[Cabin configuration & service on the] JFK-LGW service
Feb 20, 2019, 10:11 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,578
[Cabin configuration & service on the] JFK-LGW service
I’ve finally booked this for the first time and was wondering if there is any recent experience with this service.
Specifically wondering if this is a sleeper service (departs JFK at 10pm)?
Also, the seat layout seems pretty odd - the service has one of those 4 row club cabins. It seems pretty small compared with the LHR services - not even talking LCY. I would have expected more Club demand, considering that LGW is much more convenient to some parts of the South East...
Specifically wondering if this is a sleeper service (departs JFK at 10pm)?
Also, the seat layout seems pretty odd - the service has one of those 4 row club cabins. It seems pretty small compared with the LHR services - not even talking LCY. I would have expected more Club demand, considering that LGW is much more convenient to some parts of the South East...
Feb 20, 2019, 10:28 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: LHR, LGW
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 3,427
Sounds like it might be refurbed 777...
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...ly-2018-a.html
[First FT Pictures] G-VIIX refurbishment [LGW B772, including 3-4-3 seating in WT]
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/brit...ly-2018-a.html
[First FT Pictures] G-VIIX refurbishment [LGW B772, including 3-4-3 seating in WT]
Feb 20, 2019, 10:53 am
#3
Join Date: Oct 2017
Programs: Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,639
Also, the seat layout seems pretty odd - the service has one of those 4 row club cabins. It seems pretty small compared with the LHR services - not even talking LCY. I would have expected more Club demand, considering that LGW is much more convenient to some parts of the South East...
Feb 20, 2019, 10:56 am
#4
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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"Sleeper" as a specific marketing concept I think has now ended, but that may be playing with words, since yes you would have access to the hot food buffet in JFK. The food served on board is done on the "goodnight service" concept, so soup/salads/pud on one tray and two drops, rather than the drawn out meal service.
Also if HBO JFK staff may be happy to move you to other services that evening (including the LCY service) since JFK passenger loads are often out of kilter to specific services. That said LGW normally isn't overloaded. It's actually a bit of a low cost service, it often has the cheaper buckets going on it, and it is cheaper for BA to operate in terms of internal money than the LHR services. When peering down Find Our Lowest Fares, it often pops out of the listing. Now that is more for WT and WTP of course, but as you know BA will roll forward to keep everyone, including their accountants, delighted.
Also if HBO JFK staff may be happy to move you to other services that evening (including the LCY service) since JFK passenger loads are often out of kilter to specific services. That said LGW normally isn't overloaded. It's actually a bit of a low cost service, it often has the cheaper buckets going on it, and it is cheaper for BA to operate in terms of internal money than the LHR services. When peering down Find Our Lowest Fares, it often pops out of the listing. Now that is more for WT and WTP of course, but as you know BA will roll forward to keep everyone, including their accountants, delighted.
Feb 20, 2019, 2:21 pm
#7
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ISTR that whenever it's been done in the recent past, that's what it's always proved to have been, notwithstanding any protestations to the contrary by the airline.I did JFK-LGW about a year ago, HBO, and volunteered to move to any other flight to London if it would help them. I got what sounded like a bit of a hollow laugh, heralding the expected answer.
Feb 20, 2019, 2:39 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,578
I don't quite get where the bad reputation for LGW is coming from. It's great for South and central London.
In my specific case I'll be connecting to another service from LGW. The idea of doing a LHR-LGW connection via the M25 is pretty off-putting - so this flight is great for my needs. I just find it a little odd that there aren't more people who see it the same way.
In my specific case I'll be connecting to another service from LGW. The idea of doing a LHR-LGW connection via the M25 is pretty off-putting - so this flight is great for my needs. I just find it a little odd that there aren't more people who see it the same way.
Feb 20, 2019, 2:42 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: BA, SW, IAG
Posts: 143
Feb 20, 2019, 2:46 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: BA, SW, IAG
Posts: 143
I don't quite get where the bad reputation for LGW is coming from. It's great for South and central London.
In my specific case I'll be connecting to another service from LGW. The idea of doing a LHR-LGW connection via the M25 is pretty off-putting - so this flight is great for my needs. I just find it a little odd that there aren't more people who see it the same way.
In my specific case I'll be connecting to another service from LGW. The idea of doing a LHR-LGW connection via the M25 is pretty off-putting - so this flight is great for my needs. I just find it a little odd that there aren't more people who see it the same way.
Although I have done the M25 shuttle a number of times, both by bus and private transger (depending on how many of us travelling)
Feb 20, 2019, 2:47 pm
#11
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Feb 20, 2019, 2:50 pm
#12
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: BAEC Silver, Hilton Gold, IHG Gold, SPG Preferred Plus
Posts: 23
I was on this last week, flew LGW>JFK in WTP and JFK>LGW overnight in Club.
