hsmall

"choose to define their own sexuality"! Hmm. Do you define yours?

dylanks

One note for the next time you fly in F... you can pretty much have a hot towel whenever you want within reason. You can either ask the crew for one when you want one, or in the toilet/restroom they have towels which you can then rinse under hot water (which is often warmer than what gets served as a hot towel in club world!).

EDIwanderer

flydrive

I was not going to comment on my recent F experience (PHL- LHR, 777 17 seat F), as I was upgraded at the gate and it felt a bit churlish, but now that I’ve read the thread, I see commonalities:

-Meal service was painfully slow for a night flight. It took an hour from take off before the amuse bouche arrived.When I mentioned that I was hoping to get some sleep, I was told that as I had ordered a hot main, the ovens couldn’t be turned on until after take off and it takes that long to prepare.This seemed like a weak excuse to me; 90 minutes to heat a meal?And that still didn’t explain why it took over an hour to get my cold starter. Sitting in 1A, I could see the FA working quite hard in the full cabin, although many went straight to sleep so it just seemed that they have too few working too many pax.The brisk to-ing and fro-ing did not add to a quiet, calm experience.

-I like the new tableware, but aren’t the flutes and wine glasses just too tall and thin for an aircraft? There were times I had to hold to the glass for dear life, even in just moderate turbulence.By the way, is it standard that the pre-departure champagne is of a lower quality (Jacquart (not listed on the menu); I believe the same as in the Flounges).

-The bedding is wonderful, but if the cabin is so hot, the thick, fluffy duvet becomes an oven. When I finally had a few hours after the meal service, I found it unbearable, especially with the scratchy pyjamas, and kicked off the duvet. It didn’thelp that chatter from the galley continued through the night.I certainly wouldn’t choose 1A if I had the option. No slippers pro-actively offered, although the amenity bag was (quite underwhelming, as others have said).

-The menu was different than what has been displayed above. It was also one option shorter (maybe for the night flight?) and was remarkably similar to the outbound CW options:steak, fish and vegetarian.I had the fish (which was not halibut, but I can’t recall now which) and it was fine if not exciting.I was not going to repeat the tough, overcooked steak on the way out.Skipped dessert, but nice chocs.

All in all, it was ok, but I couldn’t help but feel that the FAs seemed harried, scurrying about particularly at the beginning and end of the flight. Am I the only one who doesn’t mind a trolley service to avoid the incessant back and forth?Certainly a pleasant experience being upgraded, but the main benefit over CW remains not having to hop over someone and having space for your things nearby.Once that is sorted with the new CW, I can’t really see the additional premium for F.

david55

I could be way off here....but on both our recent F flights ( one night, one day) SEA-LHR RT.... nearly all the FAs said it was there first time in First. ( or at least in a long time) It made me wonder whether the First class cabin is not a premium assignment and is relegated to the newer less experienced staff.

Flexible preferences

No, I don't mind the trolley service at all either in CW (or even if it was in F). I think it improves the service, and don't see the problem with it.

DFB_london

Can I help you

DBCme

Recent and first experience on BA First long-haul.
My only other First Class reference points are Emirates, Lufthansa, Korean, Asiana and ANA, so you can probably imagine where BA now ranks on my list -

Highlights in terms of most memorable:
-RUSHED service; a couple times it felt like one of the FA's was galloping back and forth
-LOUD meal preparations, I was in row 2 on A380 in both directions; clip, clap, cling, clong - the sound of cutlery as if throwing them all into a steel bowl
-FRIENDLY and RESPONSIVE flight crew; but lacking engagement and periodically checking on my needs. Really stuck to a "schedule" then rested in between
-COMFORTABLE bedding - made for a restful overnight sleep
-LACKING menu options - Just a handful of cocktails available; pretty weak mid-flight snacks; and when I asked for the popcorn I was given a look of confusion even though it's on the menu... The presentation of the meals was splendid and on point, however.
-STERILE feeling lavatories - mini bottles of Elemis hand wash and lotion; no other amenities; hand towels ran out as did hand wash on one of the flights. How about a small flower or anything to cheer the place up?

Overall I was quite disappointed with the "new" BA First Class product, and have already told a handful of colleagues about the mostly sub-par experience (while also mentioning some of the high points noted above).

golfmad

Not wishing to minimize your other points but I quite like the idea of sterile toilets. Oh, and there certainly should have been a fresh flower.

Lucanesque

DBCme

bowzer91

BA199 (12F) last night

- I have to agree with many posters on the significantly improved bedding. Finally BA have duvets which are long enough to cover my entire body (I'm 6ft4). Regarding cabin temperature, that can be a hit or miss.
- New tableware is good, I like the wine/champagne flutes but the stems do feel delicate for an aircraft and in moderate chop looked like they were gonna topple.
- New PJs feel more or less the same as the old
- Headphones have great sound quality but the square shape is very odd/little uncomfortable to wear
- Meal service was really slow. 2+ hours to complete on an overnight flight.
- Great crew

golfmad

I agree that they are a bit uncomfortable as they were too tight for me. I changed back to my own Bose ones after an hour of use.

david55

ask the purser for the Club headphones. Lighter and while maybe not as sound proof....I was able to watch 3 movies instead of yanking them off after one using the new set.