Flying British Airways First Class in 2024
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- Опубліковано 21 лип 2024
- This one has been a long time coming!
In this video, we'll check out British Airways First Class together for the very first time. We'll be doing so aboard their Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on a flight from their home at London Heathrow through to Abu Dhabi in the UAE.
Overall, it was a super experience and lived up to every expectation. The seat was palatial in size, the food fantastic and the service very much on point from start to finish. Given what I paid for the flight, it was well worth it and I wouldn't hesitate to travel in First with BA again. It would be great to do one of their A380's next in First as they're due to a cabin overhaul which will see their new First Class debut going from current reports!
In terms of areas for improvement, it would be good to see BA maintain their older cabins that bit better. Sign of wear and tear in a First Class cabin should really be a huge no no regardless of cabin age. These 787-9's are next for a refit however as soon as the current 787-8's finish their turn. I am however nitpicking slightly as it really was a fab experience.
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro & Heathrow arrival
00:56 POD Parking Shuttle
02:17 Check-in
03:23 Concorde Room (lounge)
07:59 Boarding
09:35 Seat review
11:40 Ammenity Kit
12:05 Pre-departure service
13:08 Pushback & takeoff
14:36 Bathrooms
14:47 Entertainment
15:55 Settling into flight
16:35 Dinner service
19:17 Bed review
19:52 Breakfast
20:05 Final thoughts
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My daughter and I were extremely happy with the first class on BA. It made up for canceling our flight one day before. The flight attendant who treated us to the outmost attention and his thoughtfulness serving vegan food. Our suite was lovely and comfortable.
Sounds so good! Glad you had a great trip :)
Absolutely enjoyed this review! Your Concorde room impressions (food, loo) are spot-on. Wonderful flight and a super price point. Here's to many more trips in First. Well done, again.
Thanks so much! Will for sure raise a glass to more trips on first for sure. Upcoming in the next few months I’ll do Emirates first then plenty in business with the likes of Lufthansa, Air France, Swiss, Thai and so many more ✈️
Good job bob. I want to fly BA first class just for that pen!
Haha, that’s a very exclusive pen in that case
Took exactly this flight last week and really enjoyed it up front. I was a little underwhelmed by the Concorde lounge, especially with the food. Service was quite poor too in the late evening as it felt like the staff just wanted to go home! The flight itself though was definitely a step up from Club and the service was exceptional. I think BA often get unfairly compared to the middle eastern carriers which have limited routes and exorbitant pricing these days. I paid less to be in First than in business on Etihad - which I find quite inconsistent and soulless at the best of times. Well done BA!
Yeah, a fair summary I think. At that sort of price point, it’s an incredibly competitive offering and one which I’d very much love to do again!
You're the best travel vlogger on UA-cam! I found you yesterday and so glad I did. Thank you!
Thanks so much! Welcome onboard 😃
@@Travelsbydreamer great to be here!
Thanks for sharing your experience, it looked amazing! Looking forward to seeing more or your journeys. Safe travels…take care. 👍
You’re very welcome, loads coming up real soon!
Fabulous review with great videography made us feel as if we were there with you! Thanks for the pod tip we must try that . Keep these great videos coming they are just soooooo packed with useful information !
Thanks so much! Loads more coming up real soon!
Congrats! Great to see you experience it
Thank you! Was such a pleasure to do it, hoping to be back onboard soon 😃
Loved this vlog, my very first time experiencing your channel have now subscribed and looking forward to seeing more of your content !
A very warm welcome onboard! Glad to hear you enjoyed it and looking forward to catching up in another one soon ✈️
Wicked videos mate, Really enjoying them! :)
Thanks so much! 😃
Really detailed review- great video. I have not been able to go into the Concorde room so I appreciated seeing this further 😊
Thank you! Considering doing a separate video review of that in the coming weeks using more footage, let’s see 😃
So nice to see you made the effort with how you dressed. A jacket was so appropriate in the lounge! A great video. 🎉
Thanks so much! 😃
Looks incredible, surprised how much space is in and around the seat and endless storage! Hopefully I get to try it for myself one day. Great video again!
It sure was huge! You’ll defo have to do it and feature it on your channel, experience not to be missed if you can do it 😃
Thanks matey
Great video and review thank you! I flew 1st to jfk from London last year and the flight was incredible, on the 777 it's a closing suite too which was brilliant! Couldn't fault anything but as you've said the crew are just excellent and for me the highlight!
