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The Complete Guide to British Airways First Class

British Airways First Class doesn’t get as much attention compared to many other First Class products. Often jokingly described as “the world’s best business class”, British Airways First Class has historically left much to be desired.

That moniker may soon become outdated, though, as the UK flag carrier has taken steps to improve their First Class product in recent years.

In this guide, we’ll dive into those changes and look at everything that is British Airways First Class. We’ll explore what you can expect to find before and during your flight, as well as the routings, aircraft, and the best ways to book British Airways First Class with points.

The British Airways First Class Experience

The British Airways First Class experience saw  an overhaul to the onboard soft product in 2019 , and improvements to the hard product on certain aircraft in 2020.

While the exact experience in British Airways First Class will differ depending on your aircraft type, you’ll always find yourself in a spacious seat that can be converted to a fully lie-flat bed, complete with a quilted mattress, duvet, and your own set of pajamas.

Ground Experience

British Airways First Class passengers have access to a dedicated check-in desks at most airports, as is generally the case when flying First Class. In addition to those dedicated desks, passengers also have access to fast-track security at London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and New York JFK airports.

London Heathrow has the First Wing, which is a dedicated First Class check-in area. Here, you’ll find an exclusive entrance and a dedicated security lane that leads directly to the British Airways Galleries First Lounge and the more exclusive Concorde Room.

British Airways has a First Class Lounge in Terminal 3 at London Heathrow, but their superior First Class offering, the Concorde Room, can be found in Terminal 5, opposite from the British Airways Galleries First Lounge.

The Concorde Room is only accessible to British Airways First Class passengers, as well as Gold Executive Club Members with at least 5,000 Tier Points in a single year travelling in any class of service. The Concorde Room has indoor lounge areas, as well as a more open terrace that overlooks the terminal.

You can enjoy à la carte dining in the Concorde Room, including high-quality food and beverage options. A new cocktail menu has recently been introduced, with seven signature cocktails.

There are also private cabanas you can book, where you’ll have your own room with a chair, ottoman, TV, and private bathroom. If you’d like to get some sleep, you can nap in one of the new Restworks technology-enhanced nap pods.

While it’s not a complete lie-flat bed, these nap pods allow you to get some rest and will wake you up with gentle vibration, light, and sounds.

If you’re flying out of New York JFK as a British Airways First Class passenger, you’ll also have access to the Concorde Room in Terminal 7. Note that British Airways is teaming up with American Airlines to open up three new lounges in Terminal 8 at JFK, including a dedicated First Class lounge that should open up in late 2022.

The seat on a British Airways First Class flight differs slightly, depending on which aircraft you fly in. Currently, you’ll find three different variations of the First Class seat, which we will explore in detail later on in this guide.

All First Class products have the option of turning the seat into a lie flat bed that measures 78” long and 22” wide between the armrests. While in the lie-flat position, the seat is designed to line up flush with the arm rest, affording you a bit more room.

Beyond the usual seat controls, British Airways First Class seats are devoid of any fancier technology and gadgets. You’ll find an updated 23” high-definition entertainment screen and a stylish lamp in all First Class seats.

Some of the newer First Class cabins found in the Boeing 777-300ERs have doors, offering additional privacy.

All First Class passengers are given Temperley London amenity bags and loungewear to help make the flight more comfortable.

Food and Drink

British Airways uses a “dine on demand” approach with their First Class food and beverage service. You can order from an à la carte menu whenever you wish during the flight, which includes plenty of gourmet food options.

In addition to the main meal service, high-quality Champagne and other beverages are available. Naturally, you can also try a signature afternoon tea service, providing you with a full British experience in the skies.

If you’re flying with a companion, you can dine together in British Airways First Class. In the same suite, your invitee can join you by sitting on the adjacent ottoman.

British Airways First Class Cabins

The British Airways First Class product comes in three variations: the original First Class Prime seat (introduced in 2010), the updated First Class Prime seat (introduced in 2015), and the First Suite (introduced in 2020).

The oldest version of the three can be found on all Airbus A380s, and on the majority of the Boeing 777s.

Airbus A380 (2010 First Class Prime)

On the behemoth double-decker Airbus A380s, the First Class cabin is on the main deck, where there are a total of 14 First Class seats laid out in a 1-2-1 format.

While the A380 First Class seats are a similar size compared to other aircraft with British Airways First Class, there is around 30% more personal space and 60% more storage space than the same older First Class products found on Boeing 777s.

If you’re flying by yourself in British Airways First Class on the Airbus A380, the best seats will be by the window: Seats 1A, 1K, 2A, 2K, 3A, 3K, 4A, or 4K.

If you’re flying in British Airways First Class with a companion, you’ll want to select one of the middle seat pairs – Seats 2E and 2F, 3E and 3F, or 4E and 4F – in order to enjoy the experience together.

Boeing 777-200ER & Boeing 777-300ER (2010 First Class Prime)

The oldest British Airways First Class model found on the Boeing 777-200ERs and Boeing 777-300ERs also has 14 seats in a 1-2-1 layout.

The best seat choices for solo travellers or anyone travelling with a companion are the same as those on the Airbus A380.

Boeing 787-9 & 787-10 Dreamliner (2015 First Class Prime)

The updated 2015 First Class seat can be found on all Boeing 787-9 and Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft.

Both aircraft have eight First Class seats arranged in a 1-2-1 format, with updated and more modern looking finishings.

If you’re flying First Class on a British Airways 787 as a solo passenger, the best seat for you will be along the windows: Seats 1A, 1K, 2A, or 2K.

If you’re flying with a companion, you should choose either Seats 1E and 1F or 2E and 2F.

Boeing 777-300ER (2020 First Class Suite)

The 2020 British Airways First Class update saw some major changes. Although the product is very similar to the 2015 First Class cabin, the largest update came by way of adding two fully closing doors, which provide extra privacy.

Furthermore, these seats have a unique three-point seat belt, which means there is no longer a need for the bulky integrated air bag on the lap belt. The shoulder strap is only required during take off and landing.

This 2020 First Class version can only be found on select Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. On these aircraft, there are eight First Class seats in a 1-2-1 configuration across two rows.

If you’re travelling by yourself, Seats 1A, 1K, 2A, or 2K by the windows will be the best choice.

If you‘re travelling with a companion, Seats 1E and 1F or 2E and 2F in the middle will be the best choice.

How can you tell which British Airways First Class cabin is which?

In order to figure out which version of British Airways First Class you’ve booked, you need to look at both the specific aircraft type and the number of First Class seats available in the cabin.

Any First Class seat booked on the Airbus A380 will have the older 2010 First Class Prime seat, and any First Class seat booked on either the Boeing 787-9 or the Boeing 787-10 will have the updated 2015 First Class Prime seat.

Where you need to pay the most attention is with First Class seats on the Boeing 777 models:

• If you’re flying on a Boeing 777-200ER, you’ll be on the older 2010 First Class Prime product.
• In order to tell which Boeing 777-300ER First Class product will be offered on your specific flight, you have to look at how many First Class seats there are. If there are 14 seats, then it will be the 2010 product, and if there are only eight, then it will be on the updated 2020 model with sliding doors.

You can use a tool such as ExpertFlyer to determine the number of First Class seats that are on any particular route.

It’s also important to note that British Airways may switch up the aircraft at the last minute, and you may not be flying the exact First Class product you had originally booked.

There is really no way to avoid this, but you can take comfort in the fact that all British Airways First Class products have the same service and onboard offerings, even if the seats differ slightly.

On ExpertFlyer, you can set up an “Aircraft Change” alert, which will notify you if there has been a change in the aircraft on a particular flight.

British Airways First Class Routes

With First Class cabins on a wide range of aircraft, British Airways offers their most premium cabin on many different routes.

From its hub in London, British Airways offers First Class to the following North American destinations:

Aside from flights to North America, British Airways offers First Class to the following destinations around the world:

Note that First Class availability and aircraft type on any specific route is subject to change. To determine the classes of service available on any particular flight, as well as the specific type of aircraft, be sure to check with British Airways or use a tool such as ExpertFlyer.

How to Redeem Points for British Airways First Class

British Airways is a part of the Oneworld airline alliance, and First Class can be booked with many Oneworld loyalty programs.

British Airways Avios

Using British Airways Avios  for British Airways First Class can be a great option, depending on the distance of your trip and whether or not you’re flying during off-peak or peak travel dates.

British Airways uses a distance-based award chart, which is further separated by off-peak and peak pricing. In the search results, you’ll see a red “Off-Peak” logo for dates with off-peak pricing.

Pricing is calculated by individual flight segments. Therefore, if you have multiple flights on a single booking, perhaps from London to Singapore to Sydney, you’ll be required to cumulatively pay Avios for each leg of the journey.

A one-way flight from London to as far as Chicago in North America will cost you 68,000 Avios during off-peak and 80,000 Avios during peak pricing.

A flight between London and western North America will be 85,000 or 100,000 Avios, depending on if you’re flying during off-peak or peak pricing. The below examples are for a flight between London and Seattle.

Luckily, earning enough Avios for a British Airways First Class flight shouldn’t be too difficult, as the loyalty program is a transfer partner with many transferrable points programs, including:

• American Express (Canada) Membership Rewards
• HSBC Rewards
• Marriott Bonvoy
• American Express (US) Membership Rewards
• Capital One
• Chase Ultimate Rewards

Furthermore, RBC has a co-branded credit card, the RBC British Airways Visa Infinite , so you can earn Avios on your daily spending.

Be sure to keep an eye out for the frequent transfer bonuses from the above programs to Avios. It’s not uncommon to see a transfer bonus of 30 –50%, which essentially reduces the cost of a British Airways First Class flight by the same margin.

Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan

Using Alaska miles to book British Airways First Class flights is much more straightforward than with Avios. For flights between any North American airport and London, the flight will cost you 70,000 Alaska miles per direction.

Depending on where in North America you’re flying to or from, and in which season you’re flying, this could wind up being a lot cheaper than using Avios.

Earning Alaska miles is quite easy through credit card welcome bonuses. For example, the MBNA Alaska Airlines Mastercard  gives a welcome bonus of 30,000 Alaska miles upon spending $1,000 in the first three months, and also earns you one Alaska mile per dollar spent on your purchases.

Furthermore, you can transfer Marriott Bonvoy points to Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan at the optimal ratio of 60,000 Bonvoy points = 25,000 Alaska miles. Below this, the transfer ratio is 3:1, but transferring in chunks of 60,000 yields a bonus of 5,000 miles.

Note that there are some more compelling uses for Alaska miles where you won’t incur a large sum of taxes and fees . Consider saving your Alaska miles for redemptions on Japan Airlines First Class or Cathay Pacific First Class instead.

American Airlines AAdvantage

Using AAdvantage miles to fly British Airways First Class is also fairly simple, as it requires 85,000 miles to book a flight to or from any airport in North America and London.

American Airlines AAdvantage is a transfer partner of RBC Avion, albeit at a less-than-ideal ratio of 1:0.7. Furthermore, you can earn AAdvantage miles by transferring Marriott Bonvoy points at the optimal ratio of 60,000 Bonvoy points = 25,000 AAdvantage miles.  

If you have access to American credit cards , there are a number of co-branded credit cards from Citi . You can earn AAdvantage miles quickly through welcome bonuses and daily spending.

Japan Airlines Mileage Bank

Similar to British Airways Executive Club, Japan Airlines Mileage Bank also uses a distance-based award chart when booking partner airline flights.

Using JAL miles, you’d need 65,000 miles for a British Airways First Class flight between eastern North America and London, and 90,000 miles between western North America and London.

Unfortunately, Japan Airlines Mileage Bank miles are quite difficult to come by in North America. Your best bet is to transfer Marriott Bonvoy points at the optimal ratio of 60,000 Bonvoy points = 25,000 JAL Mileage Bank miles.

Taxes, Fees, and Surcharges

While using points to book British Airways First Class flights can save you a lot of money, you’ll still be responsible for paying taxes and fees. With British Airways, these can indeed be quite hefty, regardless of which program you book through.

A one-way First Class flight with British Airways has surcharges of anywhere from $700–1,200 (CAD) for flights to and from North America. In addition, if you’re departing from the UK, you’ll have to pay a further fee for the UK Air Passenger Duty (APD), which is over $300 (CAD).

In total, expect to pay at least $500+ (CAD) in surcharges for a British Airways First Class flight, unless you originate from a country that imposes regulations on fuel surcharges.

British Airways First Class Award Availability

In order to secure a British Airways First Class seat, you’ll want to search as far in advance as possible. Despite the hefty amount of taxes and fees, passengers who prioritize direct routings over cost can often snatch up First Class award seats quickly.

Expect to find more availability on less popular routes, and less availability between London and major airport hubs with large populations. 

You’re more likely to find a single First Class award seat available with British Airways, but it’s also not uncommon to see two, three, or sometimes even four seats available. Should you require multiple seats, broaden your search to other cities where British Airways First Class is offered, and look for connecting flights with partner airlines.

Tips & Tricks for British Airways First Class

While a majority of the extra fees and surcharges can’t be avoided, if you book a British Airways First Class flight originating from somewhere outside of London, you’ll at least be able to save on the UK APD.

If you’re booking with British Airways Avios, you’ll want to plan to book during the off-peak pricing, if possible, as the Avios amount can be significantly cheaper.

Lastly, if you’re using Alaska miles, you can add in a free stopover if you’re flying on the same carrier. So, if you’ve managed to find availability, you could fly from North America to London, have a stopover in London, and then carry onward to Asia or the Middle East for a nominal amount of additional miles.

British Airways First Class is certainly a step up from business class, but it doesn’t quite have the same glowing reputation as First Class cabins on competing airlines. 

Of course, you’ll still enjoy a refined ground experience, with access to the flagship Concorde Room lounges in London and New York, as well as elevated dining at your leisure throughout the flight.

You can leverage the power of Miles & Points to experience British Airways First Class at a steep discount, although you should be aware that this is the one aspirational product for which you’ll almost always have to pay a hefty chunk of carrier-imposed surcharges when redeeming points.

Simple Flying

British airways first class: 5 things you only get with this premium ticket.

While a first class ticket comes with a hefty price tag, the premium travel experience definitely offers premium benefits.

• British Airways offers a dedicated phone line, 'You First,' for first class customers to assist with travel queries, disruptions, and mishandled bags.
• The first class experience includes an A La Carte menu, featuring bone china crockery and an afternoon tea service.
• First class passengers can also enjoy seamless check-in and boarding with dedicated desks and fast-track security at select airports, as well as access to exclusive first class lounges like The Concorde Room and The Chelsea.

British Airways, which markets its first class product as ‘First,’ described the travel class as the most luxurious travel experience. According to the airline, the benefits of the class range from an individual stylish suite onboard an aircraft if traveling internationally to exclusive lounges, fast-track security, and excellent service.

The latest cabin refresh of ‘First’ was in 2019. At the time, British Airways introduced new loungewear designed by the British luxury fashion brand Temperley London, bespoke amenity bags branded with the airline’s logos, featuring Temperley’s ‘Star’ design, and new first class duvets made from recycled bottles. Furthermore, the refresh introduced new menus.

Since then, two million passengers have gone through the airline’s The First Wing at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) Terminal 5, an exclusive check-in area for customers flying with top-of-the-line travel class, according to the carrier’s fact sheet. The area is also available for Gold Executive Club and one world Emerald loyalty customers, featuring a dedicated security channel that directly leads customers into the First lounge. British Airways also refreshed the Concorde Room for customers flying from LHR or New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Discover more aviation news about the passenger experience here.

There is no doubt that while flying first class is an expensive ordeal, the premium experience typically makes it worth it since, in addition to special care and attention from the airlines, you can also receive some exclusive things and experiences. So, what does British Airways’ first class have on offer?

1 Dedicated phone line

The phone line is marketed as ‘you first’.

• Separate numbers for calls from the UK and overseas

British Airways has a dedicated phone line for first class customers, marketed as ‘You First’. According to the airline, it is a service for those who have a ticket in ‘First,’ which is operated by British Airways. Passengers also have the option to nominate a person to manage their booking on their behalf.

The phone line can help customers with travel queries, disruptions, and mishandled bags. Travelers have two ways of contacting the airline via ‘You First,’ either by calling two phone numbers, one for calls from the United Kingdom (UK) and one from overseas, or filling out a form on the airline’s website.

British Airways Opens New Call Center In India

2 fine dining options, a la carte menu available.

• Bone china crockery, designed by William Edwards
• Includes afternoon tea service

British Airways also introduced a new A La Carte menu when the carrier invested in refreshing the first class experience, in addition to the new loungewear, amenity bags, and sleeping arrangements. The food from the menu was served on bone china crockery, which was designed by a UK-based tableware designer, William Edwards.

The menu includes lunch, dessert, and an afternoon tea service unique to the airline. The tea service menu has sandwiches, delicate pastries, scones, and a wide range of tea choices for first class customers. Both menus were designed by the airline's team of chefs.

Pairing Music With Food: The Story Of British Airways' Sensory Menus

3 seamless check-in and boarding experience, skip queues with ‘first’.

Fast-track security is available at:

• London Heathrow Airport (LHR)
• London Gatwick Airport (LGW)
• New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)

One of the benefits outlined by the airline while flying ‘First’ is that customers can skip queues by visiting dedicated check-in desks and fast-track security at airports. While dedicated check-in desks are available at most airports, fast-track security is only for flights out of LHR, LGW, and JFK.

However, data from the aviation analytics company Cirium showed that the airline had scheduled a total of 360,286 one-way first class seats during 2024. More than half originate from LHR (173,385) and JFK (23,096), meaning that most ‘First’ customers can access fast-track security if they fly with British Airways.

Is Heathrow Fast Track Worth It?

4 dedicated lounges, two dedicated lounges.

Exclusive ‘First’ lounges are:

• The Concorde Room at LHR
• The Chelsea at JFK

While British Airways has plenty of lounges across its network, including several at LHR, the airline offers two exclusive first class lounges. The first is The Concorde Room, located at LHR, while the second is called The Chelsea, shared with American Airlines, and is located at JFK. The lounges are at Terminals 5 and 8 at the respective airports.

In addition, the airline also offers access to The First Wing. In addition to first class passengers, the space welcomes Executive Club Gold and one world Emerald travelers. The space features a private check-in area, two exclusive security lanes, and a direct walkway into the Galleries First Lounge and Concorde Room at LHR. The First Wing was re-designed and unveiled in April 2017.

British Airways Reportedly Offering Passengers Money To Avoid Heathrow Lounges

5 personal suite, available on transcontinental flights.

Available on such aircraft:

• Airbus A380
• Boeing 777-200
• Boeing 777-300ER
• Boeing 787-9
• Boeing 787-10

While not every British Airways long-haul aircraft offers the new ‘First’ suites, the airline has still promised a luxurious experience when you’re flying either the Airbus A380, Boeing 777-200/777-300 or the Boeing 787-9/787/10. The airline noted that its first class suites are where British heritage meets modern design, enabling passengers to work peacefully, watch in-flight entertainment, or sleep.

The seat offers a lie-flat bed that extends up to 6 feet and 6 inches (198 centimeters) with a quilted mattress, a duvet, and a pillow. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the newly designed Temperley London loungewear is offered to passengers flying in ‘First.’

When British Airways began rolling out its new cabins, including a refreshed Club Suite, its equivalent to business class, the carrier reduced the number of first class suites from 14 to eight on its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The latest Airbus A350-1000 also lacks any ‘First’ suites.

Which British Airways Aircraft Have First Class Cabins?

What are your thoughts? Let us know what you think in the comment section.

