ClubWorld JFK-LCY
 

I just completed a trip to EDI on BA.. JFK-LCY-EDI and return.

I just wanted to ask anyone else who has been on this flight... did you enjoy it?

I have to say the over all expirience for me was not what I expected. I thought the service would have been a lot better. The food was so so, my wine glass was always empty and I had to stop the FAs to get it refilled. The Lounge in JFK was great, but as for the rest of my jounery they were not good. The lounge in LCY is a complete joke. I dont think I will ever book this flight again. I dont really stray to far away from the Star Alliance, mostly United and Thai. i was told by another passenger on the flight that he would not use the LCY flights anymore either. He said the service and lounges are much better going through LHR.

As this is my first trip on BA in Club World I was looking for some insight on this matter, as with this UA/CO merger going ahead I am looking for a new airline.

The lounges are not the point of the service, the fact that you can go from LCY (complete with the short tme you actually need to be at the airport) and complete CBP formalities before arriving at JFK is the real benefit. Also for those working in the city/docklands it is closer to their home/place of work so it takes less time to get to than LHR.

On the return the fact that you arrive at LCY not LHR is the major benefit. If you want a full lounge service (like massages etc.) then this obviously isn't the service for you. You aren't expected to spend hours at LCY because the whole idea of the service is to try and minimise the amount of time you have to waste.

The fact that you don't have to clear in at JFK means you don't get stuck behind a plane load of AZ pax who are all taking hours in the immigration booths as has happened to me at BOS several times.

If it flew to BOS I'd seriously consider it, depending on timings.

You are of course entitled to your own opinion but if you had done your homework before you left you would have known that no lounge exists at LCY. As for the on board service, reports up till now have been most favourable. Was the service on both your flights not up to scratch?

Maybe you were expecting too much? It is really set up for point to point business travellers more than the leisure passenger.

I think that hits the nail on the head. I've just booked a flight home from NYC and elected not to fly on the LCY service because I am coming back from vacation and quite fancy the full BA service. The JFK-LCY flight is aimed at business travellers who want to maximise sleep and work. Its not really fair to compare the LCY flight with full service TG/UA. JFK-LCY is in a class of its own, quite literally.

To be fair there is a lounge at LCY it just isn't the size of the LHR/LGW/JFK ones (nor does it need to be) and the facilities are basic but adequate.

http://www.petergreenberg.com/wp-con.../ba-lounge.jpg

I'm sorry for that.

I had no idea they had opened a lounge.

I flew JFK-LCY-EDI back in January and was pleased with the service on board the 004. Okay, this is the later flight so I dined in the lounge pre-flight and I slept most of the way across the Atlantic but my glass was replenished repeatedly until I signalled thank you indeed, I've had my fill.

CWLC is niche service principally directed towards O&D traffic between New York and Canary Wharf, so with that in mind I was forgiving at the spartan transfer facilities on offer at LCY.

If you wish to truly test BA, I would recommend routing through LHR next time.

Quite agree.

I don't know how well it was publicised so don't feel too bad.

But it is only for use by passengers travelling to New York, and not for passengers travelling domestically and in Europe...

The OP wouldn't have been able to use it on arrival at LCY whilst waiting for the EDI flight.

Please correct if I am wrong.

Are you talking about the BA New York gate, where there are half-decent chairs, champagne and snacks? I'm not sure even BA calls it a lounge...

Also - forgive me if I'm wrong, but isn't the picture the waiting area at SNN?

I love the LCY-JFK service, but then I live 10 minutes from LCY. The last time I used it, I left my flat at 16:00 and was on the plane at 16:25. That and pre-clearance, and the ease of getting home when I arrive back into LCY are what do it for me. But as others have said, if you're after the full Club experience and have lots of time, then use LHR.

Colm

Yes, but after all it is still meant to be a premium service & onboard, CW should be CW after all.

Good heads up... thanks. I will do LHR EDI on my next trip in DEC... I mostly travel to BKK for business and Im used to the TG service. I have a couple of trips to EDI over the next year.

Hang on - as someone that uses both services, I'd say the in-air experience is better than regular business class. I found the service very attentive and the food better than standard CW. I had a lovely meal outbound recently - very clean flavours and well balanced. Im surprised you found it wanting - particularly if you are used to transatlantic Star Alliance carriers' business class.

I concur with others about on ground experience though. LCY isn't designed as a transfer hub, so doesn't have the same frills. If you cut to the wire and clear security 15 mins before departure - who cares about the lounge? I appreciate that doesn't help you on a long transfer though.

This is the Transit Lounge area in SNN. The lounge at LCY is the entire gate area. Quite OK in terms of nice seating, but in my recollection very simple offerings - wine, champagne - no hard liquor and chips. The benefit is to board you just walk out the door and up the steps about 50 paces away. They have umbrella escorts if it is raining. For a non-American/Green Card holder the nice thing is walking right off the plane at JFK as a domestic arrival. The arrival at LCY was also nice with a separate immigration channel.