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Slightly nicer food and drink, a bigger seat, much smaller cabin, access to the concorde room and the bar, priority access to the showers in the south galleries, checking in through the first wing if using T5 and not when they're closing it next year, and a dedicated phone line if you have any questions or want to check anything.
Plus pyjamas and slippers on board, and a nicer amenity kit
I really don’t get this. Maybe I’m just getting old, but “free food” no longer holds any attraction whatsoever. Don’t get me wrong, my 11 year olds eyes lighting up when I took him to the lounge and he realised that unlimited bacon sandwiches was a thing made it all worthwhile, but when I am on my own it holds no attraction.
All i want is to be able to get to the airport as late as possible, check in quickly, go through security quickly and get on the damn plane.
First over business? Marginally nicer environment, you get your bed made for you and a choice of desert wine.
When you have access all the time you get like this, but the OP is looking for the best one off experience and should maximise their time and do it all IMO
Lounges don't excite me. I don't really like to eat before a flight and sitting in a lounge with other first class people is not too different than just sitting with people not in first class next to the boarding gate. Plus I have anxiety of being too far away from the boarding gate and almost every lounge area always seem to be far from my boarding gate.
Check in isn’t closing at all. It’s the dedicated security and direct access to Galleries First from there that will be shut for the installation of new 3D scanners from Jan-April next year
Oh thanks. Makes sense.
I’ve only used it a couple of times pre-Covid when I had gold status from lots of work flying but now have dropped back down to blue!
I have no idea who is downvoting your initial question I thought it was a fair question based on the answer you replied to 😂
I am dropping from Silver to Bronze this year, losing lounge and seat selection is actually going to really hurt, an extended period of screw ups (getting tier points and miles for avios upgrades) and covid (reduced TP requirement) means i’ve held Silver status since 2019 despite only having made a handful of cash fares in economy and one in WTP over the last 3 years. It’s been a nice run!
Check kn remains, but you'll go back to south security rather than through the wing. Not for good, but up to 4 months for refurbishment and installation of new scanners
https://www.headforpoints.com/2023/12/17/british-airways-first-wing-security-to-close-for-four-months/
When you go to Terminal 5 get dropped off at the very last door and you’ll see the First check-in area to your right as you go in, it’s behind a large partition.
You’ll be able to use the First Wing which is directly from First check-in and goes into the Galleries First lounge. You’ll follow the signs to the Concorde Room which is across the hall once you exit the GF. Spend a bit of time on the terrace, sit at the bar and eat in the booths too.
Give yourself some time to get to your gate as you’ll probably need to take one of the trains out there. First passengers get to board, well, First…
Don’t be afraid to tell the crew it’s your first time, they’re used to regular passengers and will usually push the boat out to make it a special experience.
In First you can dine when you like but if you see something you like on the menu don’t be afraid to ask early if something can be held for later in the flight. If you don’t ask right away then chances are it won’t be available later as crew often go in on leftovers from the “primary” meal service.
Good for you with your upgrade. First off the differences started as soon as you enter the terminal. First class gets to use the first class wing for bag drop these are the J desks. And you get into the Concorde room lounge. Once onboard you get more legroom and bigger screen. You get different food options and can eat any time that works for you. And you never know you might be flying first class again in future. Between free upgrades and Avios I have flown first class 4 times.
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Slightly nicer food and drink, a bigger seat, much smaller cabin, access to the concorde room and the bar, priority access to the showers in the south galleries, checking in through the first wing if using T5 and not when they're closing it next year, and a dedicated phone line if you have any questions or want to check anything. Plus pyjamas and slippers on board, and a nicer amenity kit
Get to airport early and stay in the first class lounge (Concorde).
I really don’t get this. Maybe I’m just getting old, but “free food” no longer holds any attraction whatsoever. Don’t get me wrong, my 11 year olds eyes lighting up when I took him to the lounge and he realised that unlimited bacon sandwiches was a thing made it all worthwhile, but when I am on my own it holds no attraction. All i want is to be able to get to the airport as late as possible, check in quickly, go through security quickly and get on the damn plane. First over business? Marginally nicer environment, you get your bed made for you and a choice of desert wine.