British Airways

Still better than business class: A review of British Airways First on the 777 from London to Washington

Does international first class have a future?

With quantum leaps in business-class comfort and amenities and the increasing popularity of premium economy , some airlines like Delta and United have done away with first-class cabins altogether on their long-haul jets. British Airways still offers first class on many medium- and long-haul routes, though the retirement of its Boeing 747 fleet during the pandemic, all of which were equipped with first-class sections, means British Airways operates fewer flights with its fanciest cabin aboard than it did in 2019.

As an avid traveler based in London, I fly British Airways regularly, holding elite silver status in the airline's Executive Club program , and earning and redeeming hundreds of thousands of Avios each year. I've flown the airline's World Traveller economy, World Traveller Plus premium economy as well as both the old Club World and new Club Suite business-class products countless times, but have never made it into its first-class cabin. To be honest, it wasn't something I was terribly interested in doing.

That's because there is a long-running joke in frequent-flyer communities that British Airways first class is "the world's best business class," meaning it's not worth the extra cost in cash or miles over the excellent new Club Suite business class. The reason aviation enthusiasts deride British Airways First is that the seats basically look like what are now standard business-class seats on other airlines, in a typical 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone layout. What's more, descriptions and photos I'd seen of the airline's pre-pandemic First menus did not seem appealing enough to book it over business class.

On a recent jaunt across the Atlantic, however, the opportunity arose to try British Airways First out for myself — and to see how it measured up to the airline's swanky new business-class cabins.

Get the latest points, miles and travel news by signing up for TPG's free daily newsletter .

British Airways operates one to two flights daily from the airline's hub at London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Washington's Dulles International Airport (IAD) , with a morning departure operated by a Boeing 777-200 aircraft and the evening service seeing either a 777 or the double-decker Airbus A380 depending on the time of year. The morning departure, flight BA217, leaves London at 11:15 a.m., touching down in D.C. eight hours later, at 2:15 p.m.

Using points and miles for international first class can be tricky with many frequent-flyer programs, but British Airways remains one of the most generous airlines when it comes to releasing seats for your next redemption. Availability is outstanding on this route — over the quieter upcoming winter period, there are at least two first-class seats available with points and miles almost every day for months. With British Airways charging a staggering $12,000 one-way for first class on this route, it was a no-brainer to use its points currency, Avios, instead.

We booked this flight using 68,000 Avios plus $649 in fees, taxes and surcharges for an off-peak date — a combination of the United Kingdom's APD tax and British Airways' notoriously high fuel surcharges. The fees, taxes and surcharges were paid with The Platinum Card® from American Express which earns 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar on purchases made directly with airlines (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year), picking up a further 3,245 Membership Rewards, worth $64.90 by TPG's current valuation .

You can earn the Avios required to book this flight with a single welcome bonus. The British Airways Visa Signature Card earns 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first three months of account opening. There's also a 10% discount on British Airways flights originating in the U.S. when booking through a dedicated site, up to $600 in statement credits for those frustrating award flight fees, taxes and surcharges every year, and the ability to earn a Travel Together ticket after you spend $30,000 on the card in a calendar year.

Ground experience

British Airways' largest hub, Terminal 5 at London Heathrow, was relatively quiet at 8 a.m. when I arrived considering this was a peak summer travel date. I always love seeing the very British "A warm welcome to our home" signage in the terminal.

British Airways First passengers, as well as Executive Club Gold and Oneworld Emerald elites, can use the dedicated first-class check-in wing, located at the far south end of the Terminal 5 check-in hall. It was a relaxing and tranquil space with plenty of available, smiling agents waving me over to their counters. My boarding pass was printed in under a minute, with the agent then inviting me to use the dedicated security line to the right of the check-in desks. There was no wait for security here, though my journey was hampered by the passenger in front of me attempting to squeeze some two dozen different types of makeup into a clear liquids bag with limited success.

After security, I passed through a dark corridor, at the end of which was British Airways' iconic horse statue and the entrance to the Galleries First lounge. Don't be fooled by the name here, this lounge is for Oneworld Emerald passengers flying in lower classes of service, in compliance with alliance lounge entry rules.

First-class passengers should look for signs to the Concorde Room, an exclusive retreat reserved for British Airways first-class passengers and the most frequent of frequent British Airways flyers (I would need to have flown the equivalent of 1,000 short-haul, discount economy flights in a year to gain access without a first-class ticket). My boarding pass was carefully checked to make sure I was indeed flying in First and I excitedly entered the famed Concorde Room for the very first time.

Related: Concorde at 50: Faster than a speeding bullet

Unfortunately, I thought the space was rather dark and gloomy on this bright and sunny London day. There was a dedicated dining area that had two rows of private booths with tables set carefully, but beyond the privacy, the dark wood made the space feel uninviting and bleak. The huge cocktail bar along the back wall was stocked with countless bottles of spirits from around the world. Despite the early hour, the jovial bartender, with two cocktail shakers in hand, was entertaining a pair of travelers keen for a tipple.

My favorite part of the Concorde Room by far was the outdoor terrace, which is a much brighter, airier and more pleasant space than inside the lounge. It was open-air, which provided great views of the fleet of British Airways aircraft at the A and B gates of Terminal 5 as well as a bird's-eye view of the sea of passengers in the airside area below. The cabana-type layout and furnishings reminded me of an upmarket beach club in Dubai and I could have happily spent all day there.

A handful of tables were set for dining on the terrace and I chose to eat there, as it's a much more pleasant space than the darkness inside. Right next to me was an actual nose from a British Airways Concorde aircraft, registration number G-BOAF, which flew 5,000 flights for the airline from 1979 to 2003.

Related: You can own an iconic Concorde nose... for $250,000+

As I sat down I was quickly furnished with a menu and offered Champagne, juice or coffee. To celebrate gaining access to arguably the most famous airport lounge in the country, I said yes to all three. British Airways serves Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle in the Concorde Room (and in the first-class cabins on board). Retailing at almost $200 per bottle, this is a serious drop , and I was excited to try some for the first time. It was served in a large glass, perfectly chilled.

I'm not a Champagne expert, though I can tell the difference between Champagne and other sparkling wines blindfolded. That said, it tasted great.

The two brown dots on the froth of my latte were a tell-tale sign it came from an automatic machine, however, rather than being crafted by a barista. If British Airways is going to spend so much on Champagne for this luxury space, the airline might also consider employing a barista.

Perusing the menu, I selected the poached eggs with smashed avocado, chili and a side of bacon. The numerous lounge staff members insisted I have two eggs rather than one and quickly shuffled off to place my order. It arrived 10 minutes later, and while it initially seemed like a small portion, it turned out to be just right given the cornucopia of food that was to come on my flight. The eggs were poached perfectly and paired well with my pricey Champagne.

Overall, the Concorde Room was an excellent lounge and it is definitely worth arriving early before your flight to enjoy it.

An hour before departure, I headed downstairs to the painfully slow terminal transfer train to the B gates, where my flight was departing. All wide-body aircraft depart from the B or C gates of Terminal 5, so allow extra time to make it to your gate. Boarding started slightly after the scheduled time of 10:30 a.m., in strict groups with passengers in First boarding as Group 1.

Cabin and seat

British Airways operates numerous cabin configurations across its 777 fleet. On the 777-200 variant that operated my flight to Washington, there were 235 seats in four classes of service. At the front was the First cabin, with just eight seats spread across two rows in a reverse herringbone 1-2-1 layout. As a solo traveler, I had selected seat 1K, a window seat in the front right of the cabin that was angled slightly to face the window; each center seat skews toward the center of the cabin.

Couples traveling together may wish to select the center E and F seats so they can communicate more easily during the flight.

There is a large pleated privacy screen between the pairs of center seats that can be closed if either passenger wants more privacy.

Walking through the shiny new Club Suite business-class cabin immediately after boarding through door two, it struck me as strange that the business-class seats featured sliding doors for privacy, while the seats in First did not have doors — or much privacy at all, for that matter. In fact, the first-class seats basically looked like the business-class ones, just with a few extra bells and whistles and a little more space.

These bells and whistles included a frosted reading lamp located next to the window, as well as double windows that reminded me of a luxury train carriage. These had concertina shutters that could be electronically lowered with a flick of the switch next to my seat.

The privacy wings around the headrest provided only a small amount of seclusion. I would have much rather had the high walls of Qatar Airways' Qsuite so I wouldn't be disturbed by the crew or other passengers as they moved about the cabin. The navy blue and white color palette of the seats was a sensible idea, as the dark blue was great for hiding stains and appeared to be in a good shape even after years of heavy use.

Related: Business-class battle: The best lie-flats between the US and London

As I settled into the seat and began to explore my home for the next eight hours there were a number of subtle touches that I realized did give the seat more of a first-class edge over Club Suites. There was a huge amount of personal space. So much so that a companion could dine with you in your seat sitting on the footrest facing opposite the main passenger, though foot space admittedly would be tight with two people sitting so close together. While the 22-inch seat width doesn't sound much more than economy, it was enough to feel spacious, and the 78 inches of pitch was positively opulent — my feet could barely touch the leg rest in front of me.

A very large tray table slid out from the oddly-shaped and -positioned armrest-type console below the window, and had plenty of room for my laptop. Storage-wise, my personal closet located at the front left of my seat was so large I probably could have squeezed into it myself; it easily held my backpack, shoes and excess items. I could also store some small items directly below the window in the dead space to the right of the console.

Had I not wanted to use this area there was also space below the footrest to store shoes, along with a universal charging point to the side of it.

As you would expect from an international first-class product, the seat reclined into a fully-flat 78-inch bed by simply turning a green-lit knob under the window lamp. The crew gladly made up the bed with the provided bedding so I could take a quick post-lunch nap, starting by lowering the armrest to increase the sleeping surface.

The footrest could also be raised and lowered using the buttons below the green knob.

There was more linen than I needed, with a full-size fluffy pillow, a smaller day pillow, a mattress pad, a thick duvet and an additional blanket on top, all from the White Company. It was like sleeping on a cloud — arguably more comfortable than my bed at home, making it easy to doze off for an hour or so. While this was a daytime flight where sleep was not a priority (there were far too many goodies to enjoy), I doubt I would have had trouble sleeping through the night on an overnight journey.

Amenities and inflight entertainment

A small day pillow was resting on my seat when I boarded, with the rest of the bedding positioned at the footrest.

Special First-branded, noise-canceling headphones were quickly presented to me, as was a "his" amenity kit by Temperley London, a British fashion house.

I could not get over how many items the amenity kit contained. Along with the usual inclusions like an eye mask, earplugs, sleep socks, and a toothbrush and toothpaste, there were numerous toiletries from Elemis including shaving gel, pro-collagen marine cream and even a deodorant stick. This was probably the most well-stocked amenity kit I had ever received.

The crew handed out Temperley slippers and lightweight cotton sleepwear, which I changed into shortly after takeoff. The large size was a good fit for me.

The battered and scratched 23-inch inflight entertainment screen at my seat seemed very out of place among the other luxurious amenities. It swung out from the console next to the aisle and the sturdy metal seemed to weigh a ton — an odd choice on an aircraft where more weight equals more fuel. It didn't swivel up or down, which was not ideal for watching anything in a reclined position.

The entertainment options listed 54 new release movies including the new "West Side Story," James Bond in "No Time to Die" and "House of Gucci." Among the hundreds of TV series options were "Below Deck Mediterranean," "Hacks" and "Britain's Got Talent."

These were controlled by a dated, sluggish controller housed near the window or the fairly unresponsive touchscreen on the screen itself.

If British Airways decides to add a sliding door to this product, as I hope it will soon, an upgrade of the IFE system is also urgently needed. The resolution was not very crisp, the touchscreen and remote were not super responsive and the interface was not particularly modern.

There was also a fairly low-resolution moving map.

Wi-Fi was provided free for all passengers seated in First simply by logging in and entering your seat number and name. I appreciated the perk and found acceptable speeds of 10 Mbps download — but only 0.07 Mbps upload.

There was only one bathroom for the first-class cabin of eight passengers, but I never needed to wait. Unfortunately, the lavatory was the same as you'd find in economy, cramped and scuffed. Beyond a few Elemis toiletries to wash and moisturize your hands, this was a very basic bathroom.

Food and beverage

A flight attendant came by to offer me the same Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle Champagne served in the Concorde Room as soon as I sat down, and I gladly accepted another chilled glass served in Dartington crystal, along with a choice of hot or cold face towel and some mixed nuts.

Serving the nuts in a packet did not feel very first class considering the otherwise impeccable quality of the experience so far — these could have been warmed in a ramekin instead.

I was presented with a comprehensive menu of food and drinks during boarding and invited to dine on demand at my convenience. Given the departure and arrival times, I chose to eat a leisurely lunch shortly after departure, with a British afternoon tea shortly before arrival.

First up for lunch was a trio of canapes — prosciutto with melon, smoked salmon with cream cheese and cucumber and fire-roasted red pepper roulade with goat cheese. All three were tasty, though if you don't like cream cheese you'll want to skip this course entirely, as it was in every bite.

My table was then set with military precision by the crew with William Edwards Ltd. crockery from Stoke-on-Trent in the United Kingdom, which was designed just for British Airways first class, and Studio Williams cutlery from the Cotswolds region. The crockery, especially, was a beautiful design, with its gray and white color scheme reminding me of something you might find in the first-class cabins of Middle Eastern airlines such as Etihad .

While no caviar was on the menu, I chose a beef tataki from a whopping five appetizer options. It was as delicious as it was elegant, accompanied by a herbed bread roll with butter, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. After hearing the business-class cabin behind me had been served their entire lunch meal on one tray on this flight, my experience up front felt noticeably more upscale. Being served distinct courses allowed me to focus on one course at a time, as I would in a fine-dining restaurant, and meant everything could be served fresh and at the right temperature.

Next up was the main course, again with a choice of five options. I usually enjoy a nice steak or slow-cooked piece of red meat on such flights but decided to mix things up and go for the Indian option instead — a chicken tikka masala served with jeera pulao and dal makhani. Curry is notoriously difficult to serve elegantly (it is usually just poured in a bowl) so I practically gasped when this dish was carefully placed down in front of me.

A crispy papadam had been cleverly curled during the cooking process and artfully placed atop the chicken breast. Even having dined multiple times at Dishoom, one of the most well-regarded Indian restaurants in London, I had never seen this presentation before. The chicken was moist and not too spicy, and the dal makhani was a nice, mild accompaniment. I spied a red wine I love on the list, Domain Drouhin Pinot Noir 2019 from the Willamette Valley in Oregon, which retails for around $45 per bottle, so I ordered that to have with my main course.

Related: The 17 best restaurants in London

I was very full by this point so I passed on the cheese and dessert courses to save some space for afternoon tea later in the flight. To aid digestion I settled for an herbal tea — served in a full-size William Edwards Ltd. crockery teapot with the same motif as the rest of the crockery — and some shortbread cookies.

Around two hours before our arrival, I pressed the call button to order afternoon tea, which began with another glass of Champagne. This time I switched to the rose, which was the Lanson extra aged rose brut NV, retailing for around $100 per bottle. It was served with a choice of a hot or cold towel.

My table was then immaculately set for a second time and a fresh pot of tea (I went for Earl Grey this time) was delivered along with my choice of plain or fruit scones with the traditional strawberry jam and clotted cream. A small, two-tiered selection of dainty sandwiches and sweet cakes also was presented. All were fresh and high quality, a testament to the airline's smart decision to use award-winning airline caterer DO & CO, which also prepares Turkish Airlines' legendary inflight cuisine.

Related: AvGeek video: Come behind the scenes with Turkish Airlines' flying chefs

The crew advised me that a "charcuterie plate" also was available as part of the meal service. While that is not a common feature of a traditional British afternoon tea, I was intrigued and so I ordered it as well. What arrived was more of a Mediterranean rare beef salad, which was a light and fresh end to what was otherwise a sweet but delicious meal.

I enjoyed every single thing I ate on this flight and would go as far as to say that overall, considering the taste, variety and presentation, this was the best food I have ever eaten on a plane.

Cabin crew member Megan looked after me throughout my flight to Washington and was a gem from start to finish. She immediately set the tone for the experience by handing me the menu and telling me, "The flight is yours to enjoy as you wish. Whatever you want to eat or drink, whenever you want to eat or drink it."

My flight attendant service requests were always answered in under 10 seconds. Megan continually offered me more of anything I was having, from Champagne to snacks, and was on hand to make up my bed. My table was set for each meal with nothing even an inch out of place. There were little touches that reminded me this was absolutely first-class service. For example, I asked for a pot of herbal tea without sugar after lunch. When I ordered a pot of black tea later on in the flight, Megan said, "Now I know you don't take sugar with your herbal tea. I just wanted to make sure you didn't want any for black tea."

Related: The next time you travel, take your kids to afternoon tea

Likewise, before she filled my glass with Champagne, she always presented the bottle for my perusal and offered a taste first.

Overall impression

I went into this flight with fairly low expectations of British Airways First, believing the seat would be more akin to a business-class product. While luxuriously furnished, the seat did lack privacy; that could be solved with the installation of a sliding door, like the ones the passengers behind me in Club Suites were already enjoying. The creaking, clunky IFE screen was unwieldy and could also use an update.

The rest of the experience, however, was excellent and a huge step above business class. The First Wing check-in area was a classy way to start the journey and the sun-drenched terrace at the Concorde Room was a peaceful place to relax and enjoy a generous glass of three-figure Champagne, away from the hustle and bustle of Terminal 5 below.

The onboard food was the best I have eaten on a plane, with the presentation carefully thought out.

I will tell anyone who listens that Qatar Airways Qsuite is the world's best business class, and the Qsuite is certainly a better hard product than first class on British Airways thanks to its incredible privacy. For the soft product, however, this flight in British Airways first class was superior — with better food than I've found aboard Qatar and very personalized service thanks to the small number of passengers compared to flight attendants.

I doubt I will have the chance to fly first class on British Airways regularly, but for a special occasion, given the abundance of award availability on a route like this, it is definitely worth the extra points and miles (even if the surcharges are still hard to bear).

UponArriving

British Airways First Class Guide & Review [2021]

Are you thinking about flying British Airways first class? If you would like to know what to expect and other important details like what aircraft and route you might be flying, be sure to check out this comprehensive guide below.

I’ll also give you a detailed review of my experience flying British Airways first class, complete with tons of photos and detailed descriptions!

Table of Contents

New BA first class product

Before jumping too far into the details, you should know that British Airways has a new first class product coming out.

In October 2020, the new 777-300s arrived in London showcasing the new first class product.

It’s not a complete overhaul of their current cabin, though.

In fact, some would argue that it’s basically the same seat just with a door. And that is a slight bummer because the seat is comparable to some business class seats so we’re not really talking a significant upgrade.

Still, it was very important to put doors on the suites since the British Airways business class product already had enclosed suites.

Also, some of the new cabins have reduced from 14 seats to eight which make them a lot more intimate and allow for more privacy, so that’s a pretty good upgrade.

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BA First Class aircraft

If you are going to fly British Airways first class, you will likely be flying in one of the aircraft below.

787 Dreamliner

The British Airways 787–9 has two rows of four seats. This has always been the smallest and most intimate British Airways first class cabin and it is also probably the most coveted (although now there are small first class cabins in the newer aircraft.)

Compared to some of the other aircraft, there also have been interior upgrades which makes for a slightly enhanced experience. For example, you will be able to enjoy a larger personal screen and your suite. If I had to choose one way to fly British Airways First Class, it would probably be the 787.

