Tried & Tested

BA B747-400 mid-J Club World

10 Aug 2010 by Tom Otley

FIRST IMPRESSIONS I had checked in for the 2120 BA027 departure to Hong Kong the previous day. I arrived at London Heathrow at 1830 and after dropping my bags went through fast track security. This was during August, but the airport was relatively quiet. Interestingly I was directed to Number 7 security which was through a small doorway to the left of fast track security. The procedure here is that of the other terminals rather than the normal T5 approach, with bags not needing to be placed in the trays. From here I did some shopping and then went to the lounge to wait for my flight.

THE LOUNGE Club World flyers gain access to the Business Class lounges. I have a gold card with BA (a gift from a frequent flying friend) and so was in the First class lounge, which wasn’t crowded this Sunday evening. Instead I made a list of the wines being served while working.

As usual the flight was showing as departing from Satellite B, so I took the escalators down to the shuttle train and went across. Once there I listed those as well.

The flight started to board at 2035 at Gate B34 with business and first class passengers, as well as silver and gold in BA’s Executive Club getting priority. Once on board I was offered a choice of water, orange juice or champagne.

THE SEAT On this Hong Kong flight BA operates a B747-400, which has two Club World cabins, on the main deck and the upper deck. This was a mid-J configuration of the B747-400 which has 52 J class seats, all in a 2-4-2. On the upper deck of both, the configuration is 2-2 (AB-JK). Click here for a seatplan of the B747-400 high-J.

WHICH SEAT TO CHOOSE? On the Main Deck the Club World seats are in one large cabin, with seats from row 17 back to 20. I was in 18J, an aisle seat, which has certain advantages – you have direct access to the aisle, but some disadvantages – when reclined, the passenger in 17K has to step over your feet, the passenger in 18K has their food served over you and you can be disturbed by passing traffic in the aisle. This flight was only lightly sold, and the seats around me in the aisle (17J and G, 18J and G) were empty, meaning there were less people around.

THE FLIGHT We departed at 2145 and the flight steward was quickly round the take orders. The choice was as follows. Starters: Scottish smoked salmon ceviche or trio of tomatoes with basil pesto. (I asked for the tomato dish, but ten minutes later amongst apologies was told they had run out. Despite this the flight steward made efforts to find one, and was successful, which was impressive. I also had the fresh seasonal salad served with vinaigrette.) The main choices were Indonesian-style sweet kecap pork with jasmine rice, which was delicious; Welsh line-caught sea bass with lemon butter sauce, mint peas and roast new potatoes, Asparagus ravioli in sauce flamande or chilled main course salad of smoked duck. Dessert: lemon and pomegranate mousse with lime jus, Normandy Camembert and Denhay Cheddar with savoury biscuits, a selection of fruit, chocolates.

The wines on this flight were champagne: Lanson Black Label NV and Charles Heidsieck Brut Reserve NV. White: Lovivalo 2009 Rueda, Spain; Kilikanoon Killerman’s Run Riesling 2008, Clare Valley, South Australia; Chablis 2008, Domaine Jean-Marc Brocard, Burgundy, France and Old Well House Grenache Blanc/ Chenin Blanc 2009, South Africa.

Reds: Saint-Joseph 2006, Cave Saint-Desirat, Rhone; Ermita de San Felices 2007 Crianza, Rioja, La Puerta Malbec Reserva 2008, Famatina Valley. Argentina or Langmeil Three Gardens “SGM” 2007 Barossa Valley, Australia.

We had been given amenity packs and since by now it was nearly midnight, I reclined my seat and fell fast asleep for seven hours. The Club World bed is extremely comfortable, and I had no trouble finding a comfortable, fully flat position. I woke a few hours before departure when the lights in the cabin were switched back on, and had breakfast. This was  chilled fruit juice, an energising fruit smoothie of apricot and peach or yoghurt with peacan, strawberry granola and a compote, a selection of warm breads and breakfast pastries. Main: English breakfast of scrambled eggs, grilled bacon, Cumberland sausage, tomato and sautéed potatoes, scrambled eggs with cheese on a toasted English muffin, beef congee.

ARRIVAL I had time to finish a film I had started watching before sleeping, with the Inflight Entertainment System remembering where I had paused with my viewing, and then we landed at 1545, ahead of schedule. I was quickly through immigration because I have a frequent visitor pass, but even so, my bags were waiting for me on the carousel.

VERDICT Excellent – there is no problem in sleeping in the Club World seat and I noticed the difference when working in Hong Kong the next day, both in terms of energy and feeling relaxed ready for the week’s work.

CONTACT ba.com

Tom Otley

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