New First soft product: your experiences
May 1, 2019, 12:59 pm
#376
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,190
rb211.
May 2, 2019, 12:59 am
#378
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: ORD [formerly] + HKG
Programs: CX Diamond, AA exExPlat, BAEC exGold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Starriott Titanium, GE
Posts: 2,966
Was on the 32 HKG-LHR flight last week with the new product. Must say I am very impressed with the food offerings!
Perhaps the only letdown was LPGS having run out on ground before takeoff.
I think every pax going for a protein entree were offered all of the sides proactively (at least I did - I actually didn't want to have them as I was quite full!) in a bowl.
I love how the ice cream was plated - on CX F we get the same ice cream in the same container as economy.
I tried the headphones for an hour or so only but I found the sound quality to be excellent. The PJs sadly were scratchy and uncomfortable, both my partner and I left it on the plane.
Have been doing CX F almost every other week this year, but this was a refreshing experience. You guys also have far better crew and lounge food (CCR) than we do here in HKG, must say I can really feel how investments have been coming through for BA, a big contrast with our continuous cost cutting and stinginess!
Perhaps the only letdown was LPGS having run out on ground before takeoff.
I think every pax going for a protein entree were offered all of the sides proactively (at least I did - I actually didn't want to have them as I was quite full!) in a bowl.
I love how the ice cream was plated - on CX F we get the same ice cream in the same container as economy.
I tried the headphones for an hour or so only but I found the sound quality to be excellent. The PJs sadly were scratchy and uncomfortable, both my partner and I left it on the plane.
Have been doing CX F almost every other week this year, but this was a refreshing experience. You guys also have far better crew and lounge food (CCR) than we do here in HKG, must say I can really feel how investments have been coming through for BA, a big contrast with our continuous cost cutting and stinginess!
May 2, 2019, 1:25 am
#379
Join Date: Feb 2005
Programs: EL AL Matmid, BA Executive Club GfL, GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Avis President's Club
Posts: 2,085
Was on the 32 HKG-LHR flight last week with the new product. Must say I am very impressed with the food offerings!
...
I love how the ice cream was plated - on CX F we get the same ice cream in the same container as economy.
...
Have been doing CX F almost every other week this year, but this was a refreshing experience. You guys also have far better crew and lounge food (CCR) than we do here in HKG, must say I can really feel how investments have been coming through for BA, a big contrast with our continuous cost cutting and stinginess!
...
I love how the ice cream was plated - on CX F we get the same ice cream in the same container as economy.
...
Have been doing CX F almost every other week this year, but this was a refreshing experience. You guys also have far better crew and lounge food (CCR) than we do here in HKG, must say I can really feel how investments have been coming through for BA, a big contrast with our continuous cost cutting and stinginess!
May 2, 2019, 5:32 am
#382
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Thailand
Programs: BA Silver (OWS), OZ Diamond (*G), TK Elite (*G), HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 361
BA31 to HKG, full cabin on the A380. Boarding started about 30mins late due to aircraft cleaning. Once I got to my seat (1K) the used plastic bags from previous passenger was still on the seat. CC member quickly removed them and wiped some of the breadcrumbs of the seat without me asking which was a nice gesture but an alarming start. The amenity bag and sleeper suite were brought quite swiftly, however for the predeparture drink, warm towel (which was delivered dirty), slippers and headphones I had to push the call button and got them about 5mins before pushback or about 30mins after boarding. For the entire time we were on the ground cabin crew were running around like headless chickens. The predeparture drink was taken away after about 5mins of delivering it so needless to say there was some LPGS wasted. Before takeoff I had one of those ”this is not going to be a good flight” feelings.
After getting the starters out cabin crew clearly relaxed more and stopped much of the running around and everything started to feel right again. The dinner service took quite a while and even though I skipped desserts/cheeses I finished 2h 50min after takeoff. I feel like the food quality was quite good and really liked the tableware. Still if this would have been a 9PMish departure I would have probably preferred to dine at the CCR but for a 6:40 sched and 7ish actual I didn’t mind at all.