The first class cabin on the British Airways A380 is located on the bottom level of the massive A380 aircraft. While some people prefer the A380 top level, the windows are smaller and the ceiling clearance is also lower on top so you get more room on the bottom.

The A380 has four rows with a total of 14 seats, so you’ll be seated among almost double the amount of seats found on the Dreamliner. You’ll find the lavatories upfront which is also where the staircase is located. Therefore, I would prefer to sit in the back of the cabin for optimal privacy.

The British Airways 777-200 has four rows with a total of 14 seats. So like the A380 it is going to be one of the more crowded first class cabin experiences. Some 200s are only three class aircraft and do not come with a first class cabin.

The British Airways 777-300 is going to be very similar to the 777-200.

But one major difference is that the lavatories are located in the rear of the cabin on the 300 while the 777-200 lavatories are located in the front of the cabin, including one in the middle aisle.

This means that sitting in the back row could give you a lot more privacy on the 200 since people will be moving toward the front of the cabin to head to the lavatories.

However, if you were sitting at the front of the cabin on the 300 you may have the best privacy since generally people would be moving toward the back of the cabin for restroom visits.

It’s worth noting that there may be fewer seats on the newer 777-300 aircraft.

Unfortunately, flying the British Airways 747 is no longer in operation.

However, it had five rows of seats but only two of those rows had four seats across.

The lavatories were located in the back of the nose so the two front seats had fantastic privacy which is why elite members were able to get them. The 747 will be greatly missed!

BA First Class routes

Below are some destinations that you will be able to find a British Airways first class cabin on.

Most of these destinations are flights from London but keep in mind that the destinations and aircraft are subject to change for various reasons including aircraft swaps.

787–9 Dreamliner

British Airways has 19 787-9s. If you want to experience the awesome first class product in the Dreamliner, look into the following destinations:

• Kuala Lumpur
• Los Angeles
• Mexico City
• Narita – Tokyo
• Newark – New York
• Philadelphia
• San Jose CA

You can find the latest routes here .

British Airways only has 12 A380s.

• Johannesburg
• San Francisco

British Airways has a total of 45 777-200s but I’m not sure how many of them are outfitted for first class so remember to verify that the 777-200 has a first class cabin.

• Buenos Aires
• Rio de Janeiro

Boeing 777-300

British Airways has a total of 12 777-300s. Some of these newer aircraft will have the smaller first class cabins (fewer suites) so be on the lookout for that on the seat map.

BA First Class Lounges

British Airways has first class lounges and they also have the special Concorde Room at London Heathrow Terminal 5 and JFK Terminal 7.

To get access to the Concorde Room at London Heathrow Terminal 5 and JFK Terminal 7 you need to be flying on a British Airways flight in First Class and over the age of 18 years, or if under 18 years you are accompanied by a responsible adult.

The rules are more lax for the first class lounge is and you can get into these if you meet the following requirements:

• Flying on a British Airways flight in First Class
• You are a Gold Member of the British Airways Executive Club on a scheduled flight operated by British Airways or a  one world partner
• You are an Emerald member of any of the  one world airline frequent flyer programs on a scheduled flight operated by British Airways or a one world partner
• You are over the age of 18 years, or if under 18 years you are accompanied by a responsible adult.

Note: Access to the BAR at Dubai and Singapore is restricted to guests traveling in First Class.

Find out more about these rules here .

We capped off an extraordinary trip to Norway during the holiday season with a flight back from Oslo to Houston via London in British Airways first class.

Although I had come across a few reviews that dampened my enthusiasm for BA’s first class product on the 747, I still thoroughly enjoyed the flight experience. While BA’s first class on the 747 isn’t quite on the same level of some other global carriers, it’s still nothing to scoff at.

Also note that while the 747 has been discontinued the hard product will be very similar to other aircraft such as the A380, 777, etc.

Related: Top 10 First Class Cabins (& How I Booked)

We used 85,000 American Airline miles to get from OSL to IAH via LHR in first class one way for each person.

Google flights listed this flight at $6,576 although if you fly it out of London it’s listed at over $11,000! For our award flight, total fees came out to $270 (which isn’t that bad for a premium flight out of LHR), and so our redemption value came out to 7.4 cents per point, which I’ll take just about any day. We may have looked into Finnair or American if we were focused on cutting costs, but we really wanted to try out BA’s first class product, so we went with BA and just ate the cost. 

(The first class on board the A319 from Oslo to London was nothing impressive and merely consisted of economy seating with a placeholder in the middle seat, so our enthusiasm was focused on the 10.5 hour segment of our route.) 

Related: 12 Best Chase Ultimate Rewards First Class Redemptions

The first class cabin

While not as stunning as what’s found on the 787, the British Airways first class cabin on the 747 is still well polished and sleek. I’d read a number of reviews about the first class cabin on the 747 being crowded, and so I was a little bit worried about feeling cramped the whole time while in first class and that detracting from the experience. However, I honestly didn’t feel cramped at all.

It’s true that the cabin isn’t as spacious as I would like and could use more space or fewer seats, but it didn’t feel like too close of quarters where I sat in seat 2K. I got a bit lucky in that I had no passenger directly across from me, so that helped create more privacy. The story may have been a little different if I were in row 3, 4, or 5, although the staggered design of the seats helps to provide some screening even when you have neighbors. 

2K was a great seat but one issue was that passengers often came around the magazine rack either to pick up literature or to swing back around from the lavatory if their way was blocked. That was slightly bothersome. The best seats are 1A and 1K but those are reserved for BA/ one world elites and as far as I know you can only select them at check-in if they are still not available. (They weren’t available when we checked in.)

British Airways First Class cabin.

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I found the seats to be comfortable and designed and positioned to afford you with a decent amount of privacy. The desk or counter space adjacent to the seat is a bit limited and there’s no big storage drawer or compartment for your larger items, so that’s a slight drawback (although you can use the netting in the closet space to store small items like your passport, phone, etc.).

The seat comes with a small pillow that honestly felt worn and thin and detracted a bit from the overall polished feel of the cabin. With everything else having such a nice aura, it just felt out of place.

Across from your seat, there’s a footrest that also functions as a small stool/seat that even comes equipped with a seat belt. I sat in it for a minute and it was surprisingly more practical than I had imagined but I would not consider eating a meal from that “seat” or spending any considerable time in it like the alternate seats found other airlines like Etihad.

The overall design of the seats are very pleasing to the eye. This is especially true when you drop down the mood-lit blue shades via an electronic control.

In addition to the mood-lit shades, the miniature “lamp” that hangs just over your seat control panel on the right adds an additional touch of ambiance to the experience.

With both of those lighting features, the first class cabin transforms into something a bit more lustrous.

It really is one of the prettier first class seats. 

Seat functions

One of my favorite aspects of the first class seat is the seat functions because they are some of the simplest controls I’ve ever come across. You simply turn the dial in one direction and you’ll begin to recline until you’re all the way flat. Once you begin to bring the seat back up, the lighting surrounding the circular dial will turn green to let you know you’ve reached the take-off/landing position.

At one point, the controls did appear to malfunction and a red light lit up that said “fault.” This would not let me bring my seat out of the lie-flat position. A flight attendant came to assist and she fixed it by turning the dial toward the lie-flat position and then instantly turning it back the other way. She seemed like she knew exactly what to do, so perhaps that issue comes up fairly frequently. 

You could also adjust the position of individual segments of the seat with buttons found below the dial. The buttons on top of the dial control the two reading lights above your seat. And the buttons on top of the panel control the brightness of the lamp and (when activated) also control the intensity of the blue mood lighting in the window shades.

Just to the left of the seat dial is the USB port and also the headphone jack. In between those, you’ll find the controls for the window shade.

There’s also a silver panel you have to pull out to access the controller to the in-flight entertainment system. It’s an easy to use controller that also controls the reading lights and call button for service.

One slightly annoying thing about the in-flight entertainment/controller is that the volume bar/meter does not show up on the screen so it’s not easy to gauge your volume level and return to that “perfect” level once you change it. 

Finally, there’s a universal power outlet found near the bottom of your seat.

There’s a nice closet storage compartment that I was able to hang up a pretty thick peacoat in without wrinkling it all up. If you have a heavier jacket you can always request to have your coat stored elsewhere in the cabin.

There’s also an additional hanger next to the television screen.

And finally, there’s an opening at the bottom of the closet for your shoes, which is a nice touch. (Right above it is the netting that you can put small belongings in.) 

The 747 comes with 15-inch TV screens. You have to pull these screens out of the back of the seat by sliding the notch over near the top of the screen. It’s kind of an annoying thing to have to do since you have to lean all the way forward to bring it out but not a major problem. 

The monitors have touch screen capabilities and responded very well to touch. One thing I enjoyed about the monitors is that they didn’t seem to lose visibility when lying down. It’s a real pain when you can’t tilt a screen but when you lie down, you can hardly make out what’s on the screen. This didn’t seem to be an issue and the monitor was also bright enough to be clearly seen even when the cabin lights were not dimmed. The movie, tv, games, etc., selection appeared to be pretty standard, as well. 

I thoroughly enjoyed the dining experience on board this flight. First, I really like the fact that you can push your (large) tray table forward and with your seat in the proper position, you can still exit and enter your seat. This makes the dining process a lot more enjoyable so you don’t feel like you’re chained to your tray with tons of cutlery, dishes, and condiments on it until you finish your entire meal.

As for the dining itself, it exceeded expectations. It’s not on the same level as Etihad, Singapore, etc. when it comes to presentation and overall food and drink selections, but it still held its own. For an appetizer, I had the duck rillette with smoked duck breast and kumquat confit and found it tasty (although it wasn’t my favorite thing in the world to eat).

For the main course, I went with the seared fillet of Aberdeen Angus beef with pearl barley arancini and vegetables. I had a similar beef dish on Etihad’s Apartment but enjoyed this one a lot better as it had more flavor and was cooked more to my liking.

For dessert, I went with the plain Madagascan vanilla ice cream which apparently was nothing special compared to the caramel brownie that Brad had. I think that’s why the flight attendant asked me if I wanted to pair the ice cream with another dessert, but to avoid giving in to a bit of gluttony, I refused.

A couple of hours later, I requested a cheese plate and some red wine to go along with the assortment. Aside from the beef, this was the highlight of my dining experience, as I loved the different cheeses and crackers. Brad went with the sandwich sampler and had good things to say about them as well.

I’d heard a lot of negative things about the dining experience on British Airways, too, but I found it to be a solid experience. It wasn’t quite as extravagant as some of the other premier cabins like Singapore or Etihad but it was still an overwhelmingly positive dining experience and although it lacked a little bit of flair and personal touch found elsewhere, I still felt very satisfied.

Amenity kit

When we boarded our seat, our slippers and a very thin blanket (almost like a shaw) already awaited us. Our flight attendant asked us if we wanted pajamas for the 10.5 hour flight and I obliged since I can’t turn down a comfy pair of PJs.

We were some of the last passengers to receive the old amenity kit, since British Airways is offering newly designed kits in 2017. According to one of our flight attendants, the kits for women are getting the major overhaul, while those for men won’t see as many changes.

Inside the kit we had:

• Toothbrush and toothpaste 
• British Airways “First” writing pen
• Moisturizer 

The headphones given to us were noise canceling headphones, although I’m not sure which brand they were. They were decent quality though and did the trick. I also didn’t have any issues with the volume cutting out due to a poorly connected headphone jack as often happens on flights with even the slightest nudge with the headphone jack.

The cotton PJs were nice and comfy and much thinner than some other ones like the Givenchy pajamas given on Singapore Suites. I personally prefer the thinner pajamas since it’s much easier to stay cooler. The “First” insignia was a nice added touch, too.  

Turn-down service

When you put the seat down flat, the armrests also lower to the level of your seat creating a wider space for your upper body. Although this only added a couple of inches, I found the little bit of extra room allowed for a much more comfortable experience.

The staff happily made my bed when I requested turndown service. Although the duvet/blanket, and additional pillow they brought out didn’t come out in the most snazzy fashion, I got extremely comfortable in them. One reason I got so comfortable is that British Airways actually kept the cabin cool — a tad bit chilly even. With the cotton PJs and soft pillows and blanket, I was able to get cozy without warming up too much which has been an issue on several long-haul flights with other airlines I’ve flown on. 

Although I actually didn’t sleep on this flight, I was able to stay perfectly comfortable throughout the entire flight due to the coolness, bedding, and room I had. 

Just like with the armrests, you also have more room down by your feet created by the additional padding. Again, we’re only talking about inches here but you know how big of a difference a matter of inches can make when it comes to room on a plane.

I will say that the only real negative is that when you have the TV monitor extended out, you don’t have much room above your legs so you have to remain conscious about that so you don’t end up kneeing your monitor. But despite that, I’d have to rate the turndown service among the best I’ve experienced purely as a matter of all-around comfort when all things are considered. 

Here’s where BA really surprised me. The service from out first class cabin crew was tremendous. While I didn’t feel quite the same level of over-the-top dedication as I felt from my Singapore Suites experience (which nothing has been able to top), the service on this flight was right up there with some of the best. They were super-attentive, willing to assist with whatever was needed, and were extremely pleasant to deal with. I had zero complaints about them. 

British Airways First Class FAQ

787 Dreamliner A380 777-200 777-300

787 Dreamliner Some 777-300s

London Heathrow Terminal 5 and JFK Terminal 7.

Boston Chicago Hong Kong Johannesburg London Los Angeles Miami San Francisco Singapore Vancouver

The first class cabin is on the bottom level.

Overall, my first class experience on the British Airways 747 exceeded my expectations that admittedly had been set a little bit low based on some reviews. The hard product itself was beautiful, practically designed, and comfortable; the dining and drinks were terrific; and the service was exceptional. While some airlines clearly have British Airways outdone in terms of bars, showers, and other areas, I don’t think “British Airways First” is quite far behind as some make them out to be. 

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo . He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio .

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Very nice review! We are looking forward to flying BA first in May on 3 different segments, with an outbound from Miami on AA, and enjoyed reading your comments about the plane and service. Our first long haul flight will be LHR to CPT on a 747. As we are both Exec Platinum on AA, we were lucky enough to get 1A and 1K reserved at time of booking. Our return flight from Johannesburg to London will be on a BA 380, and our last BA flight back to the US is on a 777; all in First. We look forward to trying the different planes and service on British. Thanks again for the review and with lots of photos.

Thanks, that trip sounds amazing! I’d love to see your take on the differences of the cabins if you end up writing up an article on them. That’s going to be quite the experience, and I absolutely love South Africa!

Can you let me know what you think of first class to Cape Town, I’ve been told it’s not their proper revamped first class. We’ve booked to go in December

Great review, looking forward to our 6th BA First in April. Reading your thoughtful review helps keep the excitement building for the next trip. We also learn new things!

Like you, we both live with “an attitude of gratitude” and usually have a terrific time flying and traveling. Kindness, and a respectfully playful perspective add smiles and warmth, especially when traveling.

Later on this summer, we will fly BA First on the 789 from AUS to LHR, in the “new” First Suite. This will also be our first visit to the Great Lone Star State (save for passing through), and we’re looking forward to Austin.

Thanks Daniel, for your great trip report and your website!

Thanks a lot for the feedback. 6 BA trips in F? Must be nice! I’d be really excited to try out the new first class suites, too. They look outstanding. You’ll enjoy Austin, it’s a beautiful city and there’s plenty to do whatever your tastes might be. Just bring your sunscreen!

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So glad to read this. We’re headed to London in Sept in First from San Jose California on the 787-9. In my excitement I’d been reading different BA reviews and have honestly gotten depressed about it. We were so excited but started to expect the worst after reading many of them.

So nice to see a positive review. Thanks so much for posting!!

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Flying British Airways First Class – complete guide from seats and lounges to champagne

If you have been saving your Avios to get that dream trip in First or perhaps found a sale bargain to the US, this article will help you get the most out of flying British Airways First class from which seat type your aircraft will have, to understanding how the onboard service works and who to contact.

In this post:

Contacting BA about your First class flight – You First

If you have a query before flying British Airways First class, or want to perhaps book your seats and are having trouble, you can contact You First, which is exclusively for First class passengers. It can also be useful if something goes wrong such as a cancellation, lost bags or time change if you need to speak to someone.

You can either using this online form or call them on 0800 408 7667. You first helpline is open 24 hours per day, seven days a week. You can call from overseas using +44 (0) 207 949 3055

They can also send you a copy of the onboard menu, but sometimes this is only available a few days before your flight when the menus are due to change at the start of a month. 

The First Wing and First check-in at Gatwick and JFK

If you are flying British Airways first class you can access the First Wing for check-in and security (although it is sometimes closed during the Heathrow T5 security strikes). This is only available at T5 and is at the far end of the terminal.

At T3, there is only a first class desk and then Fast Track security. This is the same at Gatwick too.

In the First Wing, they usually have some cold drinks available, either being handed out or on the table. If you need to rearrange your luggage there is also a small seating area.

Once you have gone through security which is generally very quick, there is a repacking area to get yourself organised.

Since BA moved to terminal 8, they have a very nice exclusive first and high-status check-in area.

You then walk down a corridor to the back entrance of the First Lounge, where you will be greeted by the horse (often known as Susan). You will need to walk through the First Lounge and exit to get to the Concorde Room, which is just across the way. 

You may want to check out the food in the First Lounge in case there is nothing you fancy in the Concorde Room. If you just want a snack, the First lounge has a better selection with a salad bar, cheese selection and sandwiches.

Among the hot food selection there is usually a vegan or vegetarian option, something with rice or pasta and a pie or fishcake. They also have cake and biscuits. 

The Concorde Room

Just before the entrance of the Concorde Room are the showers in case you need to freshen up. Sadly the spa is permanently closed.

The Concorde Room at London Heathrow Terminal 5 is available for customers who are:

• Flying on a scheduled British Airways flight in First
• Over the age of 18 years, or if under 18 years you are accompanied by a responsible adult. (Local laws relating to the consumption of alcohol will apply.)

You can take one guest with you who is flying British Airways that day. 

As you enter the Concorde Room, there is a luggage storage area. Next, you will find a desk where there is usually a BA staff member who can help if you have a flight query or issue. 

There are four main areas in the lounge:

• The Forty Winks nap area in what used to be the Boardroom
• The bar and lounge area which also has a very small work area near the terrace

The restaurant

• The terrace

If you like a bit of aviation nostalgia, there are cabinets in the lounge full of memorabilia and there is a nose cone from Concorde on the terrace.

Bar and lounge

There is table service throughout the lounge, but you can also approach the bar to order. There are several different menus for food and drink. A cocktail menu, a wine menu, a lounge menu and a restaurant menu. 

If you fancy a nibble with your drink, they have a selection of nibbles, such as nuts and olives. The truffled nuts are particularly good. They do a number of cocktails, including the BA175, which is champagne based and my personal favourite, and a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails by mixologist Mr Lyan. There is also a selection of special cocktails for events such as Christmas and the Coronation, so keep a lookout for the special menus or ask the bar staff. They even have some breakfast cocktails, such as a Marmite Martini and a Breakfast Martini, as well as a range of Bloody Marys.

If you enjoy good champagne, be sure to try the Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle. This is the same champagne they serve on board. You can get your money’s worth from your ticket as a bottle of this champagne costs from £130 retail. 

The lounge menu is different from the restaurant menu, but usually, you can order anything for anywhere in the lounge.

Here is a typical lounge menu:

If you want to do some shopping, you can exit the Concorde Room at the “Millionaire’s door” near Forty Winks which brings you out by the exit of South security. 

This is probably one of the nicest places to sit and can be a bit cooler than the lounge, and you can see the airport as well. It’s also a good place for a group with the “cabanas” which are the curtained off areas that offer a bit more privacy and have sofas. 