The 777 experience sounds so so good, I’d love to do that at some stage. Can’t wait to see what their first class plans will look like aboard their A380 also. Agreed!
Have to commend BA on this one... the onboard service was flawless in my opinion. Catering looked great (especially the main course) and the pyjamas and bedding are of very high quality. Your main course in the Concorde Room was a bit of a letdown but all in all for what you paid this was fantastic. Was great to see your enthusiasm and enjoyment in this video, as always, I look forward to your next one!
Thanks so much my friend!
Yeah, I think that’s a fair summary. The onboard team did such a phenomenal job. I’ve recently heard they’ve been upping their First cabin service training, it really showed in this one. Next flight for sure a day time experience so I can enjoy more of it! 😅
Great video, Rich. I've not yet made it to the Concorde Room, but it looked fantastic. Great review as ever.
Thanks so much! It was a lovely space, if very much like a return there at some stage 😃
Great video!! I must try BA First Class!!!
Well worth it if you can get a good deal!
Great shot of that last bit of light in the sky.
Thanks! Recently upgraded to a better camera so hope to capture a lot more similar footage in the weeks ahead ✈️
Really enjoyed this one! I doubt I'll ever get to fly First lol, and if I did I sure never would wanna go back to eco. I'm surprised there wasn't a door for full privacy... Love how excited you are in this video and you do sound like cabin crew!
Easiest to get in using points I’ve found over the years as the cash tickets can be astronomically experience. They have the door across most of their aircraft I’d say, this was one of the slightly older designs :)
Haha, yes, glad the excitement came through!
Great Video. I love using POD at T5.
Thank you! Always a great experience, wish I could use them more often!
Thanks for the Review. I just flew Swiss First in May - First time ever in first - and i was surprised how big the difference To Business still was. I uploaded a Report as well.. surely Not as Great as yours though! Keep up the good work!
You’re very welcome. Had a look, for sure looked like a super flight! I’d love to fly their new cabins as they’re released next year. Keep it up!
Regardless of any cabin flaws, the jewel in the BA crown are their staff, especially in the premium cabins where service is more personable, it's that quintessential Britishness, it's priceless. Certain other airlines may do First better but sometimes they lack any real soul and identity. Your anticipation and excitement for this trip was rather tangible, ha-ha! Disappointed though, I was really looking forward to brekkie....too much noshing and quaffing earlier I suspect. Shocking! who chases a beef stew down with a burger..ha!!! There is a herbiness to that NZ wine, maybe that is what you tasted as savory. Excellent report though, really enjoyed it. Would love to try BA First ultra long haul to Australia otherwise I'm with you....business (door essential) is more than adequate for anything else.
Yeah, the crew often do a super job, when they're good, they really are fantastic. Glad the excitement came through, this really was one which I couldn't wait to do!
Haha, yeah sorry about the breakfast. They managed the flight in just 6 hours so after all the midnight quaffing, there was so little time left in the flight!
That NZ wine I did find a little odd, won't be top of my Majestic's list for sure ha. BA First to Aus really would be the dream...maybe into the future on the channel!
Much like business class..
BA Business?
Nothing like it
Nothing like it
No it’s not the lounge cabin and the service is nothing like Club
Agree with a lot, pretty much everything except of your BA’s IFE. It’s miles behind its main competitors, both in terms of the entertainment content, but also usefulness. It really surprises me how BA keeps wasting opportunities to use technology to pull forward to industry leadership. That concerns both online experience (BA website) and onboard experience.
I think the Highlife system's UI is a little dated but otherwise for me, it's always been so full of content I've been keen to see. Behind the likes of EK ICE for sure but otherwise, I do really like it. Would be good to see an overhaul of the IT though my goodness.
Your narration is like Aircraft crew and pilots 😀.
Haha, thanks, hopefully it’s a little clearer than when the pilot usually speaks 😅
@@Travelsbydreamer Yes, I agree with that 😀.
I share a lot of your sentiments. I travel BA Club World business around 8-10 times a year and often the upgrade to First is only £200 per sector so I always upgrade and in that respect it is the worlds best business class. I once spent 14 hours in the Concorde Room whilst we waited for our Covid tests to come through. So we experienced a full day’s worth of dining plus afternoon tea.
At £200 a sector that’s really good value for money, worlds best business class indeed!
