[Tallinnman]

Checked in last week with a golf bag and no sign of any porters. Even had to lug the bag to oversize luggage for screening.

[Shanwick1249]

The F arrangement at T5 is one of the worst though-out aspects of the entire F experience and creates a poor ‘first impression’. Where is it? Well if you don’t know you’ll struggle to find it. Then as you trudge off across the terminal you discover that it could not be further away and once you’ve trudged all the way there you’ll have to trudge all the way back again to security.

Why is First not the first thing you see on arrival at T5 and why, at the very least, can’t there be a route into security from the existing First area?

It’s true that there’s often a line at the (too few) CW check-in desks but there aren’t enough desks in F either, so you are often better off waiting a few minutes at CW instead of making the hike to F.

It all could have been done properly with just a little extra effort.

[GordyUK]

I agree with you about the position of First but i think its been done so the walkthrough distance from check in to Concorde room, is as little as possible.

You shouldn’t have to walk back through to main security – there is a small private channel from First?

[paulrose7]

Great idea, BA should be commended for enhancing what is already a great service. Particularly handy when travelling with the family on longhaul holidays. A free limo for First and Business class like Etihad and Emirates would be great too!

[VintageKrug]

It’s at the far end of the terminal because the majority of longhaul F pax arrive by car, and can be dropped directly outside F check in.

I’ve never waited more than a couple of minutes (one person in front of me) and I use F check in lots for shorthaul.

There is a Fast Track security point not 20m from the check in – much closer than many airports, and much faster as well.

The White Door to the CCR does help speed passage, but it should be understood that BAA blocked BA’s plan for a direct check in route to the Concorde Room because it wanted high spending premium passengers to go via the shops, possibly not realising that serious shoppers will ditch bags at the bag drop in the lounge and return to the shops unencumbered.

The only reason the White Door exists is because the buildings people demanded a Fire Escape, and BA was able to adapt that into the current rather splendid “turn right” entrance.

[VintageKrug]

I understand the trial has ended now – seemed to be rather brief…!

Did anyone use it?

[AlexdeCourcy]

So a service for those who really are too posh to push! I love it – now if they can just take my luggage and swap it for a chilled glass of fizz I would be delighted

[TridentGold]

I used the service 10 days ago on my way to Sao Paulo. I had a lot of luggage and it was raining. I was a bit surprised when offered assistance and imagined that I would be relieved of several pounds when I got to the check in desk. Not so. It was really helpful and made a a difference. As for location, it was on the terminal side of the valet parking drop off, just outside the end entrance next to First Check-in.

[penultimate]

I used it on Saturday, October 13. I waived to a very courteous porter who then came to me with his trolley and took my luggage at kerbside from my car and escorted me to check-in. He then stayed with me through the check in process tagging the luggage and putting all the luggage on the conveyor belt.

Service was polite and efficient. A very nice touch.

[edwardbm]

I have now used the Service twice….it is down left hand lane, at the bottom on the left hand side – where i am sure most people checking in at First would prefer to be dropped off.

Very good service, have been travelling with baggage (inc Golf Bags) – makes life a lot easier and the greeting from the BA host – is a very nice little treat, you don’t get often if at all normally.

It was a trail…..but i for one would love to see it back permanently.

[BAGoldcard]

The trial has now finished.

Hopefully it will be reintroduced permanently.

[austline]

Qantas offers their Premium and First customer’s concierge service in Melbourne and Sydney. I flew out of Melbourne to Frankfurt 2 weeks ago in F to Singapore. I was phoned the day before and asked what time I would be arriving, how much luggage, my final destination and would I like to book the Payot Spa or a reservation at the First restaurant. Sure enough when I arrived I was greeted by a QF staff member luggage taken out of the boot and escorted to the counter where my Boarding Pass was printed and luggage weighed and checked to my final destination, asked if I needed assistance to the lounge and given an express pass for immigration and security. I was in the lounge in 10 minutes with a glass of Bollie in my hand, a real First Class experience. Not sure if you could emulate this at airports like Heathrow due to the cheer volume of premium pax, but just wish the BA would at least sort their priority baggage handling out!

[GordyUK]

Austline, if anything the volume of premium Pax should make it not only easier but more cost effecting. Laying on all those services for a handfull of passenger should surely cost more?

The description of your service sounds perfect. ok so BA have “YouFirst” but its totally passive and you have to ask for everything. Even trying to get a Spa treatment is a lottery and YF will only take bookings when you’re less than 4 weeks from flying.

If things are always full (my friend flew to JFK on Monday, plane went tech for 3 hours and they were refused re-entry to Concorde Lounge as it was full), then they need to be made bigger. Any fool can see that the Elemis Spa has a max of 10 stations. How many C & F passengers pass through that lounge in a given day?.. its not rocket science yet people are continually pissed off at being told they are full. If you’re paying £3-8k for a ticket, there should just BE space.. end of

sorry, i’m digressing..

[VintageKrug]

It does seem to have been a popular exercise; let’s hope it’s revisited soon and will become part of the standard offering.

[Henkel.Trocken]

Marvellous to see BA operating something that Singapore Airlines have offered at Changi for at least the last ten years. Such a lot of catching up to do. Similarly we learn that BA are putting existing F & C on the A380 while SQ are launching a new product in both classes for the A350. More catching up to do.

[Author]

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