Introduction

I've read with admiration countless Trip Reports on this forum and often wonder how people manage to find the time in their busy lives to write one. But I am glad they do as these reports are a rich source of information. So I feel that it is now my turn to throw my hat into the ring (as it were) and produce my very first Trip Report after taking my first First Class flight on BA towards the end of last year from Heathrow to San Francisco.

Being only a newly qualified lawyer, I had to rely on airmiles to make the booking and I think I blew the grand total of 120,000 miles when I booked the trip back at the start of 2011 (plus Companion Voucher and around £350 in taxes each). My friend and I had never been away for New Year and he had never been to San Francisco. I lost my heart to San Francisco when I visited over 2 years ago and our destination was settled upon.

I flew from ABZ-LHR the evening before the flight to SFO. I had posted on the BA Forum asking whether I would get lounge access at ABZ as this was a separate booking from the F booking the next day. I wasn't holding out much hope, but after some very insightful comments from folk on the BA Board, I went to the airport ready to argue my corner. No arguing was necessary. The lady on the door explained that my ticket didn't give me access but that because my booking clearly showed that I should go to the lounge and that I was flying international F the next day, she would let me in. Great start to the holiday.

BA1313, ABZ-LHR (A319 - G-EUOG)

There's not really much to say about domestic flights, is there? I was sat right at the front. Enjoyed a nice gin and tonic and some of those curry flavoured nibble thingies.

About 15 minutes from Heathrow, a call came from the cockpit. "Could the senior member of cabin crew please report to the flight deck immediately". Murmurs could be heard amongst the ranks. The older cabin crew lady came flying down the aisle and shut the curtain behind her. Her comrades from the back quickly followed.

Mr 1B insightfully said that something was wrong. He flies regularly you see and has never heard anything like that before.

Cabin crew lady comes out and has a conflab with crew. Captain comes on. I can't remember exactly what the problem was now, but it was something to do with hydraulics and the plane not responding properly to what they were telling it to do. Anyway, we ended up circling for about 30 minutes to burn off whatever fuel was left. Landed safely with a good few fire engines greeting us as we turned off the runway. Sat there for 15 minutes or so while the folk outside checked us over incase we were leaking. Thankfully we weren't, so we could all get off and get on with the evening.

I will say this - the Captain handled the situation very professionally and kept us up to date with everything that was happening. He also stood at the front of the aircraft as everyone was getting off incase there were any questions to be put to him. I was only thinking about my next G&T at the Holiday Inn Ariel (where I spent the night) so just thanked him quickly for getting us down and then headed for the Hoppa Bus.

Holiday Inn Heathrow Ariel

It's a nice hotel. Not stayed here before, but was upgraded due to my Gold Priority Club status. Had a few G&T's in the bar and then headed to bed for the night.

BA287, LHR-SFO (B744 - G-CIVP)

I met my friend in T5 around 10am. We used the First Class check in area as we thought this was novel having never flown in F before. We also used the fast track security lane which was actually very fast (much to my surprise).

I'd never noticed the special door before even after going through T5 numerous times. There was a certain sense of excitement that I was going to get to go through it in a matter of seconds. The lovely lady at the desk (why do we call them dragons?!) checked our passes and we were in. There was a slight moment where I was certain that we would get declined entrance and have to make the walk of shame to the classy bar at the other end of the terminal, however, these doubts were unfounded.

Upon entering, a very pleasant man again scanned our passes and welcomed us to the Lounge. He had a excellent customer service manner and made a few humourous announcements about the "collection of mobile phones" he had at his desk because so many people had forgotten them.

We headed out to the terrace and a waitress offered us a drink. We both took champagne. I never really took note as to what it was, but my friend who works in the wine/champagne industry gave it the seal of approval. He went away for a wander and I stayed on the terrace. Waitress service was forthcoming and I never had to go inside for anything (unless I wanted to have a walk of course).



We decided to have a spot of lunch before getting onto the plane. We were seated in the CCR dining room and drinks orders were taken immediately. I can't remember exactly what I had (perhaps too many sparkles by this point?) but it was crab for the starter and then the burger for main. No space for dessert and wanting to save space for the meal on board, we found a few comfy seats and had a wee dram infront of the fire. I used the Boardroom to check some emails and gloat to people and then it was time to head to T5B to board.





Calls went out saying that the flight was closing. Oh bugger, we've got drunk in the CCR and are going to miss the flight. No need to worry - when we got to the gate, there were at least 200 people still queuing. Why do they do this!? Fast track boarding taken advantage of and we headed onto the plane. My heart jumped a little when I saw that we had the New First Class offering from BA. It looked absolutely lovely from first impressions. Greeted at the door by name and with a big smile and shown to my seat (1K which I managed to nab at T-72) by the purser in First Class.



