New First soft product: your experiences
Apr 30, 2019, 7:30 am
#361
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 189
I haven't seen the new pen as I don't fly w/ them again until December, but I agree the old style pen was really nice for an amenity kit. I have several of them too.
New one looks pretty silly.
New one looks pretty silly.
Apr 30, 2019, 11:05 am
#364
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LON, ACK, BOS..... (Not necessarily in that order)
Programs: **Mucci Diamond Hairbrush** - compared to that nothing else matters (+BA Bronze)
Posts: 15,123
Apr 30, 2019, 1:09 pm
#367
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: NYC and London
Programs: BA (LTG, GGL, CCR), LH (*G)
Posts: 334
Apr 30, 2019, 1:30 pm
#368
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: London
Programs: BA GfL & GGL, LH Sen, EK & VS Gold, Amex Cent
Posts: 1,719
In my recent experience, I would say the place setting is a marked improvement and totally welcome. Plates and glasses a great change.
The food did seem improved, both aesthetically and by taste. Not the best out there, but still a lot better. I liked the bonus Magnums brought around for sure
Drinks fairly similar? I think maybe one more half decent red choice. Again not talking Ł100+ wines, but 2 red and one white in the Ł30-50 range I reckon (as a proxy for quality).
The PJs frankly seem the same, though with a touch more satin flair. Nothing to talk about really.
Pillow much better, not sure on the duvet and mattress TBH, kind of the same. I do like the general blanket and neck pillow.
The amenity kit was OK. The most "impressive" although annoying to take with, was the harder shell blue one from a few years ago IMO. The velvet case is a bit odd. I do like the better toothbrush (could be Medium instead of Soft) and I don't get the pen change either, but I suppose the rubber thing is there for some purpose. Do they need all those plastic wrappers in the case which itself is sealed?
Improvements are always welcome, and this has certainly picked it up. But there are always more to be made too!
Now if only they wouldn't sort the cutlery in the middle of an overnight flight......... and has others have noted, kept the chatter down throughout the flight. I do NOT recommend 1st row in F on 777/787.
The food did seem improved, both aesthetically and by taste. Not the best out there, but still a lot better. I liked the bonus Magnums brought around for sure
Drinks fairly similar? I think maybe one more half decent red choice. Again not talking Ł100+ wines, but 2 red and one white in the Ł30-50 range I reckon (as a proxy for quality).
The PJs frankly seem the same, though with a touch more satin flair. Nothing to talk about really.
Pillow much better, not sure on the duvet and mattress TBH, kind of the same. I do like the general blanket and neck pillow.
The amenity kit was OK. The most "impressive" although annoying to take with, was the harder shell blue one from a few years ago IMO. The velvet case is a bit odd. I do like the better toothbrush (could be Medium instead of Soft) and I don't get the pen change either, but I suppose the rubber thing is there for some purpose. Do they need all those plastic wrappers in the case which itself is sealed?
Improvements are always welcome, and this has certainly picked it up. But there are always more to be made too!
Now if only they wouldn't sort the cutlery in the middle of an overnight flight......... and has others have noted, kept the chatter down throughout the flight. I do NOT recommend 1st row in F on 777/787.
Last edited by YClass; Apr 30, 2019 at 1:36 pm
May 1, 2019, 8:51 am
#369
Join Date: Apr 2019
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 109
Just done my first flight in improved First. LHR-SFO A380.
Back on Thursday night with the same crew. They were very good, the CSD was particularly chatty and friendly.
Did not like the new washbag. I frequently fly to the US or Australia for just a few days. The deodorant and razor in the bag meant I didn't have to pack toiletries, take them out of my carry on for security etc. I have no need for various face creams. The deodorant was actually a pain to use but it did the job. Someone said that other airlines don't have them, but Qantas has a full sized stick deodorant and Emirates a spray deodorant in First. At least on my most recent flights in the last 6 months. BA had just got the bag perfect in having everything you needed to look after yourself on a trip - Toothbrush, Razor, Deodorant, Comb, Lip balm, Pen. For years they didn't have a pen which was a pain when filling in passport forms. Emirates for some reason doesn't have lip balm in the toilet bag or in the weird flip up cubby in front of you, something which is pretty useful on a long flight.
Food was slightly better, although the portions felt smaller. I got a very small steak. In truth though I have sometimes felt meals in First were too large before. The new canopies were nice and the sliders were good also, adding a new hot snack option. The scallop starter was excellent, I don't know if anyone remembers the scallop salad from a few years ago that was fantastic, as well as being enormous. I think people are unfair on BA food wise, sometimes the presentation isn't great and the timings are poor, but in general I actually think their food is tastier than many other airlines. Emirates first food I find quite bland for example. Presentation is certainly being improved on now.
I didn't really get a chance to try the bedding as it was a day flight.
The flight was very hot when we got on, APU broken. So I used the towel, which I don't normally do. Was it my imagination or was it much thicker than before?
Back on Thursday night with the same crew. They were very good, the CSD was particularly chatty and friendly.
Did not like the new washbag. I frequently fly to the US or Australia for just a few days. The deodorant and razor in the bag meant I didn't have to pack toiletries, take them out of my carry on for security etc. I have no need for various face creams. The deodorant was actually a pain to use but it did the job. Someone said that other airlines don't have them, but Qantas has a full sized stick deodorant and Emirates a spray deodorant in First. At least on my most recent flights in the last 6 months. BA had just got the bag perfect in having everything you needed to look after yourself on a trip - Toothbrush, Razor, Deodorant, Comb, Lip balm, Pen. For years they didn't have a pen which was a pain when filling in passport forms. Emirates for some reason doesn't have lip balm in the toilet bag or in the weird flip up cubby in front of you, something which is pretty useful on a long flight.
Food was slightly better, although the portions felt smaller. I got a very small steak. In truth though I have sometimes felt meals in First were too large before. The new canopies were nice and the sliders were good also, adding a new hot snack option. The scallop starter was excellent, I don't know if anyone remembers the scallop salad from a few years ago that was fantastic, as well as being enormous. I think people are unfair on BA food wise, sometimes the presentation isn't great and the timings are poor, but in general I actually think their food is tastier than many other airlines. Emirates first food I find quite bland for example. Presentation is certainly being improved on now.
I didn't really get a chance to try the bedding as it was a day flight.
The flight was very hot when we got on, APU broken. So I used the towel, which I don't normally do. Was it my imagination or was it much thicker than before?
May 1, 2019, 10:17 am
#370
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LON, ACK, BOS..... (Not necessarily in that order)
Programs: **Mucci Diamond Hairbrush** - compared to that nothing else matters (+BA Bronze)
Posts: 15,123
May 1, 2019, 10:38 am
#371
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: BA - Blue > Bronze > Silver > Bronze > Blue
Posts: 6,812
May 1, 2019, 10:56 am
#372
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: US Air, UA BA LH AI DELTA MARRIOTT CHOICE SGP
Posts: 9,883
May 1, 2019, 12:12 pm
#373
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: LHR
Programs: BAEC GGL & CCR / QF LTG
Posts: 829
I should add this was the side dish of broccoli. Seems it was a popular dish and by time they got to 2K there wasn't much left. My dining buddy asked for broccoli and cabbage and had a fuller bowl as they were able to "fluff it up" (crew's words, not mine).
May 1, 2019, 12:48 pm
#375
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Programs: Mucci des Hommes Magiques et Magnifiques
Posts: 19,087
Each of the portions of vegetables are loaded individually and in sets of three sides, the portion of broccoli looks correct but when not served as a trio it looks sparse and that is why if a customer orders just one I would serve them with the main course.