First time in First few questions..

Spruce-Moose · Jan 12, 13, 9:06 am

Hello,
My first trip in first is coming up soon and I have a couple of questions, that hopefully should be easy enough to answer for more seasoned travellers than myself.

Mrs Moose and myself are due to fly out next week LHR to JFK on the BA0113, and return on the BA0172. Will these flights be NF? I have tried searching the forum and more specifically the "tracking NF" thread but am still unsure whether to expect the new or old cabin?

I have a connecting flight from NCL on the way out. Am I correct in thinking we are entitled to use the lounge at NCL, and can we get a quick bite in there?

OR

We have 2 and a quarter hours between landing at LHR and departure to JFK, will this give us enough time to get some breakfast in the CCR? (Which I presume will be better than what is on offer at NCL.)
I seem to remember the CCR entrance being just past security close to Gordon Ramsey's Plane Food? Is this correct?

As for seating we have chosen 2 & 3 K for both flights. Mrs Moose is a little concerned that we won't be sat together, but to me these seats seem a little more private than the pairs of seats in the centre of the cabin.
We both only have bronze status so it's pretty unlikely, but if the very slim chance comes up to grab 1A & K on MMB are these two seats close enough together to have a conversation without disturbing those around us?

Failing that I have mentioned the buddy seat, am I right in my assumption that we will be able to dine together? If so is it just a case if mentioning it to the crew?

Thanks for taking the time to read through this and thanks in advance for your help!

robertf999 · Jan 12, 13, 9:12 am

Others have more experience in F than me but as I'm here...

JFK is a route which is supposed to be guaranteed NF so unless there's a real problem on the day and an aircraft substitution you should be OK.

Yes, you'll get lounge access at NCL but you may want to save yourself for the CCR and have a proper breakfast there. There have been a few moans and gripes here about the CCR but when I used it for the first time in November I thought it was great. There's an entrance opposite the Galleries First lounge and another next to the Northern Fast-track security.

I haven't tried the buddy seat but I have to say it looks a bit narrow and cramped to me but others may give a better review of that.

Don't forget to check the Maximising First thread to make the most of your experience. Enjoy.

BingBongBoy · Jan 12, 13, 9:13 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spruce-Moose

Hello,
My first trip in first is coming up soon and I have a couple of questions, that hopefully should be easy enough to answer for more seasoned travellers than myself.

Mrs Moose and myself are due to fly out next week LHR to JFK on the BA0113, and return on the BA0172. Will these flights be NF? I have tried searching the forum and more specifically the "tracking NF" thread but am still unsure whether to expect the new or old cabin?

I have a connecting flight from NCL on the way out. Am I correct in thinking we are entitled to use the lounge at NCL, and can we get a quick bite in there?

OR

We have 2 and a quarter hours between landing at LHR and departure to JFK, will this give us enough time to get some breakfast in the CCR? (Which I presume will be better than what is on offer at NCL.)
I seem to remember the CCR entrance being just past security close to Gordon Ramsey's Plane Food? Is this correct?

As for seating we have chosen 2 & 3 K for both flights. Mrs Moose is a little concerned that we won't be sat together, but to me these seats seem a little more private than the pairs of seats in the centre of the cabin.
We both only have bronze status so it's pretty unlikely, but if the very slim chance comes up to grab 1A & K on MMB are these two seats close enough together to have a conversation without disturbing those around us?

Failing that I have mentioned the buddy seat, am I right in my assumption that we will be able to dine together? If so is it just a case if mentioning it to the crew?

Thanks for taking the time to read through this and thanks in advance for your help!

Hello!

First of all... I hope you have a lovely trip!

JFK is almost 100% guaranteed to have New First... It is one of the routes that BA states that on. However, there is always the possibility of an aircraft change is something goes tech, but, I would pretty much say, yes, it will be New First.

Yes, you have lounge access in NCL, just make sure you have your itinerary for your onward flight. And yes, the offering in NCL will be basic for breakfast!

Yes, you have time to go to the CCR, seeing as you are connecting from a domestic flight, you will come into the departures area at the other end of the terming, and on the lower level. If you want to enter through the special door, you will need to go up a level, and to the other end of the upper level, past Boots etc...

Just tell the crew you wish to eat together, and they will set the table for you both at whichever seat you want it at etc...

2 and 3 K should be fine... But, do keep an eye on the seat map... 2 A and K are better, enough to be apart, but still talk if you want... Don't give up home of 1A and K, they may still come available at -72 hours etc... So, keep checking!

Have a wonderful time in New York! One of my favourite cities!

Safe travels!

BBB

Spruce-Moose · Jan 12, 13, 9:23 am

Thanks for the quick answers!
2A was available last time I looked on MMB, so I may have a re-shuffle if it still is.

New York is my favourite place visited so far, it's our 6th trip in 3 years. But could be the last for a while as Mrs Moose is requesting warmer weather and sandy beaches for the next holiday!!

Thanks!!

jonboy73 · Jan 12, 13, 10:24 am

the only "difficulty" with breakfast at NCL is that the champers is on request and not immediately to hand

seriously though, it is not much more than coffee/tea, porridge, fruit and cereal, with a few dodgy looking danish type things. As others have said it will be a lot better in LHR (as will the champers!)

Enjoy First, i had my First First a few weeks ago and it was great, only problem now is being happy to go back to slumming it in club

MNManInKen · Jan 12, 13, 10:35 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spruce-Moose

Will these flights be NF? I have tried searching the forum and more specifically the "tracking NF" thread but am still unsure whether to expect the new or old cabin?

Very likely to be NF.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spruce-Moose

I have a connecting flight from NCL on the way out. Am I correct in thinking we are entitled to use the lounge at NCL, and can we get a quick bite in there?