Forty Winks

This is a quiet room where they have rest pods to catch “forty winks”. You can adjust them to several positions such as zero gravity but they do not go completely flat. 

You will be shown to a table in the restaurant. Service can be a bit inconsistent here as they seem to forget things, such as bringing you olive oil and butter but no bread. So don’t be afraid to ask if you want something. There is a separate breakfast menu until 11.30am and then an all-day dining menu for the rest of the day. 

Here is a recent menu:

Here is an example of the salmon mousse and a recent pasta dish:

On the breakfast menu, there is everything from croissants to a full English.

My two favourite dishes are the bacon chop (15-20 minute wait usually) and the avocado (California) toast. The Union brand coffee here is also pretty good. 

Other lounges

There is now only one Concorde room since BA joined AA at JFK’s terminal 8. There are Concorde Bars in Singapore and Dubai. 

The Singapore one offers table service with champagne, drinks and food.

The Dubai lounge is bigger and has a buffet as well as champagne.

JFK Terminal 8 – Chelsea Lounge

JFK now has the very elegant Chelsea Lounge, which features showers, champagne flights and a restaurant.

The Chelsea lounge at New York JFK Terminal 8 is available for customers who are:

• Flying on a scheduled long haul or Transcontinental flight with British Airways or American Airlines in First
• Gold Members with 5000 Tier points (and 3,000 Tier Points each year thereafter), flying on a scheduled long haul, or Transcontinental flight with British Airways or American Airlines

American Airlines Transcontinental routes include:

New York (JFK) – Los Angeles (LAX) New York (JFK) – San Francisco (SFO) New York (JFK) – Orange County (SNA)

Customers flying with other  one world airlines are unable to access the Chelsea lounge.

You can read about it in this article. 

As you board, you will often be shown to your seat, but it doesn’t always happen if you arrive just after someone else in first. You will be offered a welcome drink of champagne (or a soft drink such as water or juice if you’d rather). This is accompanied by nuts. Sadly the warm nuts of pre-covid are gone, and it’s now a packet of the Club Europe nuts, which sometimes they will put in a dish. Unlike Club, you will often be offered a top-up of your welcome drink if there is time. 

Next, you will be presented with an amenity kit, either a men’s or women’s version. You should also be offered pyjamas. Sometimes they will just hand you a set in what they think is the right size, sometimes, they ask what you would like. Slippers are also available but often on request. 

The Ladies kit contains:

• Elemis Frangipani Monoi hand and nail balm
• Elemis Rehydrating Ginseng Facial wipe
• Elemis cleansing micellar wipe
• Elemis lip balm
• Elemis Pro-Collagen facial mist
• Elemis Deodorant
• Elemis Ultra Smart Pro-Collagen Serum
• Elemis Ultra Smart Pro-Collagen eye balm
• First branded pen

Finally, you will also be given the menus. Sometimes the crew will take your order while still on the ground, so it is worth looking at as soon as they give it to you. 

You can dine whenever you like, so don’t feel obliged to eat straight away if you don’t want to. However, they will need to take your order at the start along with a rough time to eat so they can keep your choices for you. Here is a sample menu of what you can expect on a longer flight such as US West Coast. On a shorter flight, you will usually get afternoon as the second meal, and the snacks will be things more like popcorn or chocolate.

They do not have enough for everyone to have what they want if they all choose the same, so it is always worth having a back-up in mind. Sadly pre-ordering has not returned (apart from as a trial) since Covid. 

Next, you will be offered a choice of desserts and/or cheese. If you enjoy wine, there is always a dessert wine such as Sauternes which you only get in First Class, so save room for that and some Port with your cheese! 

Finally, if you fancy a coffee, they have a Nespresso machine on board so you can enjoy a proper coffee such as espresso, cappuccino or latte, and it should come with some Lindt chocolates. Ask if they don’t offer them. 

There will also be a second lighter meal served close to arrival if you wish. On the way back, this will be breakfast on night flights.

Good noise-cancelling headphones by Meridian are provided for you to use on board.

When you are ready to sleep, the crew will make up your bed for you with a mattress topper, pillow and duvet. Don’t be afraid to ask them to do this for you. At your seat there will be a pillow, day pillow and large pillow. The rest of the bedding is stored in the locker overhead. 

Types of seats

Each aircraft has a slightly different type of seat, although the layout is the same with a 1-2-1 layout. For couples, if you want to talk you would be best with the middle seats. However, on the older B777s and the A380s you can do “buddy dining” as there is a seat for your travel companion to sit on. The other aircraft and the new first suites do not have this. 

All the seats operate in the same way, and you can’t control individual elements of the seat, which is a shame. You adjust it by using a dial which simply lowers it into the bed position, although you can stop it at any position.

B777 new suite with doors

This seat is only available on new B777-300s, and you can partly tell by the seat map as there will only be 8 seats. However, there are some older B777-200s that also have eight seats which have been partially refurbished but have the old seats. If you look for your flight on Google Maps it will show you if it is an “individual suite” meaning it has the door like these do. There is a useful guide to working out which BA B777 you are on from Aerolopa here. 

Like the B787s, the TV screen is fixed so you can watch it as soon as you get on, rather than having to fold it away for take-off and landing. 

Other than the door, they are pretty much the same as the B787 seats. You can read my full review here.

B777 old seats

There are sometimes 8 seats on the aircraft that have been updated and 14 seats on those that have not. 

Along with the A380, these have dark window frames with blinds that come down to cover both windows completely, which I think looks very elegant. 

There is a personal wardrobe, but it is pretty small, so you will not get much more than a small handbag and coat in there. 

The TV screens swivel out, so you can’t watch it until after take-off. The screens are much smaller than the other aircraft types. This is my least favourite seat type for first.

I would usually pick row 2 for the B777s with 14 seats as this is generally quieter, but you get served a bit quicker than being in row 3. 

B787 First Suite

This is the second newest design from 2015 and very similar to the new suite with doors. Again there are only 8 seats in the cabin. The seats are the same on the B787-9 and 10. 

• 8 suites convert to fully flat beds, 79″ long, 22″ width (between armrests)
•  23″ HD touch screen display that does not need to be folded away
• Personal locker
• Vanity unit and mirror
• USB and universal socket

In terms of seat choice, there is not really a better seat as the front row is by the galley on the B787-10, and the second row has a bassinet, there is a chance you may get a baby. On the B787-9, I would probably go for the front row since there is no galley at the front. 

You can read my full review here.

After the newest suites, this is probably my next favourite as I love the huge wardrobe that means you do not have to lift your bag into the overhead locker as it will fit most wheelie cabin bags.

These suites are bigger than the other aircraft types with  30% more personal space and 60% more storage space than the old Boeing 777 suites.

Although row 1 is very private, I would avoid 1K on a night flight as the crew’s cupboard is by this seat, and you will most likely get disturbed during the night as they retrieve handbags from the storage area. I would avoid row 4 due to the proximity to the galley and bassinet position. 

Concorde Breakfast room and Arrivals lounge Heathrow

On the way back, if you don’t want to eat on the plane, you will have access to the BA Arrivals lounge and Concorde dining area. 

If you would like to have some breakfast, head to the Concorde dining area where they have breakfast to order. There is usually full English with eggs to order, smoked salmon and scrambled eggs, eggs benedict and kippers.

The rest of the menu is mainly what is already on the buffet in the main area. 

They now also have champagne and sparkling wine, including Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle.

You can read a full review of the Concorde Breakfast room experience here. 

You can also have a shower or get your own cabana with an infinity bath. You check in with shower reception, and if there is a wait, they will give you a buzzer. Towels and Elemis Toiletries are provided.

One handy service is the pressing service. Whilst in the shower room, you can open a special two-way door to hang your clothes and they will come back pressed in around 10 minutes.

The shower rooms have a built-in sound system, with pre-set news and music channels. 

You may prefer to have a bath, in which case you should see if there is a cabana available. Priority for these is given to First passengers. The cabanas are larger than the shower rooms. They have a dressing area, a large bath, and a chair.

What are your top tips or questions for flying BA First? Let us know in the comments below

Like our review of Flying British Airways First Class? You can read more flight reviews here. 

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20 comments.

I’m flying LHR – PHL in First in July. I currently have seat 1A. Is this a quiet seat with a good view out of the aircraft or am I better moving to 2A instead?

All the window seats have decent views. It depends which configuration you are on. I just did that route and it was a 14 seat F B777. However it could be something different. If it’s the same the front row is closer to the galley so it all depends how noisy the crew are and whether you plan to sleep. Personally I always go for row 2.

I take it the original CCR cabanas (the NHS cells with day bed, Not the nice new open terrace ones) just quietly went away during covid, never to return?

Yes they are permanently closed.

What type of pods do the Nespresso machines use? Would be great to be able to bring on board my preferred coffee pods!

It’s a mix of Nespresso style pods or a disc style for the more modern machine….both are Union coffee.

Hi Lovely summary I have been flying first several times recently and have not been shown to my seat once . Each time it has been an old plane – any idea when BA say when they will have finished fitting out with new seats ? Also hate the club Europe soca nuts – can we push BA to get a better quality nut ! I Think BA really need to improve the product it is now very expensive I went to Dubai on emirates recently on business and the A380 and this is far superior to any BA first – does BA care ? Last point if travelling in First why can’t we preboard ? There are usually so many gold cards that bring in first for boarding does not feel special Anyway there we are Keep writing – we love to wake upto to your words of wisdom best paul

Hi Paul. Totally agree on the nuts I always refuse them! I know they used to have pre boarding for first and GGL. Apparently there is some discussion about pre boarding again for the summer though I’ve not heard that it’s definitely for F. BA has always had an inferior F product but given most of the routes it operates are to the US where there is no F competition there’s no incentive to improve. Going to Asia or Middle East I would never choose BA for F with Emirates or Ethihad available.

In terms of the new First Suites they are only on new B777-300 and there is no plan to refurbish older aircraft with them. Even the new b787-10 are not arriving with these new suites.

I’ll probably be slated for saying this BUT ‘it’s certainly not my dream to fly 1st class’ again on BA, if the route is available I’ll go Emirates even if in Business. Although, it would be interesting to experience the new 1st Suites on BA, as all the older 1st class is no better than Business on the majority of other airlines.

I am travelling 1st for the first time in September, My friend is travelling too but in economy, Is th8s correct that I can invite him in the Concord lounge as my guest ? As I was under the impression that it was for 1st passengers only . Thank you for the article , I found it very helpful

Thanks David. Yes you can guest one person in providing they are flying BA that day. The chart I’ve seen specifically is for BA Executive Club members but it doesn’t mention that on the BA website. Just about bringing a guest. But I’d assume you are a member anyway. If you are one of the aircraft with the buddy seats it’s worth asking the crew if you friend can join you for a quick drink as sometimes they will allow this onboard.

Is there a definitive list of routes where First is now available, along with the ‘usual’ aircraft used (recognising swaps are not uncommon)?

Simply not worth it when you are forced to play BA russian roulette these days with what sort of staff you are going to get. When as a couple in the middle seats you don’t even get served together, drinks take ages and my Breakfast never ever appeared on our most recent flight why bother. Embarrassing compared to how BA used to be. Someone serving us told us it was her first day at BA. Enough said

A+ for effort…..seriously

But if BA cannot be bothered to bring back warmed mixed nuts then I cannot be bothered either.

Does anybody know why the BA flights LHR to ATL direct are no longer having First cabins ? We have travelled twice a year for 16 years to Georgia and always enjoyed First, especially the Concorde lounge at LHR.

Mainly because they scrapped all their b747s which means they don’t have enough aircraft to offer first on as many routes. The new A350s have no F Cabin and some of the b787s also.

I traveled from Dubai yesterday, he Concorde bar is now branded “Dubai Bar”. It is still for those in First. It is quiet compared to the main area which was overcrowded.

Thanks for the update.

It is unfortunate that the BA first experience seems somewhat hit or miss. It’s either excellent or below par. I have that very experience on a recent flight to California. Going out they could not have been nicer or more helpful. Coming back, they might as well have been tapping their watches to see how long they had left of the flight. Absolutely no interest or service whatsoever. It’s only a small thing but it’s also nice to get an in seat greeting from the senior crew but again, it seems to depend on if anyone can be bothered. On top of this I do feel they should offer to escort First and GGL passengers on to the flight ahead of everyone else – but then the boarding process at LHR particularly now seems to favour those who paid the least amount for a ticket.

The problem is they have to have one person on the doors at all times so they can’t physically escort more than one person at a time.

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Travel classes

Choose your perfect way to fly. Our cabins cater to everyone so you can expect the same great, and uniquely British, experience whether you’re flying First or economy.

Discover great value fares and family-friendly service. Fly to the UK and Europe in Euro Traveller or go long-haul in our World Traveller cabin.

Premium economy

Fly premium economy with World Traveller Plus and treat yourself to a wider seat, longer legroom and priority boarding - all in a separate cabin with an extra checked bag.

Work or relax in style with lounge access, dedicated check-in and fully flat beds on long-haul. Fly short-haul with Club Europe or to the rest of the world with Club World. Our new Club Suite is also available on selected flights.

Indulge in the most exceptional comforts from luxurious fine dining to your own private suite. With access to our elegant departure lounges and exclusive service as standard, First truly is the finest way to fly.

Travelling on partner airlines

If your flight number begins with anything other than ‘BA’ (e.g. AA123456X), you’re flying with one of our partners.

To learn about travel classes on our partner airlines, please use the links below:

American Airlines

Japan airlines, qatar airways, china southern airlines.

The Complete Guide to British Airways First Class

June 2, 2023

British Airways (BA) is a global airline flying to more than 170 destinations in 70 countries. With direct service to London from the United States, British Airways is an appealing way to cross the pond. In 2022, British Airways ranked #9 for first class service in SkyTrax’s World Airline Awards. 

Best routes for British Airways first class

British Airways' main airport is London Heathrow (LHR) and it also maintains a hub at London Gatwick (LGW). New York’s JFK is a focus city for the airline. The most popular route between the United States and the UK is its flight between LHR and JFK, but the airline flies from several other US cities to London and then onward throughout Europe. 

Real deals found by Going in British Airways first class

• Atlanta to London for $3,572 roundtrip 
• St. Louis to Zurich for $3,306 roundtrip 
• Houston to Budapest for $2,970 roundtrip 

The British Airways first class airport experience

British airways first class check-in.

British Airways offers a dedicated first-class check-in desk at most airports. At its homebase of Heathrow, it offers First Wing, a private check-in area for first class fliers, along with those with Executive Club Gold or Oneworld Emerald status. First Wing has two private security lanes and a direct walkway to the Galleries First Lounge and Concord Room. The First Wing service is debuting at New York’s JFK in November 2022 when BA moves to Terminal 8. 

At London Heathrow and Gatwick and JFK fast track security is available, as is Fast Track Arrivals for non-EU passengers arriving at Heathrow. 

With dedicated check-in and priority security screening, it’s possible to be inside the lounge relaxing with a glass of bubbles in about 15-30 minutes after your arrival at the airport.

British Airways first class baggage

First class passengers can check up to three bags each weighing up to 70lbs/32kg. Passengers are also able to carry on one cabin bag and one personal item. Checked luggage receives priority tagging.

The British Airways first class lounge experience

At London Heathrow, British Airways offers the Galleries First Lounge, but the more elevated experience is found in the Concorde Room. The Concorde Room offers waiter-served a la carte dining and $200 a bottle Laurent-Perrier Grand Siecle Champagne, and the Forty Winks Nap lounge. 

If the British weather cooperates, the place to relax is in the room’s outdoor terrace. While the Concorde Room itself looks like a typical airport lounge, the terrace has a cabana type layout that reminds me of days spent on the beaches of Nice. 

When BA transitions to Terminal 8 at JFK, first class passengers will be able to enjoy the Concorde Room there as well. 

Leave British Airways main airports and the quality of the lounges varies from airport to airport. For example, its Galleries First lounge at Chicago O’Hare is small and could use the help of an interior decorator stat. The first-class dining room with wait staff, white linens and five courses offered help make up for the general lack of ambiance. 

The British Airways first class experience in the air

British airways first class suites.

First class passengers have priority boarding, and in some airports can board directly from the lounge. Once onboard the first-class seats depend on the airplane. British Airways' most luxurious experience is on its 787-9, 787-10 and 777-300 ER. These first-class cabins have eight seats instead of BA’s standard 14. The configuration is 1-2-1 reverse herringbone. 

The 777-300 ER offers suites with a door for privacy. 

The 787-10 and 787-9 have seats that are 22 inches wide and 73 inches when fully flat. 

BA flies the 787-9 from London to Atlanta, and occasionally on routes from LHR to Washington DC, Seattle and Boston. The 777-300ER from London to Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and JFK and the 787-10 from Chicago, Houston, Newark and Seattle.

The first-class cabin on other long-haul flights has 14 seats in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration. Seats are 22 inches and lie-flat at 78 inches. This cabin is available on the A350-1000, 787-8, 777-200, A380. The A380 is the quietest plane, while the 777-200 the loudest in the long-haul fleet.

British Airways first class benefits

Flying in first comes with perks like loungewear designed by Temperley London and bedding including a quilted mattress, cotton duvet, and pillow. Amenity bags are also from Temperley London and include products from luxury skincare brand Elemis. The men’s kit includes; an eye mask, socks, earplugs, dental kit, pen, Elemis facial wipes, shaving gel, moisturizer, lip balm, tissues and cream. The women’s kit is identical, except the shaving gel is replaced with a pocket mirror. 

First-class fliers enjoy complimentary WiFi and an entertainment system complete with a 15-inch screen and noise-canceling headphones.

British Airways first class meals

First class dining service was revamped using cutlery by Studio William Cutlery from the Cotswolds, William Edwards Ltd. Pottery, and Dartington Crystal. 

The a la carte dining menu lets passengers dine anytime during the flight. The first-class menu gives passengers four to five options to choose from at each course and the meal is served course-by-course. 

Starters may include items like Loch Fyne smoked salmon or a double baked souffle, while mains on offer might be slow cooked lamb shank or chicken tikka masala. The cheese course features four selections, with a focus on British cheese. For dessert opt for the Crepes Suzette or passion fruit and hazelnut tart. The presentation of each dish is surprisingly elevated and better than you’d expect at 30,000 feet. 

Flights will also include a breakfast, light meal or afternoon tea, depending on timing. 

British Airways first class alcohol

According to Business Traveller Magazine, British Airways was ranked as having the third best overall wine cellar in the air. It also won a bronze medal for its Champagne Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle and a bronze for its Chateau Cap de Mourlin Grand Cru Classé Saint Emilion 2012. 

Its white wine selection is anchored by a Vincent Girardin Pouilly-Fuissé 2017. If you like dessert wines opt for the La Chapelle de Lafaurie-Peyraguey Sauternes 2014. 

The bar also offers a full complement of popular spirits, cocktails and mocktails. British Airways exclusive BrewDog Jet Stream beer is its featured beer. 

British Airways first class vs. business class

How do fliers make the decision to pick first class vs. business class? In all honesty, for most people it comes down to the cost of the ticket or the amount of frequent flier miles needed to book. The price difference between the two cabins traveling from LHR to JFK is usually about $5,000, but can be as high as $10,000.

So, what do you get for the extra money? Not a lot for the dollar difference, especially as more British Airways planes are fitted with the new Club World Suites in business class. First class passengers can check three bags instead of two, and have access to a higher level airport lounge, including the ultra-premium Concorde Rooms at London Heathrow and New York’s JFK. Both first and business class fliers enjoy priority boarding, although at some airports first class passengers can board directly from the lounge.

