Is this really First?
Apr 14, 2017, 12:39 pm
#76
Join Date: May 2010
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,144
I've never been fortunate enough, yet, to fly F on any airline! Well It's not exactly true but I was less than 8 yrs old and flat beds didn't exist, so I don't contribute this or any experience to my judgement. But I have seen F on BA. Both in person and in photos of course.
To compare F and CW just ceases to amuse me. I've done a few CW trips, which help my Silver status of course. I like to think I'm not in the Premium majority who are very much accustomed to F and it's intricacies or CW for that matter. However, to compare the 2 on just hard product really makes me wonder if people are blinded by their experiences. The F Cabin has a fantastic look and style that out shines and differentiates from CW. CW on the older craft (747,777) is just a very beige look and sometimes very dated in its appearance (ex-LGW 777 for example).
The blue/purple led lightening and dark colours are very different. The fact that F has blinds! And windows that are aligned to the seat. Small side lamps. There are, from the little I've seen in reality, obvious differences in Product. This is just aesthetics but there's clearly a difference and I know where I would rather sit!
I guess the biggest factor...no one is stepping over your legs!! Do come down to earth sometimes and appreciate the things we have rather than the things we don't. I apply that to all not just the OP.
I hope F was better than the start of the journey and I hope one day to have the fortune to fly in F!
To compare F and CW just ceases to amuse me. I've done a few CW trips, which help my Silver status of course. I like to think I'm not in the Premium majority who are very much accustomed to F and it's intricacies or CW for that matter. However, to compare the 2 on just hard product really makes me wonder if people are blinded by their experiences. The F Cabin has a fantastic look and style that out shines and differentiates from CW. CW on the older craft (747,777) is just a very beige look and sometimes very dated in its appearance (ex-LGW 777 for example).
The blue/purple led lightening and dark colours are very different. The fact that F has blinds! And windows that are aligned to the seat. Small side lamps. There are, from the little I've seen in reality, obvious differences in Product. This is just aesthetics but there's clearly a difference and I know where I would rather sit!
I guess the biggest factor...no one is stepping over your legs!! Do come down to earth sometimes and appreciate the things we have rather than the things we don't. I apply that to all not just the OP.
I hope F was better than the start of the journey and I hope one day to have the fortune to fly in F!
Apr 14, 2017, 1:13 pm
#77
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: JER
Programs: BA Gold/OWE, several MUCCI, and assorted Pensions!
Posts: 32,140
I guess I'm one of Life's contented bunnies, and travel happily in J [preferably on AA] without a pressing need to spend more money/Avios on being right at the front. We are just immensely grateful that BAFT has shown us the way to do J l/h often, and affordably, as a couple of OAPs.
BTW, we've just renewed Gold for another year. Bless you all!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...l#post28179263
BTW, we've just renewed Gold for another year. Bless you all!
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trip-...l#post28179263
Apr 14, 2017, 1:19 pm
#78
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
I fly in the class my travel budget allows. No problem at all with Y, but clearly I'm a happier soul in other cabins, although only rarely do I get F.
Recent trips were generously funded and allowed LX to LAX and back, LH to Houston: both in first. All four flighs were superb, restful, relaxing - both in the air and on the ground.
I hear BA doesn't have a budget to ensure at least someone is monitoring competitors' products. Big mistake.
Apr 14, 2017, 2:10 pm
#79
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance
Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
Programs: UA-1K 3MM/HY- LT Globalist/BA-GGL/GfL
Posts: 12,079
I just got off BA207 to Miami and it was a shambles from gate-to-gate.
- Boarding held up to accommodate the arrival of an AA plane next door. Selected First Class passengers were pulled out of the line and pushed to the front. Others, including me, were left to stew in the 'Priority Line'
- On board the crew gave some people bedding and refused it to others - I assume low quantities loaded for the return.
- Beef was tough as old boots.
- Crew did the absolute minimum - collected water glasses after dinner so they didn't have to refill them. Didn't come around asking if anyone wanted anything apart from at meal times.
- On arrival could not get bridge to door 1 so we had to fight from First to get off.
- Passengers selectively offered buggies to Immigration, whilst others denied.
