Headed down for the boarding time, as the lounge was already emptying out. No boarding at yet, but shortly afterwards they called for First and Club to board. Someone with a Gold card started kicking off as they wouldn't let her through (she was only in World Traveller Plus!). Boarded and settled into 13A.....same seat as outbound but different aircraft. This plane had on demand entertainment - typical when it was a night flight. Drinks offered quickly, and sat back and relaxed as World Traveller/Plus boarded.
After take-off, amenity kits and menus distributed. I put my divide up as I wanted to do a short bit of work and wasn't in the mood for starring at a stranger. When they came round with drinks, the CC decided to put the divider down and ask me what I wanted rather than walk round the end of the seat! The purser came around taking dinner orders, starting on the opposite side and then doing my side. She missed me out, and as she returned I asked if she would like to take my dinner order. To this she replied 'I will come back Mr XXXX when I know what is left'....obviously I was going to get the leftovers....and to make it worse if wasn't even my name. When I pointed that out, she said that it said so on her listing - I am not entirely sure how this could be wrong (I thought the passenger manifest was completely accurate?!?!?). Anyway she took my order once we had established who I was. The menu was:
Starter:
Smoked duck with Waldorf salad
Mozzarella with roast pears and balsamic glaze
Main:
Asian-style braised beef short ribs with wasbi mashed potato
Chicken korma with basmati rice and saag paneer
Seared mahi-mahi with chilli/tomato/cilantro vinaigrette, spinach and fingerling potatoes
Mushroom stuffed rigatoni with cheese and tomato sauce
Main course salad
Desert:
Mixed berry trifle torte
Herb brie / aged cheddar
Apparently (I am not sure I believe it) but no mozzarella was loaded, however I wanted the duck anyway, and this was followed by the chicken korma and the cheese. All the options were good, and the portion sizes were very generous (better than on VS and I think there were more choices). The wine list is a bit unusual - they list 4 red and 4 wine....I opted for a white with starter and red with main; unlike the outbound I was not allowed to try first and both were ok but nothing that special.
I watched 'The Hangover' during dinner, which was pretty funny. The AVOD system is very fun - touch sensitive screen, which was fairly easy to use. The options for films wasn't bad, but the TV was a bit poor (only one episode of each thing) and the music choice was ok(ish) - no Kylie which I usually listen to whilst sleeping on a plane!
After food, it was time for sleep. I think I managed about 4-5 hours sleep, but not sure that I liked sleeping in my own clothes. The space was not bad and it was like being in a private suite by the window. The other good thing was that the foot rest worked properly this time, so I go to try it as a foot rest, in the 'Z' position and for the bed - it is actually quite nice being able to recline into various positions, and not be so fixed as the UC suite is, and also going straight from bed to chair without having to stand up.
I woke about an hour before landing when they were serving breakfast. I asked what was on offer in the Arrivals lounge, and none of the staff including the purser knew if breakfast was available. However, as I wasn't hungry, I just opted for some coffee, orange juice and diet coke. Shortly afterwards it was time to land, and unfortunately we were parked off stand which meant a bus journey back to the terminal. There seemed only to be an effort to allow first off first, with everyone else just in a mass rush for the door.
However, the benefit of an offstand arrival, is that you get deposited very close to the immigration. There was a long queue, but luckily IRIS was working and so I was through quickly and the bags were already going round when I got there (both of mine were next to each other).
Through customs and up to the arrivals lounge. This is huge compared to Revivals, and there are a massive number of showers. They are not bad - the rooms are smaller, but the showers have multi-function (with rainshower, normal shower and side jets. Having freshened up, it was time for breakfast. It is all self-service (apart from First who get to use a special room with linen clothes, pre-laid tables and waiter service). The options were ok and plenty of space - all in all it was relatively quiet given the number of long-haul flights coming in. Afterwards, decided I would try a treatment, as this is likely to be the only time I get to use the arrivals lounge. The options were massage or facial (including a massage). I opted for the facial, which was interesting as you had to lie in this special chair which massaged you whilst having the facial. The chair gave a very good massage - with your eyes shut, you would forget that it was a chair doing it rather than a machine.
Now the important bit - comparison of BA club world to VS Upper Class
1. Entertainment - preferred the touch screen system, but overall the choice of entertainment is better on vPORT (when you get it!)
2. Food - more options on BA and the portion sizes were larger than Upper Class
3. Service - not as good as the outbound service, and the purser was very abrupt and not helpful at all (however, you get the same service on VS at times as with all airlines)....however VS win as I have never been called the wrong name and been forgotten for dinner ordering!
4. Seat - the VS seat seems to be wider and have more space around it. However, the BA one has a helpful drawer at the bottom, if you get a window seat with the blind up it feels like a privaate cabin and I like the multi-position seat with the option of straight from chair to bed with no standing. Therefore, I think the BA club world seat wins over the UC suite.
5. Arrivals lounge - difficult one, but I preferred the shower in the BA arrivals, but like the waitress service for breakfast in Revivals. So I think that that one is a draw!
