BRITISH AIRWAYS review (LONDON HEATHROW- BEIJING), CLUB WORLD CLASS – BOEING 747-400

British Airways is the national flag carrier of the United Kingdom, and operates full international and domestic scheduled air services for the carriage of passengers, freight, and mail and the provision of ancillary services. British Airways operates to 148 destinations around the world with a fleet of 245 aircraft. British Airways are one of the world’s leading scheduled premium international airlines. Their main principal place of business is Heathrow, one of the world’s premier airport locations, which serves a large geographical area with a comparatively high proportion of point-to-point business. Operating one of the most extensive international scheduled airline route networks, together with our code share and franchise partners, British Airways flies to more than 300 destinations worldwide.

I had the pleasure of flying with British Airways from London Heathrow Airport (U.K.), to Beijing Capital Airport (China), on one of their Boeing 747-400 aircraft. I flew Club World Class, which is the name given to business class on British Airways. On 13 November 2006, British Airways launched Next Generation New Club World, featuring larger seats. This was my first time ever I sat at the upper deck cabin of a Boeing 747-400, so it was very exciting to experience the service and flight from a different angle of an aircraft that I would normally fly in.

In mainland China, British Airways flies to Beijing (Six flights a week), and Shanghai (Six flights a week) using the Boeing 747-400, and the Boeing 777 aircraft. So enjoy the flight experience from seat 63A on the upper deck of this splendid Boeing 747-400 aircraft! The Beijing route used to be flown by the Boeing 777, but due to extra need, the flights are operated by the Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

Route: LONDON HEATHROW (LHR) - BEIJING (PEK)

Departure date and time of flight: October 2011, 16:45pm local time (London)

Flight number: BA39 (ICAO callsign: “Speedbird 39 heavy”)

Flight duration: 8 Hours 45 minutes

Class: CLUB WORLD (BUSINESS CLASS)

Aircraft type: BOEING 747-436 (51 aircraft in service)

Aircraft registration: G-BYGA (First flight 4th December 1998)

Aircraft Serial Number: 28855 - line 1190

Seat configuration for this aircraft:

- First Class: 14 seats in a 1-1-1 configuration on the main deck
- Club World (Business class): 70 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration (2-2 configuration on the upper deck),
- World Traveller Plus (Premier Economy class): 30 seats in a 2-4-2 configuration
- World Traveller class (Economy class): 177 seats in a 3-4-3 configuration

Any baggage issues:

No issues regarding the baggage. The baggage limit is 3 bags (of 32kg each) for those flying in Club World to Brazil, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and connecting journeys between India and USA/Bermuda/Canada. For passengers travelling to all other destinations with British Airways, passengers travelling in Club World can carry 2-luggage bags up to 32kg each in the hold (no extra charge for extra weight).

Comments on the check-in staff:

Checking in at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 is an effortless affair because of the large numbers of check-in counters, and the abundance of electronic ticket (E-ticket) counters available on site. The whole checking process was a very quick and smooth one, having taking only around 20 minutes for me to get from checking in my baggage to the duty free area.

LOUNGE EXPERIENCE at Heathrow Terminal 5:

British Airways has not just one lounge, but eight lounges at Heathrow (six at Terminal 5, and 2 at Terminal 3). Lounges are available at Terminal 5A North (Galleries Lounge after security), Terminal 5A South (Galleries Lounge after security), Terminal 5A (Galleries Lounge at gate side), and Terminal 5B (Galleries Lounge at gate side). The British Airways Lounge at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 is not just ordinary Lounge, but rather similar to a 5-star hotel. You can have breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can sleep in one of the many small ‘sleeper’ rooms, take a shower (20 shower suites available), watch some movies, catch up on the latest current affairs, have a massage, facial treatment, or just go shopping. The lounge caters for passengers transferring at Heathrow, as well as those departing as well.

For those travelling in First and Club World class (and for Gold Executive Club members flying long haul), British Airways can have a complimentary two-tier treatment menu at the Elemis Travel Spa at Heathrow’s Terminal 5, or Terminal 3. At Terminal 5, there is even a 20-seat cinema for live sporting events and tailored entertainment. Wireless internet is available free in all the lounges.

