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British Airways’ longest flight in First and Club World reviews B787-9 – Santiago trip part 1

  • 04/07/2022
  • Michele

This article is about British Airways’ longest flight in First and Club World, written by regular contributor Gus. The second and third parts will look at his hotel and the lounges he tried.

 

In this post:

  • South America in the frame
  • Longest BA flight
  • Getting going
  • Service in First (outbound)
  • Improvements
  • Covid still not gone from every corner
  • Club vibes (return flight Santiago-Heathrow)

South America in the frame

Last month I ticked off a pre-pandemic bucket list destination by heading to Chile’s thriving and cosmopolitan capital city, Santiago. The city is nestled in a flat plain within the Andes mountain range, giving it an incredibly unique feeling, both as you first see it from the air, and when you are looking out from the city-scape itself (including from the Santiago Ritz Carlton, which will be published soon).

 

Longest BA flight

I managed to snare a fare around £1.5k in a British Airways Luxury sale for a Club outbound and a Premium Economy return, but with careful planning (and consultation of Seat Spy which I am increasingly using), I also managed to upgrade both legs with Avios, so enjoyed a stint in both First and Club. I know both cabins have been well covered by TLFL before, but given this route is the longest in the whole BA network, and was my first time back in both cabins since the pandemic, I thought a general update review of both might be interesting to some.

The first thing to say is that actually once again I enjoyed the slightly odd feeling of serenity as I walked to B gates rather than catching the connection train, and I also enjoyed BA’s B-gate lounge (which I still think remains one of BA’s most over-looked and under-rated lounges in LHR), as well as LHR T5’s Arrivals lounge on the way back (which you can read more about here).

Santiago is usually BA’s long flight although I suspect with the re-routes around Russia, Singapore may be in the running currently. 

 

Getting going

British Airways' longest flight in First and Club World

Boarding was very orderly, and as per protocol from a Groups perspective, and overall the load was probably about 50% in First. The aircraft was a 3.5 years old 787-9 Dreamliner (which I understand boasts the best range of any commercial aircraft), and the cabin was fresh and clean and cosy. I do love a Dreamliner for the reduced air pressure, but I have to say I much prefer the cool double-window blind in other First blinds, and generally I’m not a fan of the ‘slow darkening’ windows either.

 

 

Service in First (outbound)

British Airways' longest flight in First champagne

Service was good from the off, with the crew being personable and efficient, which was a relief when you consider that the leg was blocked at 14.5 hours! After the pre-take-off champers (obvs), canapes were served up, which were decent enough, with the sharp and tart prawns being the best of the mix.

British Airways' longest flight in First champagne

British Airways' longest flight in First meal starter

Here is the prawn starter:

British Airways' longest flight in First prawn starter

Then a succulent rack of lamb and cheese plate – washed down by a stonking Bordeaux – were administered.

Lamb and cheese plate British Airways' longest flight in First

Cheese in British Airways' longest flight in First

The bed was made and a generous slug of time was given over to sleeping.

British Airways' longest flight in First Class, flatbed

In practice, this was actually a little tricky due to a fair few patches of light-ish turbulence, but that was forgotten when a tasty breakfast – with a surprise highlight being a warm Danish – was served up to accompany the sunrise views and smooth-as-ice landing.

Full English Breakfast British Airways' longest flight in First
fruit breakfast

Here is the full menu:

British Airways' longest flight in First Menu
British Airways' longest flight in First Wine Menu
Dinner and Dessert Menu
Breakfast and Beverages Menu

I received a personalised greeting card too welcoming me on board which was a lovely touch. 

 

 

Improvements

As ever there were some niggles. The first was an unexpected one, in that the Meridian headphones supplied in First had a headphone jack which was incompatible with my own Bose (non wireless, sadly) ones, even with a specific flight adaptor. Then the First ones crackled awfully with any small movement, and a replacement set wasn’t that great either.

