First things first, there’s a first time for everything. And as the title suggests, this was mine. My first-ever first-class flight. Exciting, right? You’d think so. I was on a trip from London to India via Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, kicking things off with British Airways so-called “first-class” product. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t giving luxury. But hey, it was an experience, and that’s what we’re here for.
In This Post
Booking: Points Make the Plane Go Round
This ticket came courtesy of my soon-to-expire Amex 2-4-1 voucher, the old-school one. I handed over 74,000 Avios plus taxes and called it a deal. In hindsight, maybe I should’ve just let that voucher die peacefully.
Lounge: The “First” Class Experience
Before the flight, I hung out in BA’s First Dining Room, aka the Concorde Room 2.0 if we’re being fancy. A full review is linked here if you’re curious. Spoiler: Not quite the palace in the sky you’d imagine.
Check-In: A Masterclass in Indifference
Arrived at check-in only to find four BA staff members deep in a solemn gossip session. They clocked me, ignored me, and then finally summoned me over like I was interrupting a board meeting. The actual first-class check-in area? Tucked away like an afterthought. If this was meant to be exclusive, mission accomplished, just not in the way BA intended.
Boarding: Bus Class, Not First Class
In true me-fashion, I was nearly late to board. We left from gate 24, then took a 2-minute bus ride to a remote stand. BA, I have a question, why are first-class passengers crammed onto the same bus as economy? I’ve had better experiences in business class, where at least premium passengers get their own ride. You’d think first class might, you know, lead the way here.
Cabin: Welcome to 2010
Eight seats in a 1-2-1 layout, facing off against 48 of BA’s newer Club Suite business class seats, with doors. So let’s call a spade a spade: Business class was the better deal here. The first-class hard product? A tragic relic of the past.
Seat: Spacious Yet Useless
I had plenty of space, which was nice. I was in 2K, and I think 1K was blocked off, which suited me just fine, less noise from the galley. But let’s talk about the real crime here: The angled seat. If you’re an avgeek like me, you live for window views. But guess what? No view. Just a first-class seat that had me craning my neck like a meerkat.
Bathroom: Tiny. That’s It.
The first-class bathroom is at the front, right by the cockpit. But, and this is a big but it was small. I’ve seen bigger loos in premium economy. This was supposed to be first class. BA, make it make sense.
Service: Saving Grace
If BA did one thing right, it was service. The crew? Phenomenal. Warm welcome, hot towel, orange juice, and nuts, all the good stuff. The cabin crew and manager even took time to introduce themselves and chat. A solid 10/10 here.
Food: Pick and Choose
A la carte dining is always a win. I wasn’t super hungry, but I gave in and ordered a meal, and honestly, it was pretty lovely. I have no complaints.
Coffee: Controversial but Essential
Look, I know there’s a thing about plane coffee. Something about the water tanks, whether it’s boiled, bacteria, blah blah blah. But as a certified caffeine addict, I refuse to overthink it. I drank the coffee. I survived. We move.
WiFi: The Miracle of Modern Aviation
Fast, stable, and easy to connect. Just log in to your BAEC account and boom, you’re online at 39,000 feet. A blessing and a curse, really.
Arrival: Quick and Painless
The flight was a swift six hours, and we arrived on time in Bahrain. From there, it was a long walk to the Bahrain Airport Hotel, where I stayed. The full review is linked here.
Conclusion: Luxury? Not in This Lifetime
So, first time in first class, was it worth it? Let’s be blunt: No. Zero luxury. Nada. Zilch. In fact, I was eyeing the business class passengers with deep, burning jealousy. But at least the service was top-tier. If I ever fly BA first class again, it’ll only be because someone else is paying.
4 comments
The seat itself does not have a door, yes, but the space is legions bigger in first class than business class and generally there is little to no foot traffic (which is why the door is necessary in business). regardless, no herringbone style seats have great window views in my opinion because the side table is between you and the window. As someone who has flown several first class cabins, including emirates, i think BA has a lot to improve upon if they want to compete head to head with that quality but for the price (1/3 to 1/2 of emirates cost usually) you are getting a much nicer soft product, including food, and service than business class.
I’d also note that the bus for the business and first passengers leaves the terminal first because they board those passengers first. so, if you were last on the plane it was most likely a mixed bus because you were with the stragglers, unfortunately. I actually don’t mind so much re what bus i am on when going to the plane at a remote stand- the value to me is when landing getting on a bus and going without waiting for 50 economy passengers to be added.
Can you kindly add the main menu, not just the light menu? Or was the light menu the only option? Thank you.
Hey Lara,
regarding your first point about the seats i ABSOLUTELY agree with you.
on the topic of the bus, i actually did’nt know that there’s a separate bus, which makes sense its PROBABLY because i arrived so late at the gate which is why i missed it.
in regards to the menu those were all they gave me.
what would you say was your best first class flight ever?
business class seats are starting to resemble first class seats. with that, airlines either have to make their first class seats over-the-top, accept that the seats between the two cabin are similar, or get rid of first class altogether.
i’m fine with first class seats being today’s business class quality, with the difference being made in food/drink and service.
to say that there was “no luxury” is a stretch. you had made-to-order, restaurant-quality food served on china along with a top-tier drink selection served in crystal. if none of this is worth a premium to you, then yes, business class is the better value.
Definitely agree with you pat, i always say first class is just focused on the dining aspects of things.