Goodness that’s a marathon at 14 hours in the lounge! Don’t think I’d have been able to move after 14 hours of enjoyment there! 😅
Great review nicely presented! What I also liked is that you took the time to dress smartly to travel in a premium cabin. I don't know why, but I get really annoyed with flight reviewers who fly Business or First in un-ironed t-shirts, shorts and flip-flops! 😆
Thank you!
Ahh yes, for First especially, I do think a level of dress is important, especially given that they provide lounge wear onboard for comfort.
Will for sure give the flip flops a miss for any air travel 😅
Good man! 😁
very nice
Sure was!
I see they were offering Didier Dagenau white in the lounge. Impressive. I got my jollies by ordering a pot of breakfast tea and two pieces of toast just before touch down. You don't see BA tea pots everywhere. Not that anyone else clocked it!
I really wish it had been a longer flight so I could’ve done the breakfast! Next time for sure 😃
That Nose was once attached to one of the Concordes I used to take to JFK and back!. In fact, it was the last flight I ever took in Feb 2003. The T5 Concorde Lounge is the best lounge ever, we always get there as early as possible to make the most of it - even if we have a 10pm departure we are in there at 10am!! I do agree - the dinner menu was a bit underwhelming tbh, we have had some lovely main courses before ( and I haven't seen the burgers on the booth menus before! Usually they serve those outside, mainly to folks at the bar ) Everyone should try the Espresso Marini, it's fab. Was last in there in May ( SFO ) , next visit Sept ( SCL ). Row 2 on the 787's is roomier than row 1 as the fuselage tappers in. Also buddy, you MUST try and get First on the A380, that's the top with BA.
So nice they’ve retained the nose, as you’ve been on the aircraft that must make it so special!
Haha, love the lounge approach, that’s fab! I think they change the menus quite often so let’s see how that progresses. Hope I’m back in there soon however, not too sure when that’ll be! 😅
Congrats! Only 5 particulars!! Good review, would be interesting to compare BA 1st with Virgin Upper Class (A350) and Qatar Q Suites.
I’d say that’s a particularly good count!
Would love to do the Virgin Upper Class product for the channel, it really would be a great comparison. Hope to get that on a little later in the year with luck!
Virgin Upper Class and Qatar Q Suites are not a first class product.
@@ALFOONUS They’re not however, in terms of cost and quality, they’re very much worthy of a comparison 👍
@@Travelsbydreamer I'm taking the family to NY in V UC late August so will let you know if it's as good as they say!
@@ALFOONUS And yet they exceed the 1st class offerings of other airlines in many ways.....
btw was that pen metal or plastic? Or at least a solid plastic? From memory it was a nice metal many years ago when I last flew in BA F?
I’d say hardened plastic. Compared it against an amenity kit from 2019 and much the same sadly. Both kits same brand and haven’t changed since. Metal would be a really nice touch
Another great review!
So, French wines are only served in F, but not in J any more - based on recent menu, looks like…?
Now I might have to pursue upgrading my flights! 😅
Btw, do you prepare manuscripts before talking to your camera? Very professional and flawless! 👏
Thank you!
Hmmm, I think I had something on a recent flight but for sure would have to double check. I did LHR - HND (Tokyo) in February and would’ve showed the menus in the video so well worth a Quick Look for a check in. My only thoughts on the French is that you have to spend so much for a really good Bordeaux but can get a relatively fantastic Rioja much cheaper so wouldn’t be surprised to see them try and pivot into other types…perhaps.
Oh no, very much just freestyle 😃
Concorde room and First class dining has dramatically changed over the past 5 years. It really used to be Dover sole / Halibut etc ..
That would’ve been good to have tried!
Looked pretty impressive, particularly the Concorde room but pity that the main course wasn't that good.
However the on board food looked amazing and was presented very well as was the seat, but BA do need to do some cosmetic maintenance.
I used the South terminal lounges today and that's had a bit of a make over with new seating areas, my only gripe is that if you have a 8/9am departure you indulge in the full English in the lounge and then get offered another full English on board.
Yeah too true, just need a little bit more on the menu there on the main course front.
Ahhh yes, over at Gatwick? I was there last week and it’s looking pretty smart I must say!
Should of said South lounge at LHR
@@r12004rewy ah I see, yes, slight facelift down there which was welcome!
£1100 for that experience, it looks like it was worth every penny!
