BAStew From Australia, joined Sep 2006, 1006 posts, RR: 2 Posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 2 days ago) and read 28841 times:
Hey all,
Business Traveller magazine was recently invited to visit the cabin 'mock up' with the new FIRST cabin.
They have reviewed the seat on the website which goes into quite a bit of detail. The link is http://www.businesstraveller.com/ but you must register (free) to check out the review.
According to British Airways, the new First class product has already been fitted to one of its B777s. This particular aircraft will operate a flight between London Heathrow and Chicago today [Feb 10].
Good to see BA showing confidence in the future of F class.
LHR380 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 2 days ago) and read 28759 times:
Fantastic!!!
I love new F. The storage space is fantastic, I love the window blinds and the central divider is very good as well.
I like how they have kept near enough the same seat and made it 10 times better.
MAS777 From United Kingdom, joined Jul 1999, 2916 posts, RR: 7 Reply 3, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 28064 times:
Are they installing the same type of electronic window blinds used by Malaysia Airlines?
They are pretty cool but each time i've flown on MH First - they seem to get stuck quite often... lol
AAEXP From Brazil, joined Jul 2005, 414 posts, RR: 1 Reply 4, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 20 hours ago) and read 28080 times:
Quoting MAS777 (Reply 3): Are they installing the same type of electronic window blinds used by Malaysia Airlines?
They are pretty cool but each time i've flown on MH First - they seem to get stuck quite often... lol
That's because all the kids in F play with them the whole time.........Â
timboflier215 From United Kingdom, joined May 2005, 1237 posts, RR: 1 Reply 5, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 27529 times:
The new seats look classy and wonderfully elegant, indeed far more elegant than anything else out there atm. If I had the money, I would absolutely choose BA First over even EK or SQ suites (both of which, IMHO, look somewhat tacky). All in all, an excellent job by BA, they just need to hurry up the standardisation process!!
SXDFC From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 2000 posts, RR: 20 Reply 6, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 27473 times:
Can anyone post the pictures of the actual product, as I was not able to see any pics of the product its self..
ALL views, opinions expressed are mine ONLY and are NOT representative of those shared by Southwest Airlines Co.
777way From Pakistan, joined Dec 2005, 5159 posts, RR: 4 Reply 7, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 19 hours ago) and read 27461 times:
Quoting timboflier215 (Reply 5): The new seats look classy and wonderfully elegant, indeed far more elegant than anything else out there atm. If I had the money, I would absolutely choose BA First over even EK or SQ suites (both of which, IMHO, look somewhat tacky). All in all, an excellent job by BA, they just need to hurry up the standardisation process!!
SQ tacky? I think Swiss is the best in F suites in the industry.
SXDFC From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 2000 posts, RR: 20 Reply 10, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 27351 times:
Quoting LHR380 (Reply 8): Did you click the link in the article that says "click here"??
I didn't even see that before, thank you LHR380!
ALL views, opinions expressed are mine ONLY and are NOT representative of those shared by Southwest Airlines Co.
Why do EK and SQ call some of their F products suites? These so called "suites" look more like a closet than a suite. A suite would be the whole F cabin not something the size of a closet (someone jokingly called their suite a sarcophagus in his trip report).
BTW, BA great job! Best looking F cabin at the moment.
BAStew From Australia, joined Sep 2006, 1006 posts, RR: 2 Reply 14, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 27109 times:
I think the reviewer sums it up pretty well when he says: "Like the new Clubworld seat, this £100million First product is an improved version of what has gone before rather than a new direction."
The new cabin is definitely a vast improvement over what current exists but it is definitely more evolution instead of revolution.
The article also mentions the (un-official) line 'we don't do bling' as the response to comparison with other airlines' newer F products. Part of me wants to believe that that is true, that BA is prepared to spend a lot of money on a top quality product that frequent flyers want (and are prepared to pay for).
Another part of me isn't so sure. I think it is dis-appointing that the configuration of F seats wasn't reduced slightly from the current 14 to say 12, 10....or even 8. If that happened BA could have REALLY gone for it and launched something truely revolutionary (while keeping it classy and understated). But I don't think BA was prepared to miss out on the revenue that those couple extra seats will generate.
