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When we traveled to Ethiopia in 2005, we flew British Airways from Chicago through London and Jordan. Across the ocean there were TV screens in every seat back, which was a nice thing since we were traveling with a 3 year old. The service was good, the food was decent, and the crew was friendly.
They gave us bulkhead seats on the way over, which was a mixed blessing. Yes, we had a bit more foot room. But we had to store our bags in the overhead bins, making it very difficult to access things we needed to occupy the three year old. Also, the bulkhead seat TV’s are on swivel arms which raise up out of your seat-arm. They are much more in the way than the TV’s in the seat backs. I wouldn’t request bulkhead in the future unless I had an infant and really wanted a bassinet.
The most memorable thing for me about flying British Airways is the London airport. We had a 6 hour layover going one direction and a 7 hour layover going the other way. We spent almost all of that wait in Heathrow’s international terminal, and I hated it. First of all, London is EXPENSIVE. We spent $17 for a single plate of breakfast food at a restaurant.
Second, by that point in your journey, you are exhausted, and the options for rest are not great. Almost all of the benches in the waiting areas have those immovable arms, meaning there’s no way to stretch out and sleep. There is something called the Serenity Lounge, near the highest-numbered gates in the International Terminal. It consists of several connected rooms with recliners and comfy seating. It would be great if you were traveling without children. But my 3 year old kept talking, which disturbed the other people trying to rest, and so we reluctantly had to leave.
After walking the whole length of the terminal several times, we discovered a quiet corner in a hall around a corner from Gate 1. There, finally, we located some benches that actually let you stretch out, and we were able to nap for awhile.
When boarding the plane from London headed for Addis, we discovered that the plane we’d be on was so small that we would need to gate-check our stroller so they could stow it under the plane. I was less than pleased. I didn’t want to end a 32 hour trip by having to carry my three year old through the airport in Addis, but it ended up working OK.
Overall, the food and service on British Airways seemed similar to Lufthansa. British Airways was cheaper for us on that particular flight. But I ended up liking Lufthansa better than British Airways, simply because I so much hated the airport in London.
Anyone else have experience with British Airways that they’d like to share?
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Yes, yes, yes I have lots of comments about British Airways and London Heathrow.
We returned to the States from living in the UK for nearly 3 years, and flew out of Heathrow every time we’d visit the States. Depending on how long you’ll have to stay in Heathrow my suggestion is to call BA and upgrade so you can go into the Business Class Lounge (but not your seats). There’s lots of places to sit, it’s fully enclosed with a (smallish) children’s room with a train table and TV which is glassed so you can see it from the lounge, but also has seats for adults inside. There’s a (free) buffet and drinks as well. I’m really unsure of the price, but I believe you can also use miles to upgrade to it.
The last time we flew out was August 11 (when Heathrow basially shut down because of the terror suspects arrested for transatlantic bomb plots) and that lounge saved me from the edge of insanity.
Good luck…and e-mail if you’d like to talk more about Heathrow. firstfig@comcast.net
Tamatha
I was going to say the same thing about the Business class lounge. When I travel to AFrica (for business) I always seem to NEED it right then (you can even shower!!!). If you don’t upgrade your seat, you can “buy” a membership if you like for not too much money (under 100$$). They have tvs, rooms, comfy chairs, showers, free drinks/snacks. It is TOTALLY worth the extra money, especially if you have kids….
Very interesting. Thanks, both of you!