Punctuality of the flight, and route taken:

Departed on time, and landed on time. London Heathrow Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, and certainly gets busy during the peak hours unlike some other airports around the world. Considering that Heathrow only has two runways (27L/09R, and 27R/09L) where one is used for take-offs, and the other for landings, so therefore there tends to be a long queue of aircraft waiting to take-off (as was in this case). However, if you are an aviation enthusiast, then Heathrow is heaven for you because you can see airlines from all around the world (and going away to all corners of the world). In the line to runway 27L, we had the following aircraft ahead of us Qantas A380-800 (the big ugly looking Super Jumbo), Kenya Airways 777, Etihad Airways A340-600, Air India 777-200LR, British Midland A320, and an Alitalia A321. When I was younger, I used to listen to the ATC on my VHF radio, and used to copy the different accents of the pilots as they communicated with the Heathrow ATC. The comical ones were always those where English was not the first language for the Captain (or First Officer). Like Aeroflot, LOT Polish, Malev, Air China, and others.

We departed on a Clacton departure towards Ipswich, then North Sea, Scandinavia, North Russia, Siberia, North Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and then finally into Beijing (landing on Runway 36L).

Comments regarding the pre-flight service:

Passengers’ in Club World are offered hot lemon scented towels prior to departure. This is followed by a drinks service, which consists of some of the world’s finest wines, and champagne. Passengers are also treated to a bag of Macadamia Nuts (dry roasted and salted from Kenya). The huge nuts go well with any wine. I opted for a glass of Chardonnay (Barwick Estates Black Label Chardonnay 2009, Margaret River, Western Australia 1997). The high flow of the fruit juices dance as they make down your throat. It’s a sheer delight to drink high quality wine like this on a flight.

Many of the British Airways classics are greatly adored by passengers around the world. Nothing less is expected from an airline that was once known as ‘World’s favourite airline’. 

Comments regarding the pre-meal service:

Around about 25 minutes after departure, drinks were served from the trolley along with another helping of the huge Macadamia Nuts. I opted for the Champagne this time (Taittinger Brut Reserve NV, Champagne 1734).

There was also the celebrated British Airways complimentary bar service, including various alcoholic beverages, and soft drinks. Ground coffee, and decaffeinated coffee or tea (English Tetley tea, and Chinese green tea) were also available. On top of this there were a selection of herbal teas including green tea with jasmine, peppermint, blackcurrant, and camomile with honey.

Comments regarding the first meal:

British Airways have taken their in-flight menu to new heights, and indeed, it is called ‘Height Cuisine’ menu. The recipes used have been specially developed using the ingredients that are naturally high in a fifth taste known as Umami (after sweet, sour, bitter, and salt). The taste of Umami was identified in Japan, and it offers a pleasant savoury taste in many foods such as tomatoes, seaweed, and parmesan cheese. British Airways claims to source their ingredients locally wherever they can. Whereas East-West fusion cuisines are considered exotic as part of most in-flight meals, at British Airways they have a more common presence in their in-flight dining on flights to the Far East. Dinner service consisted of the following:

Starters:

- Smoked salmon and trout roulade with radish and fennel salad.

- Mushroom parfait with red onion, marmalade, and watercress salad (vegetarian)

I opted for the stylish looking smoked salmon. The dish has carefully adopted characteristics of Asian cuisines, such as matching beautifully created roll of the salmon, a bit like a big wrapped sushi with elegant garnish of radish and fennel salad. It is exactly this openness to new ideas and respect for tradition, which has enabled British Airways to not just survive, but also gracefully thrive when it comes to providing a 5-star quality in-flight meal in the 21st century.

Main Course:

There were four options for the main course, including:

- Asian style chicken and pumpkin curry with snow peas and jasmine rice

- Slow braised British beef with rosti potatoes

- Beetroot and horseradish risotto with ruby chard.

- Chilled main course salad of grilled king prawn with Thai noodles and cashews.

I opted for the ‘Asian style chicken’ dish. As well as upholding the traditional and authentic taste of the Chinese cuisine, this dish also incorporated certain herbal concepts. The slow-cooked chicken with the pumpkin curry, for example, is actually seasoned with traditional Chinese herbs to neutralise it’s undesirable heat when eaten at high altitude (even in a pressurised environment). The sweet essence of the jasmine rice gave way to a soft and elegant sweet smell that blended in neatly with the snow peas. The presentation off the dish was immaculate and just as it should be. A variety of freshly baked bread was served from the basket. Perhaps I should have also tried the traditional British option of beef and rosti potatoes (Yummy!). I am not a big fan of beetroot (very English indeed), however would not have minded tucking into that dish either.