BA1978 From United Kingdom, joined Jan 2004, 181 posts, RR: 0 Reply 16, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 26998 times:
Quoting LHR380 (Reply 15): Thats not a true pic of the F product, that was something released a while ago in a report done by BA, an artists impression.
The pics in the B T article are much more along the lines of the seat, near enough identical from what I can tell.
Maybe you can tell us what the differences are from the artist impression and the pics in the BT article. I seem to be missing something as the seat look pretty much identical to me!
LHR380 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 18, posted (3 years 3 months 1 week 1 day 18 hours ago) and read 26939 times:
Quoting BA1978 (Reply 16): Maybe you can tell us what the differences are from the artist impression and the pics in the BT article. I seem to be missing something as the seat look pretty much identical to me!
Its an evolution of the seat, with better use of the space, and more space. Look at the current F offering via the pics on anet, and look at the pics in the article, you will see a massive difference.
I get that, it's quite clearly different to the current F product, but you said referring to the pic posted
Quoting BA1978 (Reply 16): Quoting LHR380 (Reply 15):
Thats not a true pic of the F product, that was something released a while ago in a report done by BA, an artists impression.
The pics in the B T article are much more along the lines of the seat, near enough identical from what I can tell.
So again what are the differences in the seats between the artist impression pic and the pics in the BT article?
Main difference is there are no personal wardrobes and the artist impression does not show the seat as you see in the pictures.
Im sorry, I just thought it would have been obvious the difference between the 2 just from looking at the pictures.
The wardrobe is hidden, I'll admit that, but the seat is very fake in the pic you posted where as the BT pics are from the mock up and real life. Hopefully by tomorrow we will be seeing PROPER pictures of the seat from people who are currently enjoying the new first on the LHR ORD 777 flight right now
25 slinky09: I think it looks great. I've been in the suites on other airlines, frankly EK's are gaudy and SQ's are too much trouble, this new product looks stylis
26 SirThomas: You mean we cant have our noses pressed to the windows like small kids now, while taking off?! Shame on you BA Â
27 Vasu: I was just thinking that... never really noticed it about the older version of BA First!
28 5Rivers: Why do they assume that people don't like looking out the window?
29 keesje: I not convinced by the Cubical style seen lately as a means to improve pivacy. I think the BA seat is a kind of club plus, the seat density is 14 seat
30 LHR380: Windows are still there, they aint gone.
31 GDB: Beautiful - the heavenly Rachel Weisz that is!
32 wrighbrothers: I would assume it is partial designed for ease of refit If you look at the actualy layout of the cabin and the seating shell (the external bit of the
33 SirThomas: To be honest, im a tiny person and space isn't a massive problem to me, but obviously a nice bed to settle down in is essential... I think that maybe
35 LHR380: There is more room, with the same amount of seats as before, I dont call that cramming!! I say good on BA, they are not taking the pi** as you call i
36 LX138: Looks pretty nice, and I think there is lots of privacy, but that screen looks tiny compared to what other carriers are introducing. You need at least
37 Stitch: Looks pretty nice. A bit more understated than QF's latest on the A380. And I do love AF's layout. It looks awesome for couples in the middle pair.
38 LHR380: Why do you need to have really big tellys? Also, there is a big difference between SQ and BA, the SQ ones are built into the wall in front, where as
39 Pellegrine: I like it. I can't say I like the rectangular "tacked on" "passenger service unit" on the divider wall. I like the theme of a railway carriage carrie
40 LX138: Yes thats true, saying that, the space in the Suites is significantly greater though (I know it's a class up from First). Had BA had more space to pl
41 BigMac: Uhhmmm, on SQ or EK the PTV is on the wall/seat in front of you. On BA the PTV is between 1/2 and 2/3 from the "wall" in front of you. Since the PTV
42 nclmedic: It's a great seat. Personally, I completely agree with everyone else...the sandbox airlines' new F's are fairly tacky. Waytogo BA - "we don't do bling
43 flood: A little inappropriate, don't you think?
