New First soft product: your experiences
#256
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 56
I was impressed with all the presentation and service on our LHR to ORD F service last week.... even the ice cream (mine was plated slightly nicer, in a bigger unlipped bowl but I must have over indulged in the LPGS as I managed to cut the top off the photo).
We loved the new service other than the new ladies pyjama tops as they are fitted and so much tighter than usual and only come in S & M (that was all available on our flight both outbound and inbound as crew opened both lots to look for me) and the constantly shedding day blanket.
#258
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 81
#259
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC, Eurostar
Posts: 3,260
#260
#262
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,882
#263
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BA, U2+, SK, AF/KL, IHG, Hilton, others gathering dust...
Posts: 2,551
A somewhat multi-purpose bowl. I had it used (not the same one ) for starter, soup and pasta bowl (2nd meal) on the same flight, but not pud. I would attach pics, but seem to have a problem uploading them right now.
#266
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: N. I.
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 178
Did our first new First on 0098.
Good points and a few disappointments.
The crew were fantastic.
Only 7 in First and two went straight to sleep and slept until landing.
Loved the new crockery, cutlery glasswear and bedding.
I liked the new pyjamas and I tried very hard to persuade Mr S to ask to swop his amenity bag into a ladies one, (so beautiful , I need lots more!!) but he said no.
I'm a cocktail girl and was very excited to try the Gin Zing, but it didn't zing for me, I felt it tasted quite flat, and was told it was made from Tanquery,Citrus juice and sparkling water, I will stick to G n T.
The Canapes were divine !
Mr S ordered Shanghai Noodles, crew member returned 5 minutes later to ask if he was a Vegetarian to which he replied no.
She then asked if he would mind choosing something else as another gentleman was Vegetarian and they only had one Shanghai Noodles .
He then chose Herb Crusted Turbot and was very impressed with it.
I had Seared Fillet of Beef which wasn't pink, but tender and tasty.
I chose Potato and Celeriac Gratin as side, but it was not cooked through and I couldn't eat it.
Although there were only five eating , it was 1 hour 45 minutes before main courses were served which was a bit disappointing.
The Paul Cluver Pino Noir was delicious, but I have to give a special mention to the Staunton & Killeen Muscat, it was AMAZING.
It looked very dark but even before having a sip, the aroma was tantalising!
We are fond of dessert wines, but agreed that this is the best one we have ever tried. Will try and find a UK stockist.
All in all, we had a great flight with a very attentive crew and a few blips along the way. Looking forward to our next First which is a much longer flight.
Good points and a few disappointments.
The crew were fantastic.
Only 7 in First and two went straight to sleep and slept until landing.
Loved the new crockery, cutlery glasswear and bedding.
I liked the new pyjamas and I tried very hard to persuade Mr S to ask to swop his amenity bag into a ladies one, (so beautiful , I need lots more!!) but he said no.
I'm a cocktail girl and was very excited to try the Gin Zing, but it didn't zing for me, I felt it tasted quite flat, and was told it was made from Tanquery,Citrus juice and sparkling water, I will stick to G n T.
The Canapes were divine !
Mr S ordered Shanghai Noodles, crew member returned 5 minutes later to ask if he was a Vegetarian to which he replied no.
She then asked if he would mind choosing something else as another gentleman was Vegetarian and they only had one Shanghai Noodles .
He then chose Herb Crusted Turbot and was very impressed with it.
I had Seared Fillet of Beef which wasn't pink, but tender and tasty.
I chose Potato and Celeriac Gratin as side, but it was not cooked through and I couldn't eat it.
Although there were only five eating , it was 1 hour 45 minutes before main courses were served which was a bit disappointing.
The Paul Cluver Pino Noir was delicious, but I have to give a special mention to the Staunton & Killeen Muscat, it was AMAZING.
It looked very dark but even before having a sip, the aroma was tantalising!
We are fond of dessert wines, but agreed that this is the best one we have ever tried. Will try and find a UK stockist.
All in all, we had a great flight with a very attentive crew and a few blips along the way. Looking forward to our next First which is a much longer flight.
#267
Join Date: Mar 2019
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, Virgin Gold
Posts: 18
Amusing things that were not quite yet ironed out included no cutlery (spares from CW were sourced), which in turn led to eating the soup course with a teaspoon (it works), various F crew members forgetting what they'd asked me/were meant to be bringing me/what their names were. Food was a little overdone. Oh, and they kept encouraging me to nick the posh new headphones!
But, to be honest, I rather enjoyed it. It's was, to me, clear that it was part of trying to deliver a better product - and I'm all for that. And for the slight Fawlty Towers-ness of the service, it was still all done with the usual BA politeness and good humour.
The pyjamas are a point which I think will continue to divide opinion. I found them perfectly comfortable, but for full disclosure, my wife had a right good laugh at them when I put them on at home.
#268
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 56
This was my husbands.... mine was served in a larger bowl with no rim and looked very different. It was the vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce and raspberries. They had gone to the trouble of serving the ice cream in quenelles and luckily we both like caramel.
#269
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 159
I can add another data point to the pink steak. The best I’ve had in the air and a good steak in its own right. I did ask for it to be rare but I don’t think they did anything too special to make it so. Would definitely order again.
Headphones much better than old ones but not a patch on Bose active noise cancelling (unsurprisingly).
Cutlery, stemware etc probably the most notable improvement, much as others have said. Really does make a difference to the feel of the experience.
Pyjamas look nice but come up enormous and sat very low on the neck / shoulders. A little bit revealing! Would definitely suggest getting a size down to normal. Slippers the opposite, they come up small...
Service as good as it should be, though familiarity with some aspects of the new products / menu were not there yet. As CIHY says this is probably down to the lack of specific training.
Overall a really enjoyable experience and good to see BA putting some effort into their premium product.
Headphones much better than old ones but not a patch on Bose active noise cancelling (unsurprisingly).
Cutlery, stemware etc probably the most notable improvement, much as others have said. Really does make a difference to the feel of the experience.
Pyjamas look nice but come up enormous and sat very low on the neck / shoulders. A little bit revealing! Would definitely suggest getting a size down to normal. Slippers the opposite, they come up small...
Service as good as it should be, though familiarity with some aspects of the new products / menu were not there yet. As CIHY says this is probably down to the lack of specific training.
Overall a really enjoyable experience and good to see BA putting some effort into their premium product.
#270
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: N. I.
Programs: BA Silver
Posts: 178