Meridian Headphones

The other very minor (first world etc) problem is that outside of the meal times, and a short while either side, there was very little checking in on passengers, and not one ‘how are you, do you need anything’ (even for water, let alone wine). Normally that wouldn’t be a massive problem, but during bumpy 14+ hour flight, a few subtle slide-pasts would have been appreciated.

 

Covid still not gone from every corner

Happily, the arrival was super simple, with a short taxi to the main terminal. Chile remains a more covid-concerned nation, and prior to departure I had to upload proof of ‘international’ triple-vaccination, a travel ‘Affidavit’ form, and at the time I went also a negative PCR. Plus I needed proof of travel insurance (above $30k in value), all of which gave a solid feeling of what-the-heck-have-I-forgotten in the few days before departure..

This continued when in the terminal as all arriving passengers are greeted by an enormous sea of paperwork checking desks and clerks, who go through everything and decide whether to send you for a random additional PCR. Happily, I got the hallowed little blue ticket allowing me to skip that part, and was through passport control and out very quickly, and in to Santiago itself where I checked in at the Ritz-Carlton (review to follow) to enjoy a few days in the city.

 

Club vibes (return flight Santiago-Heathrow)

British Airways' Club World

My return leg was a very standard Club World experience (sadly not a Club Suite), and despite it still being a super long schlep – 13.5 hours – it felt like it was over more quickly than I wanted! I put this down to the fact that the crew are less frenetic than usual for both dinner and breakfast service, given the ample flight time leaving more than enough for a proper night’s sleep.

Plus I’ve always found that the rear-facing Club seats – ideally at a bulkhead, and in the forward cabin on the 787-9 – are very private and you can cocoon yourself away.

rear facing British Airways' Club World seats

This was necessary for my flight as while I’d seen that the seat next to me had been blocked (perhaps as I’m Gold) for several days, and was still blocked at check-in. However, it was, perhaps unsurprisingly, taken by the time we boarded. There were enough other empty seats in Club, so I’m never quite sure why they get blocked when it doesn’t seem to often carry through on the day..

British Airways' longest flight in First and Club World IFE Screen

Anyway it was a enjoyable flight, with one exception being my meal choice of beef, which was super tough (will I never learn?!) 

British Airways' Club World remote control
British Airways' Club World headphone

Here is the menu:

British Airways' Club World Menu
British Airways' Club World Bar
Dinner and Breakfast Menu at British Airways' Club World

And that beef!:

Beef Meal at British Airways' Club World

Breakfast was more successful and fairly generous which was needed on a long flight:

Breakfast Meal at British Airways' Club World

One small post-script for British Airways’ longest flight in First and Club World is that I did ask about the cost of an upgrade at check-in in Heathrow, and learnt that anyone seeking a Club to First upgrade would have been facing a punchy £659 in cash, or a whopping 104,000 Avios.

Like our British Airways’ longest flight in First and Club World review? You can read more flight reviews here. 

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  • British Airways
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Michele

Previous Article
  • British Airways
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British Airways operated by Finnair wet lease Club Europe review + Heathrow Terminal 3 lounge crawl

  • 02/07/2022
  • Michele
View Post
Next Article
  • Reviews

BA Heathrow T5 Arrivals lounge AND Santiago airport Priority Pass lounge reviews – Santiago trip part 2

  • 05/07/2022
  • Michele
View Post
20 comments
  1. Jimbo says:
    04/07/2022 at 7:27 am

    In English the word unique cannot be qualified. Something is either unique or it is not.
    It certainly cannot be incredibly unique.

    1. James says:
      04/07/2022 at 12:17 pm

      ????

      1. Watty says:
        05/07/2022 at 1:29 pm

        Well said. Something which is absolute cannot be qualified.

  2. Elt says:
    04/07/2022 at 7:29 am

    £659 to upgrade from club to first on a 14 hr flight.
    I think that.s a steal.

  3. AmandaB says:
    04/07/2022 at 7:52 am

    Question ref upgrade request. Did you ask after you had checked in on line? At the check in desk? Who did you speak to? I think that’s a very reasonable offer!!
    We have this flight booked for Feb next year and I have Avios club seats secured. They don’t seem to release 1st Avios seats until very near departure.

