This trip has been several “firsts” for me: first time to Australia, first time on such a long flight and first time in BA Club World. It was a very good trip and I was definitely helped by information provided by these forums.

I will report upon the first segment of this trip in more detail than the others (because I wont need to talk in so much detail about the seat, entertainment etc. in the later segments). Still, this report is REALLY long – be warned.

BA9
13th November 2002
LHR-BKK-SYD
747-400
Seat 62A
Scheduled dep. 21.20
Scheduled arr. (BKK) ???
Scheduled arr. (SYD) 06.10

LHR-BKK (13th Nov)
I was travelling with a large group and so used the group check-in facility at Terminal 4. This took quite a long time (probably due to us and our large amounts of baggage, rather than BA). I then went through to the shops and restaurants in the departure lounge. I didn’t go to the BA Business Class lounge since I wanted to hang out with my friends (who were travelling in economy).

Upon boarding I found that my seat was a rear facing exit row seat on the upper deck: the most perfect seat! The exit row meant that I could get out easily (didn’t have to climb over my neighbours legs – great because I am a bit clumsy). The upper deck was fantastic: a really quiet, intimate, roomy atmosphere. Being on the upper deck also meant that I had a couple of really useful storage bins right next to my seat. Having a window seat was also excellent: I could look out of the windows (although both flights were night flights, so not much to see) and the seat design made my area feel very private and undisturbed (almost like a private cabin). In future, my first choice of Club World seats on a 747 would be either 62A or 62K.

The seat design is amazing – I was very impressed. In addition to providing me with a private little cabin (there is a divider which you can pull up between you and your neighbour), you have a seat that converts into a fully flat bed: HEAVEN! I made full use of this during my flights (since getting some good sleep was my excuse for flying Club World). The only other recent business class experiences I have are in Virgin Upper Class. The Club World flat bed is far superior to the Virgin angled bed (Richard Branson please take note next time you upgrade UC…). I am only 5’4” and not very broad, so I imagine this helped a lot. Of course I missed the snugly duvet and the sleep suit that they give you in UC, but if your priority on any flight is to get some serious sleep on a plane then choose Club World over Upper Class.

After boarding Molton Brown amenity kits, menus and headphones, eye masks and socks were handed out. We were offered a choice of OJ or water. The Molton Brown amenity kit was fairly basic, but nice. It included moisturiser, tooth paste and tooth brush, mouthwash and lip balm (I think that was all) and was presented in a nice little navy pouch. They took entrée orders before take-off.

After take-off, the cabin attendants took drink orders and distributed bags of cashews (this lacked the finesse of some other airlines, but the bags were a reasonable size J). Then you were offered your choice of appetiser (presented on a linen covered tray with your cutlery and salad). A bread basket (of many different types) was offered and you were asked your choice of wines. The food was all pretty good and I was impressed by the freshness of the salads, sliced fresh fruit and bread throughout the flights. The entrées were brought out after the appetisers and salads were finished with. Dessert or cheese was offered. Followed by coffee, tea, port, chocolates etc.

Dinner menu was as follows:

Appetisers
Lock Fyne Bradan Rost salmon pate with toasted brioche slice.
Or
Roasted baby peppers and Mediterranean vegetables with oregano dressing.

Fresh seasonal salad served with vinaigrette

Main Courses
Grilled fillet of beef with tarragon butter, wilted spinach, sautéed mushrooms and potato fondants.
Or
Sweet and sour king prawns with egg fried rice.
Or
Four cheese ravioli with pesto cream sauce, baby wilted spinach and buffalo Mozzarella cheese.
Or
Main course Chef’s salad of Cajun chicken, sweet tomato, coriander and red onion salad.

Deserts
Apple and sultana pit with custard.
Or
Fountains Gold, Brie and Stilton cheese
Or
Fresh fruit

Coffee, decaffeinated coffee, tea or Chinese speciality teas, selection of herbal teas.

