Honeymoon trip in First next week
Mar 19, 2018, 7:06 am
#31
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,476
I would particularly echo CIHY's advice, which I can see you've taken on board anyway.
The only thing I'd add is that it does pay to make the crew aware on the day, otherwise they may assume you are regular F cabin inhabitants who know the routine. When you board as many aircraft as many on here do, even in a different travel class to usual, there is a certain amount of familiarity with the layout which means you tend to look more confident and less in need of help than many others.
I've never been one to be fawned over, so on the only occasion to date I've travelled in BA F, thanks to a GUF2 redemption, I happily walked on, said "Good Morning" to the crew, stowed my bag in the front wardrobe and settled into 1A on a 747. MrsNWI did the same across the aisle in 1F.
Halfway through the flight I was chatting to the assigned member of CC and in the normal course of conversation mentioned it was our first BA F thanks to the GUF (and only second overall following a TG redemption flight a few years ago). Apologies followed from her (which were wholly unnecessary). Apparently our confidence in stowing our luggage, settling straight into our seats and tucking into the LPGS without direction or prompting led her to think we were seasoned F travellers.
So even with experienced WW crew assumptions can still sometimes be made. As a regular CW traveller you might just fall through the same trapdoor we did!
The only thing I'd add is that it does pay to make the crew aware on the day, otherwise they may assume you are regular F cabin inhabitants who know the routine. When you board as many aircraft as many on here do, even in a different travel class to usual, there is a certain amount of familiarity with the layout which means you tend to look more confident and less in need of help than many others.
I've never been one to be fawned over, so on the only occasion to date I've travelled in BA F, thanks to a GUF2 redemption, I happily walked on, said "Good Morning" to the crew, stowed my bag in the front wardrobe and settled into 1A on a 747. MrsNWI did the same across the aisle in 1F.
Halfway through the flight I was chatting to the assigned member of CC and in the normal course of conversation mentioned it was our first BA F thanks to the GUF (and only second overall following a TG redemption flight a few years ago). Apologies followed from her (which were wholly unnecessary). Apparently our confidence in stowing our luggage, settling straight into our seats and tucking into the LPGS without direction or prompting led her to think we were seasoned F travellers.
So even with experienced WW crew assumptions can still sometimes be made. As a regular CW traveller you might just fall through the same trapdoor we did!
Mar 19, 2018, 7:18 am
#34
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold / OW Emerald
Posts: 753
You are expecting too much. Why should you get a 'surprise'?
Yes someone in customer services could put a note in your booking but then one of the cabin crew would have to actively look for any such notes which is not something they normally do.
Just enjoy the fact you are flying in F already.
Yes someone in customer services could put a note in your booking but then one of the cabin crew would have to actively look for any such notes which is not something they normally do.
Just enjoy the fact you are flying in F already.
Total cost of about 200 quid for that occasion. Now, let me ask, how much does a F return flight for two cost, and think about what I said above.
While we certainly shouldn't expect anything nice from airlines in this day and age, why couldn't they try a little harder in First class? I'm already baffled that spa reservations are almost impossible to get when flying in first class, so if one can't make any specific requests for the trip to be something more personal... Well, first class just becomes glorified business class.
Mar 19, 2018, 7:26 am
#36
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,399
I think that after all the excitement of the wedding and so on, which will probably be Amazing, you should have modest expectations of a trip on an aeroplane. How can an aeroplane match a wedding that you've planned for forever?
It's only a metal tube in the sky, supported by airflow. Start with low expectations and give someone the chance of exceeding your expectations.
It's only a metal tube in the sky, supported by airflow. Start with low expectations and give someone the chance of exceeding your expectations.
Best piece of philosophy on the whole subject.
And the bit I’ve bolded : Tip of the Thread ^
Mar 19, 2018, 7:31 am
#37
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
That's what they are, aren't they, with a bit more space (or a lot more space in some cases), a bit nicer presentation, and a bit better food.
What can be done in an enclosed space away from a normal kitchen and a huge larder etc. is somewhat limited.
If I were your passenger on a special day of some sort I'd probably file a special request for you to strut all the way from the flight deck right to the back of the aircraft, and back up to the flight deck, in a pair of stilettos or something.
Now that would probably be quite hard.
What can be done in an enclosed space away from a normal kitchen and a huge larder etc. is somewhat limited.
Now that would probably be quite hard.
Mar 19, 2018, 7:38 am
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Book anything for any special occasion with special requests in a luxury setting, and you can reasonably expect some level of special treatment. For example, I went to have an afternoon tea at the Connaught for three people for my birthday. I have some allergies, which had all been gracefully substituted without me feeling I have been missing out, compared to what the others had, and they did decorate my plate beautifully with a happy birthday message.
Mar 19, 2018, 8:02 am
#39
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,476
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Mar 19, 2018, 8:50 am
#41
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,060
In the good old days, before the litigation culture, I flew BA back to London for my wedding. On boarding the plane, I was greeted with “You’re the gentleman flying back to get married... I wouldn’t go to sleep if I were you”. (A friend had told the crew). What concerned me was the sight of a dead, plucked chicken hanging in the galley. I stayed awake the whole flight fearing what might happen. Nearing Heathrow, the stewardesses applied large amounts of lipstick, then kissed me all over the face. I went through passport control with lots of kiss marks, various items attached to my jacket, and a large sign on my back. I never found out what happened to the chicken...
Mar 19, 2018, 8:50 am
#42
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,476
After all, we'd expect nothing less than you throwing yourself headlong into it to please the customer ...
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Mar 19, 2018, 8:55 am
#44
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: UA-1K, MM, Hilton-Diamond, Marriott-Titanium
Posts: 4,432
In the good old days, before the litigation culture, I flew BA back to London for my wedding. On boarding the plane, I was greeted with “You’re the gentleman flying back to get married... I wouldn’t go to sleep if I were you”. (A friend had told the crew). What concerned me was the sight of a dead, plucked chicken hanging in the galley. I stayed awake the whole flight fearing what might happen. Nearing Heathrow, the stewardesses applied large amounts of lipstick, then kissed me all over the face. I went through passport control with lots of kiss marks, various items attached to my jacket, and a large sign on my back. I never found out what happened to the chicken...
