First Wing at T5
May 26, 2017, 5:12 am
#751
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
Also feel passengers in the CCR are treated better than the other lounges as they should be based on either travelling in F, guessed in by those in F or a CCR card holder (I think that's the only way in) we ordered a wheelchair for all legs of several flights for this trip and this was the o only place it was dealt with well, without us asking several times or just being ignored
Back on topic, I've used the shortcut twice now (I really can't bring myself to call it the "First Wing", it's literally a shortcut with security!). It was pretty good both times. My only complaint is the tacky ads in the tunnel through to the GF lounge, but I reckon they make a pretty penny from them. It is definitely a better experience than old "Fast Track" security.
Also glad that Clubcard Millionaire's Door has gone. I saw more people turned away there than granted access! I felt sorry for the agent on the podium; no doubt that was a short straw job.
May 26, 2017, 4:09 pm
#752
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Godalming, Surrey, UK.
Programs: Nowt of note.
Posts: 1,628
First (and only likely to use it once more) visit tonight, at just after 6pm - ~4 people in each queue when we got there, lots of faffing ahead, still folk not really understanding how security works. I thought it was no better or different to regular fast track other than it decanting directly into the F lounge (which is a great benefit). OTOH my gf considered it a wholly superior experience! Horses for courses and all that.
May 26, 2017, 5:06 pm
#753
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,480
A number of posts have been removed, following the mod team's previous note, because they continued a discussion on lounge comparisons. This thread's subject is the First Wing - not lounges from other carriers. A second and final reminder to keep on topic please.
If you wish to compare lounges, please use the myriad of other threads which already exist in this forum.
/mod
If you wish to compare lounges, please use the myriad of other threads which already exist in this forum.
/mod
May 26, 2017, 5:07 pm
#754
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
A number of posts have been removed, following the mod team's previous note, because they continued a discussion on lounge comparisons. This thread's subject is the First Wing - not lounges from other carriers. A second and final reminder to keep on topic please.
If you wish to compare lounges, please use the myriad of other threads which already exist in this forum.
/mod
If you wish to compare lounges, please use the myriad of other threads which already exist in this forum.
/mod
May 27, 2017, 12:53 am
#755
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: SE1, London
Posts: 23,449
The value of the Wing and approach to guests was very visible this morning. First check in had every desk open, and all occupied by Charlotte and Rupert heading off with their brood. The brood disqualifies them from the Wing leaving it all to ME. Bliss.
Is this the first meaningful customer enhancement BA have delivered since NF?
Is this the first meaningful customer enhancement BA have delivered since NF?
Jun 3, 2017, 4:25 am
#756
Moderator, Hertz; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: KRK
Programs: UA 1MM, BA GGL, Hyatt Glob, Hilton Diamond and others
Posts: 12,691
I used it last Sunday during the IT issues. Of course economy and even business check in was horribly long. But for the first wing, no wait for check in or security. It's almost worth while to enter UK (assuming short lines for EU gates) and clear security via the wing than to get dumped into the transit security.
Jun 3, 2017, 4:31 am
#757
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,780
5 minutes just now although most of that was waiting for someone to start the x-ray machine.
The positive thing was that for the first time in ages, I wasn't the lucky victim of a drugs swab and the metal detector didn't go off for me belt etc.
At least it's far quieter than last weekend everywhere else.
The positive thing was that for the first time in ages, I wasn't the lucky victim of a drugs swab and the metal detector didn't go off for me belt etc.
At least it's far quieter than last weekend everywhere else.
Jun 3, 2017, 4:34 am
#758
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,854
They are not swabbing for drugs. Until recently they didn't even confiscate them if found by accident!
Jun 3, 2017, 4:47 am
#759
Join Date: Jul 2009
Programs: BAEC Silver, IHG Diamond
Posts: 7,780
Some annoyed looking senior man with his LV briefcase etc. was getting the full treatment whilst I was waiting.
Jun 3, 2017, 5:06 am
#760
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,991
Either that or explosives as they had that hand held wipe stick on my shoes last week, a swab of my bag when I went though T3 earlier in the month and then every time through south security when I have liquids with my bag getting kicked aside.
Some annoyed looking senior man with his LV briefcase etc. was getting the full treatment whilst I was waiting.
Some annoyed looking senior man with his LV briefcase etc. was getting the full treatment whilst I was waiting.
Jun 3, 2017, 5:14 am
#761
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,930
Jun 3, 2017, 11:37 am
#764
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Cotswolds, UK
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 29
WOW, just WOW. I flew First yesterday for the first time ever out of T5. What a truly VIP experience, from start to finish. Check-in, security, straight into the Gold Lounge and easy access straight through to Concorde Room (which was very clearly signed for anyone doing this for the first time, like me).
Shame I don't get to do it often, and going back to Economy and Business Class lounge with my Silver Status is going to seem like a long drop down, but certainly makes me appreciate what the First experience is like. Hopefully won't be too long before I can upgrade again with some Avios...
GREAT job BA and LHR. Seriously, great job.
Shame I don't get to do it often, and going back to Economy and Business Class lounge with my Silver Status is going to seem like a long drop down, but certainly makes me appreciate what the First experience is like. Hopefully won't be too long before I can upgrade again with some Avios...
GREAT job BA and LHR. Seriously, great job.
Jun 3, 2017, 1:33 pm
#765
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Manchester
Programs: BA GfL, Marriott TfL, Hertz 5*
Posts: 267
Used it for first time today around 10:30 am, transferring from LAX flight to MAN, party of 6 with 3 golds. So I decided we should use the UK Border route and back in though FW. From arriving at Passport control to entering First lounge, around 10 minutes and that included walk though baggage reclaim etc 