I tested the new Brewdog products launched on the date and quite liked the Air Craft (served in a big glass bottle). The Speedbird 100 was a standard Brewdog brew much like Punk IPA. I really hope Air Craft will stay on board for a good while (and make it to the CCRs) as it would reduce my LPGS consumption greatly.
As for the rest of the new stuff, I really liked the pillow but didn’t notice much change in the comforter and padding. All in all they continued to enable very decent quality of sleep so no complaints there. And as others have said the material of the male amenity kit might be a miss. Same goes for the headphone design. Then again the Mrs. liked hers though was baffled by the lack of a brush or a comb in the ladies version.
As has been discussed here earlier the BA F experience varies a lot and apparently even during the flight. If there was one enhancement to still be made is the predictability in the quality of service received. In any case after two rather sad F legs in the this year the latter part of this flight restored enough of my faith to keep on GUFing.
After getting the starters out cabin crew clearly relaxed more and stopped much of the running around and everything started to feel right again. The dinner service took quite a while and even though I skipped desserts/cheeses I finished 2h 50min after takeoff. I feel like the food quality was quite good and really liked the tableware. Still if this would have been a 9PMish departure I would have probably preferred to dine at the CCR but for a 6:40 sched and 7ish actual I didn’t mind at all.
I tested the new Brewdog products launched on the date and quite liked the Air Craft (served in a big glass bottle). The Speedbird 100 was a standard Brewdog brew much like Punk IPA. I really hope Air Craft will stay on board for a good while (and make it to the CCRs) as it would reduce my LPGS consumption greatly.
As for the rest of the new stuff, I really liked the pillow but didn’t notice much change in the comforter and padding. All in all they continued to enable very decent quality of sleep so no complaints there. And as others have said the material of the male amenity kit might be a miss. Same goes for the headphone design. Then again the Mrs. liked hers though was baffled by the lack of a brush or a comb in the ladies version.
As has been discussed here earlier the BA F experience varies a lot and apparently even during the flight. If there was one enhancement to still be made is the predictability in the quality of service received. In any case after two rather sad F legs in the this year the latter part of this flight restored enough of my faith to keep on GUFing.
May 2, 2019, 5:33 am
#383
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: BOS
Programs: BA - Blue > Bronze > Silver > Bronze > Blue
Posts: 6,812
Indeed, just goes to show that many of those constantly bemoaning BA, or at least always banging on about cost cutting (esp in contrast to the evidence of investments being made now), are rarely flying or experiencing the other shades of green
May 2, 2019, 8:01 am
#384
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,250
I have maintained for a while that CX F food is poor and BA food in F is in many ways better than CX. The hard product and staffing ratio is what makes CX F preferable to me.
May 5, 2019, 12:54 am
#385
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 876
Was on BA31 a few days ago. It was a full cabin, so all the CC worked very hard.
Would say the soft product was really good, we have a great team of CC. The ratio of CC to passenger was much higher on BA than CX, but I didn't feel the different on service level to any full house CX.
Am also very much like the new table design, esp the full size tea pot.
As always follow destination clock the moment step into cabin, I requested to have my bed made soon after the seat belt sign off. Have a good 6-7 hours sleep. Then woke up for breakfast follow by lunch before touch down. (I know it was completely different to they standard meal service). Menu was good as well.
Some points :
Dover : it will be nicer if it is a bit bigger
PJ's. : medium was really big (man), end up need to ask for small. CX 's is still the best.
Day blanket: not sure if it was completely new without washing, a lot of material stoke to the PJ.
Amenity kit : men kit design was a bit girly, contain was good, but where was the razor? It will be even better if it has a face mist.
Pillow: nice
Would say the soft product was really good, we have a great team of CC. The ratio of CC to passenger was much higher on BA than CX, but I didn't feel the different on service level to any full house CX.
Am also very much like the new table design, esp the full size tea pot.
As always follow destination clock the moment step into cabin, I requested to have my bed made soon after the seat belt sign off. Have a good 6-7 hours sleep. Then woke up for breakfast follow by lunch before touch down. (I know it was completely different to they standard meal service). Menu was good as well.
