Review: the new British Airways First Wing at Heathrow Terminal 5

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• Alex W says:

  8 Apr8 April 06:32

  This is not enough to make it worth me chasing BA gold again. As i think others have said, Virgin have had something similar for years. The wife even only needs literally one BA sector to requalify for silver in the next month. We’ve​ decided it’s not worth the couple of hundred quid that would.cost.

  • TGLoyalty says:

    8 Apr8 April 07:37

    1 sector? Wouldn’t a day return within UK do that?

    I have to say as a oneworld flier, even with all the hate around here using BA and QR, silver has been well worth it. Fast track at Heathrow, Lounge, exit seats, extra baggage, upgrades etc

    • Alex W says:

      9 Apr9 April 14:12

      I will be silver for the next 2 years anyway, and we only ever travel together with no guests. A return trip anywhere for 2 of us in the next month just is not worth it, even at 4 x £29! (Plus hotel, parking etc).

  • Philip says:

    8 Apr8 April 07:42

    I would do it just to give myself options.

    My own wife was in a similar position vis-a-vis gold a few years ago, and we went to Jersey for a weekend to get the final points. We had never been before, and it certainly wasn’t high on our travel bucket list. But we had a fabulous time.

    So that little bit of serendipity got my wife to gold, and gave us a really great experience.

    • Yuff says:

      8 Apr8 April 09:30

      Guernsey’s better, but BA don’t fly there anymore 🙁
      Ps I am biased towards Crapauds! 😉

  • AndyR says:

    8 Apr8 April 08:29

    You should be able to get something for less than £200? I would do if it I were you, I think Silver is worth it.

    • Genghis says:

      8 Apr8 April 08:41

      Surely a £29 ticket to Rome would work too…

      • TGLoyalty says:

        8 Apr8 April 10:25

        Thought it was as rare as rocking horse poo but there are actually £29 flights to Malaga and Alicante from LGW, saw lots of dates for them last night, maybe he was letting slip on upcoming low fares.

  • David S says:

    8 Apr8 April 11:04

    It is definitely worth it if you use one world airlines worldwide since the perks are worth it. But only you will know if the perks are worth the extra cash you have to spend to get the tier points.
    I do the 4 sectors required in a year with BA in economy and use my status for perks when flying other One World carriers such as access to the excellent first class lounges in HKG and SYD.

  • Save East Coast Rewards says:

    9 Apr9 April 11:26

    Virgin has nothing of the sort. The Upper Class Wing is a dedicated drop off area and security section but it still takes you out by the shops in Terminal 3 – the Virgin Clubhouse is located above the AA lounges there’s no way they can provide direct entry to the lounge bypassing the shops.

    To be fair though, the VS lounge is certainly much better than the BA lounges (particularly if you compare like for like, i.e. business class lounges)

• Stu R says:

  8 Apr8 April 07:03

  We have booked Avios flights in First on the B789 from LHR to Narita next January (we’ve been to Japan 3 times before and love it) yet despite the chance to experience all of the above and more, I’m still swithering over cancelling in favour of the CX A359 from LGW to HKG and onto Vietnam (a place we’ve never visited), a move which in biz would blow our entire 400K balance!

  From a ‘redemption value per Avios’ point of view, the Japan trip wins hands down.

  We’re really not sure what to do …. thought please?!

  • Leo says:

    8 Apr8 April 07:30

    I’ve done the CX a350 from LGW. It’s nothing to write home about really. Best bit was the lounges in HKG – and to be fair the new lounge at LGW. I’d like to try Vietnam though.

    • Nick says:

      8 Apr8 April 08:38

      Having travelled quite extensively in that part of the world, I would rate Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos above Vietnam which has become too tourist infested and commercial. Good value redemptions to these countries on Cathay Dragon after BA 241 to HKG.

      • Paul says:

        8 Apr8 April 09:49

        +1 for Myanmar

      • AndyR says:

        8 Apr8 April 11:36

        +1 for Cambodia, really enjoyed a couple of days in Siem Reap.

        Can’t say I found Vietnam too touristy though.

      • The Original Nick. says:

        8 Apr8 April 18:39

        Hanoi hasn’t become too tourist infested yet..