- Boarding held up to accommodate the arrival of an AA plane next door. Selected First Class passengers were pulled out of the line and pushed to the front. Others, including me, were left to stew in the 'Priority Line'
- On board the crew gave some people bedding and refused it to others - I assume low quantities loaded for the return.
- Beef was tough as old boots.
- Crew did the absolute minimum - collected water glasses after dinner so they didn't have to refill them. Didn't come around asking if anyone wanted anything apart from at meal times.
- On arrival could not get bridge to door 1 so we had to fight from First to get off.
- Passengers selectively offered buggies to Immigration, whilst others denied.
Apr 14, 2017, 2:14 pm
#80
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold; FB Silver; SPG; IHG Gold
Posts: 2,981
I just got off BA207 to Miami and it was a shambles from gate-to-gate.
- Boarding held up to accommodate the arrival of an AA plane next door. Selected First Class passengers were pulled out of the line and pushed to the front. Others, including me, were left to stew in the 'Priority Line'
- On board the crew gave some people bedding and refused it to others - I assume low quantities loaded for the return.
- Beef was tough as old boots.
- Crew did the absolute minimum - collected water glasses after dinner so they didn't have to refill them. Didn't come around asking if anyone wanted anything apart from at meal times.
- On arrival could not get bridge to door 1 so we had to fight from First to get off.
- Passengers selectively offered buggies to Immigration, whilst others denied.
- Boarding held up to accommodate the arrival of an AA plane next door. Selected First Class passengers were pulled out of the line and pushed to the front. Others, including me, were left to stew in the 'Priority Line'
- On board the crew gave some people bedding and refused it to others - I assume low quantities loaded for the return.
- Beef was tough as old boots.
- Crew did the absolute minimum - collected water glasses after dinner so they didn't have to refill them. Didn't come around asking if anyone wanted anything apart from at meal times.
- On arrival could not get bridge to door 1 so we had to fight from First to get off.
- Passengers selectively offered buggies to Immigration, whilst others denied.
Apr 14, 2017, 2:24 pm
#82
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: BHD
Programs: BAEC Gold, Radisson VIP, Hertz Gold, Accor Plat
Posts: 162
Anyway, to indulge the question:
CCR...worn out, impersonal, with toilets that wouldn't look out of place in a motorway service station.
BA 747 F cabin...cramped, worn out, overall not a 'premium' feel. BA A380 is significantly better though.
QR LHR lounge..personal welcome...and personal invitation to board...food/drink/ambience, better than CCR IMHO and that's an outstation for them vs. BA's flagship? Then there is the QR Doha lounge...I hear some catering changes have rolled out since my last visit, so my opinion on that is out of date clearly but the quality of the facility is impressive.
A380/787/A350 cabin...very similar to BA F (except 747)...just about...although I prefer the QR table and storage. A gimmick maybe but I like the A380 bar/lounge area.
CX J is better for similar reasons as above although having the meals forced on you is one area where BA F is better than their J. I still prefer their lounges, by a mile.
Of course little or none of this will qualify as "objective" to you. What about the price differential, is that objective enough?
Apr 14, 2017, 2:39 pm
#83
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: Meh
Posts: 2,594
For me F is a big step up from CW due to the flexibility of the service and greater feeling of space.
It will be interesting to get an update from the OP on arrival and see if he's enjoyed things more up in he air. I suspect it will come down to the crew and amount of booze he's drunk!
I think 'LGW' may be the key here In regards to the filth, the planes at LGW have always been much worse on that front IME. I've never had what I'd consider to be a dirty F cabin from LHR
It will be interesting to get an update from the OP on arrival and see if he's enjoyed things more up in he air. I suspect it will come down to the crew and amount of booze he's drunk!
I think 'LGW' may be the key here In regards to the filth, the planes at LGW have always been much worse on that front IME. I've never had what I'd consider to be a dirty F cabin from LHR
Mods if you chop this post I am out.
Apr 14, 2017, 2:44 pm
#84
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Provincie Antwerpen, Vlaanderen, België
Programs: MUCCI Gold
Posts: 2,512
Are these the folk that are referred to on AAnother Forum as "Kettles"? I know. There should be a law.
Fiddlesticks! The thousands of posts in the BoB thread seem to disprove that. If not, why all the fuss? I couldn't give a hoot as I never fly ET anyway.