Coming back I did the sleeper service dining in the lounge - they were offering fresh cooked to order burger combinations plus a couple of other cooked to order meals, in addition to the buffet stuff. Bottled water and breakfast selection cards (wake me+feed me / wake me+hydrate me / let me sleep) handed out as soon as we boarded. I was in 4A, Club was pretty full but still quiet with only 4 rows of people. Woken up by the captain's update at 40 minutes out, cup of tea plonked in my hands as soon as I asked for one, arrived home less than 30 minutes after collecting my bag off the belt - all in all, my most enjoyable / stress-free work trip to NY in a while.
Just remembered I took a photo of the on-board menu whilst waiting to land in case anyone asked about LGW catering. Drive is playing up so I can't get it now but here's the main summary
Dinner
Starters: Chicken nicoise / Smoked red pepper and chickpea soup
Salad - fresh seasonal salad
Main: choice of Barbecue glazed brisket / Pan seared Atlantic cod / Spinach and ricotta rotolo
Desserts: Creme caramel / Warm Viennese apple strudel / Cheese board
Coffee
Or Express option (select starter, dessert and drink preference and it will be brought to you)
Breakfast
Starters: Chilled orange juide / an energizing smoothie / fresh seasonal fruit
Bakery: A selection of assorted breakfast pastries
Please choose from: Bacon, egg and cheese panini / Bagel with oven roasted tomatoes, courgette and grilled halloumi cheese
PS. I guess the Saturday evening LGW>JFK flight is not a big hit with people going on holiday (get to NY early to make the most of the weekend!) - I was in WTP which was one third full, had a bulkhead row of 4 to myself, decent IFE, mini Pommery champagne bottles and the new improved catering, so all in all a much more enjoyable flight than the typical busy LHR>JFK WTP cabin!
Coming back I did the sleeper service dining in the lounge - they were offering fresh cooked to order burger combinations plus a couple of other cooked to order meals, in addition to the buffet stuff. Bottled water and breakfast selection cards (wake me+feed me / wake me+hydrate me / let me sleep) handed out as soon as we boarded. I was in 4A, Club was pretty full but still quiet with only 4 rows of people. Woken up by the captain's update at 40 minutes out, cup of tea plonked in my hands as soon as I asked for one, arrived home less than 30 minutes after collecting my bag off the belt - all in all, my most enjoyable / stress-free work trip to NY in a while.
Just remembered I took a photo of the on-board menu whilst waiting to land in case anyone asked about LGW catering. Drive is playing up so I can't get it now but here's the main summary
Dinner
Starters: Chicken nicoise / Smoked red pepper and chickpea soup
Salad - fresh seasonal salad
Main: choice of Barbecue glazed brisket / Pan seared Atlantic cod / Spinach and ricotta rotolo
Desserts: Creme caramel / Warm Viennese apple strudel / Cheese board
Coffee
Or Express option (select starter, dessert and drink preference and it will be brought to you)
Breakfast
Starters: Chilled orange juide / an energizing smoothie / fresh seasonal fruit
Bakery: A selection of assorted breakfast pastries
Please choose from: Bacon, egg and cheese panini / Bagel with oven roasted tomatoes, courgette and grilled halloumi cheese
PS. I guess the Saturday evening LGW>JFK flight is not a big hit with people going on holiday (get to NY early to make the most of the weekend!) - I was in WTP which was one third full, had a bulkhead row of 4 to myself, decent IFE, mini Pommery champagne bottles and the new improved catering, so all in all a much more enjoyable flight than the typical busy LHR>JFK WTP cabin!
Feb 20, 2019, 2:56 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: UK
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Posts: 2,552
I don't quite get where the bad reputation for LGW is coming from. It's great for South and central London.
In my specific case I'll be connecting to another service from LGW. The idea of doing a LHR-LGW connection via the M25 is pretty off-putting - so this flight is great for my needs. I just find it a little odd that there aren't more people who see it the same way.
In my specific case I'll be connecting to another service from LGW. The idea of doing a LHR-LGW connection via the M25 is pretty off-putting - so this flight is great for my needs. I just find it a little odd that there aren't more people who see it the same way.
Nonetheless, it has been a frequent victim of cancellation, so for your sake I hope you don’t end up doing the M25 dance to connect, even at BA’s expense. In your case it looks like a refurbed 772, so the cabin condition (and IFE, if required) should at least be decent, which cannot always be said of the remaining unrefurbished LGW 772 fleet...
Feb 20, 2019, 3:35 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2017
Programs: BA, SW, IAG
Posts: 143