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Routing

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On The Ground

Check In

BA has a dedicated First check in area at Heathrow Terminal 1, which shares a private security channel with Club World passengers. Check in was quick and smooth, taking less than 5 minutes. Clearing security only took another 5, so I was in the lounge in 15 minutes all in, which is pretty impressive.

Lounge

The First lounge at Terminal 1 is the better of the two that BA operate at Heathrow (the other is at T4) but it’s still far behind even some of the newer Business Class lounges available, such as the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse. The spaces aren’t particularly inspiring, apart from the Champagen Bar (pictured), and there was a general lack of space: almost every seat was taken when I arrived. All this is set to change, however, with BA’s move to Termial 5 in March 2008 and the introduction of their new Galleries FIRST product.

In The Air

Cabin

BA cramms 14 seats into it’s First Class section, which is situated at the front of the plane (just wondering as I write if anyone has designed a First section on the upper deck?). The configuration is 1 and 1, with 2 rows of 1-2-1, the middle two of which are better suited to travelling companions.

Seat

I nabbed 2K, which is supposed to be the best in the house, offering relatively the most privacy for a solo traveller. The BA First product has been around for a few years now, and despite a few nice touches it’s beginning to lag behind some of its competitors, particularly on Asian routes. The seat is comfortable enough, but nowhere near as private as other First products, or even BA’s new Club World, which includes window seats that are extremely private, being almost completely enclosed.

The seat converts into a fully flat bed, and during ‘turn down’ a thin mattress is added to make things a little more comfortable. However, for someone who’s 6’5”, it’s simply not long enough: the faux-Walnut enclosure tapering into an uncomfortably narrow foot space. At least in Club World exit rows and other configurations afford additional legroom from the standard 6’3″ up to an additional foot in length.

Amenities

The super-comfortable sleep suit and Anya Hindmarch washbag, filled with Keihls products do add a touch of glamour, which is mirrored in the beautiful menu design and paraphernailia.

Food

The in-flight meal is an area in which BA genuinely excels beyond its domestic and Transatlantic competition, easily surpassing Virgin, United and American’s offerings, from the Business Class cabin forwards. As good as it was, this was my second First Class meal, which, to my surprise featured nearly the identical menu to my first, on the same route, 6 months before.

I was served a selection of canapes, and a glass of Johnny Walker Blue Label, followed by a delicious Goat’s cheese tart and then Roasted Lamb – which was washed down with a glass of ’99 Puillac. I followed up with Cheese and Port. All were excellent.

In Flight Entertainment

If I had felt a sense of deja-vu with the food this was compounded by the IFE. Despite having recently upgraded their systems BA’s IFE rarely works and when it does it simply screens a limited range of old movies (already out on DVD) which I’ve already seen or terrible new ones that no one would watch. No matter how luxurious the surroundings, no matter how comfortable the seat, or how delicious the food – on a 12 hour flight 6 or 7 will be sleep, the rest of the time we want entertaining! BA need to address this.

Service

BA tend to employ older, more experienced crew for their forward cabins (also a more balanced male/female mix), when compared to Virgin. The result is great, if a little snooty, service.

However, for the money, the First experience just doesn’t feel quite special enough. In comparison, in Cathay Pacific’s new First Class there are only 9 seats, vs BA’s 14, and the feeling of personal attention is simply remarkable: you’re treated like a celebrity, not just a regular traveller.

Summary

Miles ahead of the US carriers, but some way behind Asian frontronners like Cathay and Singapore Airlines. The First cabin need refreshing, fewer seats and more privacy. And the crew need to make passengers feel like it’s Christmas every time they fly.