Travel insiders always insist that British Airways First Class is the best Business Class flight in the sky. I’ve found that long haul on British Airways First Class to be consistently great and a better product than BA Business Class. British First service on my last four trips has been exemplary and food options also have been very good. Sure, there are some areas that deserve some improvement and I have had many flying friends complain about seat malfunctions. But for me, I have found British First to be consistently great.
Famed salt and pepper squid at Qantas First Lounge, LAX.
I began my journey in the posh Qantas First Lounge in LAX. I then travelled to Seattle and gate S10 there after some time in the relatively poor British Airways First Lounge in Seattle. Champagne selections in the Seattle BA First Lounge are not great [currently Piper Heidseick NV] but there are some decent wines available including Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay. Food in the lounge has also improved in terms of their a la carte menu.
Boarding was easy as I made my way to seat 2F. First Class was entirely full and I had caught a glimpse of the new champagne upon board, the 2015 Bollinger ‘La Grand Annee’ which retails for roughly 200 USD. The top champagne really did make this flight.
Many people are upset that the Laurent-Perrier ‘Grand Siecle’ Champagne is now gone. The edition that they were formerly pouring was their 24 ed. which was good but didn’t come from the best vintages. I really enjoy the three options that BA are currently pouring — truly one of the great champagne and sparkling wine options in the skies. The English sparkling wine by Haltingley is amazing as well which I enjoyed later in the flight.
BA seats in First are spacious, being wide for nearly all humans including 78 inches in length — which was a great cavernous confine for my 6’5’’ frame. Seats are easily adjusted to a lay flat bed that was extremely cozy with the classy bedding selected. The leather arm rests offer good support as does the back of the seat. This is going to be an extremely comfortable seat for someone tall or overweight.
Each seat boasts a small to medium-sized storage locker behind the seat where small personal belongings could be stowed. There is also a small wardrobe on the right side of this photo. The simple bathroom was offered rather spartan aesthetics but features their great-smelling Elemis products.
BA First does an excellent job with their pre-flight service and drinks. I received my 2015 Bollinger ‘La Grand Ainee’ Champagne immediately with some mixed nuts.
Each seat in first has easy to use screens which were added back in 2023. They have a fun interactive map, great for AV geeks. I had to watch Tulsa Kings again on television as there are loads of entertainment options for every class of travel flying. I am not impressed with the headphone quality in first which could be better. Charging stations were easy to use.
Throughout my flight I had marvelous, attentive service. Some of my flying friends have noted that British First does not always have exemplary service but I have found that in my past four First flights the service has been really top notch. All First flight attendants have additional training for their guests. We were given amenity kits, pajamas and slippers that are really nicely made by Temperly
We flew over my hometown of Everett, Washington. The monitor has decent resolution which has improved considerably over the past few years and is very easy to use.
It was a hard choice for my meal but there were some really nice selections. I was fortunate that despite the cabin being entirely full they had all of my food choices.
The smoked salmon selection was delicious and I really enjoyed the quail eggs. This was a lovely match for the top champagne. I also opted for the roasted carrot soup which was served piping hot and had some lovely chive oil blended in. This was a great healthy selection with no cream.
These were great starts to my experience. Service was excellent during the dining and cadence was not too rushed. I finished with the halibut which was a bit bland and well-cooked but extremely healthy. I was hoping for a bit more sauce and savory elements.
It is very hard to cook fish on a flight and this fish was actually quite moist. It was just missing a bit of sauce. Now it is time for the real star of the show, the cheese plate. These were absolutely delightful selections that paired magically with my aged Bordeaux from the tough 2011 vintage. This wine was now in its prime and was extremely mellow and earthy — perfect or some earthy cheeses.
I adore wines when they are served right at their peak. Such is the case with this wine. BA has really taken on excellent work with their wine program that has improved significantly in the past few years in terms of finding really good, aged Bordeauxs for their long-haul first flights. This is a touch that you won’t see in business class.
I happily enjoyed more of the 2015 ‘La Grand Annee’ Champagne. BA first does a fabulous turndown service which I indulged in. I also enjoyed a glass of the 250 USD retail Johnny Walker Blue Label Scotch. I was able to get some good rest on the flight.
Upon waking I ordered an espresso and a full English breakfast which was generally good. Service prior to landing was very efficient. We prepared for landing and I was relatively well-rested after several hours of sleep. I eagerly awaited visiting with my friend in the famed Concorde Room at Terminal 5 in London Heathrow.
It isn’t a perfect product but British Airways has once again delivered a really solid First Class embodies which embodies excellent food and wine and really world-class service. Attendants are engaging and care about your needs. This was such a beautiful departure to service that I receive from other US airlines where flight attendants usually can’t seem to be bothered. I really look forward to my next First Class adventure aboard British Airways.