Seating Queries: First
 

March 2021 update:
Thread archived and replaced with a new iteration. See https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...ing-guide.html



This thread is a continuation of the very popular https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...ies-first.html thread. Its purpose is for all your questions (and answers) regarding the best, worst, noisiest, and quietest seats in BA First. Each slide below contains a three digit alpha-numeric code which relate to specific aircraft type. These "aircraft type" codes are displayed in the Manage My Booking page when you select your seats.

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-v.../First_38A.png

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-U.../First_47B.png

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-c.../First_77C.png

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9.../First_77N.png

https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--.../First_789.png

Note, the seat map of the Boeing 777-200 sub fleet (G-ZZZA/B/C) configured 17F (code 77X) is not represented. This will be added in the near future.


Related threads
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...on-thread.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...lub-world.html

747-NF photo above, is the center console that far forward and blocks the view between 2A and 2K? Or is this an optical illusion and I'm just missing it? Previous posts I believed recalling it was closer between 3A and 3K. Thanks in advance.

Prospero,

Thanks for these pictures and info.

HM

These codes are displayed in the Manage My Booking page when you select your seats.

I've never seen these codes before. I've just gone through my MMB for my upcoming F flights and still don't see them:confused:

They appear when the edited seat map is released. This usually takes place somewhere around lunchtime UK time on the day three days before the day of the flight (eg Monday for a flight on Thursday).

This is the same time that some can start to access blocked seats, blocked rows, bassinet seats, yada yada yada.

These photos may put your mind at rest:-

• http://www.airliners.net/photo/Briti...-436/2000444/L
• http://www.airliners.net/photo/Briti...-436/2224534/L

Hello
I've just booked my parents into First for a trip to YYZ next August, they are flying on a 747 . A couple of questions, will this have NF and also what are the best seats to pick if flying as a couple.

Any responses really appreciated. Thanks

Yes it will have NF, do your parents want to sit next to each other or would they prefer two window seats behind each other and possibly sitting together for meals?

Hello Can I Help You. I think they would prefer next to each other but to be honest this is their first First trip and i would love them to get the best experience possible.
Thanks

Even though they are not right together if they can get 1AK or even 2AK I think that they would be happy, I am not sure which of the two pairs 4EF or 5EF are best but I am sure you will get some opinions on this.
Please make sure your parents tell the crew it's their first time in First and that they would like the full experience.

Stupid question (probably) - but do you get escorted to your seat on boarding? I've seen different things posted, so just wondered...

If we can we do, I think that it normally happens but depends if one of the two people at the door are already escorting other customers or otherwise engaged.

I flew to Toronto this summer and had NF in both directions. Was escorted to seat at both ends. Sure you're aware that BA doesn't escort F passengers to/from lounges or aircraft though. Also Terminal 5 fast-track security is a none event.
Your folks may wish to check-in in good time to take advantage of the Concorde Room. Lunches are decent with a pleasantly calm atmosphere.

There'll be different views on this, but many will centre on the fact that 4EF feel quite exposed to the rest of the cabin, and rather cramped with difficult access to the personal cupboard space, while 5EF are close to the galley and therefore can suffer from light and noise.

On the 747, we've given up on the EF pairs and try for 2A+3A or 2K+3K instead.

Thanks everyone for the responses, i think i will move them to window seats as you say they can dine together.

One other question they will be flying down from Manchester the night before the flight to Toronto, how early can they go to the Concorde room before the flight ? I'm sure they would enjoy a meal there and few pre- flight drinks, can they also use the Galleries First lounge ?

Anytime on the day of travel and they can visit any of the lounges.

Thanks again I will let them know

... they are down for the night, that is better still, but before all that, suggest a month before the flight book them both treatments to start the experience going, once in the CCR they can sit at the bar, have a glass of bubbles and nibbles, then have their treatments, then back to the CCR for a meal in the little booths, or they can sit outside on the terrace and have their meal out there. They can of course if they wish go and visit the Flounge, Hope they a lovely experience, on the ground, as I would suggest booking seats on the window sides, keep away from seats 5, as they can have a bit of disturbance from the galley. Definitely tell them to let the CC that this is their First F.:D

Hello BA5E
Thanks for that also, I will get the spa booked for them as you suggest. Yes getting them a room at the Sofitel the night before (hopefully there is a sale on or it appears as the mystery hotel), one. Question on lounges is the Flounge worth a visit if they have a few hours to relax before the flight ?

On the seats I have moved them to 2A and K so this should work well.

