It’s coming up to eight in the morning and I’ve just arrived in Heathrow on a British Airways flight from Basel. I usually travel by Air France to Dubai. But when I saw that one of the two daily British Airways services from Heathrow would be operated by an A 380, I simply couldn’t resist. In total, 16 carriers operate, or at least used to operate, the A 380. With this flight to Dubai, British Airways becomes the eleventh A 380 airline I’m sampling.

Transfer in Heathrow T5

Terminal 5 is still rather calm as I step off the A 320 that brought me here from Basel and enter the terminal building. I follow the signs to flight connections and then take the fast track for the boarding pass check. Although, quite frankly, this fast track is a bit of a joke, because once you head one floor up, you end up in the same queue for the security checkpoint as everyone else. There is no segregated line for Business Class passengers.

Behind security the terminal is very busy. I’m a bit surprised that they don’t seem to be in any particular hurry to take down the Christmas decorations. It’s been a while now. As I have 4.5 hours to wait, I decide to do a bit of window shopping before I make my way to the lounge.

The British Airways South Terrace Lounge

At least there are signs throughout the terminal informing passengers on the lounge occupancy. By the looks of it, the southern lounge is still only half full, whereas the northern lounge is quite busy. So the southern lounge it is. I wouldn’t say that the lounge is quiet by any standard, but it’s certainly quieter than usual. I even manage to secure a place to sit on one of the comfortable and rather private single armchairs.

Catering is something they do very well at British Airways, and that includes the offerings in their lounges in Heathrow. I head for the hot buffet and prepare myself a nice English breakfast to enjoy while I watch the aircraft coming and going.

Boarding

An hour before departure the gate for my flight shows up on the departure information screens. The flight will be boarding from gate C 55, which is the gate right next to where I boarded my flight to Seattle the last time I was passing through Heathrow.

I make my way into the basement to catch the train to the satellites. I must admit, by the time I’m coming up the escalators and my ride to Dubai comes into view, I’m pretty excited. I think the A 380 really is just such a magnificent machine. There are two more A 380s on our left, one on our right, and another on the other side of the pier.

The Cabin & Seat

The A 380 still has the old British Airways Business Class product, which is a shame because it’s rather an odd design. The cabin is in a 2+3+2 configuration on the upper deck. On the pairs of seats on the sides, the aisle seat is forward facing, whereas the window seat is rear facing. A divider screen can be raised to avoid having to look at or speak to your neighbour if you don’t want to.

In terms of storage, the window seats are great because you have two whole fairly large compartments on the side, between the seat and the curvature of the hull. In addition, there’s also an inconveniently placed drawer at the bottom of the seat which is inaccessible once you extend the seat into the bed position. If you’re seated on the aisle, the drawer is really all you get as storage space.

I intentionally chose to sit on 59K, which is the last row of Business Class on the upper deck. I chose this seat for two reasons. First, because you don’t have to climb over anybody to access the aisle, and second because the service starts at the rear of the cabin and then moves forward, meaning that row 59 is attended to first. The seat is comfortable is the seating and lounging positions. However, in the sleeping position not so much.

Amenities

When I arrive at my seat there’s a pillow, seat cover and blanket placed on the seat, which I stow away in one of the side compartments. The small drawer near the floor is open and contains a bottle of still water and the vanity kit.

The Service & Crew

There are 23 cabin crew working on this flight, which is quite remarkable if you think about it and makes you realise just how immense the A 380 is. As on my flight to Seattle, the service is efficient, but without being brusque or rushed. The crew pass through the cabin with orange juice or champagne for a welcome drink. Shortly after, they hand out the menus for the flight. Once we’re airborne, the service continues with the distribution of hot towels.

The Meal – Lunch

I’m surprised to see that the menu hasn’t changed since my last trip, except that the traditional Christmas turkey dinner has been removed. It’s fine, I’m not complaining because it was rather a nice meal.

Ahead of the meal being served, the crew do a drinks round, which are served directly from the galley on a small black tray. I have a Coke Zero with a packet of savoury nibbles.

For the first course I have the burrata, which is as good as I remember from the Seattle flight. It’s an attractive looking tray, but without being fussy.

For the main course I have the pasta, which is very nice. I also appreciate that the dish has been properly heated and the food is served hot.

For dessert I’m tempted to opt for the cheese. But eventually, the prospect of a warm bread and butter pudding smothered in delectable custard wins me over.

Two hours after take-off, the meal service concludes. The cabin crew brings me a mug of coffee with milk and inquires if I want to be woken for the pre-arrival meal. I tell her I do, although I’m not really planning on sleeping on this flight. I recline my seat to comfortably watch the sun set behind the massive wing of our mighty A 380.

Second Service – Light Snack

Just 75 minutes out of Dubai, the crew pass through the cabin taking order for the pre-arrival snack. The menu choices for the second service are also unchanged, including the Niçoise salad with the broad beans I’m lethally allergic to. I don’t touch that. The chicken and cheese sandwich is good, though. And, even better, the chocolate muffin served for dessert is still warm and just tastes so, so good!

Arrival in Dubai

Just as I’m finishing my meal, the captain announces the top of descent, informing us that we’re forty minutes out of Dubai. However, a few minutes later he comes on again to announce that we’ve been given a very short shortcut and will therefore already be landing in twenty minutes. From then on it’s a bit of a rush for the cabin crew to get the cabin and galleys secured. But they manage, and we land in Dubai fifteen minutes ahead of schedule. British Airways arrives in Dubai Terminal 1.

Conclusion

That was another enjoyable flight with British Airways. There are some things they do exceptionally well. I certainly appreciate the pace of the service, which is efficient and unrushed. On a flight like this, I think it’s really important that the whole service doesn’t drag on for ages. The catering is also something that they do rather well at BA. Basically, I think the only thing I have to complain about with this flight, is the seat. It’s dated and impractical. At least, from what I understand, British Airways will start refurbishing its A 380 fleet from the middle of 2026 on. So, hopefully, in the not so distant future, this seat will be a thing of the past.