I had the salmon pate (good), the salad (very fresh), the beef (good – although beef more well done than I would choose and it was “swimming” in the tarragon butter…), skipped dessert and cheese (didn’t I mention that McChicken sandwich I had in Terminal 4….?), followed by coffee and chocolates. I drank one glass of Chardonnay with my meal – I like to have a glass of wine/champagne on a flight, but try not to drink too much (don’t want to get too dehydrated).

After dinner I changed into my PJs. As I said, the most important thing to me on these flights was some descent sleep and I find the best way to get this (apart from having a flat bed seat…) is to wear PJs – they are cool and help me not to overheat (if I get overheated, I find it disturbs my sleep). They are also very comfortable and avoid you creasing your normal clothes too much! So, since BA Club World don’t provide a sleep suit (unlike Virgin), I brought my own PJs with me.

The TV screen was great – a very descent size. I believe that the movie selection was good, but I am a big cinema-goer so had seen virtually everything before. I tried watching “Signs”, but am a real coward (so got too scared to continue). I also tried watching the submarine film, “K19 – Widowmaker”, but got far too bored with that. I ended up watching some short comedy shows (I don’t have a good attention span when flying, so this suited me). Bottled water was distributed.

I was trying to stay awake all the way to Bangkok (about 11 hours!) because of various bits of “avoiding jet lag” advice, but was far too tired. So I thought that I would grab a couple of hours nap. Needless to say, I got about SEVEN HOURS great sleep on my comfortable bed. Great sleep, woke up feeling very good J

Breakfast was served about an hour out of Bangkok:

Chilled orange juice
Our special wake-up energising smoothie of banana, raspberry and honey

Fresh seasonal fruit
Or
Greek yogurt with cereal grains

Classic British breakfast of scrambled eggs, grilled bacon, pork sausage, sautéed mushrooms and grilled tomato.
Or
Egg Florentine.
Or
Brioche toast with a compote of berries.

Selection of warm breads and breakfast pastries

Coffee, decaffeinated coffee, tea or Chinese speciality teas, selection of herbal teas.

I had the fresh fruit (good, sliced, very fresh and refreshing), a croissant with jam and some coffee. I would have had the Brioche toast (since I have seen the BA Club World egg dishes rarely recommended…), but was still too full from the previous night. The smoothie was REALLY delicious!

After breakfast I got changed back into proper clothes and brushed my teeth. The upper deck was full (20 people) and two washrooms between 20 people seems reasonable. Still, I have to love the performance that a small person like myself has to go through to change clothes in an airplane washroom… (self-inflicted, I suppose!)

The service throughout this flight (and the other three I took this trip) was very good. It was polite, friendly and helpful without being obtrusive. Perhaps not as good as Virgin Upper Class service on a good day, but definitely better than them on a not so good day. I tend to find UC service quite varied – depending on the cabin crew on duty. I was very happy with the service in Club World.

After landing, disembarking passengers were allowed to leave the plane first. Transiting passengers were requested to wait until after disembarking passengers had left the plane. We were told that we needed to be back on the plane in about 45 minutes for our onward flight to Sydney. You are allowed to leave hand baggage in the overhead bins, but are told not to leave any valuables on the plane. You are also told not to leave anything in the side bins or seats (since they might get cleaned away). I had already decided to do the long dash to the BA Business Class lounge to grab a quick shower before continuing my journey.

It was a long dash (I think our plane was parked about as far from the lounge as you can get - it was a good 10 minute VERY brisk walk!) in strong humidity. Still Bangkok airport is very interesting and colourful airport. Got to the lounge (dragging my wheely carry-on bag – I would learn for next time and just take my toiletry bag and some clean clothes…) and got directed to the showers. Grabbed a quick shower (felt very refreshed and clean), brushed my teeth (tooth paste and tooth brush provided in shower room), dried my hair and dressed. Grabbed a bottle of chilled water from the main area of the lounge (they had a good selection of drinks and some snack, papers, TVs and quite a lot of seating – seemed like a nice lounge, just didn’t have any time to spend there), then walked a lot more slowly back to the plane (didn’t want to arrive back at the plane perspiring after a brisk walk back in all of that humidity…).

