.
#54
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I assume that the blinds would be down during boarding to give the backlighting the maximum effect, no? I also assume that, as normal, they'd have to be raised for taxiing, take-off and landing.
I have to say, though, that I find it quite difficult enough to sleep in a projectile, pressurised metal tube attached to multiple furnaces roaring at 5,000rpm plus, without sudden foot-wide shafts of light bathing me in pools of high-altitude glare.
Frankly, if you intend travelling in a cabin that's clearly designed for sleeping and is valued by others for that purpose, but you still insist on attending to the view, my first thought would be to suggest that you get a cabin of your own.
On a boat.
I have to say, though, that I find it quite difficult enough to sleep in a projectile, pressurised metal tube attached to multiple furnaces roaring at 5,000rpm plus, without sudden foot-wide shafts of light bathing me in pools of high-altitude glare.
Frankly, if you intend travelling in a cabin that's clearly designed for sleeping and is valued by others for that purpose, but you still insist on attending to the view, my first thought would be to suggest that you get a cabin of your own.
On a boat.
Now you're not going to get away with those comments much as I respect your opinions.
No...during daylight hours aircraft windows are for looking out of and not to be masked for sleeping. If you wish to sleep your life away wear the flippin' eyeshades.....that's what they're there for.
I have to say I'm a tad worried about these blinds you know. I wonder how much space they use up on what is already a congested F cabin. They may look okay in a 777 but in a 747 cabin I have my doubts. They might make it a bit claustrophobic I feel.
#55
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Join Date: Jul 2006
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No, the blinds do not reduce the view. You have total control over them, but as CC says, for boarding, the blinds were down to maximize the effect of the new lighting, which was impressive. You can certainly open the blinds should you wish at any time. The crew do have a master switch should they need to use it (they probably did before boarding to set the tone). On my outbound flight to ORD, I kept my blinds open half-way, as I love looking out and enjoying the daylight (it does help re-set the body clock a bit, not to mention after weeks of dull, grey London skies it was a joy to see blue skies and sunshine!). In the past, I've had issues with glare from lights or windows on the video screen. I'm happy to report that this seems to be resolved with the new lighting and the window blinds, along with the positioning of the screen. Hope this helps.
#56
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold, LH Sen, MUCCI, Junior Jet Club.
Posts: 8,087
I assume that the blinds would be down during boarding to give the backlighting the maximum effect, no? I also assume that, as normal, they'd have to be raised for taxiing, take-off and landing.
I have to say, though, that I find it quite difficult enough to sleep in a projectile, pressurised metal tube attached to multiple furnaces roaring at 5,000rpm plus, without sudden foot-wide shafts of light bathing me in pools of high-altitude glare.
Frankly, if you intend travelling in a cabin that's clearly designed for sleeping and is valued by others for that purpose, but you still insist on attending to the view, my first thought would be to suggest that you get a cabin of your own.
On a boat.
I have to say, though, that I find it quite difficult enough to sleep in a projectile, pressurised metal tube attached to multiple furnaces roaring at 5,000rpm plus, without sudden foot-wide shafts of light bathing me in pools of high-altitude glare.
Frankly, if you intend travelling in a cabin that's clearly designed for sleeping and is valued by others for that purpose, but you still insist on attending to the view, my first thought would be to suggest that you get a cabin of your own.
On a boat.
#57
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: France
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NF on the Concorde Room terrace
New First cabin Mockup
... but wasn't on my flight today... just good old OF
It's a fully-working model by the way, and the seat controls worked. It just didn't go anywhere and stayed on the ground in London for hours. There was no service either. Should I seek compensation?
... but wasn't on my flight today... just good old OF
It's a fully-working model by the way, and the seat controls worked. It just didn't go anywhere and stayed on the ground in London for hours. There was no service either. Should I seek compensation?
Last edited by HighLife; Feb 17, 2010 at 4:31 pm
#58
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London WC2/W1
Programs: BAEC Silver; Muccis du Monde des Peluches
Posts: 6,627
And I'm with Hiddy on this one. If there's direct sunlight coming from my window into someone else's eyes then I'm quite prepared to adjust the shade appropriately. But the views during daylight from a plane can be magnificent - and many like the natural light for reading/working.
I've never had any problem getting as much sleep as I need on a plane - which on a daytime flight is usually just a couple of hours kip - and I've not once asked anyone else to lower their blinds. That's why we all have our own. If I close mine it's enough to make the area around my seat fairly dim (the exception perhaps being row 1 or 2 of a 747) and then I can use eyeshades if necessary - not to mention zopiclone+xanax+valium.
Glad to hear the blinds are under the control of the pax ^.
#59
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New First cabin Mockup
... but wasn't on my flight today... just good old OF
It's a fully-working model by the way, and the seat controls worked. It just didn't go anywhere and stayed on the ground in London for hours. There was no service either. Should I seek compensation?
... but wasn't on my flight today... just good old OF
It's a fully-working model by the way, and the seat controls worked. It just didn't go anywhere and stayed on the ground in London for hours. There was no service either. Should I seek compensation?
#60
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Shades will be up for boarding and left for the passenger to decide the position they prefer, they can be up or down for takeoff and landing. I think the only time the crew would use the master switch would be to bring the shades down if the sun comes up and the passenger is asleep and the light is disturbing other passengers. It is also easy for the crew to reach the blind control at each seat. Each seat has a manual backup control.
CIHY
CIHY