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High Flyer - British Airways, First Class - Sydney to London
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Issue 38 – Autumn 2009
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(British Airways, First Class – Sydney to London)
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WE SKY-TEST BRITISH AIRWAYS FIRST CLASS AND CLUB WORLD SYDNEY TO LONDON.
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TIMES ARE TOUGH.
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The airline industry is on notice to perform or lose business. What remains of the high-end travelling market is now looking for the absolute best their money can buy. British Airways is a long-term participant in the competitive London Sydney ‘Kangaroo Route’, with 747s and 777s flying via Bangkok and Singapore. How do they rate?
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The Check In
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Check in was efficient and a pleasant chap announced an upgrade from Club World to First Class. Both Club World and First Class passengers are fast tracked through passport control allowing more time to enjoy the facilities of Sydney’s new Qantas/BA lounge.
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The Cabins
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BA’s First Class cabins are due to be refurbished in late 2009. The new design will replace the current pleasing mix of burr walnut veneer, subtle check fabric and beige faux suede teamed with a sensible charcoal leatherette and very British dark navy carpet. BA’s Club Class has the ying yang seat arrangement with an optional privacy screen between the rear and front facing seats.
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The Service
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Pygmalion’s Henry Higgins delighted in the diversity of spoken English. He would have had a field day with the assortment of staff accents on the flight; from the lovely lilting Irish of the charming galley gal to the Thomas the Tank Engine sensible formality of the flight services director. I’d swear when the voice from the cockpit came over the PA system a member of the Royal Family was flying the plane. Without exception staff were pleasant, efficient and courteous.
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The Seats
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BA was the first to introduce flat beds in 2000 and recently refurbished its Club World beds, with BA’s First Class refurbishment planned for late 2009. True flat beds are a joy, but a cosy affair, like snug tubular bedrooms. The beds are 6’6” in length and a handy ‘laptop locker’ allows convenient storage of laptops or shoes. First has more generous tray tables than Club Class and the beds are slightly wider and longer.
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The Entertainment
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Oh happy days! Actual headphones that achieve complete sound block-out and bilateral functionality without excoriating the ear cartilage. British Airways has a comprehensive offering of movies, TV, audio and games. The 25 new-release movie selections were dominated by a current crop of Hollywood favourites.
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The Lounges
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British Airways shares the new Qantas lounge at Sydney – an airy hangar-esque design with smart calacatta marble, separate lounge, bar and dining facilities. Bangkok’s lounge was less spacious but pleasantly appointed. From late 2009 flights to Australia will leave from an upgraded Terminal 3. For other destinations using the new Terminal 5 at London’s Heathrow First, Club World, Club Europe, Gold and Silver Executive Club members can choose between no less than six impressive new BA lounges available to them. At a cost of £60 million the lounges feature crystal chandeliers, art installations, wine bars, designated work and entertainment zones.
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The Food
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The food in First Class was adequate but not exceptional. Standard starters – smoked salmon, lasagne and soup followed by a sensible selection of grilled steak, chicken breast, lamb rogan josh and warm crab cakes formed the dinner menu. The wine list was more interesting with a solid selection of French, Australian and South African wines.
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The Extras
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In First Class fetching purecotton sleep suits accompany a smart black velour gift bag, named aptly BAg. Designed by leading British handbag designer, Anya Hindmarch, it includes Penhaligon products, socks and eyeshades and could be reborn as a nifty jewellery box for a teenage daughter. In First Class at ‘turn down’ the crew lay out an Egyptian cotton mattress, pillow and duvet along with velvet slippers. For travellers using Terminal 5 Elemis Travel Spa treatments are offered on a complimentary basis to First Class and Club World customers or Gold Executive Club members on long haul flights, an enticing inclusion and a wonderful way to kill time before take-off.
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The Gripes
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Unfortunately for the duration of the Sydney/London flight overhead cabin lights turned on and off every few moments. Technical malfunctions do happen from time to time and once in flight there is usually nothing the long-suffering crew can do except apologise to tired passengers. This they did… repeatedly and sincerely. The food was generally uninspiring. Less than fresh sandwiches are not good enough for First Class.
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Details:
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British Airways
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