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Paradise Lost. Paradise Regained. Apprehensions from forum watching?

Paradise Lost. Paradise Regained. Apprehensions from forum watching?

Old Jun 11, 2019, 11:54 pm
  #1  
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Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Vancouver
Programs: BAEC Blue, Air Canada 25K, Accorhotel Gold
Posts: 80
Paradise Lost. Paradise Regained. Apprehensions from forum watching?

Firstly apologies to John Milton who would be likely turning over in his grave at this trite reworking of his masterpiece titles.

This post is in many senses a First in First, but concentrates more on how interaction with this forum in excess of T-355, and up to flight time, led to changes in perception of Paradise. For frequent fliers, this may be hum-drum, but for those embarked on a special and infrequent trip, a potentially different reaction.

It also gives me an opportunity to thank the various regular and irregular contributors here, to what must be one of the most informative and helpful travel forums worldwide. No question goes unanswered without a meaningful response.

Creation of Paradise
A really special trip midway between celebrating our 35th anniversary and my wife's 60th birthday. We had a Canadian Royal Bank 241 certificate and settled on a trip to Africa. First question was how to get this successfully booked as it was going to require BA 84 Vancouver YVR-LHR (eventually 747 G-CIVN) , BA 2063 LGW to Mauritius (3-class 777-200ER G-YMMA), BA 58 Cape Town to LHR ( 747 G-CIVU) and BA 85 LHR-YVR (A380 G-XLEC).
I knew from checking the British Airways app that a number of these flights are grabbed within 8 to 12 hours of T -355. This forum provided a series of suggestions to help with successful booking and four phone calls later and one later phone call when alerted with an Expertflyer and BARedemption alert, I had the ideal bookings with some concerning moments. Initially I had visualized travelling in Club World, but really struck out with luck as the particular days I ended up getting BA 84 and BA 85, when I called up they actually had 3F class seats available on both of the flights, in addition to the obligatory 2 CW. We were just inside low-season for all these flights, and ended up going F-CW-F-F for the four flights. Subsequent contact with the Safari specialist in Cape Town and my wife and I had a Paradise trip arranged.

Paradise Lost or maybe lost.
Firstly an email from BA indicating that BA 84 on May 3 would change from an A380 to a mid-J 747. I guess I was really looking forward to the A380. Then a quick initial scan of some of the posts on this forum after making the booking brought up some potential shortfalls. Significant likelihood of non-refurbished 747's on the Vancouver route. Definite non-refurbishment of the 3-class 777-200ER out of Gatwick on MRU route. Due to flights being in and out of T3, inability to access the esteemed CCR. Some deflation of elation!

For better or worse, I continued to lurk on the forum and various anxieties and doubts emerged as I looked at some posts. Over the year there were many of these, but notable ones was the potential for a 241 downgrade, IFE screens that some described as unwatchable, cabin lights in First that wouldn't turn off, cabin too warm, a suggestion that WW crews were superior to MF (all LHR flights were MF), the 777200ER was excessively noisy, new Club World bedding and food might not be available at Gatwick for May 2019, Wi-Fi not available on 747's and some A380's, overcooked steak, poor First hard product, definitely poor Club World hard product, the promise of mid-J cabin refresh, criticism (and praise) of F staff (both WW and MF), inadequate aircraft cleaning, blocked seats, ensuring LPGS champagne, possible strike action as early as May 2019 etc.! Then finally would new First product be available and an actual step-up (well done BA on this introduction)?

Lots of advice that seemed to have only an upside what to do on a 10 hour return layover, LHR-LGW transfers, best couple seats in F, lounge hopping in T3, advice to change into PJs upstairs on a A380 (what a bathroom!), getting massage at T3, realising this was all booked before BA really hiked up associated fees (pretty hiked up anyway). Despite only Blue status I had set my heart on 1A and 1K in the 747 at least one way hubris strikes!
However 1K on BA84 went about 2 months pre-flight, on BA58 1A and 1K gone over 3 months before

Paradise Regained.
What a joy on the F flights. No significant downside. Attentive friendly service, great food (does anyone ever actually finished the cheese plate and the dessert), great bedding, comfortable seats. Best in-flight entre I have ever had (seared fillet of aged Herefordshire beef). A light that would not turn off in 1K was quickly rewarded with 5000 Avios, no problem anyway with Nidra sleep mask! I believe I got LPGS, but honestly I probably would fail a taste test. None of the concerns in my Paradise Lost phase rose to be noticeable, although I did go entirely iPad for entertainment (neither of the 747s had refurbished IFE)
I had particularly treasured trying to get the 1A and 1K seats on the 747, but that hope seemed dashed months before. I knew 1A remained open on BA 84, but unable to book OLCI and despite calling You First at T-23hrs. It was still available on airport check-in and selflessly got allotted to my wife, leaving me in 2K. But then a quick chat with the presumed Gold member in 1K, miracles, and offer was made to swap 1K with 2K! I never got the full name, but indebted forever to this Gold member.
MF staff were a joy, serving starboard side on BA58 was a young lady on her First First, I saw only dedication, efficiency and caring. She confirmed just two days of extra training, which has been commented on in the forum.
Enjoyed T3 and the lounge hopping massage, gin bar at Qantas, and First dining room at CX

I cannot finish this post without commenting on interaction with some of the fellow passengers, another aspect that really added to my enjoyment and I believe adds to the overall enjoyment of BA F. Maybe I need to admit a prior sense of envy and inferiority to those who can travel often in First. Maybe everyone being in PJs helps encourage relevant discussion quickly? I found everyone great to chat with, the Gold member in 1A going back home overnight to see a son play a sports event that afternoon, discussions about how we each have adjusted life to maintain health and other things important in life. Also the passenger who spoke with knowledge about the differences in F1 cars, the pits and social ambience at F1 events in Montral, Austin and Monaco I was transported to another world! Advice on what F1 event I should attend. In both cases as we chatted, the recognition that lives are similar in important respects, we all face challenges.

In terms of points of reference I may have, I have never flown First Class before and likely will never fly First Class again in my lifetime. Have flown business class (mainly in last 5 years) with Lufthansa, Air Canada, KLM, Etihad, Cathay and Air Berlin! So potentially some relevant point of reference.

My wife and I will be left with memories of a treasured trip forever, so much thanks to all who contribute to the body of knowledge here and to BA.
jeffnoone is offline  
Old Jun 12, 2019, 12:53 am
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
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Very interesting and enjoyable post, thanks . Glad to hear everything was good for you on the actual trip, easy to think everything is terrible as mostly people only post about problems.
bastoj is offline  
Old Jun 12, 2019, 1:12 am
  #3  
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
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The link with Milton's poem is stronger than it looks, given the recent Principal Feast of the Pentecost, since Adam and Eve learned a lot more, but their happiness became less tangible, more indirect and less personal as a result of falling from Grace. We can be our own worst enemy here, taking apart all the bad tales, though there are a few of us who try to take a balanced "it will probably be OK" approach. I tend to see it a bit like the pre-ordering process for non WT catering from London: some people really want to know what they will eat, and others will be concerned that they won't get their first choice, maybe they have dietary constraints. Personally, and not have such constraints, I see it as a bit of an adventure, and a bit of me wouldn't mind being led down to non first choice food, something new with which to experiment. And it remains a fact that the threads in this forum that excite the most attention are the ones where things go wrong, those where is went well tend to slip off the radar fairly quickly, unremarked by many FTers.

Thank you for the post.
stewaran, Hilde, T8191 and 3 others like this.
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