Went through a security check point, then waited in the gate area to reboard the plane. There is a separate queue for First/Club World passengers. I choose to queue with some of my friends (first time I had seen them since London). Most of my travelling companions did not know that I was travelling in Club World (I wanted to keep it quiet), so I was a bit embarrassed when one of the ground crew checked my ticket and sent me to the empty First/Club World queue… L. Still, I reboarded the plane and went back to my seat (62A).

BKK-SYD (14th Nov)

New crew for this segment – this time an Irish crew (service as good as the first segment). Offered OJ or water upon boarding. I took the water, but was disappointed to discover it was fizzy water (have never acquired the taste for fizzy water…). I was one of the first back on the plane and our departure was delayed slightly, so I took the opportunity to change into my PJs early. Dinner entrée choice were taken.

Drinks and nuts (large bag of cashews again) were offered. I had a STILL water.

Orders were taken for dinner (more food again!):

Appetisers
Smoked salmon with honey mustard dressing
Or
Terrine of tomato confit with pesto flavoured Goat cheese.

Fresh seasonal salad served with vinaigrette

Main Courses
Braised duck with rosti potatoes and savoy cabbage.
Or
Thai prawn curry.
Or
Baked penne pasts with spinach and Mozzarella cheese.
Or
Main course char-grilled chicken Caesar salad.

Deserts
Tropical fruit jelly.
Or
Selection of cheese and biscuits.
Or
Fresh fruit.

Coffee, decaffeinated coffee, tea or Chinese speciality teas, selection of herbal teas.

I had the tomato confit (nice), the pasta (hhhhmmm, a bit dry and stodgy) and the jelly (nice and light and refreshing). Followed by coffee and chocolates. I had another glass of Chardonnay with dinner. The rolls and the salad were again fresh and good.

Determined to try and get some more sleep this segment (since the flight lands at 6.10am, I wanted to ensure that I could get through the day in Australia without passing out), I popped a Melatonin pill and got another 5 or so hours sleep. Again, very comfortable! Water bottles must have been distributed during the night, because I woke up with one on my side bin.

I woke-up as the breakfast trolley was moving past (about an hour out of Sydney):

Chilled orange juice
Our special wake-up energising smoothie of banana, raspberry and honey

Fresh seasonal fruit
Or
Birchermuesli

Selection of warm breads and breakfast pastries

Coffee, decaffeinated coffee, tea or Chinese speciality teas, selection of herbal teas.

I had the smoothie, some fresh fruit, some pastries and coffee. All was delicious and fresh (love those smoothies), although I actually could have done with a cooked breakfast right then. Don’t know what time zone my body was on, but I was hungry…

Got changed back into real clothes and got ready for landing.

Landed on time, immigration was hassle free and luggage came out pretty quickly. Since I was travelling with a large group, did not get the opportunity to use any arrivals facilities.


BA10
25th November 2002
LHR-BKK-SYD
747-400
Seat 61A (originally assigned 14H)
Scheduled dep. 17.00
Scheduled arr. (BKK) ???
Scheduled arr. (LHR) 05:40

SYD-BKK (25th November)

Checked in using the Club Class check-in this time: group check-in was a real zoo (a number of other groups checking in), so decided to sneak off and check myself in. Originally allocated an aisle seat on the main deck (14H, I think). Requested an exit row window seat on the upper deck. Got allocated 61A: it is not an exit row seat, but a window on the upper deck was still good. I really like the upper deck (quiet, private and intimate feeling) and you get the privacy and extra storage (side bins) of the window seat. The only disadvantage of 61A is that you have to climb over the legs of the person in 62C every time you want to get out (which for me is usually two or three times over a long haul flight). I am a slightly clumsy person (especially in a darkened cabin, without my contact lenses in and half asleep…), so might catch the other person’s leg/feet (since, as is my luck, the occupant of 62A had large feet). The exit row seats are definitely better because you can get out whenever you like without fear of disturbing someone else.

