Flying business class- first time!
Discussion
Hi, the wife and I are flying to Jordan in 3 weeks time with BA. Pushing the boat out and going business class for the first time ever! The trip is a tour with Trailfinders.
We are flying from terminal 5 at Heathrow. Take off time is 3pm.
Not sure what to expect, so would appreciate some pointers. Thanks
We are flying from terminal 5 at Heathrow. Take off time is 3pm.
Not sure what to expect, so would appreciate some pointers. Thanks
Ignore the naysayers. Business Class is lovely!
You can expect stress free check in (dedicated for business class), lounge access at both ends with help-yourself food and booze far from the madding crowds. You'll be amongst the first on and the first off. No squeezing your hand baggage next to someone else's or halfway down the plane. You'll get some nice food on board with nice wines and good service. If you're checking in bags, you normally find your's will be amongst the first to appear on the belt.
Your close fellow passengers will be of similar standing and is considered courteous to give each a silent nod and slight smile of acknowledgement in your shared good fortune to be at the front
(It's not - I made that up!)
If you're lucky, you may find yourself with a bells and whistles seat with big TV and all the works. But if not, as above, it'll just be a normal seat with a table in the middle and a few inches more legroom. Which is fine.
The only downside is that once you've done it, it sort of becomes difficult to return to cattle on future flights.
The only tip is that the airlines assume you've done it before. So the check in for Business Class won't say Business Class, it will say 'Club World' or 'Club Europe'. And there's many lounges so ask at check-in which one you can use.
HTH - Enjoy
You can expect stress free check in (dedicated for business class), lounge access at both ends with help-yourself food and booze far from the madding crowds. You'll be amongst the first on and the first off. No squeezing your hand baggage next to someone else's or halfway down the plane. You'll get some nice food on board with nice wines and good service. If you're checking in bags, you normally find your's will be amongst the first to appear on the belt.
Your close fellow passengers will be of similar standing and is considered courteous to give each a silent nod and slight smile of acknowledgement in your shared good fortune to be at the front
(It's not - I made that up!)If you're lucky, you may find yourself with a bells and whistles seat with big TV and all the works. But if not, as above, it'll just be a normal seat with a table in the middle and a few inches more legroom. Which is fine.
The only downside is that once you've done it, it sort of becomes difficult to return to cattle on future flights.
The only tip is that the airlines assume you've done it before. So the check in for Business Class won't say Business Class, it will say 'Club World' or 'Club Europe'. And there's many lounges so ask at check-in which one you can use.
HTH - Enjoy
CharlesElliott said:
I believe that London to Amman is Euro Traveller - so just a blocked out middle seat and a meal, plus access to the lounge. No bed......
Yes you're right. It'll be like club europe, eg economy seating with middle seat with tray table. Only Tel Aviv gets club world in that area. StevieBee said:
The only tip is that the airlines assume you've done it before. So the check in for Business Class won't say Business Class, it will say 'Club World' or 'Club Europe'. And there's many lounges so ask at check-in which one you can use.
At T5, you can use Galleries South or Galleries North, both just after security (you can use Fast Track too). North is near the business class check in end, South is at the other end of the terminal. Both are normally very busy.There is also a lounge at B gates which is usually quieter, and is worth using if you plane is departing from either B or C gates. Ask when you check-in.
CharlesElliott said:
There is also a lounge at B gates which is usually quieter, and is worth using if you plane is departing from either B or C gates. Ask when you check-in.
Seconding this, but to also add, don't go there if you're not, while I think technically you can get back without landing yourself in the wrong place, you may need to ask for staff help in doing so!InitialDave said:
CharlesElliott said:
There is also a lounge at B gates which is usually quieter, and is worth using if you plane is departing from either B or C gates. Ask when you check-in.
Seconding this, but to also add, don't go there if you're not, while I think technically you can get back without landing yourself in the wrong place, you may need to ask for staff help in doing so!Tim330 said:
You can get back on the walkway tunnel but not on the transit subway. Take the lift from b gates to the lowest level and walk back to the main terminal. I've not done this since pre covid so not sure if it's changed though.
You're probably right, I was thinking in terms of the train as that's what I use.Plus points for me are
Fast check in with usually no wait.
Straight to lounge for food and drink. I am not big on alcohol but if thats your thing go for it.
