Background
British Airways operates 52 flights per week to and from India — a double daily from Delhi and Mumbai and dailies from Hyderabad; Bengaluru and Chennai. It has recently added additional three flights from Mumbai.
Check-in
Flight BA 198 takes off from Mumbai airport at 1315 and arrives in London Heathrow at 1755. My flight was delayed by an hour and I was sent an email and text the same morning. Check-in, immigration and security check were smooth. After a cup of coffee, I proceeded to gate 78, which is a ten minute walk from the main food-court.
Boarding
Boarding started at 1415 and special assistance requiring passengers were requested to board first. As a Club World (business class) passenger in zone 2, I boarded soon after. My first impression — the blue-colour-schemed Club World cabin seemed roomy and comforting.
The seat
I was seated on a back facing centre seat (16 F) which has direct aisle access. The 224-seater aircraft has a first class cabin with 14 seats, a Club World cabin with 48 seats and 122 seats in World Traveller (economy). The configuration in Club World is 2-4-2 and every alternate seat is backward facing, allowing for more spacious seating. Even though I was seated in the middle of two passengers, I could use a privacy screen on both sides for complete seclusion. As soon as I sat down, I began exploring my Club World seat that had the remote for the screen and a USB port on my left. The TV screen and fold-out table open up with buttons. There is another in-seat power socket on the bottom left beside a laptop drawer where I kept my essentials. Lumbar support and headrest controls were a part of the seat controls that could fully flatten my seat. There is a footstool in front that can be opened up with a knob. Headphones and The White Company London bedding were provided on my seat.
Best seat
On my flight back to Mumbai I was on a front facing aisle seat, which I would recommend as it offers more privacy and comfort.
The flight
My coat was taken care of as soon as I boarded and orange juice and water were offered. I placed the bedding and my purse in the overhead cabin before take off. A warm towel, the food and wine menu, and a wash bag by The White Company London were given after take off. The cabin crew came soon after to take my food and drinks order. The drinks menu was quite elaborate with a range of cocktails, mocktails, spirits, liqueurs, digestifs and beers along with a non-alcoholic beverage selection. The wine list features the likes of an Australian chardonnay from d’Arenberg and a Spanish cabernet sauvignon from Bodegas Faustino. I picked the latter. Food included a range of starters, main courses, desserts and cheese; and snacks towards the evening. I chose mushroom soup with cheese and paprika as my appetiser as I was nursing a cold. A well-done roasted chicken with pan jus was my main course and a succulent passion-fruit and mango tart was my dessert. After watching some telly, I flattened my seat and took a nap. Upon waking up, snacks were served. I chose a creamy pepper chicken wrap along with a butterscotch pastry.
Arrival
We arrived at London Heathrow at 1900 and the pilot announced that the flight had made up for its late departure.
Verdict
A good day flight to catch up on work and movies.
Fact box
Best for Its selection of food and wine
Configuration 2-4-2
Seat width 20 inches
Seat recline 180 degrees
Bed length 72 inches
Flight duration 10 hours 10 minutes
Price Internet rates for a return B777-200 flight between Mumbai and London Heathrow in February starts at ₹57,739/ £620
