Last week I returned from my Sunday run, all sticky and sweaty, only to be informed by the light of my life that we were booked to sample the British Airways A 350-1000 in a week’s time! I mean, how cool is that? New type for me and literally a new aircraft! The flight to Madrid is scheduled for a 06:20 departure out of Heathrow, which is why I spent last night at the Sofitel Heathrow T5, in walking distance to the terminal and connected via a footbridge.
There are two security checkpoints in T5. However, only checkpoint South has a fast track. This must be the quickest security chech I’ve ever done. There’s no queue and I’m done in less than three minutes! Airside, the terminal is still pretty deserted and the shops haven’t even opened yet. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Heathrow so empty!
The Executive Club Lounge
My first stop is the BA lounge for breakfast! Breakfast is something they do really well at the BA lounge. And fortunately, it already opens at 05:00 in the morning.
Boarding
At 05:40 my flight shows up on the screens as ‘boarding’. The flight will be departing from C61 in one of the satellite terminals. First thing to note: there is a lounge in satellite B and on the main concourse of the A gates. But there is no lounge at the C satellite. Second thing to note: you are not free to move as you please between the satellites. At least not without going through security.
Boarding is delayed by thirty minutes, due to the fact that the aircraft had not been towed over from the maintenance area to its parking stand on time. Sadly, gate C61 also happens to be just about the most impossible gate to take a picture of the aircraft from…
The Cabin
My first impression of the cabin is very positive. Again, I find the colours all rather dark, but it’s still a very elegant and classy looking cabin. The seat is definitely a vast improvement over that idiotic seat BA has on the rest of its fleet, which feels like an old and sagging armchair. This seat is much, much nicer and is very comfortable. It’s very practical in its design and offers a lot of storage space. Moreover, the seats are not aligned in a row. So that even with the door to the seat open, you still have a lot of privacy.
The Meal
The flight time is announced at 1 hour and 50 minutes. The service begins with the distribution of the hot towels, followed by the menus. There is a choice of three meals for the main course. The food is delivered as a tray service, with each passenger’s meal brought out individually. The crew work efficiently. Even so, the combination of a short flight time with a fairly large Club Class section means that the individual waiting time is rather long. As usual, I decide to go with the English breakfast, which is brought to me with a croissant and a bun on it. To celebrate the centenary, on this flight the crew distribute a box with two hazelnut pralines from Hotel Chocolat. The chocolates are good, but they clearly lack the finess of Swiss chocolate.
Arrival
Eventually, we land in Madrid with a delay of about 20 minutes. Our flight comes to an end at the satellite pier of Terminal 4. The queue for immigration is long, but at least it moves quickly. And even thought the automatic gate can’t seem to scan my face, the immigration officer can’t be bothered today and just lets me through anyway.
Getting into Town
I have five hours to spend here in Madrid on a lovely summer’s day. So upon exiting through arrivals, my first stop is the metro. I have a public transport card for Madrid which is quite convenient, because you can load multiple tickets on it. However, for trips to and from the airport, there is a EUR3.- surcharge that you can only load onto the card on the actual day of travel.
My two flights with British Airways yesterday and today were very pleasant. Of course, the brand new Airbus A 350-1000 this morning was a pleasant change from the usual narrowbodies. But apart from that, I think British Airways has implemented some fundamental changes that I would definitely consider a huge improvement. From the Do&Co catering to the installation of the new seat, which is expected to be rolled out on the Boeing B 777 fleet shortly as well. Of course, tastes vary. But for me, the hard product on the A 350-1000 and the improved catering definitely put British Airways on a par with Air France. With the Lufthansa group coming in far, far behind.
Not convinced that BA is moving in the right direction. After a disappointing Club Class flight to Jamaica in May with the awful seating and lacklustre service with wine not been offered or let alone a refill I would loathe to consider BA on long haul for a few years especially where alternatives are offered on carriers that understand customers needs.
Definitely a HUGE improvement over their other seats. Granted, at the end of the day, it’s just reverse herringbone seats with a door (much like Delta and a few others put a door on their staggered seats), which as an idea is simple but also smart as well. I wouldn’t be surprised if other airlines started offering similar seats as well, since it seems like a way to offer private seats in business class without having to sacrifice more room.
I’m just waiting for someone now offer doors on an Apex-style seat.
@Eamonn
Well, they’re improving their hard-product across the board, and First and Business now have Do&Co catering, so that is also improvement. Service probably still remains hit or miss. Though I imagine being in a cabin like this with the better food would improve the overall experience for you.