I am suggesting nothing - I am saying that the majority of people will never get the opportunity to complain. I am really unsure that people do pay lots of money. I expect that they would like us to think that they had, but I have long been convinced that it is other people's (their employer's) money. Even Merry was in F paid for by his employer and with Avios generated by those flights. Why do I think that they do not pay themselves? What sane person goes on paying for something that they know to be better elsewhere?
BA is far from perfect, but away from this Forum where people are people and not handles on a Chatboard, I hear very varying views.
Posh? Of course I'm posh. I flew for BCAL.
Right - after that little chat, it is time to collect the G&T, put on my I-don't-care shoes and finish "Fortitude" once and for all. HI can wait for dinner. So there!
Fiddlesticks! The thousands of posts in the BoB thread seem to disprove that. If not, why all the fuss? I couldn't give a hoot as I never fly ET anyway.
I am suggesting nothing - I am saying that the majority of people will never get the opportunity to complain. I am really unsure that people do pay lots of money. I expect that they would like us to think that they had, but I have long been convinced that it is other people's (their employer's) money. Even Merry was in F paid for by his employer and with Avios generated by those flights. Why do I think that they do not pay themselves? What sane person goes on paying for something that they know to be better elsewhere?
BA is far from perfect, but away from this Forum where people are people and not handles on a Chatboard, I hear very varying views.
Posh? Of course I'm posh. I flew for BCAL.
Right - after that little chat, it is time to collect the G&T, put on my I-don't-care shoes and finish "Fortitude" once and for all. HI can wait for dinner. So there!
I learned something - everyday being a school day - and now know what a Kettle is (apart from the whistling thing that sits on the hob and boils water for my tea). Pertinent indeed - darned infrequent travellers clogging up the airports, check-in desks, security queues and much else besides. There should indeed be a law. Luckily I'm not travelling now anyway, so would not be unduly inconvenienced by such a thing.
One day, I hope to try F - on any airline. I expect I'll throughly enjoy it.
Apr 14, 2017, 3:04 pm
#86
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: LHR
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 135
Wow so this conversation digressed since I took off 
I must say that the service was above par and generally excellent. Way better than CW, the cabin staff treated me like a king. Plus the toiletries bags were definitely better than the shoe bags containing lotion you get given in CW.
Saying that, obv I was out of LGW, but definitely not sure I'd book a F redemption unless it's on the 380.
Anyway... I'm on a beautiful island and about to go sailing around various other islands in a few days! It was just my two cents folks, go explore F on your own and see how you like it. Different strokes an all.
Best,
G
I must say that the service was above par and generally excellent. Way better than CW, the cabin staff treated me like a king. Plus the toiletries bags were definitely better than the shoe bags containing lotion you get given in CW.Saying that, obv I was out of LGW, but definitely not sure I'd book a F redemption unless it's on the 380.
Anyway... I'm on a beautiful island and about to go sailing around various other islands in a few days! It was just my two cents folks, go explore F on your own and see how you like it. Different strokes an all.
Best,
G
Apr 14, 2017, 3:10 pm
#87
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
Wow so this conversation digressed since I took off I must say that the service was above par and generally excellent. Way better than CW, the cabin staff treated me like a king. Plus the toiletries bags were definitely better than the shoe bags containing lotion you get given in CW.
Saying that, obv I was out of LGW, but definitely not sure I'd book a F redemption unless it's on the 380.
Anyway... I'm on a beautiful island and about to go sailing around various other islands in a few days! It was just my two cents folks, go explore F on your own and see how you like it. Different strokes an all.
Best,
G
I must say that the service was above par and generally excellent. Way better than CW, the cabin staff treated me like a king. Plus the toiletries bags were definitely better than the shoe bags containing lotion you get given in CW.Saying that, obv I was out of LGW, but definitely not sure I'd book a F redemption unless it's on the 380.
Anyway... I'm on a beautiful island and about to go sailing around various other islands in a few days! It was just my two cents folks, go explore F on your own and see how you like it. Different strokes an all.
Best,
G
Apr 14, 2017, 3:31 pm
#89
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
Apr 14, 2017, 3:46 pm
#90
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 2,255
I fly both products regularly to and from HKG. They are very similar in terms of size and comfort. The CX seat is slightly wider, BA's seat has better storage. They are of a very similar design.