More inconsistency from BA FIRST: short trip report
#17
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,383
Well, I’m pleased to report the 9 First sectors I’ve flown since the start of 2019 have all been good to excellent. I’ve not flown to JNB/CPT but I have travelled to and/or from LAS, LAX, SIN, HKG with flights crewed by either WW or MF and I have absolutely nothing to complain about. I’m expecting a similar service when I return to the UK tomorrow.
How wonderful it would be if the OP - along with all other BA First customers - could count on the same consistently stellar service in F - on each and every flight, with no issues or cause for complaint. And then we wouldn’t be seeing this sort of this thread with the disappointing frequency that we do.
There is always hope, I guess.
#18
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,190
rb211.
#19
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Chelsea
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 1,224
#20
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,735
#21
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 698
For what it’s worth, the catering ex-ZA has always been poor - which is surprising considering the abundance of quality produce available here.
Otherwise, sounds like a normal BA F experience to me, i.e. fine for the price. Might have been worse, though: you could have been in Club ��
The three routes that I find with the worst catering in J and F are SYD/JNB/CPT - LHR.
The irony being all three of these routes originate in countries with amazingly GREAT food.
I guess it's down to how much BA is prepared to pay the caterers.
As for F flights ex UK i've taken to ask to see the CW menu when flying F especially for the starters. I get so sick of a 'timbale' or 'terrine' or 'mousse' of something (ie the minced up cheap leftover bits) when they have actual simple decent stuff for starters in CW
#22
Join Date: May 2017
Programs: BA Exec Club, Accor Diamond, other airline programmes very basic
Posts: 193
You paid 2k return for a direct LHR-JNB flight, which is very keen pricing for J class, let alone F. BA appears to be increasingly willing to price F in line with the quality of the product so that they can sell it rather than having seats go out empty / filled up with redemptions, which makes perfect sense and I can only believe will continue as the new CW is eventually rolled out. The flip side of that is you can't expect the wine list and catering to be the same quality as F on carriers that never reduce their F class pricing below twice what BA charges.
The service issues are sad and having experienced the same in the past, I sympathise. The lounge also I will not attempt to defend.
The service issues are sad and having experienced the same in the past, I sympathise. The lounge also I will not attempt to defend.
#23
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 698
OP interesting to read your post.
Reading it makes me think again that the in reports I read and my own travels, the outward journey (well, exLON I mean really) seems to go better than the return journey.
Is is there a trend? Are passengers and crew happier heading off? And not-so-happy or tired on the way home.
Reading it makes me think again that the in reports I read and my own travels, the outward journey (well, exLON I mean really) seems to go better than the return journey.
Is is there a trend? Are passengers and crew happier heading off? And not-so-happy or tired on the way home.
#24
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 574
I so agree and this has always been a great 'why' for me.
The three routes that I find with the worst catering in J and F are SYD/JNB/CPT - LHR.
The irony being all three of these routes originate in countries with amazingly GREAT food.
I guess it's down to how much BA is prepared to pay the caterers.
As for F flights ex UK i've taken to ask to see the CW menu when flying F especially for the starters. I get so sick of a 'timbale' or 'terrine' or 'mousse' of something (ie the minced up cheap leftover bits) when they have actual simple decent stuff for starters in CW
The three routes that I find with the worst catering in J and F are SYD/JNB/CPT - LHR.
The irony being all three of these routes originate in countries with amazingly GREAT food.
I guess it's down to how much BA is prepared to pay the caterers.
As for F flights ex UK i've taken to ask to see the CW menu when flying F especially for the starters. I get so sick of a 'timbale' or 'terrine' or 'mousse' of something (ie the minced up cheap leftover bits) when they have actual simple decent stuff for starters in CW
The new CW catering does have some starters I like too. In F it's a lottery if you get a chocolate from the secret box passing. In CW at least there are some snacks to choose from if the food doesn't appeal. Economy too - on some flights. If I ever see another chocolate dome I'll launch myself out of the plane in the shell. BA simply can't do First Class right now. The service is consistently inconsistent. I'd still choose F before CW whenever available using avios. I was considering using BA to JNB on an upcoming trip to Africa. This thread is helping me decide to choose Emirates for part of the journey, where it fits with plans.
BA management needs to read FT re F reviews.
#25
I thought about that lamb, but thought better as I guessed that they would ruin the cooking and overdone lamb is worse than beef. And yes, the description of cheeses was Cheddar and Camembert. Full stop. (Plus SA cheese is pretty horrid!)
On the menu, there are now basically two starters (plus a salad option); three mains (plus a salad option); and two desserts (plus cheese). It doesn't really make you feel spoiled for choice when you know that they are going to ruin anything meaty and that everything else is going to leave you hungry!
On the menu, there are now basically two starters (plus a salad option); three mains (plus a salad option); and two desserts (plus cheese). It doesn't really make you feel spoiled for choice when you know that they are going to ruin anything meaty and that everything else is going to leave you hungry!
#27
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,168
I'm seeing some incredible cash price examples for F on this thread.
Changed days. When I was young only VIP's, the Upper Class and Chairman of Blue Chip companies seemed to fly F. Now it's within the reach of everyone armed with the relevant knowledge.
Changed days. When I was young only VIP's, the Upper Class and Chairman of Blue Chip companies seemed to fly F. Now it's within the reach of everyone armed with the relevant knowledge.
#28
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA Gold, AA Lifetime Gold 1.8mm, IC Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold et al
Posts: 4,350
#29
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 6,349
I always find it hard to tell from such threads whether some posters have exceptional good/bad luck, or whether it is just a question of calibrating one's expectations.
I suppose in many ways Hiddy is right, the product is relatively cheap and therefore you can have average service and still feel you got VFM. Perhaps the resulting reduction in yield is why F cabins are being downscaled or removed from new aircraft?
I suppose in many ways Hiddy is right, the product is relatively cheap and therefore you can have average service and still feel you got VFM. Perhaps the resulting reduction in yield is why F cabins are being downscaled or removed from new aircraft?
#30
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: LHR/SEA/YVR
Programs: BAEC G/*O E
Posts: 915
I experienced very poor service where I paid an eye watering price and then had an exceptional experience for a fraction of that price. It all comes down to building right expectations and then delivering against them. I don't think anyone would have complained if BA marketed (and priced) their F product as a slightly improved CW, just as nobody complains about domestic First in the US being inferior to international F.