For sure was!
Not a fan of BA business class seat layout on the Cape Town London route. On year we could only get a coach daylight flight.
My wife passed out , diabetic problem. BA staff are fantastic they went above and beyond. The captain came through to check 0n her. They lowered the cabin temperature. They even contacted us at the hotel we were staying at to ensure she was alright.
Aww, that’s such a lovely story. The Cape Town route I think is still A380 which is still in the old layout and will likely be the last aircraft type to finish the refit. Their new business class is really good however, available on all the LHR 777’s I think now :)
The way you speak is absolutely the epitome of class & elegance
Thanks so much!
BA F compares very favourably with the worlds leading business class, such as Qatar. Very poor for an F service.
Many do quip it’s the world best business class. The always remembering however it’s sold at a very different price point to the worlds leading First products :)
What made you pick BA over Etihad?
Great question. More on this occasion that I needed to get a few flights under the belt with BA as looking to use Etihad later in the year out to SE Asia. As BA have just introduced this route, the fares were incredibly competitive, Etihad first no doubt would’ve been many multiples what I paid on this trip, as superb no doubt as they’d have been :)
@@Travelsbydreamer Thank you for your reply. I enjoyed the video.
@@JohnGuidetti751 awesome to hear!
@@Travelsbydreamer I'll be doing it the other way around. Flown extensively with Etihad to Japan and Korea via Abu Dhabi in recent years, and their level of service in business looks v similar to BA First. I have flown First with BA but that was 12 and 15 years ago so I'm sure all has changed. We are heading to Chicago with BA later this year with the outbound leg in First, so very much looking forward to seeing how it compares. Nice comprehensive review there 👍
@@tonyhalliday3188 Really can’t wait to give Etihad a go, planning to travel with them later in the year for sure into Asia. Thanks so much and enjoy BA! ✈️
👌❤️👌❤️👌❤️👌
Lol you said it’s a bit of a walk to the lounge. 😂
Could always run I guess? 😅
@@Travelsbydreamer Apologies I was imagining that you were probably hoping for a limo to stop right outside the lounge lol . Great video btw! Have a nice weekend!
@@TC.C haha, now we’re talking! Don’t remember that exact bit but it’s for sure not too far from check in thanks to the First class wing!
Thanks so much and same to you!
That’s the ladies sleeper suit you’ve been given! 😮
Might just have been the light but having checked, they were men’s 😅
@@Travelsbydreamer at 9.48 it show a ladies sleeper suit….v neck design. With a man’s wash bag.
@@hovelad8214 Ahhh yes, explains why they came back to swap them 😂
nice, I did fly Concorde more than 20 years ago a couple of times and found the Concorde Room then already a bit 'brick a brack' the actual BA cabin makes a bit of a worn impression (as with Lufthansa and AF, their 1st class cabins will soon be renewed); no fresh flower in the toilet and at dinner I miss the usual caviar in 1st class...European airlines cannot compete with Qatar etc. alas!
Would’ve loved to have done Concorde! Yeah, completely agree on the European airlines vs the gulf carriers, they really are next level at the premium end 😃
I'm sure you were sozzled by the time you got to Abu Dhabi!
Given the sheer quantity of food, I could barely feel the effects of the wine 😂😂
The problem with British Airways is it is a Hinx experience.
They also showed me a return first class to Dubai and then proceeded to tell me just before before I was about to leave that I was in business class on air Belgium on the way back They were also tried to downgrade me on another flight a few months before. The service on the ground is beyond dreadful and the cabin staff are sometimes brilliant and sometimes truly awful. What British Airways needs to know, is that the Premier first class carriers out there, like Emirates, Qatar, Singapore are all 1 million leagues ahead of them, and in fact some of those airlines business class is better than BA first. BA needs to return to having some form of customer service because the problem with the airline is that it treats passengers like an inconvenience on some occasions.
It also has a habit of putting you on partner airlines (which it owns) like Iberia and when something goes wrong, Iberia tell you to contact BA and BA tell you to contact Iberia. I’ve also been through that process before.
Sounds like a rough few experiences, hope you had proper compensation for the downgrades :)
Enjoyed the video, but less than 25% of it was the actual flight and no thoughts or vlogging when airborne, just voiceover? Think your missing a trick here, check out the bigger channels
That’s great to hear, thanks!
