Winter trip to Vancouver (via LA) in First Class
Jan 11, 2019, 12:33 am
#62
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Honors Diamond, Mucci de buveur de gin
Posts: 3,060
Anytime you get a sunny clear day is a great day to be here. Best odds used to be July and August but the last few years have brought smoke and a hazy blanket due to forest fires in the interior of the province which seem to be the summer norm now. A sunny day in May will have comfy temps and beautiful views.
You have discovered the one secret in Vancouver, a harbour Air flight when the weather is good. It is a great experience when the weather is favourable. I must say you got lucky with the weather, it's usually pretty dreary in December.
The new Vancouver Cathay Lounge is much better than the British Airways one; unfortunately there is no longer a dedicated Cathay Pacific First Class Section. The main disadvantage is the timings of the CX lounge which aren't optimal for British Airways flights. It's a beautiful space however. It's also much nicer to get a bowl of noodles instead of a package of crisps next door.
The new Vancouver Cathay Lounge is much better than the British Airways one; unfortunately there is no longer a dedicated Cathay Pacific First Class Section. The main disadvantage is the timings of the CX lounge which aren't optimal for British Airways flights. It's a beautiful space however. It's also much nicer to get a bowl of noodles instead of a package of crisps next door.
Thanks 757. Vancouver is indeed beautiful. Hopefully you will manage to get a trip planned to go out there soon.
Jan 11, 2019, 1:04 am
#63
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Programs: BA Bronze, Emirates Silver, Virgin Silver, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,400
Thanks for another excellent TR from you. 
I was surprised by how short the flight was from Vancouver, I had expected it to be around the 10/11 hour mark like you were flying to the West Coast of the USA.
Where is next up for your travels?
I was surprised by how short the flight was from Vancouver, I had expected it to be around the 10/11 hour mark like you were flying to the West Coast of the USA.
Where is next up for your travels?
Jan 12, 2019, 1:53 am
#65
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Iver
Programs: BA GOLD/OWE BA Amex Prem Plus Tesco Airmiles Qantas Bronze IHG SPG Eithad
Posts: 2,902
loved all the pics of the bridge, definately could not have done that the height and probably unsteadiness of it would have not worked for me, but give me those oysters any time, they look good, and so fresh
Jan 12, 2019, 2:33 am
#66
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Iver
Programs: BA GOLD/OWE BA Amex Prem Plus Tesco Airmiles Qantas Bronze IHG SPG Eithad
Posts: 2,902
Thoroughly enjoyed your TR and nice to se you back writing up your adventures. Those back to back flights you did from LHR to PNX then LAS I would have certainly lost the plot with all those ups and downs, but obviously good TP runs. Thanks again for sharing your adventures
Last edited by DanielW; Jan 15, 2019 at 4:43 am Reason: Photo requote
Jan 12, 2019, 4:11 am
#67
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Honors Diamond, Mucci de buveur de gin
Posts: 3,060
Off to Cape Town in March!
Thoroughly enjoyed your TR and nice to se you back writing up your adventures. Those back to back flights you did from LHR to PNX then LAS I would have certainly lost the plot with all those ups and downs, but obviously good TP runs. Thanks again for sharing your adventures
Jan 22, 2019, 7:41 am
#71
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2009
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Honors Diamond, Mucci de buveur de gin
Posts: 3,060
The mixed fleet on BA are the newer fleet on BA (started in 2010 I believe). The crew tend to be much younger than those on the worldwide fleet. Their pay and benefits are different to the staff who started working for BA prior to 2010. They do a mixture of shorthaul and longhaul flying. The terminology is slightly different (Customer Service Manager instead of a Cabin Services Director) but the service (should) be the same on both fleets.