  4. AspirationalFlyer says:
    04/07/2022 at 8:18 am

    I did this flight a few years ago in PE. Thankfully nobody sitting next to me. A fairly miserable crew from recollection.
    Did you manage to visit the lounge in Santiago? I thought it was rather nice when I visited and worth a mention.

    1. Michele says:
      04/07/2022 at 8:21 am

      Lounge review is coming next!

  5. John Murray says:
    04/07/2022 at 8:23 am

    A helpful review – thanks.

    My wife and I are flying to MEX in first on a 787-9 next week. I’ve only ever flown first with BA on the A380 before, so I’m looking forward to the cosiness of the smaller cabin!

    1. Doc says:
      04/07/2022 at 2:18 pm

      Off topic Michele but last week we flew LGW AYT in J. So there’s no welcome drink of any kind now in Club Europe? (Apparently a welcome drink is served only in F). We were two hours delayed on the ground and the crew helped themselves to coffee whilst we sat and watched. After an hour and a half, they came around with water. Really nothing special about J is there…I’m just in it for the double tier points.

      1. Kris says:
        04/07/2022 at 3:08 pm

        Club Europe hasn’t had pre-departure beverages in my living memory. Club World does.

      2. Michele says:
        04/07/2022 at 3:31 pm

        Only on long haul Club. That’s unchanged from pre Covid.

  6. Wing it One World says:
    04/07/2022 at 9:56 am

    I see brandy-gate is abating as it’s on the menu in first, how long before BA listens to its customers and reinstates cognac on its club menu’s ????????‍♂️????????‍♂️????????‍♂️

    1. Michele says:
      04/07/2022 at 10:11 am

      It’s a supply issue so I’m guessing it’s harder for Club due to the sheer numbers of people. Fingers crossed it comes back soon!

  7. Robert says:
    04/07/2022 at 10:58 am

    Every year, out January, back March, we use the Companion Voucher for Club World for this trip. Even with taxes it is a good deal.
    Is it possible to upgrade to First with Avios when using a Companion Voucher in Club World?

    1. Michele says:
      04/07/2022 at 11:49 am

      You can prior to the airport but in effect you are cancelling the ticket and buying a new one so you’d technically have to pay the change fee.

    2. Clayton says:
      05/07/2022 at 5:24 am

      Robert. Good deal or not id be remiss if i didnt remind you that companion vouchers can now be used Ex-EU ( ie you no longer have to start in the UK.)
      obviously prices fluctuate etc but we’ve found the costs reductions are quite considerable when starting in eg AMS ( ignoring the pit of hell it currently is lol).

      standard rules of the game apply. separate rtn booking to start point and back then say AMS-LHR-SIN

  8. Paul says:
    04/07/2022 at 12:30 pm

    Michele, please forgive me for changing the subject! The BA High Life magazine has just arrived, unrequested and unwanted. Why on earth are they:
    Spending money on this when prices are so high
    Trying to encourage new business when they cannot satisfy current expectations

    We now have 3 trips booked with BA at high prices just so that we can get away for a change.

    PS Very interested in the idea of using Avios to upgrade from Club to First. Can it be easily done via Manage My Booking?

    1. Michele says:
      04/07/2022 at 12:34 pm

      Yes they’ve been sending them out for a while. Initially it was a nice idea but totally agree with your points. MMB is not working in terms of cancelling Avios flights although you can rebook the new upgraded ticket online. With a cash ticket you need to call to upgrade with Avios I think.

  9. Infidellic says:
    04/07/2022 at 7:42 pm

    Doesn’t the A350 (both variants) have longer range? Admittedly not in service yet but the 778 will too when/if it does

  10. Tony says:
    06/07/2022 at 6:23 am

    787 has higher air pressure and humidity? Anyhow, we flew this route a few years ago and travelling again in January. Seems to be very, if any Avios flights available. I am hoping to move our outbound flight earlier and waiting for our Seat Spy alert…

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