New First soft product: your experiences
Apr 12, 2019, 9:05 am
#226
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC - Silver, Virgin Flying Club, Delta Skymiles
Posts: 229
We just did our First First on Wednesday LHR-BNA. It was... ok. I think I still prefer what we got in QR Business last year. Some notes:
1) This was a 789 service and the First cabin felt absolutely tiny. I liked the amount of seat storage and the private feeling, but had to wonder just how this was going to compare to the new Club seat when it comes into service because that sure as hell looked similar to this. But while I absolutely loved the 789 on QR, this cabin felt claustrophobic and limiting. Also - ... with the bathroom - trying to contort oneself in essentially an economy class cabin to put on the sleep suit was a joke and a half.
2) I felt for the crew - the galley was a disaster during service and you had to pass through there to get to the bathroom. Im talking bags of used bottles on the floor, a trolley full of service items over to the right, and crew handbags about. Sure you could have gone backwards through Club to that bathroom but I dont know, the psychological barrier of The Curtain made it seem unfeasible
All the same - our crew lady had a binder of notes open about service and plating standards balanced on a service trolley and was clearly giving it a really solid go but...
3) The service took AGES. I don't think we were through dinner until almost 3 hours into the flight - and this was barely 8 hours flight time. I had pre-ordered the halibut and it was fine but the bowl of mixed veg they place with everything was so Iceland-ish and 70s. I had a bit of a laugh with the FA over the literalness of the mixed green salad starter being, essentially, all mixed greens and that was it. No other vegetables, just a bowl of greens - she had checked about three times that was the case. The dressing was nice though. And I liked the size of the ice cream serving, just enough. They were free with the LPGS and I had a couple cocktails and wine and nothing was too much trouble.
4) As mentioned, the FA was really giving it her all and with a smile and I appreciated it. She got everyone sleep suits when requested and made up beds and brought the afternoon tea service when we were all ready for it. Her CSM and the other FA were lovely as well. I really liked the day pillow, blanket, and the sleep pillow was absolutely the right density for me. I thought the sleeping stuff was nicer than QRs.
5) This aircraft was pretty beat to .... - someone had scribbled on the wall by my seat with a blue pen and you could see the edging on a lot of the bits of the seat and area were worn off. My partner's headphones disintegrated on him the first time he put them on (although he was able to get them reattached).
6) I really like the washbag. Still not a fan of Elemis stuff, but the bag is nice and squishy and actually well-designed. The sleep mask is fab and something I will continue to use in the future.
7) We enjoyed the Terrace at the Concord Room and had excellent service with plenty of champers on pour. Shared a BA Burger which was fine. We then wandered into the Galleries Lounge and it was mayhem - maybe due to the number of flights going out.
We head home next Saturday via Houston in CW on the 747 upper deck - didn't seem worth it to pay for First on that flight. Until we get to that, however, we will have an AA domestic econ from CHS-CLT-IAH to contend with. We took Southwest from BNA to CLT and given the load was like 30% and the flight 45 minutes, that was pretty ok.
As an aside - we went to the Carolina Air Museum on our way from Charlotte to Columbia, SC and it was a great little detour. Saw the Miracle on the Hudson A320 and some other military jets, etc. Its not huge but I'm always up for a good air museum.
1) This was a 789 service and the First cabin felt absolutely tiny. I liked the amount of seat storage and the private feeling, but had to wonder just how this was going to compare to the new Club seat when it comes into service because that sure as hell looked similar to this. But while I absolutely loved the 789 on QR, this cabin felt claustrophobic and limiting. Also - ... with the bathroom - trying to contort oneself in essentially an economy class cabin to put on the sleep suit was a joke and a half.
