Dear all,

Before I start, I’ll make some soccer fans jealous…. You’ll know why if your scroll down your mouse…

The report will feature the Old BA First from LAX to LHR.

I booked the trip thanks to BA sales from Europe. I flew from FCO. 1540e all in.. it’s a steal. The outbound was done with AA… I really enjoyed flying AA, My expectations were low anyway, but still a good airline and hoping to try the revamped cabin in J both with the new 77W and the 321.

Here we go, holding a J ticket, entitled me to upgrade with avios to First. I called the executive line and I was confirmed within a minute. 25k miles were deducted…

My flight was scheduled at 6pm. I left my dad’s house in Santa Monica at 1pm in order to have a lunch with him at my fav Thai restaurant in L.A, Saladang.


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I really love the barbecue beef here, nevertheless they still are not willing to fork out the recipe….


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Dad’s meal, a killing as well


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anyway.…

Starving? here is the right sandwich to remove that feeling…


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Enjoy !

Close to 3pm, he left me…


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No, I was not driving…


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Tom Bradley here I am, AF380 tail, the flight as been delayed and took off right before us..

Even if I checked in online, I tend to prefer by far the real boarding pass stub… Freak ? Maybe…


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Security was a breeze.

The lounge:

Upon entrance…. A nice surprise was there… the British soccer star… D.Beckham.. Leaving to LHR with the first flight…

(Moderator, feel free to remove the picture if I break the rules.)


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OK, I know what’s on your mind.. This young man is ugly compare to DB……. Your right…

Never mind..

Time to check the First Class Lounge for OW. Nothing fancy here, it’s not crowded. You have plenty seats to choose from. You also have a private room, guess it accommodates VIP…

The catering was enough for a good lunch.


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As I wanted to take advantage of LAX for spotting, I left the lounge about 1 hour before boarding.


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I love TK livery.


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BA


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Spotting over I can turn left…

It was a full load in all classes. Along with me in F, three adorable kids, quit, well educated. Impressed, as kids are known to scream, disturb.

Upon boarding I noticed all F windows open up… Meaning I got the old First. While I would have loved to get the NF, the old one remains good. IFE was Not on Demand… hence I’ve decided to talk with my buddy seat and worked a little with my mac book.

Too much words for you…. Starting to say, come on man, show us the pictures…

Here we go..

Boarding: As soon as I reached the door, a very friendly flight attendant welcomed me. I really like BA crew.. Always been a hit so far. I’ve filled out the form on ba.com/welldone.

We are keen to complain and send a letter, however when things are great, we take that for granted…

Good thing to take 1A…..

Seat and entertainment: Curiously, I had a better night with the old seat than NF….
I was either beat, or the seat was comfy… Maybe both…
As I previously stated, the IFE is clearly outdated. 14 movies or so, the screen is a far cry when I think abt TG….


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The AK.


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Taxing


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Let’s talk about the catering, yes a TR without, it’s like a plane without wings…
I have to say it was quit good, not on par with top notch Asian Carriers, but I really enjoyed.
I had the lobster, meat, and my chocolate cake with whipped cream…
I guess I have gained 1 lb…

For breakfast I went traditional… I was still stuffed from the dinner. And I had to keep some space for the concorde dining.

Crew : Where to start, both the purser and FA made an outstanding service. I had the feeling flying TG…

Upon arrival, I made my way to the CCR.

I really like the outfit, design. British style is unique. Trust me !

I had to chose between having a lunch or a quick massage… My tummy required more food…

Perfect cooked lamb… Allas I could not eat anymore.

I then made my way to the gate for my FCO flight.

My report is ending; I hope you have enjoyed reading it. For sure I can’t compete with brilliant reporter. But still…

Will I fly BA again, for sure, I won’t think twice.

Have a nice day ahead.

Thanks for reading.

Thomas

Oppss

I have forgotten half.....

here are the pics....

catering


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amuse bouche


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calories...


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And the seat...


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The CCR



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LHR-FCO.


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I'm really confused, and dunno what happened...

Now enjoy !

Thomas

[Edited 2012-07-28 15:46:22]

Great report!

What a coup to have your photo taken with Beckham! The LAX oneworld first class lounge is nothing special - certainly not the Concorde Room standard. I often find generic alliance lounges are quite bland - thankfully oneworld doesn't have many - most are airline branded.

I think the BA Old First cabin is still standing up quite well - not a patch on New First of course, but I do like the extendable leg rest in the old cabin which is no longer a feature of the new cabin.

Old First on the 747 does have AVOD IFE - the system is exactly the same as that fitted on the New First 747s (only the screen is larger of course in New First).

Thanks again for the report!

