Off to the US in First Class!

Hi everyone!

It’s been a few months since the last post because the UK has been on lockdown, and Krister and I have been staying and working at home.  I’m coming up to the end of my research contract in Liverpool, and so we’ve moved down south to Bristol for a (long-term) change of scenery.  My parents needed me to come back to the US to help them with family matters, and so Krister and I were able to travel from the UK as travelers with an allowed reason.  Our trip came up relatively abruptly; we learned on Monday March 22 that we would need to travel to the US, and on Thursday March 25, the date was determined as March 27.  So, we booked a flight with just under 48 hours’ notice.  This meant we needed to get COVID tests right then to get a “Fit-to-Fly” certificate.  We had the option of taking a rapid antigen test for travel into the US at Heathrow Airport on Saturday morning.  We didn’t want to cut it too close, so we decided instead to get tested in Bristol, and the only appointment we could get in time was for a PCR test that evening (with results arriving Friday evening).  It came back in a very timely manner and was negative, so we were good to go.  We downloaded the Verifly app and bought train tickets to the airport. 

Given the surprise nature of our trip, we didn’t really know how long we’d be staying in the US, so we booked a one-way award ticket using BA Avios.  One-way fares to the US were actually relatively reasonably priced, coming in at around £600 for economy or £900 for premium economy.  Business class and first class were clocking in at £3 000+.  Krister and I have tried a couple times in the last year to book premium flights, but because of the ever-changing travel conditions this year, our last two attempts (which were booked during the BA 50% off Avios sale last summer and BA’s Black Friday deal in November) were cancelled.  This marked the first time that Krister and I were able to take a long-haul flight together since 2019, and since the planes were flying relatively empty, there was award space in every class.  So, we decided to fly first class using Avios.  Krister has several “companion vouchers” that he earns from spending £10 000/year on his UK-based British Airways Premium Plus credit card.  Their validity has been extended a few times as a result of the travel restrictions, but this also means he has a backlog of them (and they can only be used on a trip originating in the UK).  British Airways charges 100 000 Avios for a one-way first-class ticket from London to most of the US (roughly everywhere outside the northeast) and about £450 in taxes and fees in this case.  The best use of the companion voucher would’ve been for a round-trip ticket but given that the companion voucher was being used as the equivalent of 100k Avios, this seemed a reasonable redemption.  After all, the best award redemption is the one you can actually use, rather than some theoretical one.  So, this 10-hour first class flight clocked in at 100k Avios, £900, and 1 companion voucher for the two of us.  In theory, we got > 5p/Avios in value (but we would never have paid for first class directly). Effectively, we paid for economy tickets and used Avios to upgrade to first class.  Unlike my last trip from the UK, which was planned relatively short notice to Finland, this trip went much more smoothly (and luxuriously).

Krister and I arrived at Heathrow Airport a couple hours before our scheduled flight time of 13:45, just in case of any problems with the train.  We proceeded directly to the First Wing at Terminal 5, which is used by First Class and Oneworld Emerald passengers on both American Airlines and British Airlines.  Check-in was swift because we both hold US passports; we were not asked any questions for our reason for traveling. We proceeded to dedicated First Wing security line before being dropped off immediately into the Galleries First lounge. The Galleries First lounge was pretty busy and unevenly spaced out.  There were a lot more people closer to the Concorde Terrace than closer to the security entrance.

Since we were flying first class, we had access to the Concorde Terrace, which pre-COVID was just the Galleries First lounge’s terrace.  The food on the terrace was the same as in the Galleries First lounge, except there was a waiter to flag down when you wanted food or (non-alcoholic only) drinks, instead of just using a QR code to order it.  While having a waiter and table service is what is expected of a first-class experience (and Krister appreciated it), I would’ve preferred just to use the QR code.  But the extra distancing from people (and better ventilation) in the Concord Terrace meant that it was definitely the preferred sitting area.  The Concord Terrace also didn’t have any power outlets that I could find.

We were told at check-in that our flight would be leaving from the B satellite terminal, which is pretty standard for flights to the US.  Unlike with some other airlines (e.g. Air France and Lufthansa), there was no escort service from the lounge to the aircraft.  Krister and I decided to head over around when boarding was scheduled to begin because it’d take us about 10 minutes, and we didn’t want to board first. 

When we arrived at the gate, we immediately noticed how busy the area was.  There was a British Airways flight to Hyderabad and a Qatar Airways flight leaving around the same time.  After a few (competing) announcements, it was time to board.  They boarded the aircraft back-to-front in two groups: Economy and Premium Economy and then Club World and First.  The flight was relatively light, but not nearly as light as my flights to/from New York back in October and November.  First-class on the BA 787-9 seats 8 people, but including Krister and me, there were only 3 of us, so we had the right aisle to ourselves.  Club World was about 1/3 – 1/2 full in sections, so Krister was extremely pleased with the space we had in First class. 

I was also extremely pleased with the seat.