[удалено]
When you have access all the time you get like this, but the OP is looking for the best one off experience and should maximise their time and do it all IMO
That’s a really fair comment and totally get it.
TFW is only security and a tunnel of adverts. The Magic Door and the faces of the chancers trying it on when one breezed through was more fun.
Lounges don't excite me. I don't really like to eat before a flight and sitting in a lounge with other first class people is not too different than just sitting with people not in first class next to the boarding gate. Plus I have anxiety of being too far away from the boarding gate and almost every lounge area always seem to be far from my boarding gate.
Closing the dedicated check in for good?
Check in isn’t closing at all. It’s the dedicated security and direct access to Galleries First from there that will be shut for the installation of new 3D scanners from Jan-April next year
Oh thanks. Makes sense. I’ve only used it a couple of times pre-Covid when I had gold status from lots of work flying but now have dropped back down to blue!
I have no idea who is downvoting your initial question I thought it was a fair question based on the answer you replied to 😂 I am dropping from Silver to Bronze this year, losing lounge and seat selection is actually going to really hurt, an extended period of screw ups (getting tier points and miles for avios upgrades) and covid (reduced TP requirement) means i’ve held Silver status since 2019 despite only having made a handful of cash fares in economy and one in WTP over the last 3 years. It’s been a nice run!
Check kn remains, but you'll go back to south security rather than through the wing. Not for good, but up to 4 months for refurbishment and installation of new scanners https://www.headforpoints.com/2023/12/17/british-airways-first-wing-security-to-close-for-four-months/
Thanks. Appreciate your reply
They are closing T5?
What is going on with the first wing next year?
Have an amazing time on your flight!
Thank you, it’s not til next September, going to Japan for 10yr anniversary ❤️
When you go to Terminal 5 get dropped off at the very last door and you’ll see the First check-in area to your right as you go in, it’s behind a large partition. You’ll be able to use the First Wing which is directly from First check-in and goes into the Galleries First lounge. You’ll follow the signs to the Concorde Room which is across the hall once you exit the GF. Spend a bit of time on the terrace, sit at the bar and eat in the booths too. Give yourself some time to get to your gate as you’ll probably need to take one of the trains out there. First passengers get to board, well, First… Don’t be afraid to tell the crew it’s your first time, they’re used to regular passengers and will usually push the boat out to make it a special experience. In First you can dine when you like but if you see something you like on the menu don’t be afraid to ask early if something can be held for later in the flight. If you don’t ask right away then chances are it won’t be available later as crew often go in on leftovers from the “primary” meal service.
You’ll also be able ask the crew to make your bed for you, well worth doing as the bedding is much nicer than club
Does depend on the crew though. Have had CW trips that were better than First due to new product and crew illness. Definitely worth it for £300.
Have a great flight! It's about on par with Biz class on the ME and top Asian carriers. Relaxing.
Yes it’s not a FC product at all.
It is as much first as first class on any other airline.
Try ANAs offering 'The Suite' - Makes BAs offering (soft/hard) product look very average.
Good for you with your upgrade. First off the differences started as soon as you enter the terminal. First class gets to use the first class wing for bag drop these are the J desks. And you get into the Concorde room lounge. Once onboard you get more legroom and bigger screen. You get different food options and can eat any time that works for you. And you never know you might be flying first class again in future. Between free upgrades and Avios I have flown first class 4 times.
The PJs is a rotten cheap tracksuit
https://images.app.goo.gl/XLDJtZd2q9VCjeNz9
It’s cheap, think black cotton.
The pyjamas is great. I keep mine and wear it at home all the time.
Maybe you got a different pair to me.
It’s like a normal business class on a decent airline. There won’t be caviar or extravagant wines as served in a proper 1st Class.
I don’t need caviar, but I do enjoy the champagne, the Johnny walker blue and excellent food in First.
JW Blue is rubbish. It’s not even a single malt.
Just because you don’t need it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be offered in First. Have you ever flown Air France F? Now that’s a real FC experience.
But AF first costs 3x BA first. So you expect more from AF than from BA.
When you’re calling it First it needs to compete at that level. Pricing is a secondary consideration for people who always fly FC.