2) I felt for the crew - the galley was a disaster during service and you had to pass through there to get to the bathroom. Im talking bags of used bottles on the floor, a trolley full of service items over to the right, and crew handbags about. Sure you could have gone backwards through Club to that bathroom but I dont know, the psychological barrier of The Curtain made it seem unfeasible
All the same - our crew lady had a binder of notes open about service and plating standards balanced on a service trolley and was clearly giving it a really solid go but...3) The service took AGES. I don't think we were through dinner until almost 3 hours into the flight - and this was barely 8 hours flight time. I had pre-ordered the halibut and it was fine but the bowl of mixed veg they place with everything was so Iceland-ish and 70s. I had a bit of a laugh with the FA over the literalness of the mixed green salad starter being, essentially, all mixed greens and that was it. No other vegetables, just a bowl of greens - she had checked about three times that was the case. The dressing was nice though. And I liked the size of the ice cream serving, just enough. They were free with the LPGS and I had a couple cocktails and wine and nothing was too much trouble.
4) As mentioned, the FA was really giving it her all and with a smile and I appreciated it. She got everyone sleep suits when requested and made up beds and brought the afternoon tea service when we were all ready for it. Her CSM and the other FA were lovely as well. I really liked the day pillow, blanket, and the sleep pillow was absolutely the right density for me. I thought the sleeping stuff was nicer than QRs.
5) This aircraft was pretty beat to .... - someone had scribbled on the wall by my seat with a blue pen and you could see the edging on a lot of the bits of the seat and area were worn off. My partner's headphones disintegrated on him the first time he put them on (although he was able to get them reattached).
6) I really like the washbag. Still not a fan of Elemis stuff, but the bag is nice and squishy and actually well-designed. The sleep mask is fab and something I will continue to use in the future.
7) We enjoyed the Terrace at the Concord Room and had excellent service with plenty of champers on pour. Shared a BA Burger which was fine. We then wandered into the Galleries Lounge and it was mayhem - maybe due to the number of flights going out.
We head home next Saturday via Houston in CW on the 747 upper deck - didn't seem worth it to pay for First on that flight. Until we get to that, however, we will have an AA domestic econ from CHS-CLT-IAH to contend with. We took Southwest from BNA to CLT and given the load was like 30% and the flight 45 minutes, that was pretty ok.
As an aside - we went to the Carolina Air Museum on our way from Charlotte to Columbia, SC and it was a great little detour. Saw the Miracle on the Hudson A320 and some other military jets, etc. Its not huge but I'm always up for a good air museum.
Apr 12, 2019, 9:55 am
#227
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,069
When New Club World was rolled out all crew went through a two day training course.
However the new First changes are all through self lead learning. There are a array of videos and reading material on our Intranet but this involves crew reading up on the changes in their own time which some crew are unfortunately very reluctant to do. Some crew have said they’d have preferred to go back into the training centre for a course on the changes but some are happy just reading up on them.
As usual BA are as usual letting our customers be the guinea pigs, we will get there but it’s a shame this has happened as the new product is fantastic.
Apr 12, 2019, 7:28 pm
#229
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: BA - Blue > Bronze > Silver > Bronze > Blue
Posts: 6,812
We just did our First First on Wednesday LHR-BNA. It was... ok. I think I still prefer what we got in QR Business last year. Some notes:
1) This was a 789 service and the First cabin felt absolutely tiny. I liked the amount of seat storage and the private feeling, but had to wonder just how this was going to compare to the new Club seat when it comes into service because that sure as hell looked similar to this. But while I absolutely loved the 789 on QR, this cabin felt claustrophobic and limiting. Also - ... with the bathroom - trying to contort oneself in essentially an economy class cabin to put on the sleep suit was a joke and a half.
2) I felt for the crew - the galley was a disaster during service and you had to pass through there to get to the bathroom. Im talking bags of used bottles on the floor, a trolley full of service items over to the right, and crew handbags about. Sure you could have gone backwards through Club to that bathroom but I dont know, the psychological barrier of The Curtain made it seem unfeasible All the same - our crew lady had a binder of notes open about service and plating standards balanced on a service trolley and was clearly giving it a really solid go but...
3) The service took AGES. I don't think we were through dinner until almost 3 hours into the flight - and this was barely 8 hours flight time. I had pre-ordered the halibut and it was fine but the bowl of mixed veg they place with everything was so Iceland-ish and 70s. I had a bit of a laugh with the FA over the literalness of the mixed green salad starter being, essentially, all mixed greens and that was it. No other vegetables, just a bowl of greens - she had checked about three times that was the case. The dressing was nice though. And I liked the size of the ice cream serving, just enough. They were free with the LPGS and I had a couple cocktails and wine and nothing was too much trouble.
4) As mentioned, the FA was really giving it her all and with a smile and I appreciated it. She got everyone sleep suits when requested and made up beds and brought the afternoon tea service when we were all ready for it. Her CSM and the other FA were lovely as well. I really liked the day pillow, blanket, and the sleep pillow was absolutely the right density for me. I thought the sleeping stuff was nicer than QRs.
5) This aircraft was pretty beat to .... - someone had scribbled on the wall by my seat with a blue pen and you could see the edging on a lot of the bits of the seat and area were worn off. My partner's headphones disintegrated on him the first time he put them on (although he was able to get them reattached).
6) I really like the washbag. Still not a fan of Elemis stuff, but the bag is nice and squishy and actually well-designed. The sleep mask is fab and something I will continue to use in the future.
7) We enjoyed the Terrace at the Concord Room and had excellent service with plenty of champers on pour. Shared a BA Burger which was fine. We then wandered into the Galleries Lounge and it was mayhem - maybe due to the number of flights going out.
We head home next Saturday via Houston in CW on the 747 upper deck - didn't seem worth it to pay for First on that flight. Until we get to that, however, we will have an AA domestic econ from CHS-CLT-IAH to contend with. We took Southwest from BNA to CLT and given the load was like 30% and the flight 45 minutes, that was pretty ok.
As an aside - we went to the Carolina Air Museum on our way from Charlotte to Columbia, SC and it was a great little detour. Saw the Miracle on the Hudson A320 and some other military jets, etc. Its not huge but I'm always up for a good air museum.
1) This was a 789 service and the First cabin felt absolutely tiny. I liked the amount of seat storage and the private feeling, but had to wonder just how this was going to compare to the new Club seat when it comes into service because that sure as hell looked similar to this. But while I absolutely loved the 789 on QR, this cabin felt claustrophobic and limiting. Also - ... with the bathroom - trying to contort oneself in essentially an economy class cabin to put on the sleep suit was a joke and a half.
2) I felt for the crew - the galley was a disaster during service and you had to pass through there to get to the bathroom. Im talking bags of used bottles on the floor, a trolley full of service items over to the right, and crew handbags about. Sure you could have gone backwards through Club to that bathroom but I dont know, the psychological barrier of The Curtain made it seem unfeasible
All the same - our crew lady had a binder of notes open about service and plating standards balanced on a service trolley and was clearly giving it a really solid go but...3) The service took AGES. I don't think we were through dinner until almost 3 hours into the flight - and this was barely 8 hours flight time. I had pre-ordered the halibut and it was fine but the bowl of mixed veg they place with everything was so Iceland-ish and 70s. I had a bit of a laugh with the FA over the literalness of the mixed green salad starter being, essentially, all mixed greens and that was it. No other vegetables, just a bowl of greens - she had checked about three times that was the case. The dressing was nice though. And I liked the size of the ice cream serving, just enough. They were free with the LPGS and I had a couple cocktails and wine and nothing was too much trouble.
4) As mentioned, the FA was really giving it her all and with a smile and I appreciated it. She got everyone sleep suits when requested and made up beds and brought the afternoon tea service when we were all ready for it. Her CSM and the other FA were lovely as well. I really liked the day pillow, blanket, and the sleep pillow was absolutely the right density for me. I thought the sleeping stuff was nicer than QRs.
5) This aircraft was pretty beat to .... - someone had scribbled on the wall by my seat with a blue pen and you could see the edging on a lot of the bits of the seat and area were worn off. My partner's headphones disintegrated on him the first time he put them on (although he was able to get them reattached).