Priority boarding, no fighting over locker space.
Crew who are actually happy to see you.
Better food and usually pre flight drink etc.
Visit the bar on the bigger aircraft and chat to fellow pax.
Usually better seat although on your flight not so much.
Deplane first whilst everyone else is fighting over the overhead bins again.
Some bonus things for future
Drive through check in (Virgin)
If flying a popular route i,e LHR may have lounge at arrival too (also Virgin not sure on BA)
Special menus which you can pre-order a few days before that are even nicer than regular business.
Join the points scheme and save points for future flights, business flights also give you even more points.
And yes the person above who said you wont want to fly any other way is right! I took my first bc flight back in about 2010 on Virgin and its very difficult not to fly that way now. I often plan my trips around cheap bc seats or use points!
Fast check in with usually no wait.
Straight to lounge for food and drink. I am not big on alcohol but if thats your thing go for it.
Priority boarding, no fighting over locker space.
Crew who are actually happy to see you.
Better food and usually pre flight drink etc.
Visit the bar on the bigger aircraft and chat to fellow pax.
Usually better seat although on your flight not so much.
Deplane first whilst everyone else is fighting over the overhead bins again.
Some bonus things for future
Drive through check in (Virgin)
If flying a popular route i,e LHR may have lounge at arrival too (also Virgin not sure on BA)
Special menus which you can pre-order a few days before that are even nicer than regular business.
Join the points scheme and save points for future flights, business flights also give you even more points.
And yes the person above who said you wont want to fly any other way is right! I took my first bc flight back in about 2010 on Virgin and its very difficult not to fly that way now. I often plan my trips around cheap bc seats or use points!
StevieBee said:
Ignore the naysayers. Business Class is lovely!
You can expect stress free check in (dedicated for business class), lounge access at both ends with help-yourself food and booze far from the madding crowds. You'll be amongst the first on and the first off. No squeezing your hand baggage next to someone else's or halfway down the plane. You'll get some nice food on board with nice wines and good service. If you're checking in bags, you normally find your's will be amongst the first to appear on the belt.
Your close fellow passengers will be of similar standing and is considered courteous to give each a silent nod and slight smile of acknowledgement in your shared good fortune to be at the front (It's not - I made that up!)
If you're lucky, you may find yourself with a bells and whistles seat with big TV and all the works. But if not, as above, it'll just be a normal seat with a table in the middle and a few inches more legroom. Which is fine.
The only downside is that once you've done it, it sort of becomes difficult to return to cattle on future flights.
The only tip is that the airlines assume you've done it before. So the check in for Business Class won't say Business Class, it will say 'Club World' or 'Club Europe'. And there's many lounges so ask at check-in which one you can use.
HTH - Enjoy
It's BA though....You can expect stress free check in (dedicated for business class), lounge access at both ends with help-yourself food and booze far from the madding crowds. You'll be amongst the first on and the first off. No squeezing your hand baggage next to someone else's or halfway down the plane. You'll get some nice food on board with nice wines and good service. If you're checking in bags, you normally find your's will be amongst the first to appear on the belt.
Your close fellow passengers will be of similar standing and is considered courteous to give each a silent nod and slight smile of acknowledgement in your shared good fortune to be at the front
(It's not - I made that up!)If you're lucky, you may find yourself with a bells and whistles seat with big TV and all the works. But if not, as above, it'll just be a normal seat with a table in the middle and a few inches more legroom. Which is fine.
The only downside is that once you've done it, it sort of becomes difficult to return to cattle on future flights.
The only tip is that the airlines assume you've done it before. So the check in for Business Class won't say Business Class, it will say 'Club World' or 'Club Europe'. And there's many lounges so ask at check-in which one you can use.
HTH - Enjoy
Wait in relative quiet, help yourself to drinks, have a bit of lunch. Make sure you use the priority boarding.
Nice on longer trips to have a shower if you have a layover, and save a bit of cash!!
I think my silver status expires this year, which had been ticking over quite nicely. Covid b
ksed my company travel... Be nice when china opens up without quarantine.
Nice on longer trips to have a shower if you have a layover, and save a bit of cash!!
I think my silver status expires this year, which had been ticking over quite nicely. Covid b
ksed my company travel... Be nice when china opens up without quarantine.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff