V-Flyer

After a few days in Chicago we got the CTA out to the airport – great value at only $2.25 each!

Check In
The terminal was very quiet and we were very quickly seen by one of the check-in agents. Boarding passes printed, bags labelled and tagged priority and directions to the lounge given. The check-in agent was friendly and efficient throughout. We had a quick wander around the pre-security “shops” – all three of them. There were some signs up indicating that these and the food areas will soon be post-security, which is great as there is nothing once you have gone through. Security was fast and efficient, mainly because it was so quiet.

Lounge
We headed off to the BA Club lounge. This is very expansive inside, although it doesn’t have any external windows. There is also a separate BA First lounge opposite, which does have windows over the apron. The Club lounge consists of two seating areas, a work/computer area and two pre-board dining areas (Club World and First). There is the usual self-service bar areas with a good selection of drinks available. We settled for a last Goose Island beer, which is a local Chicago brew. Just after 15:00 sandwiches came out – I think that the dining rooms are only for those in Club World and First, not Silver/Gold members. We tried the Club World dining area – self-service cafeteria serving salads, soups, hot main courses, desserts and cheese. We had some soup and salads – food pretty good but the environment was rather sterile. Afterwards we settled back in the main lounge for a glass of champagne – good to hear the “pop” after we ordered!!

The Flight
Boarding was soon called, and as we exited the lounge it was obvious that priority boarding was in operation. We had 11K and 12K (warning no window at 12K), but the flight was very quiet – we were told we could move to a middle set of two as we were travelling together. Normally, I would avoid these, but as it was a quiet flight we manage to get the whole block of four and it was nice travelling together and being able to chat but still feel secluded. The crew seemed very young, but were friendly, cheerful and attentive throughout the flight – think that they are mixed fleet crew, which probably explained the different attitude to normal BA Crew!! Soon after take-off drinks were offered, and a Kir Royale was accepted. This was topped up (like other drinks) without even being asked – good service! Menus were handed around:

Starter
Piquillo peppers with crumbled Gorgonzola, asparagus and truffled cream

Mains
Grilled fillet of beef with creamed spinach and roasted Yukon potatoes with maitre d’hotel butter
Seared sea bass with morel mushrooms and leek sauce, minted sun-dried tomatoes, couscous and buttered broccolini
Manicottoi pasta with roasted butternut squash and lemon grass sauce

Dessert
Elderflower cheesecake on a graham cracker base served with fresh raspberries
Rouge Affinee and Idiazabai cheese

So much for this being a sleeper service with dine before you board in operation!! The starter was nice (no choices) and slightly surprised that they served asparagus on a long-haul flight (if you get my drift on the potentially smelly consequences!). I had the pasta, which was really tasty. The dessert was nice, but I probably would have passed but it was on the tray that I was initially served. Wine during dinner was a Eos Estate Private Reserve Chardonnay 2008, Paso Robles, California, USA. After dinner, I settled down to watch the end of my film (Drive – didn’t get the hype about it), and then a sleep (love being able to go from seat straight into bed....but missed the sleep suit! Slept for a good few hours and missed breakfast (not that I was planning on eating more on board!).

Arrival
We were directed to a non-air bridge gate that wasn’t ready for us.....took about 15 minutes for it to be got ready! Bus transfer to the main terminal – the only problem was that the driver tried to cram as many people on as possible. Used IRIS to get through immigration – will be sad to see this go. Bags were already coming off – only priority all together, which suggested that they had been loaded in a separate container together. Off to arrivals lounge which was very busy, but managed to grab a shower straight away and then some breakfast. Although I like the served breakfast in Revivals, it was also nice being able to select what I wanted.

Overall Impression
This definitely is NOT a sleeper service – it is a full service flight, so don’t eat too much beforehand as the food on board is much better than in the lounge. The crew were great on this flight – fun, friendly, cheerful and attentive throughout. If this is what happens when they change a route to mixed fleet, then hurry up and change more of them!!

Thanks for the TR. I'm off to Chicago in a few weeks and will be returning on this flight (Though will be in First).

Thanks for the TR.

I too was surprised, in a similar way, when in the EWR clubhouse two weeks ago one of the buffet options was brussel sprouts !

Thanks for the TR

As far as the Lounge goes, it is interesting how BA still go a long way to preserve the First Class

I suspect i will be on BA before too long

buns

Thank you for the TR.

Great TR very interesting to read, im sure you reported a dubai sleeper service flight last year where you got a full service offering am i right?

cheers

alex

Thanks for the TR -- very interesting (especially the mixed fleet angle).

Very interesting TR, thank you Sounds like the mixed fleet crew are changing the way BA want us to view their CC