6) I really like the washbag. Still not a fan of Elemis stuff, but the bag is nice and squishy and actually well-designed. The sleep mask is fab and something I will continue to use in the future.
7) We enjoyed the Terrace at the Concord Room and had excellent service with plenty of champers on pour. Shared a BA Burger which was fine. We then wandered into the Galleries Lounge and it was mayhem - maybe due to the number of flights going out.
We head home next Saturday via Houston in CW on the 747 upper deck - didn't seem worth it to pay for First on that flight. Until we get to that, however, we will have an AA domestic econ from CHS-CLT-IAH to contend with. We took Southwest from BNA to CLT and given the load was like 30% and the flight 45 minutes, that was pretty ok.
As an aside - we went to the Carolina Air Museum on our way from Charlotte to Columbia, SC and it was a great little detour. Saw the Miracle on the Hudson A320 and some other military jets, etc. Its not huge but I'm always up for a good air museum.
Its funny how people are different, I'm like you in that I like a larger cabin, the BA 17 seat 777 F cabin is easily my favourite, its intimate yet airy.
Apr 13, 2019, 3:37 am
#231
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Germany
Programs: BA GGL, CCR - TK G
Posts: 809
Great experience
I arrived this morning at bom on a 12 seat 777..and for me all the little enhancements meant a real first class feeling
Of course influenced by an outstanding crew who were all so caring and friendly .. It was the first time everything felt relaxed and yet it was fast.
As you now get the nuts with the champagne before take off you already feel involved..
Quickly after take off the next champagne came along with the canapés .. That means even if the dinner service might start at the usual time the personal feeling is.. Wow that's quick.
Good was outstandingly delicious .. The soup with the perfectly prepared duck egg was my Michelin favorite... The new duvet finally makes u feel like a real bed..
So to me these little things meant a lot.
Will be returning on the 787..lets see. Very excited ..
Great job ba
And p. S. Talking to one CCM he was the only one who had done the new service before and helped the others get introduced . He liked it.. And we didn't feel it at all. Everything was well played.
Of course influenced by an outstanding crew who were all so caring and friendly .. It was the first time everything felt relaxed and yet it was fast.
As you now get the nuts with the champagne before take off you already feel involved..
Quickly after take off the next champagne came along with the canapés .. That means even if the dinner service might start at the usual time the personal feeling is.. Wow that's quick.
Good was outstandingly delicious .. The soup with the perfectly prepared duck egg was my Michelin favorite... The new duvet finally makes u feel like a real bed..
So to me these little things meant a lot.
Will be returning on the 787..lets see. Very excited ..
Great job ba
And p. S. Talking to one CCM he was the only one who had done the new service before and helped the others get introduced . He liked it.. And we didn't feel it at all. Everything was well played.
Apr 13, 2019, 8:41 am
#233
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Brighton UK
Programs: BAEC-Silver, AMEX-BA Prem' Plus & Standard, Accor Gold, HH-Silver, IHG,IBIS On Business
Posts: 955
Some amazing posts and highly thankful. Special thanks to @Tobias & @cihY but many other great posts. We have our 1st First in late Aug LHR-HKG and was a little concerned about implementation / teething problems not being sorted by then but it appears that by-and-large the crews have hit the ground running and it's generally going well.
Mrs Clam is distraught at the fact the liberty bags are no more as she's quite the fan of the brand ( begging/ pleading/ charity donation offered phone call to You First made but even they were honest enough to say that it's highly unlikely they'll be able to source one. Maybe i'll have to turn to ebay to appease her?).
Plenty of CW under our belts but no F experience ( BA or anyone else for that matter) so we wont have a comparison to make but i'm glad to see my concern about the having ironed out any kinks before we fly isn't something I should worry about.
Just one thing that confuses me is why they haven't opted to include the BA75 ( hopes he got the number right?!) cocktail on the list. As it's their signature drink in the Concorde room you'd think it would've made the list?
