Picture a commercial travel experience where you feel as if you're on a private jet, one that also happens to share the callsign and flight number previously assigned to the legendary Concorde. Now forget everything you know about pictures. This review is the first to incorporate 360 degree virtual reality technology. On certain photos, which are clearly labeled, you can use your mouse (desktop) or finger (mobile) to move the images around in any direction, up down, left right, to make you feel as if you're right there on the flight. Speaking of which, our flight on British Airways Club World London City allowed us to cross the pond on an aircraft with less seats on the whole plane, than there are business class seats alone on any of their other planes. It holds a maximum capacity of 32 people, making for an extremely private experience no lines, no rush, plenty of luxury. Join us…
Who doesn't like feeling special? Even though it's technically a Club World aka business class flight, London City customers are able to check in at a more secluded first class desk.
<blockquote data-width=720 data-height=375 class=ricoh-theta-spherical-image>British Airways First Class + London City Check In @ JFK. #theta360 - <a href=https://theta360.com/s/EmJ3mBHxeQRfsBIvOdJMkQ2S target=_blank>Spherical Image - RICOH THETA</a></blockquote>
We were number two in line for check in and took the opportunity to make stupid faces while showing you the check in area for First class plus London City, conveniently located next to dedicated fast track security…
Before long, after another exciting exchange of smiles with TSA agents, we made it to the Galleries lounge, a large spacious and multi faceted lounge. You can guess where we headed…
Ah yes, the bar, and now, we can officially say we've been to a bar together, even if in virtual reality. The bar features excellent wine and spirit options with Bombay, Johnnie Walker, Jack Daniels and more. I personally enjoyed a Cabernet + Syrah blend from Washington state in the US.
Hey, it's free. Why not?! And if you ask nicely, they'll even bring you champagne instead of the prosecco on display…
After some time at the bar we made our way to the pre flight dining area, reserved for club world and London City customers who wish to eat before their flight in a buffet style offering. Now we've had dinner together too!
Food is art and I took my presentation seriously when grabbing all the ingredients of a great chicken taco… minus the taco. There were a wide variety of options for all palates, I just don't care to waste food and time I could spend drinking, taking photos of things I won't eat…
As I may have eluded to, this plane is the smallest commercial jet liner crossing the Atlantic with just eight rows and a maximum of 32 passengers. Everything feels private. No lines, no stress, no gate crowds. It's beautiful.
<blockquote data-width=720 data-height=375 class=ricoh-theta-spherical-image >British Airways Club World London City Pre Flight Cockpit Visit… #theta360 - <a href=https://theta360.com/s/34xALcd64TgRLpyfkOziGRTLU target=_blank>Spherical Image - RICOH THETA</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://theta360.com/widgets.js charset=utf-8></script>
In what certainly was a highlight of my life, the very kind cabin and flight deck crew obliged to my request to come hang out in the flight deck and they actually really loved seeing the 360 degree image of our hang above! Amazing!
Onto my seat, which if you can count was in row three, seat A. Very spacious with more width than standard British Airways Club World Seats. It felt extremely clean and quiet. With only around 16 passengers on this flight you could hear a whisper!
<blockquote data-width=720 data-height=375 class=ricoh-theta-spherical-image >British Airways Club World London City Pre Flight Cockpit Visit… #theta360 - <a href=https://theta360.com/s/34xALcd64TgRLpyfkOziGRTLU target=_blank>Spherical Image - RICOH THETA</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://theta360.com/widgets.js charset=utf-8></script>
We had roughly 15 people on our flight with three dedicated crew members. Needless to say the attention and service was the best I've ever had. Hopefully you moved your finger around or clicked around and are getting a feel for the cabin, if not, don't worry you'll have another opportunity.
Legroom anyone? Though this picture doesn't adequately display it, the white shells around the seats are quite high, allowing you to really not see anyone in front or behind you, just whoever's next to you. It felt a lot like a private jet with one random guy sitting across from us on it… who happened to snore.
<blockquote data-width=720 data-height=375 class=ricoh-theta-spherical-image >British Airways Club World London City Pre Arrival at LCY… #theta360 - <a href=https://theta360.com/s/3YpXUI0kCS0L3jWNKvbP7qJmq target=_blank>Spherical Image - RICOH THETA</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://theta360.com/widgets.js charset=utf-8></script>
Cabin starting to feel like you've been there yourself? I hope so.
I found the bed very comfortable and plenty long for my 6'3'' frame. Laura managed to fall asleep mere minutes after take off, which I assume counts as an endorsement too.