Good report!

Quoting milesaddict (Thread starter): Even if I checked in online, I tend to prefer by far the real boarding pass stub… Freak ? Maybe…

I'm the same way - great photo of D. Beckham! How cool.

I like how the old BA F looks still ; seems cozy!

Best,

Matthew (767747)

Great report, and nice to know that BA still offers a good F product.

Quoting milesaddict (Thread starter): Upon arrival, I made my way to the CCR. I really like the outfit, design. British style is unique. Trust me !

I did not know that one were granted accsess to the CCR on arrival in BA F. Great, and the lounge looks fantastic!!

Nice report. Been a good few years since I've been to TBIT but still looks just how i remember it! Even though it was the old BA First, still doesn't look too bad to me!

Quoting SASDC8 (Reply 4): I did not know that one were granted accsess to the CCR on arrival in BA F. Great, and the lounge looks fantastic!!

Concorde Room access is only possible if connecting from BA First to another flight departing from T5, the same day.

Bonjour Mr. Zitoun, nice to have have you back! Nice report as always, and your pics have improved over your last ones!  

Quoting milesaddict (Thread starter): I really love the barbecue beef here, nevertheless they still are not willing to fork out the recipe….

Wow that looks like a generous portion of meat. Did you manage to finish that whole one?

Quoting milesaddict (Thread starter): Upon entrance…. A nice surprise was there… the British soccer star… D.Beckham.. Leaving to LHR with the first flight…

LOL the real deal, and not the waxdoll!? Nice one Thomas! 

Quoting milesaddict (Thread starter): You also have a private room, guess it accommodates VIP…

I suppose Mr. Beckham took use of that one?

Quoting milesaddict (Thread starter): Let’s talk about the catering, yes a TR without, it’s like a plane without wings…

Well said...

Quoting milesaddict (Reply 1): calories...

I suppose you hit the gym, first thing after arrival  

BA First look top-notch as always, only heard good about this airline so maybe it's time to give it a try soon. The CCR looked really nice, and btw was it Caviar they served in those little glass jars?

"Wheels Up!"
//jonas

Quoting Genius12 (Reply 2): Old First on the 747 does have AVOD IFE - the system is exactly the same as that fitted on the New First 747s (only the screen is larger of course in New First). Thanks again for the report!

Tks Genius I did not have the chance to thank you as well for your flight to YYZ..

Real AVOD.... well I should have looked deeper...

When is your next BA romance flight ?

Quoting 767747 (Reply 3): I'm the same way

Good to know I'm not alone.... My wife does not get me...

Quoting SASDC8 (Reply 4): the lounge looks fantastic!!

It's a very nice lounge, very well furnished. But to me I still prefer the AF FCL one. It's the best for me.


Hi Mr Jonas ! what's up, too bad for SAS.....

Quoting LH4116 (Reply 7): your pics have improved over your last ones!

I'm now using a better camera with my Samsung Galaxy note.

Quoting LH4116 (Reply 7): Wow that looks like a generous portion of meat. Did you manage to finish that whole one?

for 9usd it's cheap and sooooooo gooooood.

I have finished all to the last piece of rice... and helped my dad to clean up his meal.... I may have an hidden tummy.... lol

Quoting LH4116 (Reply 7): I suppose Mr. Beckham took use of that one?

Not even, it did not bothered. I was in the lounge for 20 mins.

Quoting LH4116 (Reply 7): I suppose you hit the gym, first thing after arrival

Well I ate in the CCR.... and I dozed off....

Quoting LH4116 (Reply 7): BA First look top-notch as always, only heard good about this airline so maybe it's time to give it a try soon. The CCR looked really nice, and btw was it Caviar they served in those little glass jars?

No caviar yet....

You should give them a try.... and to me it's far easier to achieve top tier. and in coach to get 100%.

No brainer to me.

Nice report and pictures Thomas, thanks for posting.

The old FCL still looks pretty good, though the new FCL is the one you want to fly in really.

Catering looks good, sounds like the crew were great, good to hear!

Cheers

Mark

Great report Tom! Even the old F looks pretty good.

Quoting milesaddict (Thread starter): Even if I checked in online, I tend to prefer by far the real boarding pass stub… Freak ? Maybe…

Not at all - I always try and track down a real cardboar pass

Quoting milesaddict (Thread starter): Upon entrance…. A nice surprise was there… the British soccer star… D.Beckham.. Leaving to LHR with the first flight…

Well, I'm not the biggest Beckam fan, but I'm pretty jealous! Great to have bumped into him just days before he was wached by hundreds of millions around the world in the opening ceremony.

[Edited 2012-08-07 17:19:15]