Worth upgrading to F at the moment?
Oct 28, 2020, 6:04 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BKK
Programs: Mucci Chevalier de la Brosse a Cheveux Dore, SK *GfL, BA Gold, WY G, HH DIA, IC Plat Amb., Hertz PC
Posts: 3,699
Waste of money / avios in my opinion. The seat is pretty much the only difference these days, as the catering and bar service is equally pathetic in both classes (and you will be served all plastic in both J and F) 
Oct 28, 2020, 6:16 am
#3
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: LDN / NY
Programs: BA GGL, Marriott Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 537
Agree. I flew Club suites internationally yesterday and was sat in 5k so got a good look ahead.
there was no pre-takeoff beverage served for us in biz or in first. The food is not yet anywhere near where it should be, (it’s now just on par with the old economy) and the drinks on board are also not yet back to where they should be.
You would be paying for the seat. I would recommend staying in biz, but again you’re still paying for the seat.
there was no pre-takeoff beverage served for us in biz or in first. The food is not yet anywhere near where it should be, (it’s now just on par with the old economy) and the drinks on board are also not yet back to where they should be.
You would be paying for the seat. I would recommend staying in biz, but again you’re still paying for the seat.
Oct 28, 2020, 6:18 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: London, UK
Programs: Ronin - churn and burn
Posts: 701
I've upgraded an upcoming LHR-MLE to F.
We are travelling with another couple, neither of whom have status.
Upgrading to F means that my girlfriend and I can guest both of our friends through the F wing and all 4 of us can spend the day on the CCT.
I imagine we'll be sleeping most of the flight, so being in a different cabin to them won't make a huge difference on board.
...I was also eager to try the new F seat 😁
I'd argue that ex-LHR without status it still makes sense to upgrade, especially if your aircraft isn't equipped with Club Suites.
We are travelling with another couple, neither of whom have status.
Upgrading to F means that my girlfriend and I can guest both of our friends through the F wing and all 4 of us can spend the day on the CCT.
I imagine we'll be sleeping most of the flight, so being in a different cabin to them won't make a huge difference on board.
...I was also eager to try the new F seat 😁
I'd argue that ex-LHR without status it still makes sense to upgrade, especially if your aircraft isn't equipped with Club Suites.
Oct 28, 2020, 7:32 am
#8
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: In the sticks
Programs: VS FC Gold, BA EC Gold, Amex Centurion, EK Gold, ex-G-ATVK driver
Posts: 1,827
IMHO unless you just want a more comfy seat, it's a waste of Avios & ŁŁŁ travelling longhaul at all on BA or Virgin in biz or F cabins for discretionary leisure travel particularly while the government recommended sealed, pre-packaged F&B service is being followed.
Meanwhile, as many of us are all so well aware, the likes of Swiss, Lufthansa and Emirates offer a near normal service.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavi...-for-operators
Ask passengers to remain seated as much as possible.
Consider additional measures, such as:
Meanwhile, as many of us are all so well aware, the likes of Swiss, Lufthansa and Emirates offer a near normal service.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavi...-for-operators
Facilities
Reduce on-board service to the minimum necessary to ensure comfort and wellbeing of passengers and limit the contact between crew members and passengers.Ask passengers to remain seated as much as possible.
Consider additional measures, such as:
- limiting duty free or other non-essential product sales on board and accompanying these with procedures to minimise the contact between crew and passengers
- reducing the food and drink service
- using pre-packaged and sealed food and drink products
- using contactless payments, wherever possible
- implementing systems to avoid queueing or crowding around toilets
- providing cleaning materials and hand sanitiser so people can wash their hands before entering and after leaving toilets
- making passenger announcements on coronavirus guidance in the arrival country
Oct 28, 2020, 7:55 am
#9
Join Date: Jul 2016
Programs: BA Bronze SPG
Posts: 273
I booked 2 seats in F (1st First) to fly back from Hong Kong on an A380. It has to be the best sleep I’ve had on a plane as the seat and bedding really was comfortable. Maybe it had something to do with my getting out of hospital that day with a broken wrist and zonked on tramodol!! The food was extremely disappointing. My husband was having to saw up my beef into morsels and it was largely inedible. Dessert was 2 frozen lumps of ice-cream and none of the other accompaniments mentioned in the menu. Spending 10 hours in the Concorde Room awaiting domestic connection was nice.
We thought the J offering on the outbound was far superior.
I would give F another try but only on leaving the UK and maybe on a daytime flight to enjoy all the food and drink offerings.
We thought the J offering on the outbound was far superior.
I would give F another try but only on leaving the UK and maybe on a daytime flight to enjoy all the food and drink offerings.
Oct 28, 2020, 8:04 am
#10
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: BA GGL & GfL, AA LTP, Marriott (sigh) Ambassador, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 3,232
club = sainsburys
first = waitrose
will i pay extra for similar food only because it is presented in a nicer environment with wider aisles and seat? yep.
but to each their own!
(econ in 3 class 777 to BKK is greggs of course)
first = waitrose
will i pay extra for similar food only because it is presented in a nicer environment with wider aisles and seat? yep.
but to each their own!
(econ in 3 class 777 to BKK is greggs of course)
Oct 28, 2020, 9:00 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2012
Posts: 99
Taking the risk on F to MEX myself in a few weeks. Could have downgraded to J but will make the most of the terrace and enjoy the extra seat space. Only do this once a year so will happily pay a little extra avios. Although I did manage to change my booking during the 50% sale which means I only paid 85k return for 2 people in first (was with a 2-4-1). Well worth it at that value!
Oct 28, 2020, 12:33 pm
#13
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: LDN / NY
Programs: BA GGL, Marriott Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 537
I think perhaps the positioning on this thread is slightly off. If you're one to buy J tickets in general, you'll likely have a decent stash of avios.
If you have already bought a J ticket you're happy with, is it a biggy to spend c,25k avios to upgrade to First? Not at all, definitely do it.
If you're optimizing spend for a flatbed, I'd upgrade a WTP as availability is vast. Again to reiterate as above, you will be paying for the bed (and terrace if LHR) as the service is lacklustre all around.
If you have already bought a J ticket you're happy with, is it a biggy to spend c,25k avios to upgrade to First? Not at all, definitely do it.
If you're optimizing spend for a flatbed, I'd upgrade a WTP as availability is vast. Again to reiterate as above, you will be paying for the bed (and terrace if LHR) as the service is lacklustre all around.
Oct 28, 2020, 1:42 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: LDN / NY
Programs: BA GGL, Marriott Amb, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 537
Also another point worth noting as OP called out, is whether or not it'll be regular J or suites. I would be meh about suites vs F when it comes down to the seat, as personally I like the additional privacy. If it was old layout vs F.. Well, I think we know the answer.