Sep 6, 2013, 1:14 pm
Last edit by: Globaliser
The latest version (2010) of the First cabin (termed "Prime" internally by British Airways, or "New First") is available on all 4-class 777s and all 747s.
An newer evolution (2013) of the First seat (Prime+) is found on all A380s, and a newer version still (2015) is available on all 787-9s.
The older version of the First cabin (termed "Classic" internally by British Airways, or "Old First") has now been withdrawn.
747 information updated to 31 March 2016. Last change: withdrawal of G-BNLF, the last OF aircraft
An newer evolution (2013) of the First seat (Prime+) is found on all A380s, and a newer version still (2015) is available on all 787-9s.
The older version of the First cabin (termed "Classic" internally by British Airways, or "Old First") has now been withdrawn.
747 information updated to 31 March 2016. Last change: withdrawal of G-BNLF, the last OF aircraft
Tracking NF [New First]
Aug 29, 2014, 4:16 pm
#4546
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: City of Kingston Upon Hull
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 4,940
At the time of the re-jig following LL's accident, it was said here that LE went in for some work to be done to extend her life to September 2014, and LF went in for work to extend her life by 3-4 years (presumably a D-check that hadn't been scheduled for her). I've been told that this was definitely the plan as recently as May 2014. My lists are based on that information.
However, Jethro's says that it's LF that is due to be withdrawn in September 2014, with LE to soldier on. As Jethro's has a track record of being reliable, I wouldn't dismiss this out of hand.
I think that if LE is withdrawn next month, her NF cabin is expected to go into VC. If LF is withdrawn, though, that's simply one more OF cabin out of the fleet.
However, Jethro's says that it's LF that is due to be withdrawn in September 2014, with LE to soldier on. As Jethro's has a track record of being reliable, I wouldn't dismiss this out of hand.
I think that if LE is withdrawn next month, her NF cabin is expected to go into VC. If LF is withdrawn, though, that's simply one more OF cabin out of the fleet.
Aug 30, 2014, 2:09 am
#4547
Join Date: May 2010
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 163
Maybe we got the hint from escape2sun's comment about the route map: BNLZ left for KWI at 22:45, giving BA about an hour more preparation time than for the CPT flight. This would suggest that BNLZ was originally due to take escape2sun to CPT.
Aug 30, 2014, 6:17 am
#4548
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Sep 1, 2014, 6:42 am
#4549
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: London
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 772
Was considering upgrading from CW to F for my flight to Miami on Saturday. However, on MMB it is showing as a mid-J 747 when it has been predominantly high-J on this route in the past month.
And when it has been mid-J looking back at the history in around half of cases it has been OF.
Is it worth taking the risk as I really would rather NF if I was to upgrade?
And when it has been mid-J looking back at the history in around half of cases it has been OF.
Is it worth taking the risk as I really would rather NF if I was to upgrade?
Sep 2, 2014, 11:01 am
#4552
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,252
Sep 17, 2014, 2:35 am
#4553
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: VS Gold
Posts: 1,178
I would agree with this.
The schedule and retirements for the 5 remaining OF 747-400's is probably a bit fluid. As more 747-400's get retired I would expect for NF to be retrofitted onto these few remaining birds unless they are due to be retired soon as it improves operational flexibility of the fleet which of course will now continually shrink.
There are 2 retirement schedules anyway - a slower one to achieve growth and then this retirement schedule can be accelerated if demand slows and I think we've seen a bit of this anyway.
I somehow think that the schedule for OF for NS15 will be modified nearer the time and increasingly NF planes will operate the routes... Of curse the issue is that First doesn't make much money on most routes....
FD.
The schedule and retirements for the 5 remaining OF 747-400's is probably a bit fluid. As more 747-400's get retired I would expect for NF to be retrofitted onto these few remaining birds unless they are due to be retired soon as it improves operational flexibility of the fleet which of course will now continually shrink.
There are 2 retirement schedules anyway - a slower one to achieve growth and then this retirement schedule can be accelerated if demand slows and I think we've seen a bit of this anyway.
I somehow think that the schedule for OF for NS15 will be modified nearer the time and increasingly NF planes will operate the routes... Of curse the issue is that First doesn't make much money on most routes....
FD.
Currently it seems the 284/285 are .NF about half the time and the 286/287 are 99% NF.
Sep 17, 2014, 3:20 am
#4555
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: VS Gold
Posts: 1,178
Oct 8, 2014, 7:50 am
#4556
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Programs: American, BA, United,Marriott
Posts: 170
Does anyone know what is going on with G-CIVD? It was out for 8 days at beginning of August, then back in service for 5 days and now has been out since the 18th of August and still out. It hasn't been withdrawn has it?
Also, does anyone know where the BNLU NF cabin will go?
Also, does anyone know where the BNLU NF cabin will go?
Oct 8, 2014, 8:25 am
#4557
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Her current long stay at CWL might be consistent with a D check. Recent 744 withdrawals have stayed at CWL for a much shorter period before being ferried to VCV.CIVC has been mooted (here, unofficially) as a possible recipient of any recovered NF cabin, so might conceivably get BNLU's.
Oct 27, 2014, 8:16 am
#4558
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Zurich
Programs: M&M FTL, HHonors Diamond, Langham Elite, SPG Corporate Preferred
Posts: 470
I have for the first time booked a BA flight and am a bit confused by the whole New First / Old First...
We will fly on a 747-400 from LHR-YYZ and on a 777-200 from YYZ-LHR in First. The flight dates are September 7 and 14, 2015.
Any idea on whether we will have the old or new F ?
We will fly on a 747-400 from LHR-YYZ and on a 777-200 from YYZ-LHR in First. The flight dates are September 7 and 14, 2015.
Any idea on whether we will have the old or new F ?
Oct 27, 2014, 8:23 am
#4559
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: TPA/ABZ
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold. GGL/CCR.
Posts: 13,252
I have for the first time booked a BA flight and am a bit confused by the whole New First / Old First...
We will fly on a 747-400 from LHR-YYZ and on a 777-200 from YYZ-LHR in First. The flight dates are September 7 and 14, 2015.
Any idea on whether we will have the old or new F ?
We will fly on a 747-400 from LHR-YYZ and on a 777-200 from YYZ-LHR in First. The flight dates are September 7 and 14, 2015.
Any idea on whether we will have the old or new F ?
Last edited by golfmad; Oct 27, 2014 at 8:28 am
Oct 27, 2014, 8:35 am
#4560
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
Posts: 12,551
The only aircraft with Old First cabins are a few remaining mid-J 744's which now only operates on select routes with no F cabin sold.