This man was an absolute star and I don't think I have ever encountered service like it on a BA flight, or indeed any other flight, before in my life. His customer service skills were top notch and he should be used as a shining example to show other crew how to impress passengers.

Jacket hung up and champagne brought to the seat, I started to play around with the controls on the seat. All very funky. Nice having a few windows to look out of aswell. Refill of sparkles offered and not declined. PJs offered and accepted.



As we taxied out to the runway, we saw a very dirty plane. I wanted to ask the Captain to stop (surely a reasonable request from a First Class passenger?) so that I could scrawl "CLEAN ME" over its tail.



I digress from the flight. We took off and I went to change into the PJs if only for novelty value. The purser delivered the menus and offered a drink while we perused them. Hot towels were handed out. I had another glass of bubbles. Nuts were offered but they had pecans in them, and me being allergic, declined. My purser immediately came back with two plates - one with ready salted crisps and one with salt and vinegar crisps in them. "I just went to Club and got these for you Sir. I hope that is OK for you". Absolutely wonderful. And the fact that he took them out of the packet and put them onto a plate - excellent!

The CSD took a walk round the First Class cabin introducing himself and using passenger names at all times. He handed out landing cards for the U.S. and thanked me for my custom. Nice touch.

Orders taken on the nice little seat setting plan thingy and wine ordered. There was a pre-starter thing served. I think it was supposed to tease your pallate. It did anything but. It looked almost toxic. All I remember is that it had squidgy beetroot in it. That’s got to be wrong in anyone’s book.



I'm not going to type the whole menu out. I don't have the patience to set it out as nicely as others do in their reports. I'll just show you the pictures and tell you what I had.

Starter was Lobster and Prawn tian with a caviar dressing. It was lovely. The seafood went very well together and it was tasty and rich. It came with the bit of plastic round it but this made no difference to me. However, my nice purser nearly died when he saw it on the side of my plate. Nice to know that he takes such pride in his work that he was that bothered that he had accidentally left it on. It was washed down with a few glasses of Zaca Mesa Viognier (2009). I didn't really take note about the tastes of the wine, but it was very pleasant.



Let me say something about the purser's service. At no time was he intrusive or overly energetic to get me to finish. It was great. So chilled out. Would I want to wait a while before I had my main course? Would I like another glass of wine before my main course? It was just great.

Main course was lovely. I had the Loch Fyne lightly smoked salmon with caper sauce, potato and lemon fricassee and Brussels sprouts with bacon. From the first mouthful to the last it was just an explosion of different tastes in my mouth. The portion size was admirable, but I could have eaten more because it was simply excellent. I know people don't think you can drink red wine with fish, but I think that is just tosh so I had the Edmeades Zinfandel (2007) which was so good, I had another glass before dessert.



By this time, I was getting full so settled for the Trio of seasonal desserts along with a glass of Beaulieu La Soucherie (2009) which complemented the sweetness of the desserts well.



I also opted for the cheeses (not that I could finish them all) and had a glass of 18 year old Glenlivet.



Throughout the meal, I was watching Bridesmaids. Not the type of film that I would normally watch what with it being a chick flick but I was warned by my sister over Christmas that if it was offered on the plane then I had to watch it. I’m glad I did. I’m not sure about the rest of First Class though. I think I sometimes got carried away. My lovely Purser thought nothing of it. I kept apologising for laughing out loud but he said not to worry and that he was glad I was enjoying it. He showed a genuine interest in what the film was and said that he would have to watch it when he got home. P – if you are reading this, I hope you enjoyed it!

I asked for my bed to be made up while I nipped to the bathroom. When I returned it was all ready for me to hop into with a bottle of water at the side. I loved the bed. Very comfy and the pillows and duvet were so soft. I think I slept for about 2 hours when I decided that I shouldn’t sleep any more to save on the jet lag. Another member of crew was looking after the cabin – the purser was obviously on his well deserved break. She offered me drinks. I had some wine and my glass was never allowed to go empty. Again, she was an asset to BA, but I didn’t manage to get her name so that I could email in with some comments. I enjoyed some of the views out of the window as we made our way closer to SFO.







About an hour and a half out of SFO, the afternoon tea service was served. I was still full from the main event so was only planning on having the sandwiches (cucumber with cumin cream cheese, ham hock with piccalilli, Emmenthal and pastrami with mustard mayonnaise and roast chicken with mustard mayonnaise). However, I was coaxed into having the Caramelia mousse, cheesecake and carrot cake to finish. All topped off with a double espresso and a whisky. I took some photos on my iPhone but they turned out blurry. I’m sure you all know what sandwiches and cake look like!

Before long, we were on our descent into SFO. I was truly sad to be leaving behind what can only be described as an excellent experience. We landed on time and were soon off to immigration. Priority tagging of bags worked – ours were in the first ten that came out and we were near enough first in line for immigration.