Really appreciate the insights everyone is happy to share on here as it will make their trip that bit more special

Dining together is very uncomfortable. The buddy seat is small and crampted. For a couple travelling together for the first time then I would go for 4E/F as then can talk easlity to one another as they dine side by side. All the seat in F are exposed although 1A/K which being at the front are better shielded, but even if you can get those they are too far apart for chatting without being overheard. Angled away from each other too.

It's fun flying with your partner so unless you can't stand them together is best.

The CCR is way better than the Flounge so unless they are flying fans who like to experience everything the airlines have, stay put. If they are flying fans then you can occupy happy hours visiting the Gallery Lounges, norther, south and in T5B too. The really keen can also visit Starbucks in T5C as part of the airport experience but I guess staying in the CCR is best. Certainly the first time I was there I had zero inclination to explore. Subsequently, having become a flying nerd I have visited all the lounges and continue to do so where ever I am.

Hello, I have seen this discussed and sure it may have been asked but my search didnt return the required results.

We are in F on a 777 with an infant. As I understand it there are no assigned bassinet/cot seats on the 777.

Can we just pick any seats and the cot will be put next to our seat? If so are there better seats to pick with this in mind?

For a price I will disclose flight numbers and dates for a price :)

The bassinet position is 4F on all but three B777s with First, for the three with 17 seats its 5F.
The cot will not fit on any other seat, if the flight isn't full I would offer a spare seat for the infant as when used the bassinet means that the customer cannot watch any videos.

You can, and you did!

Thank you :)

Hi, my wife and I are flying IAD-LHR next year on the a380 in F. Not fussed about sitting next to each other and we both prefer window seats. We would like to dine together then try and get a few hours sleep. Are there any seats to be avoided?

Not in my opinion. There is good space too for the buddy companion and it's quite comfortable too. Enjoy ^

Thanks - reserved 2a and 3a.

Quick seating question on the 77-200 17 seat First configuration. Flying this to AUH next spring.

What are the best set of seats for 2 adults and one child (5 year old)? - hard to assess from the seat maps which seats line up with each other - am thinking two in the middle and a window but hard to work out which is best.

Am guessing row one, but that is blocked (assume they are released at T-72??)

Thanks :D

2A 2E 2F 2K would work.

Perfect - just what I have booked :cool:

I hope this is a good thread to ask this question….

I recently booked CMB-DOH-LHR-YVR. The London to Vancouver BA flight (AA Codeshare), if I'm reading existing threads correctly, is operated by a 747-I, what is called a Mid-J. I booked at ticket in Club Word, but was given seat 1A. I'm guessing there is no first on this flight, but somehow, I was given a seat as a Club World Customer in the old First class cabin (1A). My questions:

1. I assume this would be an old style first class seat, however, it would still by lie flat?
2. Do I want to keep seat 1A, is it better than anything I would find on the upper deck? What would you do?

I've never taken a BA 747 long haul before, sorry for such a noobie question. Any advice/help is greatly appreciated.

Yes and yes, you never know you might even end up in NF used as CW.

I'm assuming either 4EF or 5EF are the best combination for a parent and 7 year old on a 747, but which pair would be best? It's the 15:55 to Jfk.

1AK if you can get them followed by either of the other two.

I agree, although I'd probably choose row 4 over row 5 for easier access to each other.

Hi all, I'd be grateful for a recommendation for a 747 flight LHR-JFK, my first time in First.

I'm Silver status, and at the moment I'm in seat 2K. The flight is still a little way off, so I can't select 1A or K yet (if they aren't already selected by somebody else).

I would be grateful if someone could advise me if 1A or K are really worth selecting for someone travelling alone. They do appear to be a little more private, but is there a good view from the windows? What are the pros and cons? Any other suggestions for somebody travelling alone!?

thanks for any help ;)

Travelling alone 2A or 2K are the best seats.

Hi,

You do get very nice views out of 1 A&K looking forward.

1AK are closer together than 2AK but still private.

In Old First there was a cupboard between 1A & 1K which pax could access during flight which might have some minor disruption.

However in New First ( which your flight should be) I do not think there is a cupboard.

I would go for 1A or K if available.

Regards

TBS

The cupboard is also there on NF.

Hi,

Thanks Tobias-UK^

To date when I have been in NF I have been towards the back.

I would have been in NF at the start of September but had to cancel my Avios booked flights.

Regards

TBS

Thanks all, for your comments. I'll probably stick with 2K, as 1A and K look very close together and the cupboard would probably annoy me. Although the view from 1A looks very good (I watched on YouTube).