Which flight for LHR-HND?

[Wally1976]

Hi all, I am hoping to treat my family to BA business class next summer, LHR-HND. None of us have ever flown long-haul business class before.

The two flights each day are:

09.10-07.00 BA0007 A350
13.00-10.55 BA0005 B787

I was wondering which would be the best of the two flights to book us on to. I prefer the timing of the later flight but, unless I’m mistaken, the earlier flight will have Club Suite and the later won’t.

Opinions please!

[AndrewT]

BA5 is currently operated by a 787-9, some of which might possibly be CS by next summer if you believe BA publicity, but I have my doubts. A350’s are all CS.

However the best general advice is to book based on time rather than aircraft, as the latter can and do change.

[aseftel]

I found the jetlag particularly rough on the early morning arrival to Japan, compared to the mid-morning arrival. You feel properly upside down coming off the early flight and it’s a long stint to bedtime. If you haven’t done too much business class travel, the later departure will feel more civilised and you can make more use of the lounge.

[executiveclubber]

We did BA5 and the wait until 3pm for our hotel room was only a tiny challenge. Would do it again.

[ATC]

Can someone with a BA companion voucher be so kind to check if there any extra availability for 2 people opens for LHR-HND on any day 10-14 Jan2025 please? Got a voucher tied up in another booking but don’t want to swap it out if no availability.

Many thanks

[RK228]

Wally1976 wrote:

Hi all, I am hoping to treat my family to BA business class next summer, LHR-HND. None of us have ever flown long-haul business class before.

The two flights each day are:

09.10-07.00 BA0007 A350
13.00-10.55 BA0005 B787

I was wondering which would be the best of the two flights to book us on to. I prefer the timing of the later flight but, unless I’m mistaken, the earlier flight will have Club Suite and the later won’t.

Opinions please!

For me, the best option is easily the 13:00 departure.

For Asia-bound flights, we prefer to leave late and arrive late, so I always aim to avoid morning flights where possible. If you’re travelling as a family, depending on ages, I also think that Club World can also be a benefit over Club Suites.

Preferences here will vary, so do what best suits you and your family.

executiveclubber wrote:

We did BA5 and the wait until 3pm for our hotel room was only a tiny challenge. Would do it again.

With HND, you can arrange same-day luggage delivery for Tokyo hotels, so you can head out to explore immediately and then just go to hotel later and bags will be there waiting for you. Alternatively, there are numerous options for bag storage at airports, train stations, and elsewhere throughout the city, so don’t need to be waiting or carrying anything around.

[Wally1976]

Thanks for the opinions and info folks, really useful. Seems like there’s a consensus for the later flight.

I neglected to say that my kids will be 16 and 13 at the time.

[Alex G]

If you are paying cash, the best flight would any operated by JAL.

[kaconym]

@ATC 14th has 5 in J, 9th has 7 in J. 10th, 11th nothing in any class. Others days have lots of WT and 13th has 2 in WT+. All BA007.

[Wally1976]

@Alex G: It’ll be Avios with an AMEX 2 for 1 so tied to BA

[ATC]

@kaconym Superstar, thank you!

[Teej]

Wally1976 wrote:

09.10-07.00 BA0007 A350
13.00-10.55 BA0005 B787

I’ve arrived on BA7 and it was a very long day. Getting some sleep on BA5 should be much better.