        • Rashad says:

          8 Apr8 April 22:31

          Hanoi was not touristy at all, did no tickle me at all

  • Genghis says:

    8 Apr8 April 07:48

    I lived in Japan and think it’s a great place. If you’ve been three times already, perhaps best to try another country. Or are there areas of Japan you’ve not been before that you’d like to visit?

    Mrs G and I spent our 3 week honeymoon in Vietnam in early 2015 and thought it was fantastic. Went to HCMC, Hoi An, Hue (got a driver in between for Hai Van pass, beaches and Danang), Hanoi, Halong Bay (splash out here – we got a small premium boat with only a few other ppl for a great experience) , Mai Chau, Can Tho (Mekong river markets and back waters) and then a week on Phu Quoc (5 nights in Peppercorn Beach resort and 2 nights in Salinda).

    There aren’t that many sights. Vietnam is mostly about ‘experiences’ and the food is absolutely fantastic.

    • Genghis says:

      8 Apr8 April 07:50

      To add, you should firstly try to holiday where you want to actually go, not necessarily where provides the best ppa ‘value’

  • AndyR says:

    8 Apr8 April 08:26

    Don’t blow 400k of Avios on CX J. Maybe if it was F. Could you not try to get BA F to somewhere nearer Vietnam like HKG or KUL and then take a short flight? Went to Vietnam in November and it was brilliant.

    • CV3V says:

      8 Apr8 April 09:18

      +1 to all those comments!

      Was in Vietnam in January, in Nha Trang and Saigon and loved it, regretted not going sooner as the developments are closing in. Thing i didn’t realise was the strong French colonial influence which remains. Fresh baguette and noodles for breakfast, great, and rocket fuel coffee.

      Try and use Vietnam Airlines, certainly for the regional flights, great old fashioned service airline.

      • Mzungu says:

        10 Apr10 April 17:11

        + another 1!

        Went to Vietnam and Cambodia last year. Not so keen on Saigon, seems to be getting very commercialised. Loved Hanoi, Hue Halong Bay etc. Cambodia is less developed, really liked Siem Reap.

        Used a 241 for the long haul – into Shanghai and out of HK as BA don’t fly anywhere very near Vietnam.

        Also agree with the comments on Vietnam Airlines – I had ~200k Flying Blue miles, and booked all the internal/connecting flights with them, business for the longer ones. Availalility was wide open, got all the flights I wanted with no problem. Taxes on the internal flights were €3 🙂

  • John says:

    8 Apr8 April 09:59

    Who cares about what the “redemption value per Avios” is?

    Just assign a value to your avios, 0.5p, 0.75p, 1p, whatever works for you. Then calculate the price of the redemptions in £. If you are happy to pay that then go.

    If I want to go to Vietnam and the most suitable option costs £2000, I either pay it or don’t go, it doesn’t matter whether flights to Japan cost £1000 or a flight to Rome costs £29, since I don’t want to go there.

  • David S says:

    8 Apr8 April 10:56

    Echo the thoughts of Genghis. Choose what you want and where to go before deciding on the flights etc. We did something similar to Genghis but in 2 weeks including 3 days in Cambodia (Phnom Pen and Angor Wat-thoroughly recommended). Have done Japan before but enjoyed Vietnam and Cambodia but they are completely different holidays and can’t compare.
    Internal flights in Vietnam and to and from Cambodia are cheap.

• Genghis says:

  8 Apr8 April 07:51

  Look forward to trying the Wing next week. It looks like a breeze to get through.

• Sue says:

  8 Apr8 April 08:13

  Lovely unless you’re on a through ticket from Manchester! Millionaires’ Door was the only ‘perk’ after flying economy to Heathrow even though you hold a first class ticket. Please Rob – start asking them some questions about the provinces.

  • Barry cutters says:

    8 Apr8 April 08:37

    This really is a bad attitude to have . Ba can’t do anything right in some people’s eyes . It is a big improvement . If you decide to transfer through London to get to your final destination then it’s your choice . And unfortunately you will now have to add an extra 2 or 3 mins to your transfer experience. Get over it or if it’s so much trouble then move to London.

    • Dan says:

      8 Apr8 April 09:26

      I’m minded to agree with sue on this too. For many such as myself, I suspect there isn’t really much “choice” but to transfer somewhere when flying LH. I live about 25 mins from Manchester Airport, and certainly wouldn’t consider the hassle of a train to Euston, underground, then HEX to LHR over one short hop from MAN.

