How to maximise a BA First flight.

[PaulST]

Hi all, I've rather inefficiently blow a few miles (but YOLO) on a BA First award in a 787-9 from LHR to AUH in October. While BA F isn't that well regarded, I'm excited to be travelling in First on a legacy carrier in the 789 (and aircraft I really like).
As it stands, my A320 from FCO (BA club europe) arrives at terminal 5 at 0950 and I fly out of terminal 5 at 1240 creating a 2hr and 50min layover. All on the same PNR so my bags should continue through.

So my questions are, how to optimise the experience? Is the international transfer process straight forward and are there any secret paths for F pax? Is there any security screening at all? From my 3 previous BA flights, I've noticed that almost everyone gets to use the priority line so there's often very little benefit. But since my layover is fairly brief, I'm keen to enjoy as much of the Concorde lounge as possible.

Is the Elemis spa worth booking ahead for? And can I book a cabana online?

As I'll be there at lunch time, are there any particular meals I should choose in the lounge, and any specific drinks?

I'll be sure to post up a trip report so keep an eye out for that in mid/late October.

 

[TonyHancock]

While BA F isn't that well regarded.....

BA F is no EY or EK F but is is better than any J product I have flown in my lifetime...including QF, EK, EY, CX, VA, UL, MH, AA, and DL.

Is the international transfer process straight forward and are there any secret paths for F pax? Is there any security screening at all?

The transfer experience is poor. You will get to use Fast Track, but it just seems to filter our into general security screening. If you opt for the transfer process remember to turn right after security and head to the million dollar door to enter the Concorde Room. (It has been opened up again.)

Another option and it is dependent upon flight arrival time or whether you have access to the e gates is to clear immigration and customs and re enter through the BA First Wing. It is a rather pleasant experience compared to the normal Fast Track hell. (It is the choice of most UK passport holders. Beware though if you arrive at a peak time or don't have access to the e gates it can be time consuming.)

keen to enjoy as much of the Concorde lounge as possible.

The Concorde Room is a lounge that polarises opinion. Personally I like it a lot, I spent 80 hours in it last year. :shock: First up it is waiter service and complaints abound about being ignored and staff being surly and unresponsive. You just need to attract their attention, they will be only too happy to oblige.

The Dining room has booths that are quite private. (If you order any meal with chips ask for two portions unless you like a meal with six chips!!)

Have a wander out to the terrace too. I find the CCR one of the quietest and private lounges I visit.

As I'll be there at lunch time, are there any particular meals I should choose in the lounge, and any specific drinks?

Have a look on FT for updated CCR menus nearer your flight time. If you get a chance sit up at the bar and have a chat with other flyers and also the wonderful bar staff. If Marcella is on tell her "The Martini Man" says hello. You can pretty much order any drink at the bar. I'm not a champagne sort of chap but it is widely reported that BA has decent champagne on offer.

Is the Elemis spa worth booking ahead for? And can I book a cabana online?

I'm not a spa sort of chap either but I believe you can book via You First - (Same for Cabanas I think)

https://www.britishairways.com/travel/webforms/public/en_gb?eId=120001&wfpId=youfirstform

be sure to post up a trip report so keep an eye out for that in mid/late October.

I might see you there I am heading through T5 a couple of times in October.

 

[boomy]

F reports are always an interesting read. Didn't see any about BA 787 F on AFF so looking forward to this one.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I have flown once from LHR TO NRT, good experience, pity I was unwell.

You need to act like a DYKWIA, you need to be proactive if you want something done.

The dining areas are arranged into booths so its rather private, completely in contrast to the Sydney and Melbourne Qantas F lounges.

I am glad I did it; would I do it again, maybe but it was fun to cross it off my bucket list.

 

[PaulST]

I might see you there I am heading through T5 a couple of times in October.

I'll be passing through on Wednesday 11th October.

The transfer experience is poor. You will get to use Fast Track, but it just seems to filter our into general security screening. If you opt for the transfer process remember to turn right after security and head to the million dollar door to enter the Concorde Room. (It has been opened up again.)

