Review: British Airways First Class 777 Austin To London

I know you're trying to be polite but I'd say that for First Class standards the crew and overall experience on the longhaul flight would qualify as "poor", not just "mediocre." Even if it's graded on a BA curve.

What is it with BA and VS both always having hot cabins?

I was so hoping for this review to be on the new 789 First Class!

As the days go by, the "outdateness" of BA cabins are getting worse and worse, imo.

Tiffany you know I'm a fan. But Honestly don't you think 115000 Avios plus £600 for 2 people in First really is quite cheap - through using a companion voucher obviously? Doesn't mean the experience was great I accept, but even so....?

@ Bgriff -- I don't disagree! 😉

@ Bojo -- I have no idea, but it really seems to be all international carriers.

@ Leo -- I don't, actually. Booking Lufthansa first through Aeroplan would have been 125,000 miles plus ~£450, and would have included all of our segments. Booking American first (which admittedly isn't great), would have also been 125,000 miles but with only about £50 in fees, again including all the segments.

So really, the companion voucher just brings the cost more in line with what other carriers are charging, but hardly represents a "deal" in my opinion.

When you have such a poor experience do you also send an email to BA on their service? We as a family will be flying lax-Lon in January, only business but I want my family to have a great experience. I by no means get to travel first often or business, but keeping my fingers crossed as hospitality is very important to me.

It looks like the exact replica of the BA First flight that I took last month from Chicago. I was having my Amuse Bouche, while half of the cabin was having desert, and the person behind me fell asleep while he was waiting for his food. I guess this is the consequences of flying 'Business Plus.'

My number one pet peeve when flying premium cabins is indifferent FA's who are (1) chatty and keep me awake and don't care; or (2) are cold so they turn up the heat so THEY are comfortable.

A letter to BA customer service is in order (although I'm sure they read your blog)

http://www.britishairways.com/en-gb/information/help-and-contacts/index

Hi Tiffany,
Sounds like a very poor experience. Do you know if the Austin flight is operated by a mixed fleet or world crew? While BA say you shouldn't even know the difference, I always find mixed fleet crews to be far more friendly!
Adam

While air travel is above my budget, I do like to dream, and while I love this blog, as a Brit it is really putting me off flying BA if I ever become fortunately enough to be able to afford first class travel!

You are very lucky you left Thursday and not Friday. AUS received 14.5 inches of rain overnight and on Friday and almost every flight was cancelled. My AS flight back to SEA was miraculously one of the few that made it out, albeit about 4 hours late.

@ Darlene -- I don't, personally, as I don't find there's much point.

@ Adam -- Oh, it was definitely, definitely, definitely, NOT mixed fleet!

Wow! After that trip report we can't wait to try BA First from SAN next July. NOT

But like you state - beats being in coach. The pictures of the food were, hmmm, how should I describe them?....Uninspiring I think says it best. An airlines' First Class product should showcase the very best of what that airline has to offer. One would think that with Virgin Atlantic in the picture BA would be compelled to up their game.

For some reason I thought your niece was a teenager. Or do drinking laws not apply at 35,000ish feet? 😉

@ SAN Greg -- You nailed it. This is (almost*) the very best of what BA has to offer.

*While I prefer the cabin on the 777, the A380 has better catering (particularly out of LHR). The tasting menu is quite good, and exclusive to that aircraft.

@ Mangoceviche -- She is (or they are, rather, as there are two of them). And I'll admit that US drinking laws are somewhat suspended when traveling premium cabins with your really cool Aunt.

But my travel companion on this trip was their mother, who is certainly of drinking age. 😉

Gosh, I keep seeing business class sales on BA and seeing the experience you had in FIRST made me think that the 1800 r/t business class price isn't even worth it!!

Yup. You wrote cousin and I read niece *facepalm*

Dear Tiffany,
Thank you for your reviews, I enjoy reading them. Was the 115,000 points for Austin to London to Madrid one way and the $900.00 actually $450.00 each for taxes and surcharges? Went last month from ORD to LHR on BA first class. They ran out of slippers before they got to me in seat 2K ("sorry I guess we did not load enough, I can give you a pair of socks") I don't know what it takes to figure out that if you have 16 seats, you better load 16 pairs of slippers, it was not a good start as you wonder what else was short loaded. And a pair of socks doesn't cut it on a "wet" floor in the bathroom. The rest of the flight was pretty much how you described it, although we thankfully were not roasted during sleep. The cappuccino machine was broken as it always seems to be (thankfully, yours was working) It is too bad you used the 2 for 1 on a one way trip. Sad that BA has slipped so far in their service.

Why would you take the time to charge your electronics, before getting on a flight with first class and ample charging options?

@ RJM777 -- Thank you for reading! You're spot on with the pricing, and I agree running out of slippers is just silly.

@ tivoboy -- Namely because Heather's inbound flights were on US, so her stuff was all completely dead.

As A Brit living in the states, I have over the last 5 years become used to almost always good customer service.
It still shocks me when I see how miserable some attendants can be on flights, if you hate it so much, get another job.

