BA First Class cabin - invite a friend from WT
 

Hello
I'm travelling First Class (daytime flight from Tokyo) and wondered if anyone has had any experience in inviting a friend from another cabin (in my case, WT) to join for a short while for a drink.
Look forward to your comments/experiences.

Yes, I've done it. It is up to the CSD/CSM on the day.

Just ask the crew. I'm pretty sure they will allow it if it's not disrupting the service they are giving to F passengers.

Depends on aircraft type...
On anything *other than* a 789, then yes, no problem, if at a suitable time.
The 789 has the new F seats without a 'buddy' seat, so no guests (or buddy dining) will be available.

Please don't.

There are other passengers in F to consider.

Yeah, don't bring that WT rabble up front, they might get delusions of grandeur and take a crass leak in our posh toilets.

In all of my F flights I’ve seen this one. A J passenger joined in F for an hour after take off. The two guzzled LPGS at an alarming rate and spoke at high volume. My pregnant wife who wanted to rest was hugely annoyed. I politely complained to the crew and the passenger was shown back to J within five minutes. In my view this practice should not be allowed full stop.

There are quite a few threads on that actually so worth a search if you want all the details on the how, when, what, for how long etc. (Typically short visit of 15-20 minutes, not during mealtime or night but some specific times are considered easier by crew, your guest will be offered one drink etc)

An awful First? Come on now.

I've seen this play out many times in various combinations, and at the end of the day it really is up to the CSM/CSD. From what I have been told (when asking the same question to the CSM) is that officially BA requires it's passengers to remain in their class of travel for the entirety of their flight. This is due to a number of civil aviation rules, safety reasons (load balancing, etc) and to maintain the exclusivity of their premium cabins. That said, I have seen numerous attempts by F customers in the past to have a non-F passenger join them in the F cabin. More often then not, the CSM has allowed this (sometimes to the annoyance of other F passengers). I think the golden rules are these:

1) Always ask the permission of the CSM first, and
2) Make sure you and your guest keep your voices down and profile low. (you can be 100% sure that if you are noisy or disruptive and another F passenger complains the CSM will surely (but politely) ask your guest to leave.)

I think the practice should be banned. A few years ago she was in F and he was in, somewhere else, but he visited her five or six times during the flight, standing by her seat and chatting.

It it just felt intrusive and quite soon irritating.

The F pax should instead visit the other pax's cabin:)

Was there any element of service you didn't get? Your first choice taken or refills not offered?