Filled in my departure card and would through emigration without too much hassle. Then went off to the Quantas lounge: it was very hot that day (40’C), so I wanted to have a shower and change my clothes before flying.

I was really impressed with the Quantas lounge: very big (it was sort of split into two mirror images – although I don’t know if one was Business and the other was First: as far I could tell, First had a completely different lounge). The washrooms were very modern and swish and the shower rooms were really great too (very nice). I would have liked to have seen more toiletries available, but always carry my own (so it wasn’t a real problem). After a really refreshing shower and change of clothes (I had arrived at the airport in shorts and strappy top), I found a comfortable seat in the huge lounge area and helped myself to LOTS of fresh orange juice, rolls and various bits of “anti-pasta” (feta cheese, other cheeses, roasted vegetables, smoked hams, fruit etc.). The lounge was very airy and had a good view of the runway. Before leaving (to pick up some chocolates for people at work), I went into the “Business Centre” to send a couple of emails. They only have two internet PCs and I had to wait 10 or 15 minutes to use one (one of the PCs was being used by a real PC hog… L). Other business facilities included cubicles and telephones.

There were rigorous security checks before reaching the gates (must be a consequence of the recent incidents in Bali). Everybody’s hand luggage was subject to a search (unlike the US, where a few random souls are chosen at the gate). Some people were also wanded. This was in addition to x-rays and wanding when entering the departure lounge.

Boarded the plane and took my seat upstairs. Was offered water or orange juice. This time we had stewards on the top deck (the previous two crews were female). Menus and amenity kits etc. were distributed. Orders for lunch entrée were take. I changed into my PJs ready to get some sleep on this flight (although it is not treated as a “night flight” by BA).

After take-off, drinks and nuts were served. Then lunch was served:

Appetisers
Grilled Tuna with avocado salad.
Or
Buffalo Mozzarella cheese and seared balsamic plum tomatoes.

Fresh seasonal salad served with vinaigrette.

Main Courses
Fillet steak with peppercorn sauce, fresh vegetables and savoyarde potatoes.
Or
Roasted breast of chicken with potato gnocchi, asparagus and cepe cream sauce.
Or
Roasted vegetable lasagne with tomato and olive sauce.
Or
Main course classic Chef’s salad of Swiss cheese, sliced turkey and ham.

Desert
Lime bavarais with fresh raspberries and mango
Or
Cheese and biscuits
Or
Fresh fruit

Coffee, decaffeinated coffee, tea or Chinese speciality teas, selection of herbal teas.

I had the Mozzarella (very nice), beef (nice and, I think, better than the one out of LHR) and the bavarais (very nice, light, refreshing and tasty). The salad and bread were fresh and good. I had a glass (or two) of the sparkling wine with my lunch – I enjoyed it very much. I didn’t have any coffee after lunch and, therefore, was missed out with the chocolates (reminds me of being a kid – “do I have to have a cup of coffee to get the chocolates???”) – so I was sad to miss out there. Bottles of water were distributed.

Now I took the opportunity to get some sleep. I had only got about 3 hours sleep the previous night. A group of us had stayed up to celebrate the last night of a very successful trip and were on the terrace drinking until gone 4am. I then spent about half an hour trying and failing to use online check-in (the hotel internet PC weren’t working properly) before going upstairs to pack (which took me another hour). I was just going to sleep at about 5.30am (it was getting light by that point). So – through lack of sleep and too much alcohol – I felt quite rough when I had to get up (before 9am) the next morning. I felt even rougher on the 3.5 hour bus journey to Sydney airport, but felt a lot better after my shower and food at the Quantas lounge).