Given the quick boarding process, we had some down time before our takeoff slot was scheduled for, so we took the opportunity to peruse the menu for the flight. 

The flight attendant then came around and took our drink orders.  Krister and I went for a glass of Laurent-Perrier Grand-Siècle champagne to celebrate our first-class experience. Krister commented that he finally understood why someone would pay $150 for a bottle of Champagne, though I doubt he’ll ever actually purchase one himself. Once we pushed back from the gate, we had a short taxi out to the runway, and soon we were off to Dallas!  One thing that I had forgotten, since I’ve been mostly flying short haul, is how quiet the 787 is, especially at the very front. 

Shortly after takeoff, the flight attendant came around with our glasses of Grand Siècle champagne and then the meal service began.  First came the canapés.  I love Manchego, so that was an instant win with me.  Krister was partial to the silky baba ganoush and labneh dish.  The different flavors worked together nicely within each dish and complemented each other across the three parts, but the portion overall was a bit salty.

The starter came shortly thereafter.  I opted for the Loch Fyne smoked salmon and for a glass of the Albariño Atlántico.  I’m not usually the biggest fan of smoked salmon-based dishes, but I liked how the salmon had been diced.  The mustard dressing was sharp and flavorful and complemented the salmon nicely. Krister’s preferred starter (the whole grain salad) was not available, nor was his second choice, of smoked salmon. The stewardess apologized that the caterer had only provided one of each (and I had taken the salmon, the person over in 1A had taken the salad). However, she was both very nice and very creative, and put together a salad from roasted celeriac (one of the side dishes available anytime during the flight), plus some radicchio and a green sauce that had been meant as garnishes to some of the other dishes.  The salad ended up being rich and nutty with a good depth of flavor.

Next came the main course of chicken with rosemary jus, served with sweetcorn gnocchi, grilled broccolini, and Mediterranean vegetables.   Krister had the same.  Krister and I both went for the Poilly-Fumé, which went with it quite nicely. Krister had initially requested the Chassigny-Montrachet, and when offered a taste, the flight attendant noted he was pondering for a while and quickly offered a taste of the other white wine. Krister liked the Chassigny fine but found the Poilly-Fumé to be even better, a touch tarter and crisper which went better with the meal.  The roasted chicken breast for the main dish was juicier than one would expect in an average restaurant, let alone on a plane. It was fairly mild, almost approaching bland (possibly a result of the altitude), but it was nice as a calm and soothing dish. The accompaniments of sweetcorn gnocchi, grilled broccolini and carrots made it more interesting.  The gnocchi side was a particular highlight for both of us. 

Finally, for dessert, I had the vanilla ice cream, which was served with caramel sauce, strawberries, and meringue.  I had a glass of the Sauternes white dessert wine to go with it.  It’s hard to go wrong with the ice cream, but more than anything, I loved the wine (and even went and bought some for myself).  Krister had the chocolate crème brûlée tart, which was suitably rich, creamy and indulgent. It had a few raspberries on top, which are Krister’s favorite, and upon requesting port was offered a normal wine glass’s worth of it, despite port usually being served in smaller glasses by virtue of being quite strong. So Krister was a bit tipsy by the end of the meal!

The meal service was finished around 2 hours after take-off, but I wasn’t counting.  Krister and I had wonderful lunches.

I had read before this flight that, despite the 787s only being a few years old (this one was 5 years old), the seats are not aging well.  However, they still provided ample space and a great TV (with a good selection given the pandemic).

British Airways provides a few things for your comfort during the flight, including an amenity kit, slippers, pajamas, and noise-cancelling headphones.  In January, British Airways had announced the return of its full service in First Class, and it definitely shows. 

About 90 minutes before landing, the ‘light meal’ was served.  I took the opportunity to have the cheese course from the main meal (which I’d skipped before).  It was nicely presented, and I appreciated the use of British cheeses.  Krister had a roasted eggplant salad to start (having been offered to choose first by the apologetic flight attendant after the lunch situation), then a plate of pasta. He even went for dessert, a crème fraiche with strawberries, but wasn’t quite able to finish it all as it was essentially as much food as the lunch had been.

Overall, Krister and I had a great flight.  We’re happy we used the extra Avios for first class, both for the experience and to avoid the more-full-than-expected Club World.  I was not particularly impressed with the Concorde Terrace, but it was nice that we had more space to ourselves than in the primary lounge (3.5/5 on average).  The seat on the flight was very comfortable and spacious (and swanky), but the seat clearly had worn more than it should’ve in only 5 years (4/5).  Krister and I effectively had a dedicated flight attendant, who was phenomenal (5/5).  The food was also excellent, even the improvised salad that Krister got.  Although the fact that they didn’t load enough food for him to get his first choice seems a bit poor form (4.5/5 on average).  The entertainment selection was as good as any other flight I’ve had during the pandemic, given the paucity of new movies, so I can’t criticize it, and the free WiFi was great (5/5).  Overall, the flight gets a 22/25. 

Since these were award tickets, we did not earn any Avios or tier points.