Yes, but CCR and/or F Lounge at LHR will be far better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spruce-Moose

We have 2 and a quarter hours between landing at LHR and departure to JFK, will this give us enough time to get some breakfast in the CCR? (Which I presume will be better than what is on offer at NCL.)

Yes on both accounts, provided of course the NCL flight is on time or with a short delay.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spruce-Moose

I seem to remember the CCR entrance being just past security close to Gordon Ramsey's Plane Food? Is this correct?

Just follow the signs for the South lounges.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spruce-Moose

As for seating we have chosen 2 & 3 K for both flights. Mrs Moose is a little concerned that we won't be sat together, but to me these seats seem a little more private than the pairs of seats in the centre of the cabin.
We both only have bronze status so it's pretty unlikely, but if the very slim chance comes up to grab 1A & K on MMB are these two seats close enough together to have a conversation without disturbing those around us?

This is obviously a very personal issue, but for a couple the middle seats are far better for conversation and a "shared" experience. You won't be cramped in them. In my personal opinion 2AK are too far apart and even 1AK aren't great for conversation and the like. The F window seats are angled outwards.

I can't see conversation between 2K and 3K working very well unless you go over and use the quite uncomfortable buddy seats.

In my view, the middle pairs of seats in F get a far too bad press on this forum when it comes to couples. When travelling with two, I'd go for them every time, by far the most shared experience if that's what you're after.

Obviously if you would like to some away from the better half, then 2K and 3K should be fine, or even better 2K and 5K.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spruce-Moose

Failing that I have mentioned the buddy seat, am I right in my assumption that we will be able to dine together? If so is it just a case if mentioning it to the crew?

I wouldn't want to be sat on that buddy seat for my dinner, quite uncomfortable compared to the actual F seat. Again, if you go for the middle pairs, the dining together will be entirely natural and comfortable.

Padmeister · Jan 12, 13, 10:39 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonboy73

the only "difficulty" with breakfast at NCL is that the champers is on request and not immediately to hand

seriously though, it is not much more than coffee/tea, porridge, fruit and cereal, with a few dodgy looking danish type things. As others have said it will be a lot better in LHR (as will the champers!)

Enjoy First, i had my First First a few weeks ago and it was great, only problem now is being happy to go back to slumming it in club

Agreed! +1

I had my first First a few weeks ago to Hong Kong and it was awesome also bagged 1k

i had 64a on the UD coming back and it was good BUT it was not First

stifle · Jan 12, 13, 10:52 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by robertf999

There's an entrance opposite the Galleries First lounge and another next to the Northern Fast-track security.

South

robertf999 · Jan 12, 13, 1:14 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by stifle

South

That's why they don't let me fly the plane...

FrancisA · Jan 12, 13, 2:49 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by MNManInKen

This is obviously a very personal issue, but for a couple the middle seats are far better for conversation and a "shared" experience. You won't be cramped in them. In my personal opinion 2AK are too far apart and even 1AK aren't great for conversation and the like. The F window seats are angled outwards.

I can't see conversation between 2K and 3K working very well unless you go over and use the quite uncomfortable buddy seats.

In my view, the middle pairs of seats in F get a far too bad press on this forum when it comes to couples. When travelling with two, I'd go for them every time, by far the most shared experience if that's what you're after.

I fully agree with this. I normally take 1A and 1K, but they are quite far apart and not ideal if you want any kind of lengthy conversation. For me and my partner that normally works just fine

But each to his or her own.

The middle pairs are much better for conversation and much like the CW arrangement on the lower deck (but only one pair). Downside is no window. If it were somewhere like CPT that would matter to me, but JFK is not really that spectacular.

Also, just remember there is no such thing as a bad seat in F

Hope you enjoy the experience.

pacman3 · Jan 12, 13, 9:50 pm

I would agree with Francis, for couples. Row 4 in the center is ideal for a couple who wants to converse with one another throughout the flight (or, at least, much of it). Row 5, frankly, isn't bad either, although there's a wall immediately behind the seats (some people think row 4 is a bit exposed - 5 certainly isn't). Because flights to JFK don't really go over Manhattan (they typically follow the southern edge of Long Island), there won't be spectacular views - at least from my experience. Were it me, I would definitely select row 4 or 5 if I were traveling as a couple in F. Forget row 1 - it is REALLY oversold. I,as a single traveler, select row 2 (preferably "A" as I sleep on my left side) over row 1 every trip. Unfortunately, I am in 2F on Monday from SFO to LHR!

pacman3 · Jan 12, 13, 9:50 pm

Did I say 2 "F"? Meant 2 "K", of course.

BA5E · Jan 13, 13, 4:53 am

I know you do not have long 2 1/2hrs from arrival off NCL flight to your JFK flight, but have you telephoned U first and asked if you can book a treatment, worth having the facial.

andset1191 · Jan 13, 13, 5:24 am

My parents like the middle seat as they seem to like the ability to talk even if they never do.
I like the window seats.

Usually my parents sit in 4E and 4F whilst my brother and I in 1A and 1K. That way, my brother and I can mutter the odd musing easily, and stare out the windows, and my parents can eat and chat together.

For you, on the basis of how you describe the other half, I'd choose 4E/F and hope for 1AK at T72.

Greenpen · Jan 13, 13, 6:34 am

Couples who talk to each other should go for the E/F seats. All the others are too far apart to talk without everyone else hearing. No seats in BA F are private as they are open rather than boxed in suites that shield you from others. Even 1 A/K are not very private as people use the wardrobe. However, you do get a nicer view because of the curve of the front of the aeroplane.

Buddy seat is uncomfortable - it's too cramped. We always choose 4E/F even though we almost always book very early when there is plenty of seat choice and I now have a gold card unlocking the first row.