In the air the first-class cabin has personal suites similar to the new Club World Suites the business class cabins are being replaced with. The amenities offered in first are a step above those in business with an upgraded amenity kit and loungewear.

While business class passengers enjoy an elevated three-course main meal, dining in first class is more like a high-end restaurant. The a la carte dining menu lets passengers dine anytime during the flight. The menu gives passengers more options to choose from at each course and the meal is served course-by-course, as opposed to all on one tray in business class. There is also attention paid to aesthetics, with an emphasis on pretty plating,  cutlery by Studio William Cutlery from the Cotswolds, William Edwards Ltd. Pottery, and Dartington Crystal. 

How to book British Airways first class

How much is a first class flight on British Airways?

Prices vary greatly based on route and dates of travel but are generally at least $5,000 for a long-haul first class flight from the US to Europe. Going often finds its members fares under $3,000. 

How to upgrade to first class on British Airways for free

The phrase, “you can’t get something for nothing” applies to anyone hoping to get a free upgrade to first class. The only times British Airways will move passengers from one class of service to another is when there was a change of planes or if the flight is overbooked.

How much does it cost to upgrade to first class on British Airways?

While some airlines offer fliers the chance to bid on upgrades, British Airways focuses on promotions tailored to each flier. It’s important to note that you can only upgrade one cabin class, so if you’re hoping to upgrade to first, you must originally be booked in business class. Promo offers can be found under “manage my booking” online and in app. Fliers can upgrade prior to the flight or at the airport.  

How to use miles to upgrade to first on British Airways

Paying for an upgrade is an expensive proposition. The better way to secure a seat in first class is to upgrade using British Airways Avios points, which you get by flying or doing business with BA partners. How many Avios points a seat in first will cost varies depending on the cost for reward flights in business and first class and if your flight is at a peak or off-peak time.

The formula to figure out how many Avios points an upgrade will cost is: Avios for the cabin you wish to upgrade to - Avios for the cabin you make your booking in = Avios required to upgrade one way. For example, London to New York or vice versa is 68,000 Avios one way off peak in first class and 50,000 points in business so an upgrade from business to first would require 18,000 Avios (68,000-50,000).

What is the British Airways first class cancellation policy?

It’s unfortunate that the liberal change and cancellation policies airlines offered during COVID are going back to normal now that the pandemic is over. For first class passengers on British Airlines flights can still be canceled at any time, but a cancellation fee may apply depending on the fare rule. Time and date changes are permitted at any time, but subject to the difference in fare. 

With a ranking in the top 10 of global airlines for its first-class service, coupled with the many direct routes it has from the United States to London, British Airways should be at the top of the list for first-class fliers looking to cross the pond quickly and in luxury.

Read more about first and business class

• Delta One First Class
• United Polaris Business Class
• British Airways Business Class

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Frequently asked questions about british airways first class.

Freelance Writer

Published June 2, 2023

Last updated December 21, 2023

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Long Haul British Airways: A Full Cabin Class Review

Have you ever wondered what it was like to draw back the curtains of the upper class cabins and have a little peek inside? To me at least, it often felt like a hidden world or an exclusive club that only a few were privileged enough to be a part of. Or perhaps you’re already an avid traveller who typically flies business/club class and finds themselves wondering … ‘is BA First Class worth it?’.

Or maybe this is your first time flying British Airways and you are looking for a first class review, or that little bit of extra info to help you know what to expect from the airline’s first class product offering. Whatever your reason for wanting to know more about long haul BA flights and their cabin classes, this article is for you.

British Airways Cabin Classes Explained

Ba baggage allowance, ba pre-flight experience, ba seat differences, ba privacy in first and club class, ba catering guide, ba cabin service, ba amenities, in summary: is ba first class worth it.

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A little bit about my own story first. When I was younger, I never travelled. I grew up in Malta, which is a little cut-off from mainland Europe, and about twenty years ago flights were not as cheap or easily accessible.  Whenever a school friend had come back from the holidays and had been somewhere exotic (which in my mind meant outside of Europe), I used to be in absolute awe. Roll on twenty years and my life has changed somewhat and there are months where I feel like I’ve taken more flights than buses – both for business and personal reasons.

My lack of travel when I was younger spurred an intense desire to make travel a huge part of my adult life, and I am lucky enough to be married to someone that shares my love of travelling the world. I remember the first time I boarded a flight as an adult for what was my first ever holiday to Paris in 2008. It was budget travel at its best (I had yet to learn about places like Maison Souquet ) and yet I was so happy to be boarding the plane and to be experiencing a plane ride as an adult. I’ll admit that I do really miss that feeling of feeling lucky to fly, as it truly is a privilege.

Naturally, given that I now live in the UK, BA is the airline I travel most and feel most knowledgeable about. After almost 10 years of living in London, I am proud to say that I have flown all four classes of British Airways. I am hoping that after reading this, you will have a little more insight into what you are getting and will be able to make a more informed decision for your upcoming holiday and whether BA first class is worth it for you.

It’s probably important to note that throughout the post, I am referring to long haul travel rather than short haul (first class cabins are not available on short-haul flights). All pictures below were taken on British Airways 747 planes.

Whilst I would ALWAYS recommend checking for any updates on the British Airways website, the table above is a good reference point for passengers deciding on which cabin class is right for them. Below are the main differences between each of the cabins, based on my own personal experience.

Before diving into what you should expect to experience once you reach the airport and eventually board your flight, let’s talk a little about how much you’ll be able to pack for your trip. This sounds like a fairly obvious one, but I actually know of so many people who ended up paying to travel with their check-in bags because they were unaware of the difference in ticket options.

This is most relevant for economy passengers who may not know that there are actually three options for economy tickets. The most basic of those is intuitively called Economy Basic and note that this applies for BOTH short and long haul flights. Whilst these flights are typically very reasonably priced, there is in fact a reason – you are only allowed to bring a hand luggage with you and by extension, that means one little clear bag of liquids.

You would need to opt for the higher cost Economy Plus or Plus Flex if you intend on bringing check in bags. I won’t mention the exact allowances in this article in case they are updated, but you can read all about them here . This is less of a problem if travelling in the higher cabins of World Traveller Plus, Club World and First, where you are allowed at least one check in bag. Again, always refer to the link above directly on the British Airways home page. And if you’re looking to buy some new luggage for your upcoming trip, here are a few of my favourites, all at different price points.

In my eyes, the pre-flight experience is made up of four things – the check-in process, security, waiting to board at the gate or lounge and finally boarding the flight.

For some airlines, there is a fifth – and that is a chauffeur service from your home to the airport. I’ve experienced this with airlines such as Emirates , where a chauffeur service is provided for business and first class passengers – I’ll admit it’s awesome. It’s an added weight off your mind knowing that there is someone there to ensure you get to the airport on time. Unfortunately though, a chauffeur service is not offered by British Airways, irrespective of the cabin class.

The cabin class will have a relatively large impact on your pre-flight experience. I’m assuming that most of us know the experience when flying in economy. The check-in/bag drop queues, the line at security and the waiting at the gate – although you could of course browse the duty free shops or eat at one of the airport restaurants to kill the time. Note that this is no different when flying premium economy – no separate check-in desk, no lounge access.

When flying in one of the higher cabins though, everything changes. Starting with the check-in process, British Airways offers separate queues for Club World and First Passengers. Club World passengers flying out of London Heathrow Terminal 5 can avail themselves of a separate business class check-in section, which often has a lot less queues. Passengers are then able to fast track through security, again using a separate security area which generally moves a lot faster simply because there are less people. I caveat this by saying there have been those rare occasions where I experienced the opposite.

As expected, the very best check-in and security screening will be experienced by First Class passengers. London Heathrow Terminal 5, which is used solely for British Airways flights, has opened what is known as the ‘First Wing’ for its First Class guests. It is located on the far right side of the concourse. You can’t miss it as it is beautifully done.

Once you have checked in and are through security – even less people than when going through Fast Track – passengers are led straight to the Galleries First Lounge. Within this first class lounge, and only if you are flying in First Class out of Terminal 5, you can make your way over to the Concorde Room or the aptly known ‘millionaire’s door’. I leave it to your imagination for now but I very much feel that this could be a whole article to itself.

And last but not least, there is the actual boarding process. Introduced in 2017, British Airways now operates a zoned boarding process, assigning each passenger in groups 1 to 5. These operate as follows on long haul and short haul flights respectively:

The boarding system is another reason why you should consider joining the British Airways frequent flier program with OneWorld . I had touched on this on another article on how I get to travel more and I would definitely encourage it, especially if you plan to take a number of BA flights in a single year.

The most notable difference between the cabins is the amount of room each passenger gets per seat and more importantly, whether that seat opens up into a fully flat bed. This is obviously a dream on a long haul night flight. Whilst we are all used to the upright chairs that recline only slightly, once you start moving up the cabin classes things get much better.

Premium economy, the first step up, offers a slightly larger chair with footrest, more legroom and more of a recline. The screens are still pretty small depending on the aircraft, but if you find yourself on one of BA’s old 747s, you’re going to swear – don’t be fooled by the pictures on the website, some of those planes are about 30 years old and fortunately are being phased out .  The price of premium economy can sometimes be double or triple that of economy, and I don’t think that increase in price justifies the additional perks. 

Personally, the only reason I would opt for premium economy is if I am part of the airline’s frequent flier program. I say this for multiple reasons – firstly, you will earn higher tier points which will help you work up the frequent flier ladder (see the Avios Flight Calculator ). Secondly, and as mentioned above, not all planes operate a premium economy service and if there is a sudden change in aircraft that doesn’t cater to this ticket, chances are you will get bumped up to business class/Club World.

Business class seats are where things get so much better. The chair is significantly larger, more comfortable and reclines into a fully flat bed. Comfier and larger pillows, blankets and quilts are provided so at the very least, you can get some decent sleep in. You will have to make your own bed though, but this is, after all, very much a first world problem.

Where you really want to be on a night flight is in the First Class cabin. This was a mystery to me up until a couple of years ago and I always wondered how it could get any better than business class, but here you really get the epitome of luxury. The table is bigger allowing more work space, the seat is significantly larger and reclines into a super comfortable flat bed, which cabin crew will make for you. Mattress included! 

It is the best sleep you will get on a long haul flight. The question is, is it really worth paying thousands for the added luxury? Probably not. Unless you have no budget for your travels, I personally would rather spend the money at my holiday destination or on a new handbag! That being said, I would definitely recommend using air miles to upgrade and at least experience First Class once in your lifetime – because it is truly an experience.

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of articles online about how you can score free flight upgrades or free flights using points. I personally use a British Airways American Express credit card to rack up my Avios points, but there are many other credit cards that do the same thing. Just select whichever is most relevant to the country you reside in and the airline or alliance program that you want to collect points with.

One thing I love about the higher cabins is the privacy you get. Rather than sharing a row with two or three other people who are watching as you fall asleep with your mouth open, in business and first class you really have so much more privacy.

I previously had said that for the most privacy in business class, choose a window seat. This is no longer the case though thanks to the new business class Club Suite , with doors at every seat. This is not yet available on all planes though so be sure to check before booking if this is important to you. When it comes to First, any seat is ideal as each seat is built in its own little suite. If you don’t bump into your fellow cabin passengers in the lounge, you are unlikely to see the faces of anyone else in First – which I love!

Naturally, being in a higher cabin means the food is somewhat better. Premium economy is actually far superior to the economy options, with a three course meal and breakfast/snack towards the end of the flight depending on your flight time. Two of the three meals served in premium economy are actually featured on the business class menu, which is great.

Moving up the cabins, business class also offers a three course menu. Of course, the First Class cabin offers the best choice of food and wine, and I’m not complaining about the free-flowing Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle. My only complaint is that you are not able to select both a vegan and a gluten-free option, and I was recently told to bring my own food on a 13 hour flight… BA needs to do better on this front, especially if passengers are paying thousands for a ticket.

Food is served at your request, rather than at a set time like in all the other cabins. Everything is done around your requirements, which is great if you fall asleep and want food whenever you wake up.  A fine selection of wine and champagne is also available. Again would I pay for this? Unlikely. Would I use points to upgrade to this? Definitely.

The higher up the cabins you move, the more personalised the service becomes. Whereas in economy, you are one of many other passengers which all get the same service, the higher up you go the more attentive cabin crew are to your needs. In First, cabin crew treat you as though you are the only passenger on the flight. My bed was made as I brushed my teeth, my glass was never empty and I never went without food.  The purser of the flight also welcomes you aboard personally!

The pictures above pretty much speak for themselves and are what you would receive in business and first class seats respectively. The first being amenities from The White Company and the second from Aromatherapy Associates . Both are sweet mementos of your trip and I love the little Liberty pouch! I will admit, I’ve collected a few over the years and they each have different patterns. The options for economy passengers are a lot more limited, however you are provided with headphones, a toothbrush and toothpaste. I’ve written a whole article on my own plane essentials that you might want to read.

Within the First cabin, pyjamas are also offered in a variety of sizes along with slippers which are provided upon request. Each seat also has its own little wardrobe where you can hang your clothes during the flight.

To sum it all up, my personal view is that business class is a happy medium if you want to travel in a whole lot more comfort, whilst premium economy just doesn’t quite do it for me. The difference between ten hours in an upright chair vs ten hours on a flatbed can make all the difference to your holiday.

First class flights are obviously wonderful but definitely one to use your air miles on rather than buying outright if your annual travel budget is not within the six figure mark. What are your thoughts on this? Would you be willing to pay to fly in First for the added luxury or would you rather fly economy and spend the money on future holidays. Share your thoughts in the comments!

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Sarah Borg Barthet

Sarah is a syndicated freelance writer and editor of Dukes Avenue. She founded Dukes Avenue in 2018 as a creative outlet while working at a London hedge fund. What initially started as a small blog has become a widely read luxury lifestyle online publication targeted at the modern woman, with content curated to inspire readers to live their best and most fulfilled lives. Sarah has lived in London, Malta, and, most recently, the United Arab Emirates and uses her travels and experiences to inspire much of the content.

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Review: British Airways New First Class Suite

My British Airways first class experience was on BA 182, New York JFK to London Heathrow. The flight typically leaves JFK at 11:15pm. Due to daylight savings time ending in the UK a week earlier than the US, our flight left JFK at 12:15am instead. Landing late in the morning in London, at 11am. Thankfully, the soon to be shuttered JFK Concorde Room remained open an extra hour to ensure we were comfortable before our flight.

For this flight, I utilized my Chase Sapphire and transferred 20,000 miles to British Airways. 40,000 miles total to upgrade both of us from Business or Club World to First Class.

First Class Seat & Cabin

British Airways First Class cabin is now only 8 seats across two rows on the reconfigured 777W. This is a reduction from 14 seats previously across 4 rows. With fewer seats, the cabin feels much more exclusive. Elevating the experience all around and reminding passengers that this is not club world.

Each suite or seat provides British Airways first class passengers plenty of space to relax. The suite converts to a fully flat bed and extends 198cm (6ft 6in). The seat is completely open, negating the need to place your feet in a footwell under the seat in front of you. Just one of many differences between first class and Business class. More space.

The new British Airways first class product has doors which fully close. Yet, like the business class cabin, the walls are only a few feet high. It provides privacy while sitting, but anyone walking down the aisle can clearly see over the wall. Yet, even with the doors open, you have decent privacy from your neighbors. They can see your tray table, but you don’t make eye contact with them.

For the most part I kept my club suite door open. Except when sleeping, then the added privacy was nice.

The suite also features a very narrow wardrobe or closet. It’s meant for hanging your jacket or clothing when you’re changing into your inflight pajamas. The narrow closet is great, but not meant for anything of substance. Also do not be like my partner, do not forget your jacket in the closet when you disembark! Thankfully we were able to recover it, but it took a herculean effort.

The British Airways first class seat has easy to use controls, local storage, and a beautiful HD TV full of movies and entertainment. Overall, the suite was clutch and a nice upgrade over the business class seat we flew over from London on. It’s not the largest first class suite in the air, but I like it. The only thing that was maybe missing was a second ottoman seat for someone to dine with you. Yet with Diego sitting in the suite next me, we could talk and dine together without sharing a table. Therefore, this is not a must have.

The seat has good storage for items around the seat, including multiple pockets and closets. The seat has one power port and two USB power ports to charge devices. Each passenger also gets an amenity kit with all the fixings including an eye mask

British Airways First Class Dining

Most people who fly first class will tell you that the real difference between first class and business class is the onboard service, meals, and alcohol. This is where an airline can really shine if they invest in their soft product. British Airways does a good job on food and a decent job on alcohol. With JFK to LHR being a short 6-to-7-hour hop depending on the wind, British Airways does not have a ton of time to showcase their ability. Not to mention, a late night, super early morning departure does not help either.

Regardless of the short flight, the meal after takeoff is spectacular. The food is flavorful, the staff is fun and efficient, and the alcohol free flowing. Expensive flowing champagne for the win! I’ll never say no to another glass of laurent perrier grand siecle NV . Especially at $150+ per bottle.

Below are the food and beverage menus:

On every flight, I like to research the price point of the wine and read some of the tasting notes. British Airways wine selection is on par with many international airlines business class wines. With an average retail cost of just $25. Pretty terrible for long haul first class. Some vintages retail closer to $50, but others as low as $7! Thankfully the Laurent Perrier Grand Siecle is at least expensive and delicious.

Being a party of two we were able to sample several items on the menu. The pasta was among the best I’ve tasted in the air. Who knew that the British Airways menu could be so delicious.  Noodles al dente, who knew this was possible in the air?! My lamb, perfect! The soup, soooo good! Dessert was a bit basic, and I was too full to indulge in the cheese. Darn! This is what happens when you are flying for days on end.

First we both had the canapes. On nearly every airline I find these snacks to be more of a miss than hit. Regardless, it’s a fun way to start a meal.

Next up, the pasta for Diego and the Lamb for me. Yumm! Everything was cooked perfectly. I was able to add a side of kale and carrots to my dish which made it feel somewhat healthier. For shits and giggles I also added the potatoes au gratin. Heck, try everything right? I could have done without the potatoes, but I don’t like them on land either. The British Airways menu was a real delight.

As winter is upon us, soup was in store. It was salty, creamy and heavenly! I almost asked for seconds.

Next up, the pasta for Diego and the Lamb for me. Yumm! Everything was cooked perfectly. I was able to add a side of kale and carrots to my dish which made it feel somewhat healthier. For shits and giggles I also added the potatoes au gratin. Heck, try everything right? I could have done without the potatoes, but I don’t like them on land either.

After dinner, Diego skipped dessert. I went for the tart. I wanted to try everything. Sadly, I didn’t have the capacity to push myself through. The tart was good, but basic.  I should have opted for the sundae or the soufflé.

After all the food, I said enough. The amazing flight attendant made my bed and slept until almost landing in London. Meal service took about 2 hours leaving me less than 4 hours to sleep. With an 11am landing and a long layover, instead of opting for breakfast on the plane I ate in the Concorde room.

How to Upgrade a British Airways Flight

There are several ways to get British Airways First Class. The most obvious way is to purchase first class. Yet, let’s be real we’d all rather upgrade vs pay. The easiest way to upgrade to British Airways first class is by using points or miles from credit cards or Avios miles. There are several credit cards by both Chase and American Express which transfer to british airways executive club . The cost to upgrade depends on distance. Verify the cost via “manage my booking” or by calling British Airways. Whenever a reward flight is available for sell with Avios, it means your ticket can also be upgraded to that cabin

Whenever you upgrade with Avios, no matter if they are earned via British Airways or from credit cards, there must be award space available. It’s easiest to check this online and search segment by segment. If you see a first class seat available and you are already in business class, you can use British Airways Avios to upgrade to First class. Yet, if you are in economy or business class you can only upgrade one class of service with points. Which means a first class upgrade may be out of reach.

