British Airways is one of the leading airlines in the world, offering a range of premium cabins to suit different travel needs and preferences. But is British Airways First Class worth it? In this blog, we will explore the features, benefits and drawbacks of flying in British Airways First Class, and compare it with other options such as Business Class and The Residence. We will also give you some tips on how to book British Airways First Class seats, in case you want to try another airline's top product.
British Airways First Class is the airline's highest cabin class, available on selected routes operated by Airbus A380, Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. British Airways First Class offers a private and luxurious experience, with spacious suites, gourmet dining, personalized service and exclusive amenities.
Depending on the aircraft type, British Airways First Class has different products:
• The Residence: This is the ultimate luxury in the sky, only available on the A380. The Residence is a three-room suite that can accommodate up to two guests, featuring a living room, a bedroom and a bathroom with a shower. The Residence also comes with a dedicated butler, a personal chef, a VIP concierge service and access to the most exclusive lounges.
• First Apartment: This is also exclusive to the A380, and is located on the upper deck. The First Apartment is a private suite that has a large leather armchair and a separate bench that converts into a twin-size bed. The First Apartment also has a vanity unit, a wardrobe, a chilled mini-bar and a sliding door for privacy. Guests can also access the onboard lounge and shower facilities.
• First Suite: This is available on the B787-9 and B777-300ER, and is similar to the First Apartment but smaller in size. The First Suite has a leather seat that reclines into a fully-flat bed, an ottoman for extra seating or storage, a personal wardrobe, an entertainment system and a sliding door for privacy.
What are the benefits of flying in British Airways First Class?
Flying in British Airways First Class has many benefits, such as:
• Comfort: British Airways First Class offers comfortable seats that can be adjusted to different positions, including fully-flat beds with bedding and pillows. The suites also have ample space to relax, work or sleep, with noise-cancelling headphones and mood lighting.
• Dining: British Airways First Class offers an extensive à la carte menu that can be ordered at any time during the flight. The menu features dishes inspired by global cuisines, prepared by onboard chefs using fresh ingredients. The wine list is curated by experts and includes boutique labels and champagne. Guests can also enjoy snacks and drinks from their mini-bar or from the onboard lounge.
• Service: British Airways First Class offers personalized service from dedicated crew members who are trained to cater to every need. Guests can also enjoy priority check-in, boarding, baggage handling and immigration at selected airports. The Residence guests also have access to a VIP concierge service that can assist with travel arrangements, reservations and requests.
• Amenities: British Airways First Class offers exclusive amenities such as luxury toiletries, pajamas, slippers, amenity kits and loungewear. Guests can also access the onboard shower facilities on the A380, or request an inflight massage or facial treatment. The entertainment system features hundreds of hours of movies, TV shows, music and games.
What are the drawbacks of flying in British Airways First Class?
Flying in British Airways First Class also has some drawbacks, such as:
• Cost: British Airways First Class is one of the most expensive ways to fly, with fares ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the route and availability. Even if you use miles or points to book your ticket, you may still have to pay high taxes and fees or face limited availability.
• Availability: British Airways First Class is only available on selected routes and aircraft types, which means you may not be able to fly in it if your destination or departure airport is not served by the A380, B787-9 or B777-300ER. You may also have to adjust your travel dates or times to match the flight schedule.
• Consistency: British Airways First Class has different products depending on the aircraft type, which means you may not get the same experience every time you fly in it. For example, if you fly on the A380, you may get the First Apartment or The Residence, but if you fly on the B787-9 or B777-300ER, you may get the First Suite. The service and amenities may also vary depending on the crew and the route.
How does British Airways First Class compare with other options?
British Airways First Class is one of the best in the world, but it is not the only option for premium travel. Here are some alternatives you may want to consider:
• British Airways Business Class: This is the next best option after British Airways First Class, offering a comfortable and spacious seat that converts into a fully-flat bed, a large entertainment screen, a personal mini-bar, an amenity kit and access to lounges and priority services. British Airways Business Class is available on all aircraft types and routes, and is more affordable and available than British Airways First Class.
• The Residence: This is the ultimate option for luxury travel, offering a three-room suite with a butler, a chef, a concierge and access to the most exclusive lounges. The Residence is only available on the A380 and on selected routes, and is very expensive and limited in availability. The Residence is ideal for those who want to splurge on a once-in-a-lifetime experience or celebrate a special occasion.
• British Airways First Class: This is another option for flying in First Class, offering a private suite with a leather seat that reclines into a fully-flat bed, a personal wardrobe, an entertainment system and a sliding door for privacy. British Airways First Class also offers fine dining, attentive service and access to lounges and priority services. British Airways First Class is available on selected routes operated by Boeing 777, Boeing 787 and Airbus A380 aircraft.
How to book British Airways First Class seats?
If you are interested in flying in British Airways First Class, here are some tips on how to book your seats:
• Use miles or points: One of the best ways to book British Airways First Class seats is to use miles or points from various loyalty programs, such as British Airways Executive Club, American Airlines AAdvantage, Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan or Marriott Bonvoy. You can transfer points from credit cards or hotels to these programs, or earn them by flying or spending. You can then search for award availability on the British Airways website or by calling the airline. However, be aware that British Airways charges high taxes and fees for award tickets, especially for flights departing from London.
• Look for sales or discounts: Another way to book British Airways First Class seats is to look for sales or discounts that may lower the cash price of the tickets. You can sign up for newsletters or alerts from British Airways or third-party websites that may notify you of any deals or offers. You can also use tools such as Google Flights or ITA Matrix to compare prices and dates across different routes and airlines.
• Bid for an upgrade: A third way to book British Airways First Class seats is to bid for an upgrade from a lower cabin class. British Airways offers a program called Plusgrade that allows eligible passengers to make an offer for an upgrade to Business or First Class. You can check your eligibility and make your offer on the British Airways website or app up to 24 hours before departure. You will only be charged if your offer is accepted.
Conclusion
British Airways First Class is a great way to fly in style and comfort, offering private suites, gourmet dining, personalized service and exclusive amenities. However, it is also very expensive and limited in availability, and may not be consistent across different aircraft types and routes. Therefore, you may want to consider other options such as British Airways Business Class, The Residence or British Airways First Class, depending on your budget, preferences and travel plans.
We hope this blog has given you some insights into British Airways First Class and how to book British Airways First Class seats. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them below. Happy travels!