I really think that this is one reason tipping is so big in the US, yes you are essentially paying from better customer service, but its normally a lot better, every time i arrive back in the UK for a visit I think things might have changed, and then i'm greeted by someone at the rental car place telling me that the damaged rental car they have given me is something i will JUST HAVE TO DEAL WITH and that's it.

In the US they would at least try to offer me something else.

I do love it when I bring friends from California to the UK and they are shocked at how rude most customer service people are in the UK, makes me laugh every time.

With an upcoming BA F trip, is the Concorde Room still my best option in LHR? Any other tips for their poor lounge? Spa treatments? Should we go eat in the terminal instead?

Tiffany,

Thanks for the report. What are the access rules for the Concorde room? I guess what I really want to know is, what lounge would I have access to transiting LHR from DFW on my way to CDG after getting off an AA F flight? Thanks!

@ Louis -- It is the best lounge you'd have access to in LHR, sadly. I'd recommend contacting You First in advance to reserve spa treatments if you can.

@ Matt S. -- You have to be flying BA F, so you would have access to the Galleries First lounge.

Always fun to read your reviews, thanks!

I don't get why you would wait more than an hour for a 2nd cup of coffee... Use the call button again, you're in First

My family flew this route 2 months ago from DXB to London then Austin. I have another ticket for the same route on Jan 1. but I really do not want to take it. Not now that is . Being our first time in first class flight international I was very unimpressed. Really shocked to think what people pay for that. So I thought I could call and change the date to much later and maybe they are going to redo those first class seats...... What is your thought on what I should do? I do not want to cancel because I will want the flight for the points in first class. Thanks Jason Fisher

Matt S if you arrive in the morning on a BA flight in First or if you have BA Gold status (not Oneworld Gold status IIRC) you have access to the BA Arrivals Lounge at Heathrow. I rate it as the best BA lounge. Certainly better than the various departures lounges. If you're eligible I suggest you make a point of using it. It closes at, I think, 2pm.

@ Sven Luckermans -- Oh, I asked. I kept being told it "was almost ready.":/

@ Jason Fisher -- Well, they are putting their new 787 on the Austin route in the coming days, so that should help.

100% agree with this review.

Having flown in First on the a380 the service is underwhelming to say the least.
The crew are clearly not trained to work in First Class and they are certainly not doing anything to promote the brand in a positive way.
Food meh, service poor.
One thing I will give is they make a great pot of tea.

re: The Concorde Lounge... who would have thought it was possible to make food that tastes worse on the ground than in the air...
I accidently left my bag there. They said I would not be able to leave plane to get back and that they were not going to get someone from the lounge to bring it to the plane.
It wasn't until I threatened to deplane that they suddenly became interested... The look on their face when they quietly asked "how many bags do you have checked" and I could see them calculating time needed vs the pain of getting someone to run the bag to the plane.

Overall I would rather fly Cathay for a much better soft and hard product.

Hey Tiffany,

Do first (and business) passengers use the Admiral's Club in Austin? I don't really think there's another option...

Also, given the price premium, mediocre food and seats, and potential for a bad crew, do you think BA first is worth it over business? Either way, you get a lie-flat seat and (I'm assuming) similar-ish food. Plus, isn't award availability better?

@ Dr George -- +1 to the tea!!

@ Oops -- I think they do, but it's super crowded, so you might be better off just hanging in the terminal.

I haven't flown BA in business, but given the taxes/fees are equal, and the mileage premium isn't that high, I'd still go with F if you can get it.

Sounds like a fairly typical BA F flight unfortunately!

@Tiffany Thanks to hear that there might be a plane change to the 787 in the coming days. Does that mean I should be fine for a return on Jan 1. Is there and reviews of what that flight would look like.
Thanks very much. Based in IAH

Yay for more pictures! I love your reviews and voice Tiffany, but have been wanting more pics in your posts. Keep up the good work, and keep taking those pictures!

As an unfortunately regular BA flyer (company gets good deals with them) I can see where you're coming from on this. Sometimes the FA's can be good and the BA First is not so bad, other times hey act as if you being there is a bit of a pain, particularly some of the older BA Dragons. I wouldn't bother with a letter to customer services. I've written three times this year for various reasons and only got a reply once, despite being a long standing BA gold.

My understanding is that the 789 Dreamliner was replaced sometime back in June 2015 with the larger capacity 777 on the Austin to LHR route. No plans to go back to the 789 that I know of.

ETA: The change from the 789 Dreamliner to the 777 was in October of 2015 and added the first class cabin.

Would you do BA F with a $400 surcharge or AA J with no surcharge from DFW/LAX to LHR?

Never seen such a biased review. You were determined that everything would be aweful before you sat at your keyboard.
I travel almost exclusively ba, in both club and first - the reason being that their standards are highet, service better and staff frindlier. I have handef over my gold ticket numerous timed for 'beyond the call' service.
Stop spouting such utter nonsense.

@ Tom Fielding -- Goodness gracious.