When upgrading via miles, always consider splitting your itinerary. From personal experience I find that it is easier to be upgraded when flying on a single ticket than a ticket with multiple people. Commonly, only one upgrade becomes available at a time.  If there are multiple people on the same ticket you will need to have the ticket split by reservation. Of course if more than one upgrade is available, this is not an issue. Splitting a ticket usually is not an issue, but there is a risk that someone else may take the upgrade while the reservation agent is splitting the ticket. 

A first class flight is always the best way to fly. Yet, if you are not booked in a business class cabin, all you can do is upgrade to the next class of service. For example a Premium economy ticket can be upgraded to Business and Business to First. You cannot double upgrade. There is no way to upgrade from economy to first or even Club world.  

In some cases, if you want first (Or business) it makes the most sense to pay for it. In the case of a British Airways upgrade, always pay for at least the cabin you’ll be happy flying. Incase you don’t get upgraded. Otherwise, at least a business class club suite or a premium economy seat still beats economy. 

Bottom Line

The British Airways First Class cabin is great, especially with fewer seats, making it feel more intimate. It’s a fine way to fly over the pond. The new suites with doors are a nice addition and provide more privacy. British Airways provides an upgrade experience with better amenities in first class. The amenity kit includes more items, you get pajamas for sleeping, more personal space, better bedding with mattress pads and more. Is British Airways first class the world’s best business class? No, it’s a mid grade first class product. The service and offering are better than American Airlines soon to be retired first . It’s not as opulent as Emirates First Class or even Singapore Airlines’ First . Regardless it’s an elevated experience with more space and a better soft and hard product than business class.

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About Rocky Horan

Rocky started blogging on his own website When Doublewides Fly to share information about flying around the world on a dime. By maximizing miles and points, cheap deals, sales, backpacking, and couchsurfing Rocky has traveled to 75 countries and still counting.

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Best Ways To Book British Airways First Class With Points [Step-by-Step]

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A Look Inside British Airways First Class

British airways executive club, japan airlines mileage bank, alaska airlines mileage plan, american airlines aadvantage, other options for booking british airways flights, north america to europe, north america to dubai, london to hawaii, amex membership rewards.

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British Airways (BA) usually provides a great service in its premium classes, with first class being the most luxurious. And today, we’re going to run through the best ways to book yourself a ticket in BA’s top product using your points and miles so you don’t have to spend thousands upon thousands of dollars to experience it.

Before we dive into the best ways to book, we’ll give you an overview of what you can expect in British Airways first class — let’s get to it!

The spacious first class suites on British Airways’ aircraft are all about comfort and style.

Found on Boeing 777-300ERs and 787-9 Dreamliners, Airbus A380 superjumbos, and more , first class cabins typically have 8 to 14 reverse-herringbone seats, making for a private experience.

First class amenity kits come in 2 distinct flavors and contain essentials from Elemis. These kits were designed exclusively for first class and are only available on British Airways.

You can expect a few quintessentially English touches in first class — this is British Airways, after all. In addition to the regular meal services, first class passengers can also experience a traditional afternoon tea service.

How To Fly British Airways First Class Using Points

British Airways is a member of the Oneworld alliance, which means you can use miles from any of the Oneworld carriers along with its Executive Club program to book flights. In addition to its Oneworld partners, BA also has a relationship with China Southern.

When booking an award ticket on BA-operated flights, you may notice the taxes and fees are higher than you would expect. This is because British Airways adds significant fuel surcharges on top of its fares. These surcharges are now $700 to $1,000 one-way for BA business and first class flights from the U.S.

BA considers these charges to be separate from the ticket price, so they’ll be added on to award tickets as well. This often means economy award tickets are too expensive to make sense, but the fees become easier to stomach when redeeming for first class.

While some airlines don’t pass on the carrier-imposed surcharges on award tickets, British Airways certainly does. Additionally, you’ll have to pay the British Air Passenger Duty when departing the U.K. on any flight over 2,000 miles if you’re flying business or first class. This fee is £156 (roughly $200). Keep in mind that if you use a British Airways Travel Together Ticket, you’re required to pay the fee for both passengers.

Hot Tip:  To avoid these expensive added fees, you can begin your journey from another European city such as Paris or Amsterdam.

One of the easiest ways to book BA first class is through its frequent flyer program , known as British Airways Executive Club . The currency is called Avios.

Unlike major U.S. airlines, British Airways Executive Club uses a distance-based award chart (shown below) for first class redemptions. The award pricing can get quite complex depending on how many different partners you are flying with, but for our purposes, we’ll just look at flights operated by British Airways.

British Airways flights are individually priced based on the distance between origin and destination and which class of service you want to fly. This means if you want to book a flight that has a connection, each flight segment will be priced separately, and the 2 award prices will be added together .

In addition to the above guidelines, British Airways has peak and off-peak pricing depending on when the flights will take place.

British Airways awards can be booked online following the steps below:

• Go to the British Airways website .
• Log in to your account (in the upper right corner).
• In the top-left, hover your mouse over the  Book tab.
• Click Book a flight with Avios .
• Enter your origin and destination airports, dates, and select first class.
• Click on Get Flights .
• Select the button for the available first class flight you want and click Next .
• Agree to the terms and conditions and click Continue .
• Enter your passenger information and click Continue .
• Confirm your flight details and make your payment.

Not only do the mileage prices add up for each flight segment, but taxes and fees ( including fuel surcharges ) add up as well. Multi-segment flights booked with Avios quickly become outlandishly expensive, so British Airways Avios are best used for nonstop flights or those with a single connection .  

Like British Airways Executive Club, the Japan Airlines Mileage Bank program uses a distance-based award chart . This award chart is broken into tiers based on how many miles you’re flying. Note that if you fly multiple segments, you’ll also need to account for the distance between each airport.

Japan Airlines allows partner airline-operated flights to be booked online, but because of the clunkiness of the website, we generally recommend calling to book award flights with partner airlines at 800-525-3663. However, this is easy to do if you follow the steps below:

• Go to the Japan Airlines website .
• Log in to your JAL Mileage Bank account.
• Select JMB Partner Airlines Award Ticket Reservation .
• Select British Airways under Partner Airlines .
• Select first class, your travel dates, and the departure and destination airports.
• Select your flights and hit Next .
• Confirm the Mileage Bank miles and taxes/fees required.
• If your booking involves a connection with another partner of Japan Airlines such as American Airlines, you will have to call to complete the booking.

Japan Airlines allows stopovers , so you can see multiple destinations on your trip for the same price as if you only had short layovers.

Hot Tip: For other ways to earn Japan Airlines miles, read our guide on the best ways to earn JAL miles . If you need some other ways to use your Mileage Bank miles, check out our  best ways to redeem Japan Airlines miles .

Another great way to book British Airways first class is through Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan . British Airways flights between North America and either Europe, Africa, or the Middle East are bookable on the Alaska Airlines website.

Flying between North America and Europe will cost 70,000 Alaska miles each way , while flying between North America and Africa or the Middle East will cost 80,000 miles each way. Fuel surcharges from British Airways are collected when booking with Alaska miles as well.

To book, go to Alaska’s website and follow these simple steps:

• Go to the Alaska Airlines website .
• Sign in to your account.
• Search for your desired route (make sure you select Use Miles ).
• Select your desired flight and click Add To Cart .
• Pay the necessary taxes/fees and complete your booking.

Not only are Alaska’s award prices often better than BA’s, but you can also book a stopover on your award redemption .

We like American Airlines’ AAdvantage program in this scenario primarily because of its reasonable award rates to Europe in first class. You will be able to fly for 85,000 miles each way . Unfortunately, you will be on the hook for all fuel surcharges, as AA passes them on for BA flights.

Your best bet for finding award availability is through BA.com rather than AA.com . American is known for hiding partner availability, especially for routes that it operates its own flights on.

Here’s the best way to search for award availability:

• Click on  Get Flights.  Write down the desired flights, dates, and times.
• Call American Airlines at 800-882-8880 . If transferring points, you’re allowed to hold your reservation for 5 days.

AA does not allow complimentary stopovers , so you will need to pay for each segment if you want to plan a stop in London before heading to another destination.

Hot Tip: For other ways to earn American Airlines miles, read our guide on the best ways to earn AA miles . If you need other ways to use your AA miles, check out the best ways to redeem American Airlines miles .

Since British Airways is a member of the Oneworld alliance, you can use miles from any of the member programs to book awards.

Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles , for example, also uses a distance-based award chart that has some great sweet spot redemptions. Asia Miles is a complex program with many different award charts depending on which partners you are flying with, but if you’re only looking for British Airways flights, then they are bookable online. The program does impose fuel surcharges on awards.

Other Oneworld partners tend to be less competitive in their award charts , but are worth checking out if you find yourself with a large stockpile of miles in a specific program.

Great British Airways First Class Redemptions

Now that you know how to book your British Airways first class flights, let’s take a look at a few of the best routing options.

This ticket will cost 65,000 Japan Airlines miles or 70,000 Alaska Airlines miles . Compared to 80,000 United miles or 85,000 American Airlines miles for a partner award, this is one of the best options from the U.S. to Europe.

You can book this route for just 80,000 Alaska Airlines miles . Compared to 115,000 American Airlines miles or 140,000 United miles for a partner award, this is a great deal for long-haul first class travel.

For 70,000 Alaska Airlines miles, combine a British Airways first class flight from London to the U.S. West Coast with an Alaska Airlines first class flight from there to Honolulu . Out of the cheapest options for redemption on this route, you probably have the best chance of finding first class availability with British Airways and Alaska Airlines.

How To Earn Enough Avios for British Airways First Class

If you need more Avios to complete a first class booking with British Airways,  you have plenty of options to earn more .

British Airways Avios can be earned directly with the British Airways Visa Signature ® Card . BA Avios can also be transferred from American Express Membership Rewards , Capital One Miles , or Chase Ultimate Rewards  at a rate of 1:1 or Marriott Bonvoy at a transfer rate of 3:1. When you transfer 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points, you’ll receive a 5,000-point bonus, meaning you’ll receive 25,000 Avios for every 60,000 Marriott Bonvoy points transferred.

You can also earn American Airlines miles directly with Citi and Barclays co-branded credit cards .

Hot Tip: Another great way to earn British Airways Avios is to convert them from Iberia Plus Avios, Aer Lingus AerClub Avios, or Qatar Airways Privilege Club Avios. Just keep in mind that for Iberia, both accounts need to have been open for at least 90 days for this to work.

British Airways is an Amex transfer partner .

Recommended American Express Cards (Personal)

The Platinum Card ® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than The Platinum Card ® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card  is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access , hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,400 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com
• Annual and monthly statement credits upon enrollment ( airline credit, Uber Cash credit, Saks Fifth Avenue credit, streaming credit, prepaid hotel credit on eligible stays, Walmart+ credit, CLEAR credit, and Equinox credit )
• TSA PreCheck or Global Entry credit
• Access to American Express Fine Hotels and Resorts
• Access to Amex International Airline Program
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates and fees )
• $695 annual fee ( rates and fees )
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)
• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards ® Points after you spend $8,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card ® , Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards ® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts ® or The Hotel Collection bookings with American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card ® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card ® . Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Up Benefits are excluded.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card ® .
• $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Terms Apply.
• $300 Equinox Credit: Get up to $300 back in statement credits per calendar year on an Equinox membership, or an Equinox club membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you pay with your Platinum Card ® . Enrollment required. Visit https://platinum.equinox.com/ to enroll.
• $189 CLEAR ® Plus Credit: Breeze through security with CLEAR Plus at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues nationwide and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Platinum Card ® . Learn more.
• $100 Global Entry Credit: Receive either a $100 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck ® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card ® . Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card ® . That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• $300 SoulCycle At-Home Bike Credit: Get a $300 statement credit for the purchase of a SoulCycle at-home bike with your Platinum Card ® . An Equinox+ subscription is required to purchase a SoulCycle at-home bike and access SoulCycle content. Must charge full price of bike in one transaction. Shipping available in the contiguous U.S. only. Enrollment Required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card ® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

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American Express ® Gold Card

This is the best card for food lovers who dine out at restaurants (worldwide), order take-out and want big rewards at U.S. supermarkets!

The American Express ® Gold Card  is a game-changer.

With this card, you can earn 4x Membership Rewards points at restaurants and you’ll also earn 4x Membership Rewards points at U.S. supermarkets on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1x.

There isn’t another card on the market that offers a 1-2 punch like this. Of course, there are several other benefits of the Gold Card as well, including extra monthly dining rewards and more.

• 4x points per dollar at restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
• 4x points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets, up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases; and 1x thereafter
• 3x points per dollar on flights purchased directly from airlines or at Amex Travel
• Up to $120 annual dining credit: up to $10 monthly statement credit when you pay with the Amex Gold card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com , Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations
• Up to $120 in annual Uber Cash : get $10 monthly in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S. when you add your Gold Card to your Uber account
• No foreign transaction fees (see rates and fees )
• Access to Amex’s The Hotel Collection
• Access to American Express transfer partners
• $250 annual fee (see rates and fees )
• No lounge access
• Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards ® points after you spend $6,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 4X Membership Rewards ® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards ® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
• Earn 3X Membership Rewards ® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
• $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
• $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express ® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
• Get a $100 experience credit with a minimum two-night stay when you book The Hotel Collection through American Express Travel. Experience credit varies by property.
• Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
• No Foreign Transaction Fees.
• Annual Fee is $250.
• Find the Amex Gold 75k or 90k Welcome Bonus Offer
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Business Owner?  Check out our article on the best  Amex business cards  that earn Membership Rewards.

British Airways is a Capital One transfer partner .

Recommended Capital One Miles Cards

Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Get 2x miles plus some of the most flexible redemptions offered by a travel credit card!

The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card   is one of the most popular rewards cards on the market. It’s perfect for anyone in search of a great welcome offer, high rewards rates, and flexible redemption options.

Frequent travelers with excellent credit may benefit from this credit card that offers a lot of bells and whistles. And it offers easy-to-understand rewards earning and redemption.

• 5x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit
• No foreign transaction fees ( rates & fees )
• Access to Capital One transfer partners
• $95 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Limited elite benefits
• Enjoy a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
• Earn 5X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
• Receive up to a $100 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck ®
• Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
• Enrich every hotel stay from the Lifestyle Collection with a suite of cardholder benefits, like a $50 experience credit, room upgrades, and more
• Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• APR: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights purchased through Capital One Travel
• $300 annual travel credit on bookings made through Capital One Travel
• Unlimited complimentary access for cardholder and 2 guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• 10,000 bonus miles awarded on your account anniversary each year
• Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit
• Add authorized users for no additional annual fee ( rates & fees )
• $395 annual fee ( rates & fees )
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status
• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Elevate every hotel stay from the Premier or Lifestyle Collections with a suite of cardholder benefits, like an experience credit, room upgrades, and more
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British Airways is a Chase transfer partner .

Recommended Chase Cards (Personal)

Chase Sapphire Preferred ® Card

A fantastic travel card with a huge welcome offer, good benefits, and perks for a moderate annual fee.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred ® card is one of the best travel rewards cards on the market. Its bonus categories include travel, dining, online grocery purchases, and streaming services, which gives you the opportunity to earn lots of bonus points on these purchases.

Additionally, it offers flexible point redemption options, no foreign transaction fees, and excellent travel insurance coverage including primary car rental insurance . With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why this card is an excellent choice for any traveler.

• 5x points on all travel booked via the Chase Travel portal
• 5x points on select Peloton purchases over $150 (through March 31, 2025)
• 5x points on Lyft purchases (through March 31, 2025)
• 3x points on dining purchases, online grocery purchases, and select streaming services
• 2x points on all other travel worldwide
• $50 annual credit on hotel stays booked through the Chase Travel portal
• 6 months of complimentary Instacart+ (activate by July 31, 2024), plus up to $15 in statement credits each quarter through July 2024
• Excellent travel and car rental insurance
• 10% annual bonus points
• No foreign transaction fees
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs like United MileagePlus and World of Hyatt
• $95 annual fee
• No elite benefits like airport lounge access or hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $750 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, $50 Annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.
• Get 25% more value when you redeem for airfare, hotels, car rentals and cruises through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $750 toward travel.
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Get complimentary access to DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees and lower service fees for a minimum of one year when you activate by December 31, 2024.
• Member FDIC
• APR: 21.49%-28.49% Variable
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Chase Sapphire Reserve ®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve ®  is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access , with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase TravelSM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025
• 5x points on airfare booked through Chase Travel SM
• 3x points on all other travel and dining purchases; 1x point on all other purchases
• $300 annual travel credit
• Priority Pass airport lounge access
• TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, or NEXUS credit
• Access to Chase Luxury Hotel and Resort Collection
• Rental car elite status with National and Avis
• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any sort of hotel elite status
• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $900 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $100 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck ®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Lost Luggage Insurance and more
• APR: 22.49%-29.49% Variable
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Business Owner?  Read our article on the best  Chase business cards  that earn Ultimate Rewards.

British Airways is a Marriott transfer partner and Marriott has several credit cards you can use to earn points.

Between the U.S. and Europe, British Airways is generally only bookable for more than 1 person if you plan very far in advance.

In the past, if you were flexible with your departure city and timing, you could fly from New York (JFK), Philadelphia (PHL), or Washington, D.C. (IAD) multiple days per month throughout the whole schedule. Since the pandemic, first class award space has dried up significantly .

If you want more than 2 seats or need to fly on a specific day, it may make sense to search closer to when the schedule is released or try to plan as far out in advance as possible.

If you’re able to find award space, you’ll have a very solid first class experience with British Airways, despite the high taxes and fees.

No More Lines

First class passengers have dedicated check-in desks at most airports. In addition, passengers can access Fast Track security at London-Heathrow (LHR), London-Gatwick (LGW), and New York (JFK), as well as Fast Track arrivals at Heathrow for non-EU passport holders.

Priority boarding is available for all flights. The First Wing at LHR streamlines the check-in process with a private check-in area, dedicated security lines, and a walkway that leads directly to the Galleries First Lounge and Concorde Room.

All the Bags You Need

When traveling in first class, British Airways allows you to bring 1 full-sized carry-on, 1 laptop or handbag, and up to 3 additional checked bags per person. That is plenty for an extended family vacation (or maybe a few extra souvenirs to bring home).

Travel Together Ticket

One of the more interesting offerings from British Airways Executive Club is the Travel Together Ticket . You’ll receive this perk each year after spending at least $30,000 on your British Airways Visa card.

The ticket is good for 2 years, and it gives you the ability to book a complimentary second ticket for a companion when you book an award flight on British Airways . The companion must be booked into the same class of service and on the same flight as your ticket.

Also, the award flights must originate and return to the U.S. You do still have to pay the taxes and fees on the second ticket , which can easily top $1,500 to $2,000 for premium cabin travel (especially if your return is from London). However, without having to use any additional Avios, this is still a pretty good price to pay for a round-trip first-class flight on British Airways!

787 Dreamliner

First class on BA’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners is a step above the airline’s other first class products. Larger inflight entertainment screens, touchscreen handsets, and just 8 seats in the cabin make this a more exclusive experience.

First Class Service

Impeccable service, elegant surroundings, and fine dining — when you fly first class, British Airways wants to give you the absolute best experience possible.