44 JAL: Love the new First Class, it should help BA gain some new Premium Passengers.
45 BMI727: It is a cultural thing. I read something along similar lines in the FlyBaboo magazine last summer. It was about business jets, and the main idea was
46 viscount724: The beige "cocoon" surrounding the seatback doesn't seem to match the rest of the fittings in the photos.
47 Speedbird2155: Read somewhere about the colours, but can't find it now. They are meant to be a slightly different take of the red, white and blue of the Union Flag.
48 BeyondBristol: The article makes a brief mention that BA are installing a new Thales IFE, but gives no more info. Has anyone got more info? On my last 12 BA flights,
49 Speedbird2155: Found some more detail for you. It is from initial communication that was sent out over the past couple weeks to top frequent travellers.
50 LHR380: Thales is coming in on the new 777s. Regarding the IFE, I have taken a lot of Long Hail flights the past 2 years, and have not had any problems with
51 bojangles: And will be retrofitted to the rest of the fleet (except 767), starting with GMIS 777's I believe.
52 LHR380: http://www.thales-ifs.com/pdf/press/BritishAirways.pdf Very much looking forward to seeing the new IFE!!!!
53 skyone: Just beautifullllllll!!!!!!! I hope I can get upgraded to F from J on my flight down to the World Cup.
54 BeyondBristol: Excellent news! Guess I must have been unlucky, the only flight where it's worked fine for me is BGI-LGW where it was the 12-channel (I think it was
55 BigMac: Hey guys I need to clarify that the pictures that I posted in one of my replies aren't mine. The owner of the pictures is Nick Warner. Please check ou
56 GayStudPilot: Overall a nice revamp of a quality product. Again, more classy than UA and AA. However, I'm not a fan of the windows. 1) I prefer to be able to look
57 Pellegrine: You know Viscount, I feel that if the whole cabin was in greytones with a blue seat covering it would be rather boring to the eyes. Brown-tones and g
58 SKAirbus: Is it me or is this F cabin just a sprused up version of their old one?? The seats look similar and just as cramped with the main difference being the
59 DH8PU: It is quite lovely, very classically appealing. I wouldn't expect anything less from BA. If they are going to go with the Thales IFE system, I hope th
60 Babybus: It obviously borrows heavily from design concepts from other airlines' First cabins. The window blinds look a tad un-necessary.
61 VikingA346: So, if the FIRST cabin is only fitted on one 777 so far, it is either G-VIIW or G-VIIU according to the ACARS sent on BA295 and 297 yesterday. Anyone
62 aussiestu: G-VIIU is the first B777 to have the new First seat. Looks fantastic, nice to see CLASS back in a cabin
63 LHR380: http://www.businesstraveller.com/new...icial-images-of-bas-new-first-seat A few more pics, and wow, there is certainly a lot more room around the seat
64 BigMac: So how exactly is the new BA F being outdone by SQ's, EK's, QF's, and others (please don't write that SQ's and EK's seat are hidden in closet...)? A
65 LHR380: Have you flown F on BA? It was not a cramped feeling at all, and this new product means there is actually MORE space then there used to be with a bra
66 ClubWorld1986: Hi. Does anybody know if they're fitting out the toilets with a new scheme? Correct me if i'm wrong, but doestn't the FIRST facilites have that amber
67 timboflier215: OK, maybe not tacky per se, but a little over the top. Frankly, all I want from a long-haul flight is the ability to relax and (if necessary), do som
68 SirThomas: Just incase anyone was remotely interested, I suggest a look at the patent filing for the new seats.... New First Patent Tom
69 LHR380: Nice!! Never thought really what is under the seat so nice to see. (Im more interested in how comfy it is lol)
71 readytotaxi: The new cabin is starting to grow on me, I wish them luck. Where they need to pick up the slack I think is in the service and catering side of the Fir
73 bastew: Yup, loos being re-done. Galleys also. They are receiving some new equipment that should enhance the quality of the food in F including some sort of
74 777way: Stuopid response but obviously. Are these the only ones for comparing? Jet F is very simple and classy.[Edited 2010-02-11 09:57:00]
75 tonystan: Well actually, there are only a handful of the current fleet getting the new Thales system. All the current 777's with the GMIS entertainment system
77 A340600: Nice, not amazing but a pleasant change. Does anyone else see the liking to the latest Club World colour wise? Looks like someone painted the old F in