<blockquote data-width=720 data-height=375 class=ricoh-theta-spherical-image >British Airways Club World London City Interior… #theta360 - <a href=https://theta360.com/s/d155pJFc0imp7ZHxrMPYdnqoy target=_blank>Spherical Image - RICOH THETA</a></blockquote> <script async src=https://theta360.com/widgets.js charset=utf-8></script>
Make yourself at home and lay down with us. Pretty inviting? Just kidding, please keep your distance. This was one of our favorite flights of all time because of the feeling of privacy and the lack of overall passengers, crowds.
As I mentioned, we opted for the pre flight meal, but anyone still a bit peckish can grab a lighter bite from the Champagne Supper. I took a look, but opted for sleep. Our take off on flight BA 0004 was roughly 10PM and eating early allowed us to tuck in almost immediately, catching roughly six hours of sleep.
To the shock of no one more than myself, I did not manage to drink any red or white wine! Nice menu though.
Both Tattinger and Tattinger Rose Brut were on offer. I sampled both and very much enjoyed the Rose Brut pictured here alongside Laura watching the Gavin & Stacy Christmas special…
Champagne and alcohol, what could go wrong? Here's the rest of your alcohol selections for the evening! For a closer look, click here.
I don't think there's a more convenient way to get from New York to London and vice versa. London City airport is right smack dab in the middle of the city, and with the reduced amount of time you need to arrive prior to your flight, you can spend more time working, more time sleeping and wake up feeling as fresh as I do today, which is a miracle.
Tips? Eat in the lounge if you're coming from New York. If coming from London, you only need to arrive 15 minutes before your flight so spend your time at home. I would personally avoid row one as it tends to be busiest and nearest to the restrooms. The back of the cabin seemed very tranquil and lets be honest, on a flight with 16-32 people, there's not a big clamor to get off the plane. We loved it…
A BIG thanks to the fantastic crew, lead by Nicholas Sparks.
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Verdict
British Airways
9.0/10
Cabin10.0
Cabin crew10.0
Entertainment/wifi6.0
Meal/catering10.0
British Airways Terraces Lounge - 7
5.0/10
Comfort5.0
Meal/catering5.0
Entertainment/wifi5.0
Services5.0
New York - JFK
7.1/10
Efficiency8.5
Access6.5
Services7.0
Cleanliness6.5
London - LCY
6.2/10
Efficiency10.0
Access5.0
Services5.0
Cleanliness5.0
Conclusion
This is just such a wonderfully efficient way of crossing the Atlantic. The seat is comfortable, the food is nice, but it's the privacy, service and convenience that make it a winner. Original review: http://www.godsavethepoints.com/news/baclubworldlcy360review Get in Touch: [email protected]
1 LIKESLIKE TO THANK THE AUTHORTHANKS ! FLIGHT-REPORT LIKED
Thanks for sharing the first Trip Report ever in 360VR here with the Flight-Report community!
I've always wanted to try Club World London City! The closest I've come is OpenSkies back when they were still All-Business class. So flying CW LCY gives you access to First check-in from what I can see, but does not give access to the First lounge at JFK? Having Emerald status, I have access, but just wondering for future reference.
I like that BA lounges offer a pre-flight dining option. It's really convenient on these short Transatlantic flights so that you can go right to sleep after takeoff. This is usually not an option on U.S. carriers, unless you can manage to make a full meal out of carrot sticks and chex mix :-P
Thanks for sharing and I hope you'll post more reports here in the future!
Hey Kevin, Yeah that's correct. You stay left upon entering the terminal at JFK and are at the first desks. I had been mainly a skyTeam flyer prior to this year, so only Sapphire with OW. That will change soon! I think doing the Galleries First lounge would be a nice upgrade and make for an even better experience. It is so nice to eat before the flight, added sleep, and for whatever reason i feel I digest better on the ground. I failed to mention the arrival service at London City but it's fantastic. Essentially, book at lounge on the way out at JFK, car waiting at LCY, takes you to Radisson Blu nearby (very nice actually) for a private room and complimentary full breakfast. Refresh, shower, and hit the town.
Oh wow, nice to know about the arrival services. I knew LCY didn't have an arrivals lounge so I just figured there was nothing, so this is definitely a very premium touch. I was also a SkyTeam flyer for a long time with DL, but left them when they devalued the Skymiles program so much.
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6 Comments
I've always wanted to try Club World London City! The closest I've come is OpenSkies back when they were still All-Business class. So flying CW LCY gives you access to First check-in from what I can see, but does not give access to the First lounge at JFK? Having Emerald status, I have access, but just wondering for future reference.
I like that BA lounges offer a pre-flight dining option. It's really convenient on these short Transatlantic flights so that you can go right to sleep after takeoff. This is usually not an option on U.S. carriers, unless you can manage to make a full meal out of carrot sticks and chex mix :-P
Thanks for sharing and I hope you'll post more reports here in the future!
Welcome to Flight-Report!
Kevin
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