      When you start to tot up the small things “regional” passengers have lost over the last few years (no free connection on SH etc) along with he general decline of the BA product experienced by all, in struggling to stay loyal to them atm.

      • Alan says:

        8 Apr8 April 10:07

        Totally agree re how (even more) London-focused BA have become, but I still don’t quite get the logic of using the CCR door when connecting from domestic.

        • TGLoyalty says:

          8 Apr8 April 10:36

          Surely the extra walk is a nice chance to stretch your legs on the way to the lounge before a long haul flights?

          Personally I’d love a connecting flight as I’m 20 mins from BHX, door to door, but LHR takes minimum 2 hours on public transport.

          Would welcome more european BA flights direct from BHX ofcourse, I know theres a few starting.

        • Alan says:

          8 Apr8 April 10:48

          But there’s basically no difference in distance going along through shops to South and into CCR vs up to security level and along to CCR door, that’s why I couldn’t understand what was being lost.

        • Nate1309 says:

          9 Apr9 April 00:01

          I agree with TGLoyality would be nice if BA connected through more UK regional airports. I live 10 mins away from CWL and there are even BA planes there for maintenance all the time, surely they could bring passengers with them to and fro! I’m sure the real harry would enjoy BA flights from NQY too, what with a saved 5 hour drive and no APD.

    • Tim says:

      8 Apr8 April 10:42

      If you’re going international > domestic though, and return landside instead of going via airside connections, using the First channel will more than likely save time from arriving gate to champagne in hand – if you’re a quick walker!

      • joelyp says:

        8 Apr8 April 12:11

        Exactly what I just did, and was very quick!

        • Simon says:

          8 Apr8 April 18:50

          I don’t have status. Can I use the Wing when connecting from a F flight into Heathrow onto domestic CE? Happy to go landslide.

  • CV3V says:

    8 Apr8 April 09:24

    The new ‘Wing’ is no use to me connecting off a regional flight, but its still an easy walk to the lounge, probably easier than for people starting in London. I never used millionaires door, there was no need.

    We all go on about how great other airlines are, but with CX as an example they don’t have anything to match the First Wing, i don’t even recall them having fast track security, that said the CX lounges (First and Business) are excellent.

    • John says:

      8 Apr8 April 09:54

      HKG doesn’t need fast track security (if you can be bothered to trek to T2, it is always speedy there but may be faster to just wait in the T1 queues), although it’s a shame that the lounges are so far away from the airside entry point, but they do try to get gates close to the lounges (and you always know where your gate will be hours in advance)

  • Alan says:

    8 Apr8 April 10:05

    But surely if flying in you just did a domestic connection and popped straight up into the shopping area anyway and walked along to Galleries South?

    • Stu N says:

      8 Apr8 April 10:25

      Exactly, connecting from domestic to a T5 departure is a breeze. Quick scan of boarding pass out into departures under Galleries North. Don’t think I have ever come in the high numbered A gates.

    • CV3V says:

      8 Apr8 April 15:07

      Yes, that’s my point, no need for millionaires door.

      • Alan says:

        8 Apr8 April 15:09

        Haha yes we agree, it was more in reply to Sue’s comment 😛

• Paul F says:

  8 Apr8 April 09:07

  I used first wing on Thursday and I thought it was fantastic – a simply brillliant enhancement. Personally, I am a bit bored with the constant sledging of BA on HFP. A bit more balance would be good. Overall, I am a big fan but change is always difficult in a competitive world.

  • Barry cutters says:

    8 Apr8 April 12:06

    Exactly.
    They have the best FF program going for ‘most’ people in the UK.
    they fly from most regional airports to their hub in London. -which makes sense.
    From Heathrow/Gatwick/city you can fly to hundreds of destinations in 4 different classes .

    You earn a generous amount of avios points on all flights and the status gives you excellent lounge facilities in the UK and access to OK lounges at international destinations. Free additional bags, free seats, and upgrades.

    OK a gin and tonic now costs you £6 or something and a bacon roll is £3.50.- but for me this is honestly a big improvement , you also have the option to buy food in the airport and eat on board.

