CT-UK

I have never been asked to take a seat while checking in for F at T5 or T4 be it paid F, miles F, MFU F or op up.

50% of the time I would say you are luckly to get a good morning / afternoon or evening and a smile.

macabus

Departing BKK, an LX staff member escorts F passengers through VIP immigration, then through VIP security, and they remain dutifully by your side until you're settled into the TG F lounge - a good 10-15 minutes after leaving the check-in counter.

stueys

I've used F check-in once at T5 then not bothered, the staff were friendly but to my mind there's very little difference between F check-in and normal bag drop which defeats the purpose and is an opportunity lost for BA.

My last experience at LGW F check-in was poor, very grumpy guy behind the desk who had a bit of a go at me for not having a copy of my ticket (apparently the destination may ask to see?) and then begrudgingly printed me off a copy.

I love BA F in the air (especially NF which is great) but the ground experience needs a push to catch up.

globalste

Defo not Sunrisegirl then! Thats a disgrace if they think they are doing you a favour... This probably stems from most people using F checkin being Gold Card Holders and ground staff forgetting which desk they really are stood at.

stueys

Ah, good point, well there's absolutely no way that I was flying J, on miles to BGI with the family, using my GC to use F check-in, no way at all........

Seriously, whatever class or status, I wouldn't have expected to be moaned at for not printing a copy of my eTicket out.

johan rebel

As the beneficiary of an OpUp (thank you, BA!), I got to experience NF a few weeks ago.

Summary:

• The on-board service was efficient and very friendly.
  
  
• I would normally not have eaten much on board, but felt I had to try at least dinner. It was fine, except for the fish main course, which was only borderline edible. Bit like chewing on a rubber ball. I passed on breakfast.
  
  
• The seat was quite OK, although I didn't care much for that footrest/buddy seat contraption, or whatever it was supposed to be.
  
  
• Overhead storage was very limited, which was exacerbated by all the bedding that took up a lot of space. Don't they have dedicated storage space for that? When the time came to turn down my bed the FAs couldn't not find any bedding, and had to rummage through half the overhead lockers and remove a bunch of bags before locating what they needed.
  
  
• Gimmicks like the electric window blinds and decorative lamp add little value, and the ceiling-mounted reading lights for the middle seats in rows 4 and 5 can be annoying for others.
  
  
• Storage space at the seat is limited and impractical, there is no convenient secure storage for glasses, watch and valuables within easy reach, nor is there anywhere convenient to hang the headset. I ended up using the lamp.
  
  
• Privacy is very limited for a First Class cabin.
  
  
• The amenity kit? Who cares? All I use is the earplugs and the slumber shades.
  
  
• The new IFE screen is very nice indeed. Now if only they would keep the IFE running gate-to-gate.

Is NF am improvement? Definitely!

Is it something worth paying for? Not out of my own pocket it isn't.

Is is something worth upgrading to with miles or cash? No, not either.

I get a lot more privacy and useful storage space in 64K; I sleep just as well in a CW seat; and I don't really need to be fussed over and served lots of food. The CW IFE screens are poor quality and tend to flop about, but that's hardly suifficient reason to consider F instead.

Johan

firstclasslad

The check in agents are rather dull, and unfriendly as though are Y check-in but are covering an F's agent tea break...

CX HKG F Check-in is visually great. The best concept is where you are ina private space, welcomed to take a seat, and they do all the work* and escorted onwards

*including the standing

juan516

I can confirm from own experience (2009) that Swiss (LX) JNB ground handling is a zoo - confusion abounds if they decide to bus the people to the Airbus 340, specially in hot and steamy weather: No escort for premium pax, no proper information about reasons for delay / gate changes.

Still a world apart from JNB: DAR LX ground staff is close to hell (pardon my sarcastic words/the rant) - no priority checkin (2010), endless waiting in front of security screening in a ultra long line before checkin opens (just 120 mins. before dep.). The LX female station agent strongly criticises F pax who insist on their (long reconfirmed) single seat assignments in front of her - puzzled - subordinates, because she is keen to hold them back for "friends of the company" (without mentioning this - of course). When I complained about it at ZRH to LX FCL receptionists, they mentioned that the DAR "F treatment "was notorious...

Flying LX you must know the whereabouts of every outstation - be careful !

Lufthansa is not much better either, not sure whether they escort F pax to the plane but they do react to well reasoned requests of their premium passengers.

Enjoy your BA F flights ex JNB - I certainly look forward to them soon,
juan516.

firstclasslad

For OpUps - expectations are exceeded.

Everything is [positively] perceived differently

Jimmie76

I can't really see the point of an escort to security/onto the plane for me personally. If you can't find the security line (at LHR T5) after being told where to go at the desk and need further help then you do need help. I am still at an age where I can find the plane without too much of a stuggle so why do I need someone to walk with me?

The only thing I really found that wasn't great was the bussing. I'd rather walk down a jetway than however long it is than get on a bus. To paraphrase a friend of mine, BA - Sort Your Life Out.

juan516

Because of my rant I forgot to mention this rather important (unpublished) benefit: *A Gold membership will not help, but only your LX F (even award) BP and only prior to the LX departure (check closely VS opening hours !), not sure about LH/LX HON member access. To compliment Swiss: the VS Clubhouse food _ cooked in front of yourselves - and drinks are out of this world ! And there are excellent PCs plus printer on the upper floor.

Cheers,
juan516.