The main course came with a large bone china bowl containing a generous amount of fresh seasonal salad served with vinaigrette.

Dessert:

- Pear and caramel delice with caramelised pear compote.

- Ice Cream (Beechdean farmhouse dairy ice cream from jersey cows)

- Blue Wensleydale, and smoked cheddar served with Jacobs English biscuits

- A selection of fruit and Lily O Brain’s luxury chocolates.

I could easily have gone for a Chinese option such as the plate of fresh fruit with exotic fruits such as kiwi, watermelon, grapefruit, orange, and red grapes. However I opted for the English option (pear and caramel delice), because I knew this would the last ‘real’ British food I would before I started my life again in China (western food in China does not quite pinch the authentic English flavour). The soft and creamy pear and caramel delice is really an extravaganza of a dessert- it’s both fun and whimsical. Just at the moment you pop your tongue into this, it becomes more intense by the second. This dish hits all the right buttons when it comes to presentation, and absolute British taste in the sky.

The Wensleydale, and smoked Cheddar served with Jacobs English biscuits provide an extra ‘icing’ on the cake so to speak. It’s the perfect way tom polish off an exceptionally created in-flight dinner meal.

Comments regarding the after meal drinks and in-flight snacks :

Ground coffee, and decaffeinated coffee or tea (English Tetley tea, and Chinese green tea) were also available. On top of this there were a selection of herbal teas including green tea with jasmine, peppermint, blackcurrant, and camomile with honey.

The Club Kitchen is located on the main deck of the Boeing 747-400, and is available for snacks throughout the flight. Beechdean farmhouse dairy ice cream from jersey cows tasted too good. You could have easily forgotten about all those extra calories when plucking each spoonful of ice cream from the beautifully decorated tub. Oh, and of course, the hot pot noodles were available in abundance throughout the flight. There was also plenty of ‘Blue Wensleydale, and smoked Cheddar’ served with Jacobs English biscuits. Delicious.  

Other than this, the Club Kitchen also offered the following all throughout the flight:

-       fresh wraps, salads and bite-sized sandwiches
-       delicious hot dishes such as hot Chinese noodles, and tasty soups
-       luxury cakes and fair-trade chocolate
-       Fine wines, fruit smoothies, soft drinks and juices.

Comments regarding the second meal:

Breakfast was served around about an hour and a half prior to landing at Beijing Airport. There was a good selection of options available including:

Starters:

- Chilled fruit juice

- An energising fruit smoothie of raspberry and oatmeal

- Fresh fruit

- Yoghurt with pecans, strawberry, granola, and compote (vegetarian).

Though I adore orange juice very much, I decided to commence the meal with an energising smoothie of raspberry and oatmeal. Smoothies are popular with healthy eating crowds, and that includes me. High in protein and low in sugar and fat, drinking this powerful drink was the perfect way to wake up. Though many smoothies include crushed ice, and frozen yoghurt, thankfully this one did not. The milk and all other ingredients were organic. All breakfast trays came complete with a choice of bread from the bread basket (I could not resist those Danish pastries), and a bowl of fresh fruit. Preserves were provided by Wilkin & Sons Ltd of England.

Main breakfast dish:

- Full English breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs, grilled bacon, Cumberland sausage, tomato, and sautéed potatoes.
- Creamy mushrooms on a toasted English muffins (Vegetarian)
- Pork congee

I opted for the English breakfast. It’s the one dish on the menu of all British Airways flights that I really look forward to. Many people in the UK swear by a traditional English breakfast in the morning as the only proper start to the day- and in true British culture British Airways offers one of the best English breakfasts in the sky. There is a long-standing tradition of a cooked breakfast, consisting of meat and egg products, with bread, washed down with gallons of English tea or coffee, across the UK, including Scotland and Wales, as well as Ireland. British Airways uses fine ingredients such as organic potatoes, tomatoes, prime English bacon, and free-range eggs for their English breakfast. There is nothing quite like it, and naturally the chefs at British Airways catering department do a fantastic job in not letting their passengers down. It gives a taste of true British food in the sky.