    For me id rather take a direct flight, saving hours , than change in the middle east. Therefore club world, although not as good as qatars offering is a perfectly acceptable compromise for getting to my destination quicker. Its not terrible, its just not as good as some others. You can still drink nice champagne, eat decent food, and sleep on a lie flat 180degree bed.

    Before we get the comments about how BA has a monopoly. please don’t forget so does KLM @ Schipol, AF @ CDG, and many others. please also do not forget the subsidies received by the middle east carriers. -it is not a level playing field.

    • Genghis says:

      8 Apr8 April 12:19

      Fully agree there Cutters

    • Leo says:

      8 Apr8 April 18:31

      Common sense comment.

    • Peter K says:

      8 Apr8 April 18:50

      +1
      A big reason we read this blog is because BA seems to have the best FF programme (i.e. collecting Avios) that we can get. We don’t collect Qatar or Emirates or Etihad miles with the same gusto because they are not as good in many ways. So BA is behind in some ways, they are well ahead in this way. They deserve some credit for what they do right as well!

    • TripRep says:

      8 Apr8 April 19:32

      Good point about the subsidies that the ME3 get.

      Ideally, I’d love to feel loyal to a brand that’s covers the whole of the UK and is paying taxes for its UK based employees and future pensioners.. For that to happen I think I’d need;

      1) a sincere apology and compensation for the poor treatment I received
      2) a guarantee regarding the policy on 241’s
      3) real encouragement that future level of service will improve
      4) customer relations is likely to genuinely be better when dealing with complaints

      However, now time for some balanced comments

      1) I heard yesterday INV traffic was up 25% this last year, partly due to BA restarting a vital link to LHR.
      2) As Rob educated me recently, with UK/EU based carriers you’re covered by EU261/2004 on inbound delays to the UK/EU from long haul destinations. This means with the ME3 you wouldn’t be covered for a lengthy inbound delay.

• CV3V says:

  8 Apr8 April 09:27

  I am wondering if when flying into LHR in First and connecting onto a domestic, would the First Wing be quicker than going through the security connections, which with about 20 people in the queue can take about 45 mins to get through. For those of us in the provinces, thoughts/experiences?

  • John says:

    8 Apr8 April 09:51

    I would say that it is often quicker to go landside even if there was no F wing

  • Alan says:

    8 Apr8 April 10:08

    Yes, I posted about this in the previous Wing thread I think – going out through ePassport gates then up and around to the Wing is likely to be a quicker and easier experience, only thing to watch out for is conformance.

• Nick says:

  8 Apr8 April 09:56

  For those flying ‘from’ the regions (on a F ticket as described above), you’ve just had a major improvement in that you now get CE, free food and champagne on board! And as you don’t have to reclear security the walk to the lounge (which is the same as before…) isn’t exactly a horrendous one.

  For those going the other way (longhaul to the regions), the answer to whether it’s quicker depends entirely on the queue at FCC. If it’s long then yes it’ll be easier to go landside, if it’s shortish then the old route will be better.

  • CV3V says:

    8 Apr8 April 11:00

    I thought i read comments on here that for the domestic CE sector the fess/taxes had gone up? Also, prior to CE implementation, fees were substantially higher than a direct flight out of London.

    LHR domestic connections – the length of the queue has absolutley no relevance to the time queueing given that its one queue for ALL passports – UK, EU, non EU, so it can take a long time while 2 immigration officers deal with a group of people who can’t speak english and don’t know have the evidence to hand of where they are staying/studying/visiting. Thats why its good to have peoples actual experience (not an opinion) as to the best method – its one of the best resources on HfP.

    • Alan says:

      8 Apr8 April 11:04

      Two officers is a luxury – often only one 🙁

      My impression is generally higher taxes and fees even though no extra Avios. Obviously on a cash ticket more TP available.

• Alan says:

  8 Apr8 April 10:13

  Overall looks nice, although it will be interesting to see how the staffing levels are once we move away from the initial opening. The North Fast Track lane has been surprisingly decent the last few times I’ve used it – it also has the benefit of being next to the HEX/Tube arrival point into T5. The Wing saves you a down then up escalator airside, plus it is quicker to walk along landside than through the shopping areas, but it’s probably a bigger benefit to anyone arriving by taxi that gets dropped off at the South end of the terminal than those arriving via HEX/Tube (which is how I always arrive after meetings in London). Not sure where car parking arrives?

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