Another option and it is dependent upon flight arrival time or whether you have access to the e gates is to clear immigration and customs and re enter through the BA First Wing. It is a rather pleasant experience compared to the normal Fast Track hell. (It is the choice of most UK passport holders. Beware though if you arrive at a peak time or don't have access to the e gates it can be time consuming.)

I did wonder if it was worth checking out the new First Wing but I figure it would probably take a while. I only have Australian citizenship but can use the egates here in Australia, so I'm unsure if I'd have access to them at LHR?

Good tip about the chips!

Thanks for the link although unfortunately it appears that You First is limited to UK residents only.

You need to act like a DYKWIA, you need to be proactive if you want something done.

Good to know! I've been watching 'Yes minister' recently so I'll make sure I work on my w@anky accent!

 

[Comoman]

I'll be passing through on Wednesday 11th October.


I did wonder if it was worth checking out the new First Wing but I figure it would probably take a while. I only have Australian citizenship but can use the egates here in Australia, so I'm unsure if I'd have access to them at LHR?

No - can't use the E-gates with Australian passport.

 

[TonyHancock]

I'll be passing through on Wednesday 11th October.

I'll miss you by exactly 24 hours I'll be passing through at roughly the same time as you but on the 12th Oct.

Thanks for the link although unfortunately it appears that You First is limited to UK residents only.

Might be worth giving it a go though.

No - can't use the E-gates with Australian passport.

You can if you are a registered traveler.

 

[GDSman]

Good to know! I've been watching 'Yes minister' recently so I'll make sure I work on my w@anky accent!

It cost my father a lot of money for me to get this accent! ðŸ

 

[opusman]

It's often said that BA F is the world's best business class

 

[craven morehead]

Have only flown BA F on the 747 & 777 be interested to see how the 787 stacks up.

 

[TonyHancock]

It's often said that BA F is the world's best business class

Indeed, but only a complete buffoon would take another airlines J product over BA F,

You are correct though it is often said, not sure why because it is pretty much the same as QF F from my experience. :?:

 

[boomy]

Indeed, but only a complete buffoon would take another airlines J product over BA F,

You are correct though it is often said, not sure why because it is pretty much the same as QF F from my experience. :?:

The seat and bed on QF F are more comfortable IMO.

Part of the reason some say it's the world's best J is because the seat on BA F is similar to some J products but with extra padding. I do agree BA F, or any F product for that matter, is better than J but compared to other F products BA will almost always come last.

 

[TonyHancock]

The seat and bed on QF F are more comfortable IMO..

I'm the other way on that. I find the BA F bed more comfortable.

Don't disagree though QF and BA F are not in the same league as the vast majority these days.

 

[PaulST]

I've got my first QF F flight this September so I'll be happy to contrast the quality of the bedding. It's a tough life!

 

[juddles]

Hey there all, I am hijacking this thread with a question of my own regarding Concorde access, as it seems some here may be able to advise me (TonyHancock?)

I arrive into T5 about 8am, but then leave via T3 (flying LHR-MIA) about 2pm. Am flying F (first time in F with BA - forgive the pun)

Is there any way I can visit the Concorde Room given my situation? Is there a way to stay within T5 on arrival there so I can do this?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Hey there all, I am hijacking this thread with a question of my own regarding Concorde access, as it seems some here may be able to advise me (TonyHancock?)

I arrive into T5 about 8am, but then leave via T3 (flying LHR-MIA) about 2pm. Am flying F (first time in F with BA - forgive the pun)

Is there any way I can visit the Concorde Room given my situation? Is there a way to stay within T5 on arrival there so I can do this?

I think you are out of luck @juddles
There is no way to transfer to T5 departures without a boarding Pass for a flight departing from there. You can access the arrivals lounge at either T5 or the AA one in T3 if you like providing you are on long haul into T5 but not the CCR.

 

[juddles]

Dang! Oh well, the Concorde Room will just have to stay on my traveller's bucket list for now then.
Just used You First to book a "Dream Flight Back Massage" in T3 instead

 

[pomkiwi]

Dang! Oh well, the Concorde Room will just have to stay on my traveller's bucket list for now then.
Just used You First to book a "Dream Flight Back Massage" in T3 instead

Well worth trying the CX F lounge as you will be in T3....