Some points :
Dover : it will be nicer if it is a bit bigger
PJ's. : medium was really big (man), end up need to ask for small. CX 's is still the best.
Day blanket: not sure if it was completely new without washing, a lot of material stoke to the PJ.
Amenity kit : men kit design was a bit girly, contain was good, but where was the razor? It will be even better if it has a face mist.
Pillow: nice
May 5, 2019, 10:04 am
#386
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP sad former CK, Bonvoy LT Plat, BAEC Gold, VS, former UA, UA no longer, never, ever, QF
Posts: 228
Questions on the BA First experience: As a OneWorld Emerald/AA CK, I used to be able to select row 1 on the 747. Now it seems to be "blocked", but available. I, and Mrs RM are on paid A class First fares, and have four long haul legs on 744s.
Question 1: Is this correct? No more row 1 selection?
Question 2: I called BA, and was told I could select row 1, but that Mrs RM could not and would have to sit "behind me". Hmmm. I pointed out we are traveling on paid fares, same record. "We'll call you back" said nice young man from Bangalore. No call back.
Thoughts please. Apologies that this is not reviewing the new BA First, but I imagine this is a fairly expert group at BA First experience.
Question 1: Is this correct? No more row 1 selection?
Question 2: I called BA, and was told I could select row 1, but that Mrs RM could not and would have to sit "behind me". Hmmm. I pointed out we are traveling on paid fares, same record. "We'll call you back" said nice young man from Bangalore. No call back.
Thoughts please. Apologies that this is not reviewing the new BA First, but I imagine this is a fairly expert group at BA First experience.
May 5, 2019, 10:07 am
#387
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Leeds, UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, GfL, HH Diamond
Posts: 42,936
It’s always been the case that someone who is not a BA GCH or OWE couldn’t select row 1 until it gets opened up 2-3 days before the flight - if still available. Nothing has changed there and what you were told was correct.
it seems you can select row 1 for yourself when you called?
it seems you can select row 1 for yourself when you called?
May 5, 2019, 10:09 am
#388
Ambassador: Emirates Airlines
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Manchester, UK
Posts: 18,605
Questions on the BA First experience: As a OneWorld Emerald/AA CK, I used to be able to select row 1 on the 747. Now it seems to be "blocked", but available. I, and Mrs RM are on paid A class First fares, and have four long haul legs on 744s.
Question 1: Is this correct? No more row 1 selection?
Question 2: I called BA, and was told I could select row 1, but that Mrs RM could not and would have to sit "behind me". Hmmm. I pointed out we are traveling on paid fares, same record. "We'll call you back" said nice young man from Bangalore. No call back.
Thoughts please. Apologies that this is not reviewing the new BA First, but I imagine this is a fairly expert group at BA First experience.
Question 1: Is this correct? No more row 1 selection?
Question 2: I called BA, and was told I could select row 1, but that Mrs RM could not and would have to sit "behind me". Hmmm. I pointed out we are traveling on paid fares, same record. "We'll call you back" said nice young man from Bangalore. No call back.
Thoughts please. Apologies that this is not reviewing the new BA First, but I imagine this is a fairly expert group at BA First experience.
May 5, 2019, 10:23 am
#389
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,769
You don't have to call New Delhi if travelling First (and I'm not sure where Bangalore comes into it). Just call YouFirst instead, which is a Manchester number (so starting 44 161) which should be in your booking in Manage My Booking or showing via BA.com. It switches to India at 22:00 hrs British Summer Time.
May 5, 2019, 11:13 am
#390
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: DCA
Programs: AA EXP sad former CK, Bonvoy LT Plat, BAEC Gold, VS, former UA, UA no longer, never, ever, QF
Posts: 228
Thank you all for the advice. Alas, Mrs RM is a lowly Ruby. A Diamond always to my eyes, but a lowly Ruby to OneWorld. Sincere appreciation for the generosity of your responses. Thank you.
Perhaps we must suffer the indignities of Row N + 1, N to be greater than 0. but we will survive.
Perhaps we must suffer the indignities of Row N + 1, N to be greater than 0. but we will survive.