So I turned my seat into a bed and slept the next 5 or so hours. Just waking up in time for another drink (back to the non-alcoholic stuff) and a snack:

Focaccia bread with roasted ham, tomato and whole grain mustard
Or
Poached Salmon salad

Tropical fruit with mango syrup

Coffee, decaffeinated coffee, tea or Chinese speciality teas, selection of herbal teas.

I had the Focaccia (although it turned out to be ham, cheese and sun-dried tomato), although I only ate half of it because I wasn’t hugely hungry. The fruit was very good. I had some coffee to wash it all down with. Just time to change back out of my PJs before landing.

When we landed in Bangkok I was very relived to find that we had a gate that was about half the distance from the BA lounge than the gate on the way to Sydney. This was much better: only a five minute walk through the humid terminal AND I knew where I was going this time AND I took just my wash bag and change of clothes and not my whole carry-on bag). This was also very useful since we were told that we only had 30 before we had to reboard the plane.

Once I got off of the jetway, I was stuck behind a 747 load of Air France passengers. They were obviously completely bewildered, got off of their own jetway and stopped dead. It took a bit of time to march purposefully through the crowd.

The Bangkok lounge was the same as before. Nice shower again, although this time I couldn’t seem to increase the temperature of the water. So I had a cold shower. It was too much hassle to change shower rooms (I had got undressed by then), so I told myself that a cold shower would be refreshing and good for the circulation. It was and did help to ensure that I didn’t spend too long under the shower!

Grabbed a bottle of water and walked slowly back to the gate. Went through a security checkpoint (have no idea what they made of my hand luggage – handbag and wash bag – when they x-rayed it…). Then, despite keeping my trip to the lounge short, had to wait about 15 minutes to board. Then we waited another half hour or so to leave the gate (since some passenger were “stuck in the queues at security”). I wish that they had a notification/”escort you to the gate” service from the lounge: would mean that I could have spent longer there.

Reboarded, got back to the upper deck and immediately changed into my PJs. Made myself comfortable and had an orange juice for my pre-flight drink. Entrée orders were taken. After takeoff, drinks and nuts were served. Then dinner.

Appetisers
Smoked salmon with horseradish crème fraiche.
Or
Fresh asparagus with citrus mayonnaise.

Fresh seasonal salad served with vinaigrette.

Main Courses
Grilled fillet steak flavoured with herb butter, broccoli, carrots and pomme dauphine.
Or
Thai prawns in coconut chilli sauce with fried rice.
Or
Wild mushroom ravioli and roasted red pepper sauce.
Or
Main course salad of herb marinated chicken with ****ake mushrooms.

Desserts
Irish chocolate cream cake.
Or
Cheese and Biscuits.
Or
Fresh fruit.

Coffee, decaffeinated coffee, tea or Chinese speciality teas, selection of herbal teas.

I had the smoked salmon (very fresh and thickly cut with a nice horseradish crème fraiche), the Thai prawns (very nice, although a little hot my taste) and the cheese and biscuits (pre-plated slices of cheese with a packet of biscuits – very nice, but would have liked to have seen more and a wider choice of biscuits). Had a glass of sparkling wine with dinner and requested a “small” (half a glass of) port with my cheese course. Was a bit shocked when I got half a WINE glass of port! It was very nice, but I didn’t finish it. Asked for a Chinese tea to finish the meal (well I was leaving Thailand), but was shocked to find out that they had no Chinese teas or green teas. Settled for a Camomile tea and some chocolates instead. Bottles of water were distributed. Watched the second half of a kiddy basketball movie (it was “easy watching”), popped a Melatonin tablet and got ready to sleep. Got about Seven hours of very nice sleep J.

Woke up to hear the breakfast cart rattling past:

Chilled Orange juice.
Or
Our special wake-up energising smoothie of tropical fruit.