The audio in the cabin is rarely ideal and with such a late flight it’s not a great way to conduct one’s self. Aware of channels out there where you do tend to see see someone needlessly rabbiting on into the mic when airborne, its pads out the review but for me, doesn’t add a great deal of value.
It’s a style which may evolve over time. Long lead up to this flight due to the Concorde lounge.
Great video - shame about the Welsh lamb becoming an 'English meal' though
Thank you! Debated on that voiceover, as it’s extensively eaten in England I stuck with it, rather like Scottish salmon at Xmas etc.
Why are you whispering?
Old First!
Hmm, whilst there’s been minor updates on the refitted aircraft, it’s still the same product. New first won’t be seen until the A380 refits…
BA First is pretty average in that competitive landscape of first class offerings. Bit of a shame really, but it is what it is.
True, right up until the point price enters the equation however so often. They do have a new First product due to launch as part of the A380 refit but I wouldn’t expect huge suites etc.
First class with no door
Yep, on the Dreamliner that’s the design for now :)
Those car park pods should be replaced by a fast, jerky 'Wild Mouse' style ride instead.
Its okay, I'm stupid.
Hahaha, would make things more interesting for sure 😂
Why do you talk like a daytime TV presenter? Try being yourself.
Presenting style
To be fair, there’s only so much you can do with a burger ffs😂
Hmmm, you do see some ‘proper’ gourmet ones these days!
I see you have black luggage. I paint my name address, email and phone numbers on all 6 sides of my luggage. I use glow in the dark road paint. Nobody else will want it, it doesn't get lost and anyone meeting me can see who i am. Works well for me.
Black can blend in for sure. Thankfully, the LEVEL8 suitcases have some fairly unique touches with the coloured wheels which makes them easy to identify. I’ve been using them for some time, would highly recommend :)
Best IFE in the world? It seemed like the IFE went to go fetch a dvd of the content you selected before the next menu appeared lol, Even Turkish has better IFE than this, let alone Qatar's Oryx or Emirate's ICE. For a first class product, this really isn't worth the money, seat nor food. I'm sure the service was great.
Wouldn’t put it as best in the world however, the content is really good I’ve always found. UI needs an update however. Would love to try Turkish and others but for the money paid on this flight, would be hard pressed to find better value for money 😃
Nice video. But £1100 for a tiny meal and a glass of wine? To Abu Dhabi? I'd rather go to the dentist. Really.
Each to their own I guess 👍
I like your videos but It would be good to hear some more criticism - what can be done better, what was missing? I think you are the only UA-camr who praises BA… they are a terrible airline in the luxury market, compared to many other carriers they miss the mark.
Thanks so much. Appreciate the feedback. I always build my editorial around a fairly balanced view. My opinion has always been that if you’re crossing the world in that level of luxury and can’t find a number of positives to say about it, there’s something wrong. Due to BA’s immense brand recognition and having had a very average few years under suboptimal management, there are target for vloggers as the overly negative reviews attract the views. I’ll always say it how I see it and already have had to come in from a negative perspective on a few experience shared on the channel.
Appreciate the comment :)
irritatingly cheerful delivery!!!
😅
GET A LIFE !!.
New caps lock?
BA first class is trash. I’d much rather do either Emirates or Qatar biz class.
Surely not that god awful 2-3-2 business they have across half their fleet!? EK is positioned in an odd limelight sometimes, largely due to the halo effect of their first class.
Qatar business, now we’re talking.
@Travels by Dreamer: Very nice video-well filmed and presented. However, I feel you were far too kind to British Airways. Compared to other airlines, British Airways' first class is a complete joke and shambles.
Why is it that British Airways and British airports have such poor-quality toilets? The toilets in both the lounge and on the aeroplane were just like standard ones. Remember, this is supposed to be first class. This is the reason I stopped flying with British Airways a decade ago. In fact, I now go out of my way to avoid both British Airways and American Airlines. The food is also very sub-par, and the service can be hit-and-miss.
Good luck with your channel-you make a very good professional presenter.
Thanks so much! Hope to have you watch another soon 😃
Totally get your point, against other first class offerings they’re a way behind for sure. For me however, it’s how they position it cost wise which is key as they don’t look to compete with many of the others on price…it’s floated in the market as more of a business++ so that’s the lens I decided to evaluate it on rightly or wrongly… Totally agree on the toilets though, they’re clean but need to go asap!