First Class Suite

Each suite can be transformed into a lie-flat bed that measures 78 inches long . Quilted mattresses, cotton duvets, and soft pajamas mean even taller passengers will be able to rest comfortably while they fly.

Onboard Entertainment

A 15-inch personal screen, noise-canceling headphones, and more entertainment options than you could ever need (including films, documentaries, television, music, audiobooks, and games) mean you’ll never be bored during your flight. And each suite features numerous power outlets, ensuring you can keep your various devices charged up.

Inflight Dining

British Airways has worked with top chefs to design breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, as well as the quintessential afternoon tea. Passengers can also dine on their own schedule with an à la carte menu and a selection of lighter options.

Fine Champagnes, wines, spirits, beers, and a variety of non-alcoholic drinks round out the dining experience.

Galleries First Lounge

Flying British Airways first class means you can expect a top-notch ground experience , too. The Galleries First Lounge features luxurious furniture, excellent service, delicious food options, and great wines and Champagnes.

For those who need to use their time to work, complimentary internet, printers, copiers, and fax machines will make it seem like you’re still at the office.

Finally, if you’re departing from Heathrow after 8 p.m. or from Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Philadelphia (PHL), Toronto (YYZ), or Washington, D.C. (IAD) after 6 p.m., you can enjoy a sit-down dinner with waiter service in the lounge .

The Concorde Room

At New York (JFK) and Heathrow’s Terminal 5, first class passengers can experience the epitome of excellence in the exclusive Concorde Room .

Inspired by 5-star boutique hotels, the Concorde Room is designed to be your home away from home. Fine art, luxury furniture, and exquisite chandeliers create an area of calm and comfort. Private cabanas with a day bed and en-suite bath are available at London-Heathrow (LHR).

Before your flight, you can enjoy intimate booths for private dining with full waiter service. If you need to do some work before you fly, take advantage of the state-of-the-art business suite. Either way, you’ll be able to relax in comfort until it’s time to board your flight.

Arrivals Lounges

In both Terminals 3 and 5 at London-Heathrow (LHR), passengers can visit the Arrivals Lounge when they disembark from their flights. This is an excellent option when arriving early morning on a red-eye from the U.S.

Showers are available to refresh after a long flight . For those who need to head straight to a meeting, the pressing services are a must. There are, of course, a variety of dining options as well.

British Airways makes it a goal to provide luxurious service to first class passengers from they arrive at their departure airport.

It is a great option to fly, but when booking awards in BA first class you need to watch out for high taxes and fees . By paying attention to the airports you are flying between and weighing the value of what you’re getting for the miles and fees you’re paying, it is quite possible to fly British Airways first class with miles for pennies on the dollar.

The information regarding the Chase Freedom Flex℠ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Bold ® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer. The information regarding the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless ® Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

For rates and fees of The Platinum Card ® from American Express, click here . For rates and fees of the American Express ® Gold Card, click  here . For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Bevy™ American Express ® Card, click here . For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant ® American Express ® card, click here .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best way to book british airways first class.

If you are booking British Airways first class, consider  Japan Airlines Mileage Bank  and  Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan .

Japan Airlines has a distance-based award chart that has some sweet spot redemptions, while Alaska Airlines has a region-based award chart that also provides some great options.

Additionally, using  American Airlines AAdvantage miles may be a good option, depending on your route.

What credit cards can help me fly British Airways first class?

You can earn British Airways Avios directly through the British Airways Visa card . Additionally, you can  transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards , Amex Membership Rewards , Capital One Miles , or Marriott Bonvoy points to British Airways.

Bank of America also provides co-branded cards that earn Alaska miles if you need to top off your Mileage Plan account.

What do I get when flying British Airways first class?

Prior to your first class flight, you can relax in one of British Airways’ Galleries First Lounges. If you’re in Terminal 5 at London Heathrow or you’re flying out of New York (JFK), you will have access to the Concorde Room, which is the flagship lounge.

Additionally, you will have access to Oneworld first class lounges provided by BA’s partner airlines.

Inflight, you can expect a lie-flat seat, direct aisle access, a great meal, and friendly service.

If you arrive at London Heathrow (LHR) in Terminal 3 or Terminal 5, you can visit the fantastic Arrivals Lounge.

How many Avios do you need for a first class flight?

To book a one-way British Airways first class flight between the U.K. and the U.S. using Avios, you’ll redeem at least 80,000 Avios. It can cost as much as 100,000 Avios if you’re flying to/from the U.S. West Coast.

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About Jeff Brownson

Since discovering miles and points in 2010, Jeff has traveled to over 35 countries, flying in first class, business class, and sometimes even in coach. Whether he’s staying in a hostel dorm, or in a luxury suite at a 5 star hotel, Jeff is constantly looking for the best deal to make travel as close to free as possible.

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Here's what it's like to fly First Class on British Airways

Check-in queues, baggage restrictions, and a lack of leg room can make flying in Economy less than pleasant, so it's easy to see the appeal of splashing out on First Class tickets.

After British Airways was named the best airline for First Class service in Europe in the World Travel Awards for 2016 , we took a look behind the curtain to find out what it's like to fly with the airline at the front of the plane.

From massages to afternoon tea, see what sets British Airways apart below:

The perks of flying First Class begin even before customers have arrived at the airport.

First Class customers can pack as light or heavy as they please, with a baggage allowance that includes one cabin bag plus a laptop or handbag on board and up to three bags in the hold (that's two more than in World, or Economy).

Once they arrive at the airport, First Class fliers can skip most queues.

There are dedicated check-in desks for First customers at most airports, Fast Track security at London's Heathrow and Gatwick Airports, as well as New York's John F. Kennedy Airport. First class travellers also benefit from priority boarding everywhere.

First customers relax in luxurious lounges before they travel.

British Airways' First Class lounges offer a comfortable environment in which to relax, sleep, or work. Along with internet access, there are printers, copiers, and fax machines available to use.

The departure lounges are fully stocked with fine wines, drinks, and refreshments.

On arrival into terminals 3 and 5 at Heathrow, First Class passengers can also stop into the Arrivals lounge to freshen up with a shower, a clothes-pressing service, and various dining options.

The Concorde Room, exclusive to Terminal 5 at Heathrow and Terminal 7 at New York's JFK, is the most lavish lounge.

It offers a full waiter service, private cabanas, and a state-of-the-art business suite, which each give guests the chance to enjoy a relaxed fine dining experience. The Concorde Bar also serves vintage Champagnes and cocktails.

In case the lounges don't leave First passengers relaxed enough for their flight, spa treatments are also available.

Travellers can enjoy the likes of a luxury facial or relaxing massage from Elemis Spa if they fly from Heathrow's Terminals 3 and 5 and JFK's Terminal 7.

After boarding, First passengers are shown to their own private, spacious suite and greeted with a pre-flight glass of Champagne.

The suites come complete with "wellbeing essentials" in a bespoke British Airways bag.

Each suite is fully equipped with a personal power supply for laptops and electronic devices.

There is a 15-inch screen to watch films, documentaries, and TV shows or to play games, while noise-cancelling headphones allow customers to plug in to the music and audio book selection.

Passengers can hook up their laptop, iPad, or digital camera on the bigger screen with provided cables and charge their devices mid-flight as well. The new 787-9 Dreamliner aircrafts, which have only eight suites in First Class compared to the usual 14, feature even larger screens and touchscreen handsets.

For longer flights, First and even Business Class passengers (pictured below) can turn their seats into lie-flat beds.

The seats turn into a completely flat 198 cm bed complete with a luxurious quilted mattress and a white cotton duvet and pillow. The airline even provides overnight fliers with a new pair of complimentary soft cotton pyjamas.

Perhaps one of the best perks of First is the food and drink offering.

Along with an impressive wine and Champagne selection (British Airways is the only airline that serves three different types of Champagne in its First cabin), customers can order food from an a la carte menu whenever they want during a flight. All food comes served on white linen tablecloths and fine bone china — an upgrade from the plastic trays in Economy.

The breakfast selection includes a full-cooked English breakfast, smoothies and yoghurts. For afternoon tea, fliers can enjoy sandwiches, cakes, scones, jams, and clotted creams. And for lunch or dinner, customers can choose from items like fresh tuna and Herefordshire beef with truffle taglierini, followed by cheese platters, fresh fruit and fine chocolates for dessert.

For those left wanting more, First Class passengers also have access to a private 24-hour concierge.

The complimentary service offers travel advice for passengers, offering them suggestions for restaurants and events at their destination. 

Now watch: This face pillow lets you fall asleep on a plane

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British Airways Classes: The Guide

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If you’re considering flying with British Airways, why not fly in comfort? Flying economy can certainly get you to your destination, but not without its inconveniences. That's why understanding the British Airways' class differences can help you find the right ticket to fit your flight preferences and desired experience.

Read more to learn about how British Airways’ premium class options work, plus how to book an upgraded seat on your next flight.

British Airways' classes

British Airways currently has four travel class options: economy, premium economy, business and first class. Each travel class offers a different price point and travel experience.

If you dream of experiencing life beyond coach, think about upgrading your fare type to one of the following ticket tiers.

Premium economy

Photo courtesy of British Airways.

While British Airways' premium economy is not quite the same experience as flying in business or first class, it does offer some additional perks that aren’t available when choosing to fly on an economy ticket.

Premium economy travelers get to enjoy more comfortable seats as well as a variety of other perks, like:

Wider seats.

Additional legroom.

A separate premium economy cabin area.

Complimentary bar service along with signature drinks.

A personal entertainment system.

Noise-canceling headphones.

An amenity kit.

Additional free baggage allowance.

Priority boarding.

Premium economy tickets are available on World Traveller Plus routes.

Business class

British Airways’ business class offers more perks and comfort than premium economy; however, the included amenities vary depending on your specific flight journey. These packages are known as “clubs.”

Club Europe is available on flights headed to the U.K. and Europe, while Club World service is offered on all other business flights. There’s also an exclusive flight service from New York-JFK to London, called Club World London City .

Club Europe perks :

Contoured leather seats with in-seat power and fully moveable headrests.

Magazine storage.

Adjustable LED lighting.

Complimentary newspapers (available on most flights).

Food and drinks.

A dedicated cabin crew.

Additional baggage allowance.

Priority check-in and boarding.

Fast track security available at London airports.

Fast track arrivals at London-Heathrow (available for non-EU passport holders).

Club World perks :

A seat that converts to a fully flat bed.

Amenity kits and bedding.

Access to a private lounge and deluxe spa treatments.

Dedicated check-in and priority boarding desks.

Travelers can enjoy the newly remodeled Club Suite cabins on select Club World flights. Offerings include aisle access from every seat, a door for added privacy, a 79-inch fully flat bed, personal outlets for charging your electronics, high-resolution screens and extra storage space.

Club Suites are available on select services in New York-JFK, Dubai, Tel Aviv, Bangalore and Toronto flights. British Airways continues to roll out Club Suite offerings on additional routes.

Club World London City perks :

Access to a plane with a total of only 32 seats.

A seat that converts into a fully flat bed measuring 6 feet.

Luxury bedding and amenity kit.

Personal iPad with entertainment offerings.

Mobile data connectivity.

U.K., EU and U.S. power sockets.

Pre-clearance through U.S. immigration on flights to New York.

Dedicated support team.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

First class

British Airways' first class is the highest level of ticket available on their flights. Travelers not only have access to their own personal suite while flying, but they can also enjoy many other amenities.

Here’s a look at what you will experience when flying first class on British Airways:

Access to a private, spacious suite with a fully flat bed.

A foam and microfibre mattress topper and 400-thread-count bedding.

Exclusively designed loungewear, amenity bag and slippers.

Luxury skin and body care collection.

Fine dining food and drinks.

Access to lounges and luxury spa treatments.

Exclusive and dedicated service.

Priority boarding via the exclusive First lounge.

When flying through London-Heathrow Terminals 3 and 5, first class travelers can enjoy the Arrivals lounge upon landing. They also have access to the Concorde Room, British Airways' most luxurious lounge, when flying through London-Heathrow Terminal 5 and New York-JFK Terminal 7.

How to book British Airways premium class tickets

If you’ve decided you'd like to fly in a premium class on your next British Airways flight, you have a few options for completing your booking — cash, Avios (points) or a combination of the two.

Pay full price: You can book British Airways premium class seats by paying full price at the time of booking.

Make a partial payment and use Avios: Log in to your British Airways Executive Club account and search for flights. You’ll be presented with options to use some of your Avios points to reduce the cash price of your premium class flight.

Book with Avios: If you have enough Avios saved up, you can easily redeem your points to book a premium class seat.

You can also treat yourself to a premium class ticket upgrade with Avios for both existing and new flights.

Rescheduling your flights

If you need to cancel or reschedule your British Airways flight, you have options, regardless of ticket type. Due to COVID-19, British Airways has made temporary changes to their normal terms to offer more flexibility .

Change fees are waived for flights booked from March 3, 2020, onward that are to be completed by Aug. 31, 2021. For flights booked prior to March 3, 2020, this promotion expires earlier, on Jan. 20, 2021. Keep in mind that you’re still responsible for any changes in fare price, but you will not incur change fees.

The bottom line

Three premium tier levels make up British Airways classes, each offering a unique set of perks and amenities that are reflected in the price tags.

But, the question remains: Are British Airways premium economy, business or first classes worth it? If you can afford the significant expense or have Avios points saved up, British Airways premium seats can be worth the cost — particularly on long-haul journeys, and the added privacy and comfort mean a more enjoyable flight experience.

How to maximize your rewards

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Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

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Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

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Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

Does British Airways Have First Class? Exploring Luxury Travel Options

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I have a passion for the English countryside and especially anywhere in Yorkshire. I drink far too much Yorkshire tea on my travels and even take it with me when abroad. My passion is to share travel experiences with my readers which may help them plan their holidays and save money.

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When it comes to luxury travel, British Airways offers a premium experience in their First Class cabin. From private suites to exceptional service, you can expect the highest level of comfort and amenities during your flight.

British Airways First Class is available on select aircraft, such as their 747s and 777s.

As a First Class passenger, you’ll not only receive top-notch in-flight service, but you’ll also enjoy perks such as dedicated check-in desks, fast-track security at certain airports, and access to exclusive lounges.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• British Airways’ First Class offers luxurious private suites and exceptional service.
• First Class amenities include dedicated check-in desks, fast-track security, and exclusive lounge access.
• This premium experience is available on select aircraft like the 747s and 777s.

Overview of British Airways First Class

British Airways First Class is designed to provide you with a luxurious and comfortable flight experience.

As you fly with this global airline, you can expect to receive exceptional, elegant British service. Your journey starts with dedicated check-in desks and fast-track security at major airports, such as London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and New York JFK.

While onboard, you will enjoy the comforts of your own private, spacious suite. These suites are available on various aircraft, including the A380.

No matter which aircraft you fly on, you can expect a refined environment and attentive service.

In terms of dining, British Airways First Class offers a fine selection of meals and beverages to suit your tastes. You can also take advantage of the airlines’ exclusive lounges before your flight, enhancing your overall travel experience.

To maximize your First Class experience, consider booking flights on the best routes for British Airways First Class.

These may include routes from London Heathrow to other major international destinations. Whether you travel for business or leisure, British Airways First Class is designed to make your journey as enjoyable and relaxing as possible.

Looking for good hotel deals this month? Check out booking.com for the latest offers.

First Class Cabins and Amenities

Comfort and Privacy Features

British Airways offers an exclusive first class experience on select aircraft, such as the 787-10, A380, and Boeing 777-200. You’ll enjoy added privacy with your own private, spacious suite.

Bed and Beddings

When it’s time to rest, your first class seat transforms into a comfortable bed. You’ll be provided with a quilted mattress, duvet, and pillow.

In-Flight Entertainment and Amenities

During your flight, you can enjoy a variety of in-flight entertainment options. Noise-canceling headphones are provided for your comfort. To further enhance your experience, you’ll receive an amenity kit and luxurious loungewear, including pajamas.

First Class Dining

When you fly First Class with British Airways, you can expect top-notch meal services. Their à la carte menu offers a variety of choices for your dining pleasure.

You’ll begin your culinary journey with delicious appetizers. Your main course options are carefully crafted to satisfy diverse palates.

Satisfy your cravings with light snacks available throughout your flight. They ensure you never go hungry with their range of tasty offerings.

British Airways’ First Class offers a superb beverage selection. You’ll be delighted by their assortment of fine wines and champagnes.

Signature cocktails are also available to elevate your in-flight experience. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the exquisite flavors offered aboard your flight.

Not in the mood for an extravagant meal? The afternoon tea service is a delightful alternative. Indulge in classic British treats as you soar through the skies.

First Class Lounges

Lounges in UK

British Airways offers luxurious lounges for their First Class passengers in London, with their premier lounges located at London Heathrow and London Gatwick.

At London Heathrow Terminal 5, the Concorde Room provides exceptional service and amenities for eligible passengers.

In addition to the Concorde Room, Terminal 5 also features the Galleries First Lounge and the First Wing .

These lounges offer a more relaxed environment along with a range of services, including delicious food and drinks, seating areas, and showers to make your journey more comfortable.

International Lounges

For international travelers, British Airways maintains a variety of First Class lounges at several international airports. The Concorde Lounge is available for those flying from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).

For access to these lounges, you must be flying in First Class with British Airways or one of their oneworld partners. Be aware that lounge access is subject to capacity restrictions.

British Airways Premium Cabin Classes

You may be wondering if British Airways offers first class services. The answer is yes, and in fact, they provide several premium cabin classes for a luxurious travel experience.

Flying with British Airways gives you various options to suit your preferences. One of these options includes business class, also known as Club World. This class provides comfort and convenience, perfect for long-haul flights.

For passengers seeking extra comfort without a full business class upgrade, premium economy is an excellent choice. British Airways boasts spacious seating and enhanced services in this class.

If you’re traveling within Europe, consider Club Europe for a premium short-haul experience. This class includes priority boarding, comfortable seats, and delicious in-flight meals.

Another luxurious option on select flights is the Club World Suites. These suites feature fully flat beds, aisle access, and increased privacy for a truly comfortable journey.

By choosing British Airways for your travels, you can experience the premium cabin classes that cater to your specific needs and preferences. Enjoy the perks and comfort of these luxuries during your next journey.

Flight Booking and Check-In with First Class

Flight Booking

By booking a British Airways First Class ticket, you’ll experience the finest way to travel. You can redeem your Avios points or miles from American Express for a First Class upgrade.

Check-In and Security

At the airport, use the dedicated First Class check-in desk or the exclusive First Wing check-in area at Heathrow. Once checked in, enjoy fast-track security lanes for a smoother experience.

When you reach the boarding area, take advantage of priority boarding. Your luxurious First Class experience awaits.

British Airways First Class and Partner Airlines

When you travel with British Airways in their First Class, you can expect a luxurious experience. Your journey will include a private suite, access to exclusive lounges, fast-track security, and exceptional service.

Choosing British Airways First Class also allows you to enjoy benefits when flying with partner airlines.

If your flight number starts with something other than “BA,” you might be flying with one of their partners. Some notable partners are American Airlines, Iberia, Japan Airlines, and Alaska Airlines.

First Class passengers with both British Airways and American Airlines can enjoy dedicated check-in desks at most airports. This service is common for First Class flyers. You can also benefit from fast-track security at London Heathrow, London Gatwick, and New York JFK airports.

Flying with Iberia, another partner airline, offers luxury on par with British Airways. Iberia’s First Class provides spacious cabins, gourmet dining options, and exclusive lounge access. You can also expect exceptional service, similar to what you’d receive with British Airways.