Fresh fruit
Or
Birchermuesli

Classic British breakfast of scrambled eggs, grilled bacon, pork sausage, sautéed mushrooms and grilled tomato.
Or
Frittata with mushrooms and cheese.
Or
Pancakes with maple syrup.

Selection of warm breads and breakfast pastries

Coffee, decaffeinated coffee, tea or Chinese speciality teas, selection of herbal teas.

I had the orange juice (no smoothies available L), the fresh fruit (very good and fresh), the pancakes (following previous forum posters advice NOT to go for the egg dishes) and a coffee. The pancakes were nice and came with a separate serving of syrup.

Got changed back into normal clothes and ready to land. Flight attendants insisted that we took fast track immigration cards (even if we were British). I thought this was a bit weird (and that British citizens couldn’t use fast track immigration): this was confirmed when we were turned away from the fast track immigration lanes. Still, didn’t take long to clear regular immigration. Bags, though, took AGES to come out. Cleared customs, said goodbye to my friends and headed for the BA Arrivals lounge.

On arriving at the lounge, I exchanged my groaning luggage trolley for a plastic ticket and headed straight for the shower. Wasn’t this my third shower in a little over 24 hours??? There was a short wait (2 minutes, no more), then I was escorted to a shower room (they must have 20 or 30 rooms – it’s a huge facility). The shower room was great. A descent shower (with many different sprays and lights), lots of gorgeous Molton Brown shower gel (would have liked to have seen some moisturiser and other products too ;-)) and some lounge towels. One of my favourite features was the birdsong which they piped into the shower rooms: made me cheerful and think of Summer’s mornings. Had a shower, got my trousers pressed and headed to the main lounge area.

This was pretty small and VERY busy (well it was between 6.30 and 7.30 am). They seriously need some more space. I saw a quieter, more comfortable looking TV lounge area behind some glass, but then realise that was the smoking area. I had another good breakfast (some fruit and some cooked items) – piggy that I am. Then enjoyed a cappuccino and the paper whilst I waited for my husband to pick me up. Exchanged my plastic tag for my luggage trolley and left the airport.

Summary
I really enjoyed this trip and thought that the money for going Club World on such a long trip was well spent: I got a lot of good quality sleep, had no aches or pains after flying (I normally get very painful knees) and felt very comfortable the entire journey (helped by having many showers and the comfortable seats).

Given a choice of flying Virgin or BA (at similar prices) I would pick BA. Although whether I get that opportunity very often will be a different matter: I normally get Continental tickets – codesharing with Virgin Upper Class – so cheaply, I doubt that I can find BA tickets to price match. In my opinion, listed below are a number of the advantages/disadvantages of BA over Virgin (and vice versa):

Advantages of BA over Virgin:
- The seat is fully flat and very comfortable (beats a sloping “flat seat” for me any day).
- The seat is very private (very good if travelling alone).
- The service was more “consistent” than on Virgin (I have certainly had better service on Virgin, but I have also had worse on Virgin too) and very professional.
- Some of the food was slightly better.
- Love those Molton Brown products J.
- Travel to more destinations.

Advantages of Virgin over BA:
- When the service is great it is really great.
- Flexible meal times (eat what you want when you want).
- Entrees don’t have that “all baked on one plate” feel.
- Virgin do really nice soup and great pasta (BA don’t seem to do soup and my experience of their pasta was not great).
- Better amenity kits (or at least they used to be – I believe that they have recently changed).
- Sleep suits (on available in First on BA).
- Snuggly duvets (BA only has blankets – duvets are so much nicer).
- Priority luggage tagging (not offered by Club World).
- Onboard bar and beauty therapist offered on flights flying to/from LHR.
- Limo service (if you buy a qualifying fare).

My next set of flights (to LA after Christmas) are booked on Virgin (Continental tickets again). I looked at the cost of flying BA, but it was two or three times the price: BA is not THAT much better than Virgin (even if I DID have the money).