78 Pellegrine: Thank you. Now we need a trip report from someone.
79 cpd: SMH reports on it: http://www.smh.com.au/travel/travel-...ion-first-class-20100211-nu8h.html They are quite dismissive of it - and seems to suggest it
80 LHR380: Not really a report, all it was was them saying its been released and talking about the current financial worries of the industry,the report said not
81 usdcaguy: What I don't see is the value in the seats that is worth thousands of dollars more than Club World. Why not purchase a Club World ticket and then buy
82 BA1978: So going back to your earlier point we can call closets suites too? Make sense now?
83 Speedbird2155: BA only upgrades when there is a need to commercially. Operational upgrades to First isn't a daily thing unlike many American carriers who will freel
84 LHR380: Passengers only get upgrades to F if J and W are heavily oversold. The only persons that could really get a near enough upgrade free our Premier Card
85 bastew: The problem airlines like BA/QF/AC or any other airline that retro-fit old/existing aircraft with 'new' AVOD IFE is that the old system is simply upg
86 LAXintl: Big yawn from me. If BA is serious about F-class it needed to go with a suite like product. Maybe not as big as SQ, but atleast something along the li
87 ATLflyer: I agree. This new seat doesn't really offer much privacy. They should have extended the shell more or added closing doors. Big disappointment BA.
88 Scrappy27: aircraft VIIU is now on it's way to Seattle operating BA49
89 alaskaqantas: I like the new design. I have flown BA FIRST four times, and overall was very disappointed, and have since moved to using other carriers, but I'm curi
90 DocLightning: I was expecting some disappointing re-surfacing of an old product. Well, it is a re-surfacing of an old product, but I have to hand it to them, they d
91 BALHRWWCC: At present the Thales system will only be fitted on the 773's and the GMIS 777's. It has not as yet been decided if they will fit the new system to t
92 jayeshrulz: Awesome F class.Hope i can try it one day. They are simply just awesome!!!
93 BALHRWWCC: I will be honest the pictures don't really do it justice. The picture above is of the seats in a 744 config. As yet there is no 744's configured and
94 LHR380: Why does BA have to copy other airlines? Why cant BA design a much more upgraded seat with more bells and whistles then before and give the passenger
95 myt332: Totally, what a MILF! As for the seat, isn't everybody getting a bit overexcited about it? For most, It's just a comfy seat associated with luxury an
96 Speedbird741: Same here ! Just happy they didn't follow the closet first class trend. Brilliant and refreshing is what best defines the new cabin IMHO ! Speedbird7
97 AZA330: Are you saying that for my IAH-LHR flight in June I have little chance of getting the new FIRST and I should stick with Club World? I enjoyed the "ol
98 slinky09: UK airlines at least are seeing an upswing in premium cabin bookings as the recession looks like ending - VS have stated this (at least at a wine tast
99 FlyCaledonian: I think the announcement by QF that it is drastically cutting back First shows how the demand for premium travel is changing. BA is investing in an ev
100 DocLightning: What do you need privacy for? You gonna have a bat in your suite? It's got glass doors and an open top so that the FA's can check that your seatbelt
101 GDB: While we all have our personal preferences of course, this upgrade was evolved from very extensive consultation with frequent FIRST pax.
102 LHR380: I have seen and know a few people who travel F and J a lot, and they have never been to those places. They just like comfort when they fly, and BA is
103 Jacobin777: My wife and I recently flew on J on BA's B777'...more than the space, we really liked the service. To me, that's more important than having "personal
Sponsor Message: 
From Australia, joined Sep 2006, 1006 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2008, 1196 posts, 
From Brazil, joined Jul 2005, 414 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Dec 2007, 2000 posts, 
From Pakistan, joined Dec 2005, 5159 posts, 
From Suriname, joined Nov 2003, 317 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
