San Gottardo

I have read on many occasions that people are somewhat unenthusiastic about BA First. Many refer to it as a better business class. I have only flown it a few times, and that is some years back, I hardly recall it. And I don't know the new First product.

So what is it? I don't think it's the seats, at least on pictures they look as if they were comfortable and spacious and with a lot of privacy. Is it the amenities? Is the food unsophisticated? Is it the service?

Jenbel

Have you flown anyone but BA in first?

KenJohn

If you have never experienced F, F is great. However, if you have tried the F product on some Far East airlines .....

Have you flown CX, Asiana, SQ, or even MH? I would ignore the majority of US airlines in this category.

It is the seats/space, attentive service and personal interaction by F cabin crew, food (quality or pre-order), on-board technology, priority land services (escorted through security, gates, etc to seats). On one airline has everything perfect but BA does not stand out in any one particular area (except for serving up a good cuppa tea!)

HIDDY

These people need to take more flights in CW on a packed lower deck.....a middle, middle seat I suggest.

layz

I think the problem is now that a number of carriers business class is what I'd consider F-, i.e. airlines are adding more features that until recently were associated with F (e.g. a 1-2-1 seating arrangement, more flexibility with catering options, etc), so these airlines are either abolishing F altogether or have to go a step even further to make F stand out.

I would always say business class is what it's name implies. Provides enough comfort to either work or rest making you more productive when you reach your final destination. First should then add luxury onto that.

The BA Club World product fits that description. Most people can sleep fine on there, there's enough privacy to work, but it's missing some of the luxury touches of first such a dining on demand, more space, etc. BA business class cabins tend to be larger than most airlines so it's not possible to get as personalised a product as you do in F that has 14 at the most.

Also some people may be comparing ground services with other airlines. Some will drive you to your aircraft, some have separate security channels. But with BA you use the same Fast Track as everyone else and if you're boarding from a remote stand you crowd on the bus with the rest of them. Main differences on the ground are the Concorde Room and F check-in area.

San Gottardo

I am flying intercontinental first class once to twice a week and I'm very familiar with Swiss, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, and Air France, less so with Singapore airlines and ANA.

EuropeanPete

With a good (ok, great) crew that experience can still be better than a disinterested crew in a full F cabin on a middle seat.

If I compare my best and worst expriences in CW and F, there's just too much of an overlap where my less good F flights are quite a bit worse than CW at its best (usually 747 UD, obviously).

That's not true comparing WT+ to CW experiences, nor is it CX J vs. their F.

denhaagflyer

Well, I can offer comparison to LH/LX - on BA there is (i) no personalized transport to airplane, (ii) a rather crowded first class cabin, especially on 747, (iii) the menu is rather standard (.e.g. no caviar, although you can argue about the quality of LH caviar). Looking at it from a different angle, on both LH there is a huge gap between J/C and F, while CW on BA is way better than J/C on LH. So, if you go from J/C on LH to F, you can feel the difference, on BA it is a rather marginal improvement.

BahrainLad

shorthauldad

Exactly.

Personally I mind much less about the seat, it's "can't be bovvered" F crew that get my blood pressure going.

+1

Ancient Observer

"can't be bovvered" F crew.

Yup. Lots of them. Why are they always on my plane, when they should be on yours?

Jenzo

It is just a glorified J class, what is it that is worth so much more?

Privacy=UD window, row 1 on a 747 is good but not any better, IME UD is better than row 1, its still exposed.
Meal-OK my meals have been better in F but worth the cash more=no
Champaigne=Same as above
Lounge=Little better waiting room, i would still minimise my time at the airport
Seat- J seat is brilliant, fully flat, F good and better. I sleep best in the Z position however F is better for sleeping. I can rough it in J fine.
Arrival lounge=J has that too.
Priority boarding=J has it and i prefer to be last on.
Crew=1 AMAZING F crew, one disinterested and dull . J IME consistently good.
Priority baggage-works with J and F IME, however i can wait one minuite more if i am in J.
Oh, and much quieter in the nose of a 747, so that is a big plus.

For me J is a stretch, on avios, 2-4-1's i may go F but it is not worth it to pay IMO.

J

windowontheAside

I flew QF J earlier in the year and was surprised to be given things I associate with BA F - namely pyjamas, a 'mattress' and having my bed made up when I wanted to sleep.

Yes, the seat was a J seat rather than F but the service and attention to me was actually better than we'd just had on our connecting BA F flight.

As others have said. BA W to J is a HUGE step up. BA J to F - not so much.

nux

QF J to F is a big step up in my opinion.

windowontheAside

Sadly, it wasn't offered on my route. Had to make do with J. Which turned out to be a very pleasant surprise.