I've had numerous great flights on British Airways, both in First ( https://onemileatatime.com/ba-tasting-menu-a380/) and Club World ( https://onemileatatime.com/british-airways-business-class-777-review/). The service on this particular flight fell far short of acceptable standards, and the staff was uncharacteristically un-friendly.

Franky, your own comment suggests it is you who is biased in this case.

Hi Tiffany,
I am scheduled to take this flight later this month in paid Business with my wife and also my daughter as a lap infant. We have the 2 center seats reserved in business which seems perfect for a couple. Do you think it would be better to upgrade to First?
Thanks,
Eric

@ VirtuosoEric -- Well, I nearly always think it would be better to upgrade to First 😉 But the seats you have should indeed be perfect for a couple.

I've done the Austin/LHR flight now four times, once in premium economy (which I describe as "what economy used to be like") on the old 787, and then multiple times in business. We've never had a grumpy flight attendant. As I had told American since the new airport opened in 1999, we Austinites could easily fill a plane every day to London. BA finally instituted the flight and it's been so successful (both passengers and cargo) that an upgrade to a 777 seemed to be BA's solution, although the schedule changes from month to month. They ran a 789 in February when we sent some family members in First on to Barcelona via LHR (they LOVED the flight and the service). And come July 31, it looks like a switch back to the 789 (with First) is in the schedule.

There's no reason to change to any other carrier - the luck of the draw on flight crews is regrettably part of the travel experience! Frualein Lufthansa doesn't exactly exude friendly, American-Style Hospitality. BA's seats are comfortable enough, although the business class product really does need upgrading. Their First seats are, in my opinion, better than almost anything else you'll find to Europe. (OK, not including Emirates JFK to Milan)...

You may prefer Lufthansa or Air France, but honestly, First Class seating is a rare-enough treat these days and if you're already booked, don't worry, it will be a fine trip 99% of the time. Also - BA's In Flight Entertainment is top of the line, so the miles will fly by. I have to agree though - the main dishes in First and Business are uninspired. But then again, only 1 steak in 20 while flying is edible!

I recently flew JAL to Tokyo and was shocked to find the crew turned the cabin temp up to 27C - (I think they do that to confuse Americans) - whereas 22C is more appropriate. A polite... "would you mind turning the temperature down a few degrees" brought near instant relief.

I'll also agree the Concorde room is a disgrace. While if I'm flying F on BA I will always hope for the best, I've always been disappointed by the service and appallingly slow service, inability to pick up dirty dishes and glasses is something Lufthansa would never tolerate. I have written BA about it twice and have yet to receive a reply. C'est la vie!

In short, if you're traveling on Mileage Tickets, I wouldn't be too critical. You're traveling for 10% of the cost others pay, so I'd count my blessings!

Now, if we could just get the upgraded American 777 business class product on my trip to Tokyo on Saturday... I'd be a much happier camper if I even had BA's club seats!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/1553496-concorde-room-gf-food-hygiene-now-very-good.html

Question for you in the configuration with two seats in the middle, any insight on which row is best? My husband and I have options of row 1, 2 or 4. Seat Guru said for row 1 it might be annoying to be close to the galley. Did you like 2nd row? Thanks.

Hey Tiffany!

Flying 4A or 2E to Houston in July...curious if the light from the galley is bad towards the back or do the massive curtains do their job?

Cheers

Will

Hi Tiffany,
I just had to tot up the combined long and short haul flights I've taken with BA. My brain hurts now, because character assassination, not simple addition and subtraction, is my strong suit. I read your review with that sense of déjà vu that some of us have about BA. I've flown BA 14 times, 10 of them SEA - LHR. Whilst 8 of the 10 long haul flights were excellent, my most underwhelming experiences were in Steerage, and surprisingly, First.

But I'm not here to bitch. Just to say you communicated the facts without descending into the arena of whinging. And your narrative style is educated and entertaining.

Thank you

Nicely done. Thank you.

Question:

If you are arriving on a BA First flight at LHR but then departing in Business class I take it your boarding pass from the arriving flight gains you entry to the Concorde Room?

I'm arriving in a similar situation in March 2019.First from HKG then Business to CDG.

Thanks again.

@ Don -- Yes, that's exactly how it works!

I enjoyed reading your review. Ignoring other carriers, there is a marginal difference between BA's claustrophobic business class and it's cramped first class.
I've recently flown BA's 777 first class on two trips, and in both cases the best I can say is that the experience was mediocre, but far more enjoyable than being on the aisle in Club World. On one trip we had window seats, while on our most recent trip it looks like we had the same seats you had.
Frankly, we found BA's 777 first class experience a notch down from our experience in Delta One on Delta's 333-300 (to Amsterdam) and even on its 777-200 (to Sydney).
We found BA's first class seats and bedding comfortable, but the cabin itself on all of the flights was sweltering and the FA's unwilling to do anything about the temperature. We found food/service about the same as Club World.
Overall, we did not find BA's first class product worth the cost. And BA's long-haul business class product is simply not competitive with other carriers serving the European market.