BA193
LHR-DFW
Seats: 64J & K

This was very much a typical CW experience however is included here as the good/not so good bits are largely the opposite of those noted above on the A380.

Good bits:
- 64k. This is one of the better CW seats on the 747 for a number of reasons. Ease of access/egress and no need to step over someone else to get out. There is additional side-bin storage space. This seat has two larger and one smaller bin which provide plenty of storage of laptop bags, pillow/blanket, newspapers etc. I find this important as it saves having to reach into the overhead lockers during flight.
- Overall the flight was pleasant. Despite a slight delay out of LHR due to weather. This is a day flight and I kept 1 out of 3 blinds kept open to admire the view.
- Service was very good. Attentive and friendly crew with multiple drinks runs etc. The pilot also came out to say ‘hello’ at one point.
- Food was good. Main meal was a smoked salmon starter, followed by a mushroom risotto and a cheesecake for dessert. Washed down with a glass of champagne (Taittinger) and some water. My wife also had a salad starter and risotto. Afternoon tea of sandwiches and scone, cup of tea.


Not so good bits:
- Not an A380… The plane and cabin were ageing and a bit rough/worn around the edges. The seat cover was stained, there were marks over the wall/bulkhead and the storage lockers and in general the cabin would have benefited from a deep clean. Not the worst I have seen in this regard though.
- I found the seat uncomfortable in the bed position. I Kept the seat in a reclined seat position for most of the flight.
- IFE screen - the spring clip/mechanism which holds the screen out was broken. I had to fashion (from a piece of the Financial Times) a system to hold the screen open. While less than ideal this held until we hit a bit of chop. I couldn't be bothered with the IFE after this and used my Ipad. [I managed to watch a few episodes of Two and a Half Men, and Supermarket Secrets].
- Not BA’s fault, but immigration in DFW was a nightmare. As a permanent resident (with green card) with a US citizen wife we used to be able to (as soon as two months ago) use the US citizen lines. No so at DFW anymore.


In conclusion:
- Old plane, needed a deep clean, broken IFE screen however this was made better by a good/attentive crew.

Some photos:































In an ideal world if the LHR-DFW crew were on the LAX-LHR flight that would have been fantastic!


Other comments:
These flights were flown as part of a larger itinerary which included a connecting flight up to EDI after arriving in LHR. This flight however was cancelled (weather), which we were told as we approached the flight connections desk where they took our pre-printed boarding passes. Fortunately we were rebooked onto another flight however boarding passes could not be issued as this later flight was “on hold” due to the weather.

We were instructed to wait (up to two hours) for this flight to be confirmed, however we “had to” wait before the flight connections desk where a number of seats (and snacks) were laid out. We were instructed to wait until a member of staff came to tell us boarding passes could be issued. We waited for around an hour, at this point I joined the queue at the connections desk and asked if this flight was going to go ahead or not at which point it was announced the flight was going ahead and boarding passes were issued. In hindsight I wish we had just gone through the Border, as at least there are bars/restaurants in the check-in area and would be more comfortable than sitting on a metal chair/floor.

The itinerary also included two ET flights (LHR-FCO return). Both of these flights were good, on time and with good service. No issues with overhead space (or lack of) despite a full flight out to FCO. There were two drinks runs on this flight also.

Lounges:
Made use of the Oneworld First Lounge at LAX prior to departure. Despite being quiet when we arrived it became full rather quickly. That said, we had seats, which are comfortable and had a couple of drinks (wine, G&T and water) and a decent dinner.

New lounge in EDI. This lounge is a clear improvement on the previous lounge with a major benefit of having toilets located in the lounge.

Galleries lounge in FCO. We spent around 2 hours in this lounge. Relatively pleasant, although busy. Minimal/poor food offerings however.

Galleries First in T5 prior to departure to FCO and DFW. Food was good (had a cooked breakfast with coffee on both occasions).

This was not intended as a full trip report, merely some comments on some good, recent flights with BA. If anyone has any comments/questions please feel free to ask. All photos are taken on an Iphone and/or Blackberry to so quality is poor.