I always try to respond to any posts which address me directly (apologies for the delay in this case ....but have been bereft of reliable internet access for the last couple of days or so !).

I particularly want to thank you for your words of encouragement and good wishes ^

I must say I do find it a little odd that you have difficulty comprehending “how people can comment when they have no recent experience”. Does this mean that it’s not acceptable for people to comment (even if in general terms) on a report of poor service ....?? What about people who may be thinking of booking a BA flight, and express concern at what they are reading in certain threads .... ?? And what about a similar scenario, but in reverse so to speak : would you be equally offended by people commenting on a really positive thread about BA travel .... maybe sonething along the lines of “Fantastic to hear of your great experience, especially as I’m thinking of coming back to BA, having used other carriers for a long time .....”

Hopefully I will indeed enjoy my upcoming BA flight in F in the same way that you did your own. I will naturally join the flight in very positive spirit, and with fingers firmly crossed ; equally, I would be lying if I said that the very common reports here on FT of substandard service & quality in premium cabins (some of which closely mirror my own experiences from past CW flights) did not cause a good degree of apprehension as to what to awaits me once onboard.

I’m conscious that many others, like yourself, thoroughly enjoy their travels with BA, with very good examples in a couple of current threads. I think it’s only right that such ‘positive’ threads should be respected for what they are ; but on the other hand, I do feel it’s extremely disappointing to see that many comments on this thread attempt to imply that the OP has in some way misunderstood the very concept of the BA First Class product ; that the OP adopted the wrong attitude and mindset, and shouldn’t allow themselves to be troubled by poor service and other failings, such as dirty seats and inoperative lights etc.

In the course of this lengthy thread, there have been various accusations of ‘elitism’ - accusations which I’d say are close to the truth. And one or two posts have certainly adopted a distinctly unwelcome tone ; none more so, in my view, than this rather patronising comment :

“Many have high expectations because they don't fly first frequently, think £3k is a substantial amount of money and believe that first class travel should be luxurious”

Here’s a question : if first class - on any global airline - is not about high standards, an element of luxury, and quality of service ...... then what exactly IS it about ?