Mrs Clam is distraught at the fact the liberty bags are no more as she's quite the fan of the brand ( begging/ pleading/ charity donation offered phone call to You First made but even they were honest enough to say that it's highly unlikely they'll be able to source one. Maybe i'll have to turn to ebay to appease her?).
Plenty of CW under our belts but no F experience ( BA or anyone else for that matter) so we wont have a comparison to make but i'm glad to see my concern about the having ironed out any kinks before we fly isn't something I should worry about.
Just one thing that confuses me is why they haven't opted to include the BA75 ( hopes he got the number right?!) cocktail on the list. As it's their signature drink in the Concorde room you'd think it would've made the list?
Apr 13, 2019, 8:51 am
#234
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: London / Brighton
Programs: BAEC Gold / M-Life Gold / HH Diamond
Posts: 1,631
BA175... it is a shame it didn’t make it on to the list, although guessing that’s because there’d be three more bottles required on board (Tanqueray Ten, apricot liqueur, and pink grapefruit juice)
Apr 13, 2019, 9:21 am
#235
Join Date: Oct 2015
Programs: BA Gold for Life
Posts: 1,389
Only 2 as Tanqueray 10 is already stocked. I like the BA175 but have enjoyed a couple of the Red Snappers which are now available onboard.
Apr 13, 2019, 9:42 am
#236
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: London
Programs: plenty - ggl, ccr, etc, etc.
Posts: 1,704
All true but we only had access to these 7 days before the launch which is not enough time for crew to access these baring in mind days off and part time contracts.
As usual BA are as usual letting our customers be the guinea pigs, we will get there but it’s a shame this has happened as the new product is fantastic.
Food better (new PJs are awful though) - unless you like plunging 70s neck lines and itchy ‘supposed’ cotton (made in China, I noticed).
But It is all SO SLOW. It makes it unusable on overnight flights.
Yet again, it’s obviously been designed by someone who clearly has never worked in a galley and never been frustrated and hungry or wanting to get to sleep after a quick meal.
F used to be better than the frustrating slow Club mess. Now it seems I’ll just stick with AA J. Such a shame that BA gets it wrong again. No doubt like CW it will take 2 years before BA ‘get’ this and rethink.
Apr 13, 2019, 9:45 am
#237
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: London / Brighton
Programs: BAEC Gold / M-Life Gold / HH Diamond
Posts: 1,631
Didn’t realise it was already on board, I’ve a LHR-JFK return coming up at the end of the month so I’ll be giving as much a try as possible ^
Apr 13, 2019, 9:50 am
#238
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,069
Club World step up promised so much, but was a disaster in delivery. Recent experience of the F changes suggest BA has learned nothing.
Food better (new PJs are awful though) - unless you like plunging 70s neck lines and itchy ‘supposed’ cotton (made in China, I noticed).
But It is all SO SLOW. It makes it unusable on overnight flights.
Yet again, it’s obviously been designed by someone who clearly has never worked in a galley and never been frustrated and hungry or wanting to get to sleep after a quick meal.
F used to be better than the frustrating slow Club mess. Now it seems I’ll just stick with AA J. Such a shame that BA gets it wrong again. No doubt like CW it will take 2 years before BA ‘get’ this and rethink.
Apr 13, 2019, 11:53 am
#239
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: London
Programs: BA Silver (for now)
Posts: 1,000
2 days ago I was flying on the BA 27 to HKG. I think is a nice improvement but no Sensation. Food was very good, the New tableware was very nice. FA where very confused with the Service behause Mandy New items where Wrongly Stored. The Crews have to be Trained much better behause Service tOok much to Long. 90 min After take off they Start with the First Course But all in all Very nice Crew.
Apr 13, 2019, 12:04 pm
#240
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
Please do remember that not everyone here has English as their first language/mother tongue, and hence may have different ways of expressing themselves. I, for one, believe FT is a stronger community with as many different perspectives being shared as possible, and we should welcome everyone courteously.