First Time in FIrst Class: Great Flight Amazing Service
Feb 28, 2019, 8:46 am
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 264
As an averageish person. I don't get the criticism, I am sure other airlines have a superior product, but the number of route options, and the accessibility to book/upgrade via points makes BA the only viable first option for a lot of people.
Feb 28, 2019, 8:49 am
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 264
It is popular to hate on British Airways, but my experience was fantastic. While I know other airlines may have superior hard products, your BA First experience will be fantastic. For someone who has never flown premium it was beyond what I imagined.
Feb 28, 2019, 8:59 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Home: East Mids UK - Work (Base): Accra, Ghana.
Programs: BAEC: Silver - Marriott: Titanium
Posts: 12,086
Glad you enjoyed the experience...
A lot of people on this board seem to forget that not everyone constantly flies in First or Business and is not so jaded by the monotony of travel, and that not everyone nit picks every degree of their life to the point of being a continual moaner.
Hope you get the chance to do it again soon and keep that level of excitement and enthusiasm for some time to come!
A lot of people on this board seem to forget that not everyone constantly flies in First or Business and is not so jaded by the monotony of travel, and that not everyone nit picks every degree of their life to the point of being a continual moaner.
Hope you get the chance to do it again soon and keep that level of excitement and enthusiasm for some time to come!
Feb 28, 2019, 9:13 am
#19
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Wales
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 147
Glad the OP enjoyed. My only F experience with BA (LHR PHX) last month was a bit "meh". I tend to use QR J as a benchmark in these matters.
But if you want a positive BA story, here goes:
I had a cheapie Y ticket TXL LHR this week. I turned up just after 10 for the 12:35 flight for the dubious delights of the Tegel lounge. At the business check in (I'm a silver) I asked in a really nice way if there was any chance of getting me on the 11:00. "let me see....yes". That buys a lot of goodwill towards the airline in my book (and partially offsets the unbelievably lazy cabin crew who hid in the galley last time I flew CW).
And no, I don't expect a repeat performance in the future. She was within her rights to say "Leider nicht, it's an inflexible ticket - go and drink some free beer in the lounge for an hour ."
But if you want a positive BA story, here goes:
I had a cheapie Y ticket TXL LHR this week. I turned up just after 10 for the 12:35 flight for the dubious delights of the Tegel lounge. At the business check in (I'm a silver) I asked in a really nice way if there was any chance of getting me on the 11:00. "let me see....yes". That buys a lot of goodwill towards the airline in my book (and partially offsets the unbelievably lazy cabin crew who hid in the galley last time I flew CW).
And no, I don't expect a repeat performance in the future. She was within her rights to say "Leider nicht, it's an inflexible ticket - go and drink some free beer in the lounge for an hour ."
Feb 28, 2019, 9:23 am
#20
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,075
I don't get the nastiness, either. Glad you enjoyed your trip so much.
Feb 28, 2019, 10:43 am
#22
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: ARN
Programs: Bit of this, bit of that
Posts: 454
It was my first time in any premium cabin. I am a back of the plane sort of guy. My whole goal is to spend as little as possible when I travel. So absent a great error fare, or a crazy promotion like the Iberia one (how i booked this), you can find me in the back of the plane. I am going to have my first business experience here in 2 months as I booked the Air Serbia error fare back in December.
I am sure some of my enjoyment was based on my lack of F experience, but I think a positive note needed to be shared. BA gets a lot of crud, despite it being a solid product.
I am sure some of my enjoyment was based on my lack of F experience, but I think a positive note needed to be shared. BA gets a lot of crud, despite it being a solid product.
I will be taking my first BA first in 2 weeks, so it is nice to see a positive review of the experience. I also booked using the IB promo and I am am looking forward to comparing F to CW.
Lower expectations than I would usually have for an F flight, but hoping to be pleasantly surprised.
Feb 28, 2019, 10:51 am
#23
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Staffs
Programs: BAEC, Etihad Guest, Platinum Tesco Tart
Posts: 589
Great trip report and really well written, your excitement really comes across. I too have been able to experience BA first class by using avios and I agree with you, it’s a great product, we too had fantastic service from the crew and they can really make or break a flight.
Feb 28, 2019, 12:21 pm
#24
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: North Yorkshire, UK / Pasadena CA
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 1,311
Back to the main topic: I really enjoyed the OP's trip report which reminded me of my first premium cabin flights. i hope s/he gets to repeat the experience soon.