For those traveling on Japan Airlines, another partner, you’ll enjoy their luxurious First Class cabins. The cabins offer a spacious and comfortable environment.

You can also enjoy a wide array of Japanese and international cuisines, ensuring a memorable in-flight dining experience.

Last but not least, Alaska Airlines offers a premium experience, though they do not have a dedicated First Class cabin.

However, their Business Class provides a comparable level of comfort and service. You’ll be treated to comfortable seating, a delicious menu, and priority boarding to make your journey more enjoyable.

The British Airways Experience

When it comes to luxury travel, British Airways First Class offers an exceptional experience for their passengers. With your own private, spacious suite, you can enjoy elegant British service throughout your journey.

The aircraft you fly in determines the specific First Class seat you’ll have. Their most luxurious layouts can be found on the 787-9, 787-10, and 777-300 ER, offering state-of-the-art seating configurations.

As a First Class passenger, you’ll gain exclusive access to British Airways lounges and fast-track security. Check out the British Airways A380 First Class lounge for a taste of what you can expect.

Your in-flight dining experience will be nothing short of exquisite. On top of the regular meal service, you’ll also experience a traditional afternoon tea – a quintessentially English touch.

To make the most of your travels, consider joining the Executive Club to earn rewards and access special offers. With its combination of style, luxury, and top-notch service, your British Airways First Class journey will be unforgettable.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key features of British Airways First Class?

British Airways First Class offers private spacious suites and exceptional service. You can also enjoy exclusive access to lounges and fast-track security.

How much does a First Class ticket cost on British Airways?

The cost of a First Class ticket on British Airways varies based on factors like destination, time and booking method. To find exact prices, it is best to check the official British Airways website.

What are the differences between First Class and Business Class on British Airways?

First Class provides a more luxurious experience, including private suites and higher levels of personalized service. Business Class, while still offering comfort, offers fewer amenities compared to First Class.

Are there First Class options on all British Airways flights?

Not all British Airways flights have a First Class cabin. Availability depends on the aircraft type and route. Refer to the respective flight information for details.

What are the unique amenities in British Airways First Class?

In addition to private suites, First Class passengers enjoy exclusive access to airport lounges, personalized meal options, luxurious bedding, and premium entertainment options during their flight.

How does British Airways’ First Class experience compare to other airlines?

British Airways has a well-regarded First Class experience, with a SkyTrax ranking of #9 in their World Airline Awards for 2022. However, each airline’s offerings vary, so it’s important to research and compare different carriers to find the best experience for your needs.

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Traveling With a Baby in British Airways First Class

by Gary Leff on January 20, 2019

British Airways is the only full service carrying flying transatlantic from Austin (in a few months Lufthansa will start service). That’s a real benefit when traveling with an infant.

This was our daughter’s first international flight. Last month we took her to New York on American Airlines and she did wonderfully. She slept through the outbound, and was up and cheery the full return.

On the Austin – London outbound we were taking off just after her bedtime. As a result she slept most of the way over to Europe. The only times she got up were when the seat belt sign came on. We were required to belt her in with one of us, rather than leaving her in a child seat, whenever the seat belt sign came on — even though the child seat is locked into place with the seat and she was strapped into that seat (frankly it seemed safer than being held).

For the return she napped about three or four of the eleven hour flight, but in first class there’s plenty of room to keep her occupied and play with her. Between my wife and I we managed just fine, and we got plenty of compliments. I think three to nine months is probably an excellent time to travel with a baby, before they’re going to be shrieking or kicking other passenger seats!

At this point her needs are simple. If she fusses she’s hungry, tired, needs a diaper change or wants to interact. So it’s easy to keep her satisfied and to be respectful to the rest of the cabin.

On BA’s Boeing 777-200 with 12 or 14 first class seats seat 4F is the only one that can have a child seat attached. We were only able to book that seat in advance because we had an infant in the reservation. I believe the bassinet seat on the Boeing 747 is 5F and on the Boeing 787-9 is 2F.

British Airways offers two types of seats for lap infants. They call bassinets “carrycots” and they also have “child seats.”

Bassinets or carrycots can be mounted to the wall of the bulkhead in business, those are appropriate for newborns. A 9 month old is going to clearly need the child seat in most circumtances. our three month old daughter was a little bit small for the child seat, but with a pillow helping to secure her she was fine.

The Boeing 777 doesn’t have the option of a carrycot. It was a child seat only. It mounts above the ottoman of your seat, and it’s not possible to swivel the television screen forward with the seat in place but it’s not a problem to use the tray table to work or eat. (You could presumably take the TV out before putting the child seat in, but that would block your view of the child.)

I made sure to request the child seat just as soon as we had boarded. I didn’t want them to run out in either direction, though I’m not sure that would have been an issue. They brought the child seat forward into the first class cabinet to secure it for us, and then set it up once we were in the air. One flight attendant told me that in seven years of working First she had never seen one set up there. The flight attendants who actually did it took a few moments, they weren’t experienced with it but managed to get it done after consulting with other members of the crew.

For a smaller baby than ours I’d probably suggest booking business rather than first class and reserving middle seats at the very back of the cabin by the bulkhead where you can attach a bassinet.

Once our daughter is no longer eligible to travel as a lap infant we’ll be much better off in business as well, in BA’s otherwise-garbage middle-of-middle seats without privacy. It’s not really possible to put a two year old into her own first class seat apart from parents, but you’re so close together in BA business things should work much better.

More From View from the Wing

About Gary Leff

Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel - a topic he has covered since 2002. Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »

More articles by Gary Leff »

[…] and $120) over the phone Reserve seats (I wanted to ensure i had the one seat in the cabin that permits attaching the child seat for the long haul flights in each direction) Request a cabana in the Concorde Room via YouFirst […]

Thanks Gary! I am traveling on Lufthansa business in a couple of days with my 2.5 month old. We had to pay ~$900 for the lap infant. Good to know BA could be cheaper.

We flew OZ F with our 9 month old at the time LAX – ICN. Got plenty of stares as we boarded from the other F PAX but our baby behaved. He sat in the giant seat played with the seatbelt buckles. Eventually he fell asleep and we closed the door to the suite while my wife and I dined face to face. The quirky thing about the award ticket was that if it was OZ issuing the ticket no lap infant but because we used AC it was allowed.

We took our son to Australia in UA business class when he was 15 months. Some shrew complained to my wife when he cried for 5 minutes while his milk was being heated (about halfway thru). When I returned with the milk I asked if she was upgraded, told her that we paid for our tickets (admittedly a mistake fare) and to talk to me if she had any issues. She shut up after that. I find babies are often better behaved than many adults, who drink too much, snore loudly, and leave window shades open when the rest of the cabin is sleeping.

Congrats on a successful babyflight inauguration! I think you nailed the “sweet spot” for infant travel. I remember traveling with our 4 month old grandson in FC to/from Hawaii. On landing the relieved passengers told my daughter in law that our grandson should give “baby flight seminars”

It’s great to introduce little ones to travel.

I think Gary your far more experienced than a lot of parents traveling these days, one only has to look at Centurion lounges. Along with the passengers around you were fortunate we were on EK DXB-JNB first, 2 EF and the “baby seats” are 3 EF that couple did not have Gary Leff with them, it cried the most of the way played loud. The parents were simply allowing the child to do as it pleased. At least the booze was good.

Keep kids out of first and business.

And if we get to a point where they kick my seat? I’ll kick you In the face.

Hey Gary, have you signed your daughter up for FF accounts? Sounds like you had fun!

Getting ready to buy tickets for IAD->LHR->ARN on British with my wife and daughter (will be 9 months old during trip). Chose British for the carrycots, so hoping I can get one reserved!

“Privacy and Quiet” sums up themproblems we have with airbtravel these days. Adults behave just as badly and in same case worse than children. Privacy and squirts comment “if they kick my seat I’ll kick you in the face” highlights that fact.

No one has a right to exclude other humans from a cabin whether it is because of their race, gender or age . . .

@Alex – I agree with the vast majority of comments on here that children aren’t usually the offenders. It’s the parents who let them get away with that s**t.

I’m glad to hear that everyone on this comment thread self-reports that you are all fantastic parents. Hopefully the rest of your first/business cabins agree with your assessments.

We flew AUS-LHR and LHR-DEN in F with our 11 month-old. My wife and I found the experience nerve-wracking because we didn’t want to disturb other pax and our child would periodically wake up and cry. The infant attachment was broken on the outbound flight and he received his own seat for the return. Crew was amazing and no other passengers appeared frustrated, but we were on edge the whole time.

I don’t know if it’s worth being on edge in a biz / first cabin where people have paid thousands for the ability to maximize sleep.

A 3 seater in coach seems well suited to a family with one small child. Plenty of privacy and while everyone deserves peace on a flight at least folks around didn’t pay a premium for the ability to sleep easier.

Of course I’m not yet a parent so we will see, but that’s my framework.

Enrolling young kids in frequent flyer programs is its own special thing.

BA allows even very young children to have accounts but only if opened as part of a household account.

Some airline programs won’t let you enroll very young children. Some airline programs allow enrollment but will require an adult to call in or enroll the child by means other than just online enrollment. And some airline programs make it very simple to open accounts for young children and even incentivize it.

There have been some very interesting games to play with using young children’s travels to rack up miles/points or even earn elite status from the children’s travel. Things that Gary will probably want to learn more about and end up doing or at least sharing for the benefit of his audience.

I would suggest avoiding IAD-LHR-ARN as a routing to get to Sweden. The hassle of having to do the connection at LHR with the mess that is T5 security screening even for those entitled to fast track, has me avoiding that route for my frequent IAD-Sweden travels.

Some Schengen transit airports for US-Sweden journeys will spare you from also having to clear security screening at the transit airport.

@GUWonder, do you have any other route suggestions? We live in NC but have family in the DC area. We are trying to book BA due to their onboard carrycots, which they don’t have on the AA flights out of CLT to LHR.

A crying baby in the cabin is just the luck of the draw. It has never bothered me and I wouldn’t dream of complaining, in any class of travel. On the other hand a seat kicker is a major PITA and parents are wholly responsible for ensuring it doesn’t happen.

From CLT, if LH works via MUC, I would look at that.

Even UA via EWR or DL via JFK, depending on the time of year, would be my preference over flying BA when it comes to going to ARN.

The LH bassinets on average tend to be able to hold bigger infants than the BA ones on average. Or at least that is how it used to be.

Intentionally Inflicting pain on babies. I am amazed to read how many people can be so casually cruel as to subject their innocent babies to air travel. Knowing full well how much pain it causes their precious cargo. The air pressure on a babies ears is so painful on take-offs and landings they scream bloody murder, yet most people are willing to put their babies through that type of torture, for what? Why not have the friends/relatives come visit you? Think about it.

@Smiles first of all depending on the age they may not feel the pressure at all yet, but in any case you need to be feeding them (ideally) or giving a pacifier.

Gary, Many parents have never thought about the pain their child/baby has on airplanes because society says it’s ok. “Airlines allow babies and young children to fly” No parent wants to intentionally cause their children pain, my goodness that would be considered child abuse. If adults had to endure that intense pain, there would be less people traveling by air. Babies don’t have a choice. Think about the pain that precious screaming baby on your next flight is going through, then you can say to yourself “they may not feel the pressure at all yet”

@Smiles it’s easy you just give them a bottle or pacifier. Our 20 month-old son has been on about a dozen RT flights and never had ear issues. What is the alternative, leave him at home with a sitter while we go visit family?

The “pain” opinion is ignorant and not based on fact. My kids never complained about “pain” by crying or otherwise. That is because the way that humans (adults included) relieve sinus pressure is by swallowing. As long as you have a bottle (or mom) ready to feed the infant it will naturally relieve the pressure by swallowing milk. As for the suggestion of 3-across coach seating, let me know how that works for you on a TATL or TPAC. I know my family was far more comfortable being able to stretch out over 2 lie-flat seats. Economy just doesn’t work for everyone. As for noise – if you are in the last row of business you may get noise from families in economy. Or people talking with FAs in the galley. Or any host of annoyances. Luck of the draw. Don’t like noise – fly charter or get some nice earplugs.

Thanks for this post. It helped me to write about a 12-hour trip from London to Hong Kong with a two-year-old, without taking the flight. [Author, pen name: Eriqa Queen]

Comments are closed.

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Find First Class Flights to Russia

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British Airways offers the best first class amenities for flights to Russia. From the luxurious seats, delicious meals, and snacks served while on-board to the unlimited entertainment, booking first class flight to Russia will give a memorable experience. The seats have plenty of legroom, which makes passengers comfortable for the entire journey. You will be served complimentary freshly prepared meals and snacks as well as drinks to keep you comfortable.

Which airline has the best lounge for first class flights to Russia?

The British Airways lounge at the Sheremetyevo International Airport has one of the best first class amenities in the world. The lounge has a well decorated dining room with full table services. You can enjoy a wide range of Russian meals and drinks as you wait to board your plane. The chefs and attendants at the dining room show a high level of professionalism, something that will make your time at the lounge memorable.

Which airlines have the best flatbeds for flights to Russia?

Booking first class flights to Russia using British Airways or Emirates will give you a chance to enjoy flatbeds while on-board. By pressing a button, you will be able to adjust the seat to a horizontal position and enjoy your flight with your eyes closed.

How does KAYAK find such good deals on First Class tickets to Russia?

KAYAK is a travel search engine. That means we look across the web to find the best prices we can for our users. With over 2 billion flight queries processed yearly, we are able to display a variety of prices and options on flights to Russia for economy class as well as First Class travelers.

Top tips for finding first class flights to Russia

• If you choose a first class flight to Russia, you will have the advantage of shorter lines at the security checks. Therefore, you will have minimal delays before getting to your luxurious seat, where you will relax and enjoy the rest of the journey.
• Booking first class flights to Russia will give you the option of booking for extra bag allowance, something that will enable you to travel with more luggage conveniently. When you land at the airport, your luggage will be checked before that of the other travelers on-board.
• Passengers of first class flights to Russia can use a private door when boarding the plane. This gives them enhanced convenience and reduces the time they spend before getting into their luxurious seats. Additionally, these passengers will be able to get assistance on the suitable available transport options to and from the airport.

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First Class Flights to Stavropol in 2024

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While the experience can vary from airline to airline, First Class flights are one of the most luxurious flying experiences available. Some airlines can offer premium lounge access, while others may have exclusive in-flight perks aside from the extra legroom. With momondo, travelers can search and compare cheap First Class flight deals so you can fly comfortably without breaking the bank.

Why should I use momondo to find a First Class flight deal to Stavropol?

We help find the flight that best suits your needs; momondo compares prices from hundreds of airlines and travel agents and helps you filter them to find the best First Class flight to Stavropol for you.

Can I find First Class flights to Stavropol with flexible booking policies on momondo?

Yes. momondo allows you to filter the results for First Class flights to Stavropol to just show those with flexible booking policies.

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Once you have performed a search for First Class flight tickets to Stavropol, momondo helps you find the right flight by offering useful filters to narrow down your flight selection. Flights can be filtered by multiple factors such as airline, airport and price; but also by other criteria like aircraft type and payment method.

I’m not ready to book a First Class flight to Stavropol right now. Can momondo alert me if prices change?

Price alerts on First Class flights to Stavropol are quick and easy to set up on momondo. Simply perform a search and select the price alert feature. It is as simple as that.

When did momondo last update prices for flights from United States to Stavropol Airport?

Prices for flights from United States to Stavropol Airport are refreshed on a daily basis.

How old do you have to be to fly from United States to Stavropol Airport?

The minimum age a child must be to fly alone is five but airlines that offer an unaccompanied minor (UNMR) service will have their own age restrictions, including rules around flight length, timings, and stopovers. We always recommend checking with the individual airline you are booking with to travel from United States to Stavropol Airport.

What documentation or ID do you need to fly to Stavropol Airport?

The necessary travel and health documents for your Stavropol Airport trip may vary depending on your travel plans and individual circumstances. Generally, you should have various documents, such as a national ID card or driver's license and a passport that is valid for six months beyond your scheduled arrival date. We recommend seeking advice from your airline or a trusted third party, such as IATA.

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Flights from stavropol to istanbul.

Did you mean flights from Istanbul to Stavropol ?

Stavropol Shpakovskoye Airport

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Atatürk International Airport (Yesilköy International

At present, there are no direct flights from Stavropol to Istanbul.

However, there are several flights from STW to IST with a stopover.

Select a stopover airport from the list below to see which airlines operate flights from STW to IST, and to see what flight schedules are available.

• via Sochi   3h 25
• via Moscow Sheremetyevo   8h 25

Visit Azimuth.com

Ends in October

Click to show timetable

Visit Aeroflot.com

Visit UralAirlines.com

Visit IrAero.com

Visit RedWings.com

• Adults Over 15 - 1 +
• Children Aged 3 - 15 - 0 +
• Infants Aged 0 - 2 - 0 +

-->Airlines flying from Stavropol to Istanbul

In total there are 2 airlines that cover the full route from Stavropol STW to Istanbul IST. These airlines are:

All other flights from Stavropol to Istanbul are operated by a combination of multiple carriers, which are listed below:

-->Alliances flying from Stavropol to Istanbul

Unfortunately, there are no alliances that cover the full route (with 1 stopover) from Stavropol STW to Istanbul IST at this moment.

-->Classes on this route

You can fly the full journey from STW to IST in either Economy or Business Class. Premium Economy and First Class are not available on this route, at least not on the full route with just 1 stopover.

However, for the first part of this route, Economy and Business Class are available. This depends on the stopover airport of your choice though.

Again depending on your stopover airport, available classes for the second part of this route are Economy, Premium Economy and Business Class.

-->Aircrafts flying from STW to IST

In total there are 2 aircraft types that cover the full route from Stavropol to Istanbul. These aircrafts are:

All other flights from Stavropol to Istanbul are operated by a combination of multiple aircraft types.

-->Distance between Stavropol and Istanbul

The distance between Stavropol and Istanbul is 725 miles (1,166 kilometers).

However, because there are no direct flights between STW and IST, the distance of the full journey varies between 747 and 1,864 miles (or 1,202 and 3,000 kilometers), depending on your stopover airport.

-->Flight time from STW to IST

Flights from Stavropol to Istanbul take from 3 hours and 25 minutes up to 8 hours and 25 minutes, depending on your stopover airport.

Please note that these times refer to the actual flight times, excluding the stopover time in between connecting flights, as this depends on your stopover airport as well as your date(s) of travel.

Frequently asked questions - FAQ

How many airports are there in istanbul.

There are 2 airports in Istanbul: Atatürk International Airport (Yesilköy International (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW).

How long does it take to fly from Stavropol to Istanbul?

From 3 hours and 25 minutes up to 8 hours and 25 minutes, depending on your stopover airport.

Note that this excludes the layover time in between connecting flights.

How far is Istanbul from Stavropol?

Because there are no direct flights between STW and IST, the total distance of the full journey varies between 747 and 1,864 miles (or 1,202 and 3,000 kilometers), depending on your stopover airport.

What airlines fly from STW airport to IST airport?

Azimuth and Aeroflot are flying the full route from Stavropol to Istanbul.

Ural Airlines, IrAero and Red Wings operate several connecting flights, but only partly.

What alliances have flights from Stavropol to Istanbul?

There are no alliances flying from Stavropol to Istanbul at this moment.

What classes are available from Stavropol to Istanbul?

You can fly the full route from Stavropol to Istanbul (with 1 stopover) in Economy and Business Class.

What aircraft types fly from Stavropol to Istanbul?

• Sukhoi Superjet 100-95
• Boeing 737-800 (winglets)

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