Ground coffee, and decaffeinated coffee or tea (English Tetley tea, and Chinese green tea) were also available. On top of this there were a selection of herbal teas including green tea with jasmine, peppermint, blackcurrant, and camomile with honey.

Comments on the in-flight entertainment system :

All Club World and First Class passengers are provided with noise cancellation headphones that come complete with the BA logo on the sides. Every seat in Club World comes with a 10.4 inch flat screen (Personal Television- PTV). BA’s in-flight entertainment system is called HighLife Entertainment. The movies, and music albums vary according to the route (so for China, there were a mixture of Asian and Western movies and songs etc.), and every month a new list entertainment options crop up.

HighLife Entertainment’s Audio and Video On Demand (AVOD) system puts the passengers in full control of all kinds of audio, video and games entertainment. Passengers can choose from over 200 entertainment options and play, pause, stop, fast forward and rewind to fit in with their own schedule. These large PTVs and noise cancellations headphones are available on all longhaul flights (Boeing 777, 747, and 767 aircraft).

Comments of professionalism of the cabin crew:

Representing the truly global and multicultural ethos of British Airways, the cabin crew come from a variety of cultures. Naturally, on this flight, the cabin crew were from China, and the United Kingdom, and so the languages spoken were Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese Chinese, and British English. The cabin crew at British Airways are very proud of their airline, and their product. Detail to personal service is the key to the success of the airline. In the 1990s, British Airways used to be known as ‘The World’s Favourite Airline’. It probably is, but the main reason why this slogan is not used anymore is because of the number of routes the airline serves (it’s not as much as they used to go to, and not as many routes as some other airlines). Other than this there is no reason why British Airways can still be the world’s favourite airline. Indeed, their customer service is second to none in whatever they do. The staff were very polite, and brought along a true international flavour to the cabins. 

Many thanks to the Captain for allowing me to take photos in the cabin and the cockpit. Great crew!

Comments on the interior of the aircraft (including seat comfort):

In line with the airline’s livery, all the aircraft seats are covered with a navy blue fabric. In economy class, the seats have either blue or red ‘bibs’ on the headrest, while in Club World, and First Class the seats have an elegant white bib on the headrest.

The new Club World seat is 73” inch pitch, and a 20” inch width. The seat transform into a comfortable full flat bed which allows for a good long stretch of the legs (and back if you want to lie facing with head down). Each Club World seat has an automated glass divider that gives more privacy from your neighbouring passenger. The Club World seats next to the windows are rear facing. The Club World window seats on the upper deck of the Boeing 747-400 aircraft has extra space between the seat and the window that can be used for storage. Below each Club World seat there is also a special storage cupboard to stow away any shoes, or other essential items that you may have. Luxury 100% cotton blankets are provided by Osborne & Little. The whole experience is meant to make you flight as comfortable as possible.

On the upper deck of the Boeing 747-400 aircraft, the seats are in a 2-2 configuration, which allows extra space to move around. It is exceedingly good, especially for a long haul flight. On the main deck, the Club World seats are in a 2-4-2 configuration.

British Airways logo and livery: 

Based on the original logo, and design that featured on Concorde, the current British Airways logo was designed in 1997 by Newell & Sorrell. The colours are blue, and red. The additional colour is grey. All aircraft feature the word ‘BRITISH AIRWAYS’ in blue (British Airways uses its proprietary typefaces Mylius Sans and Mylius Serif, both designed by Rodney Mylius at Newell & Sorrell.), printed below the windows (and before the wing). On the 747 aircraft, the words appear above the main deck windows and just before the wing. Just before the cockpit windows and, at the front of the words, BRITISH AIRWAYS, there is a dash of the flag, which looks like an upside down tick. It starts with a navy blue, and the ‘flair’ of the logo is coloured in red.

The engines of all the aircraft are painted in a matching navy blue.

The bellies of all British Airways aircraft are painted in royal navy blue. The tailfin consists of an elegant version of the national flag of the United Kingdom, The Union Jack. It gives the feeling of a flag flying on the tail. Overall, the British Airways logo portrays elegance, romance, flair, and a touch of true British patriotism. It’s easy to identify for passengers, and also Air Traffic Controllers.

Overall rating 1-10 (worst-best) : 10