Long post alert. Feel free to skim read.
The first “blip” (a few weeks out) was a myflight notification that our outbound flight was changed. It was. We had been pushed from F to J in the swipe of a hot towel.
We rang YouFirst. An earlier flight was available but with only one reward seat so we opted to check our options overnight and the YouFirst lady said she would email redemptions to see if they would release a second seat. An email a few hours later showed us both in F on the BA203 - 8 seat cabin.
T-24
The day arrived for our first First. It had been fairly straight forward, bar the odd rumour on H4P and FT which made us worry that our 2-4-1 would see us downgraded. Because of that, we had plans (different timings/destinations) and felt confident we would get to the East Coast on F with flexibility.
With a mid afternoon departure we decided to head up to Heathrow the night before to stay at the Renaissance and take a leisurely trip across to the terminal the morning of our flight rather than the M5/M4 lottery from Cornwall on the day.
A night at the Renaissance with parking was such a great deal (and I do love their bedding) at £100 with 8 days parking. We also booked a night for our return to make full use of the daytime flight home.
On the way and halfway between Bristol and Swindon the app told us that we needed to check in
Second blip. We couldn’t check in and were given a message to proceed to the airport. I rang YouFirst. The issue appeared to be connected to our changed flight. He was a little off with me and tried to infer the problem was because we had initiated the change and not done it properly! When I explained the downgrade from F to J wasn’t our choice and the swap from x flight to y flight, he seemed more helpful but didn’t resolve the issue and told us to try again “in an hour”.
I tried again and met the same issue. Worried we had been bumped (8 seat cabin remember) I rang and this time met the most helpful person I could have wished for. After a 45 minute call, we were sorted; in so much as we were checked in but our boarding passes wouldn’t load.
And breathe.
A great night at the Renaissance and a leisurely journey to the terminal.
The First Wing was quick, efficient and professional. We were through in less than two minutes. Into Galleries and straight out the other side and into the CCR. Personally I really liked it. Comfortable seating, airy and great staff. The downsides for me were the magazines (rubbish selection) and the horrid ‘sliders duo’ from the bar menu. Treatments in the Elemis spa were wonderful. Time to leave with an empty lounge and busy airport.
We did the transit walk (thanks FT for the pictorial) and made the transit in time for boarding groups to be called.
First were called and as we boarded we were pointed to our seats (no issue, but a perk of F is being taken to your suite). That aside the suite was great.
As I settled in the suite and pressed the buttons and dials I was asked if I wanted a glass of fizz. Having seen the menu, I was excited to see Camel Valley - it’s £26 in Waitrose round here (half an hour from where it’s grown) but I LOVE IT, and I was amazed it was on the main fizz menu.
We taxied, departed and as the seatbelt signs were turned off the crew re-emerged. The Camel Valley had run out (only 1 bottle loaded)
Meals were ok, service wasn’t great.
About half an hour after lunch (a day flight) the lights were dimmed, blinds were automatically pulled down and I felt like I was on a red eye.
I moved across to 2A (vacant on take off), lifted the blinds and turned on the lights. One member of the crew came to see if I need anything and I queried the night flight mode. He apologised and the cabin lights were turned back on, albeit not in full daytime lighting.
The rest of the flight went well - in quiet mode and with no one asking and therefore the crew not giving - we made a few trips to the galley for top-ups and I asked for chocolates - the crew looked a little surprised at me asking…. (the chocs hadn’t appeared during normal service). Brand new box of chocs was presented and a big deal was made of the box being opened in front of me - really!. Ha!
Afternoon tea was served about 90 minutes out.
Overall it was a lovely small cabin and a great seat/suite. I was disappointed in the night mode and felt a little short-changed on service.
We arrived at Boston ahead of schedule and within 15 minutes we’d navigated an empty immigration hall and collected our bags. Superb ground agents in every department.
The first “blip” (a few weeks out) was a myflight notification that our outbound flight was changed. It was. We had been pushed from F to J in the swipe of a hot towel.
We rang YouFirst. An earlier flight was available but with only one reward seat so we opted to check our options overnight and the YouFirst lady said she would email redemptions to see if they would release a second seat. An email a few hours later showed us both in F on the BA203 - 8 seat cabin.
T-24
The day arrived for our first First. It had been fairly straight forward, bar the odd rumour on H4P and FT which made us worry that our 2-4-1 would see us downgraded. Because of that, we had plans (different timings/destinations) and felt confident we would get to the East Coast on F with flexibility.
With a mid afternoon departure we decided to head up to Heathrow the night before to stay at the Renaissance and take a leisurely trip across to the terminal the morning of our flight rather than the M5/M4 lottery from Cornwall on the day.
A night at the Renaissance with parking was such a great deal (and I do love their bedding) at £100 with 8 days parking. We also booked a night for our return to make full use of the daytime flight home.
On the way and halfway between Bristol and Swindon the app told us that we needed to check in
Second blip. We couldn’t check in and were given a message to proceed to the airport. I rang YouFirst. The issue appeared to be connected to our changed flight. He was a little off with me and tried to infer the problem was because we had initiated the change and not done it properly! When I explained the downgrade from F to J wasn’t our choice and the swap from x flight to y flight, he seemed more helpful but didn’t resolve the issue and told us to try again “in an hour”.
I tried again and met the same issue. Worried we had been bumped (8 seat cabin remember) I rang and this time met the most helpful person I could have wished for. After a 45 minute call, we were sorted; in so much as we were checked in but our boarding passes wouldn’t load.
And breathe.
A great night at the Renaissance and a leisurely journey to the terminal.
The First Wing was quick, efficient and professional. We were through in less than two minutes. Into Galleries and straight out the other side and into the CCR. Personally I really liked it. Comfortable seating, airy and great staff. The downsides for me were the magazines (rubbish selection) and the horrid ‘sliders duo’ from the bar menu. Treatments in the Elemis spa were wonderful. Time to leave with an empty lounge and busy airport.
We did the transit walk (thanks FT for the pictorial) and made the transit in time for boarding groups to be called.
First were called and as we boarded we were pointed to our seats (no issue, but a perk of F is being taken to your suite). That aside the suite was great.
As I settled in the suite and pressed the buttons and dials I was asked if I wanted a glass of fizz. Having seen the menu, I was excited to see Camel Valley - it’s £26 in Waitrose round here (half an hour from where it’s grown) but I LOVE IT, and I was amazed it was on the main fizz menu.
We taxied, departed and as the seatbelt signs were turned off the crew re-emerged. The Camel Valley had run out (only 1 bottle loaded)
Meals were ok, service wasn’t great.
About half an hour after lunch (a day flight) the lights were dimmed, blinds were automatically pulled down and I felt like I was on a red eye.
I moved across to 2A (vacant on take off), lifted the blinds and turned on the lights. One member of the crew came to see if I need anything and I queried the night flight mode. He apologised and the cabin lights were turned back on, albeit not in full daytime lighting.
The rest of the flight went well - in quiet mode and with no one asking and therefore the crew not giving - we made a few trips to the galley for top-ups and I asked for chocolates - the crew looked a little surprised at me asking…. (the chocs hadn’t appeared during normal service). Brand new box of chocs was presented and a big deal was made of the box being opened in front of me - really!. Ha!
Afternoon tea was served about 90 minutes out.
Overall it was a lovely small cabin and a great seat/suite. I was disappointed in the night mode and felt a little short-changed on service.
We arrived at Boston ahead of schedule and within 15 minutes we’d navigated an empty immigration hall and collected our bags. Superb ground agents in every department.