Review of British Airways flight London Paris in Business

Airline British Airways
Flight BA322
Class Business
Seat 2F
Aircraft Airbus A319
Flight time 01:15
Take-off 25 Feb 16, 17:25
Arrival at 25 Feb 16, 19:40
BA   #65 out of 95 Airlines A minimum of 10 flight-reports within the past two years is required to appear in the rankings. 960 reviews
socalnow
By 3211
Published on 8th March 2016
Hello Flight Report community and thanks for stopping by this review, the third installment of my American AAdvantage miles purge.

It has been clear for several years that the American Airlines Advantage frequent flyer program was out of sync with the other major US carriers. It has remained very generous on the redemption side while the others have had significant devaluations. Smart money was on a correction coming sooner before later. It was with this in mind that I decided to structure a grand adventure and cut deeply into my AAdvantage miles inventory.

The final tally was SNA-PHX-LHR-CDG for 62,500 AA miles, CDG-DOH-DEL for 40,000 AA miles, and DEL-AUH-JFK-LAX for 90,000 AA miles.So 192,500 AA miles lighter, I was off.

The reports will be broken down as follows:

Admirals Club SNA and American Airlines SNA-PHX (A320) (First) http://flight-report.com/en/report-13485.html
The Club PHX and British Airways PHX-LHR (747) (First) http://flight-report.com/en/report-13504.html
Concord Room LHR and British Airways LHR-CDG (A319) (Business) (This Report)
Salon Lounge CDG and Qatar Airways CDG-DOH (A380) (First) http://flight-report.com/en/report-13533.html
Al Safwa First Class Lounge DOH and QR DOH-DEL (787) (Business) http://flight-report.com/en/report-13671.html
Plaza Premium Lounge DEL, EY DEL-AUH (77L) (First), and EY Arrivals Lounge AUH http://flight-report.com/en/report-13722.html
Etihad Airways Premium Lounge AUH, EY US Lounge AUH, and EY AUH-JFK (A380) (First) http://flight-report.com/en/report-13756.html
American Airlines "Flagship" Lounge JFK and AA JFK-LAX (A321) (First) http://flight-report.com/en/report-13809.html

I've only transited LHR on one other occasion and it was a bit of slog so I wan't exactly looking forward to my journey from Terminal 3 to 5. It turns out it wasn't that bad. I had a nice brisk walk to the bus stop where a bus was waiting to depart to T5 just as I arrived, score! It was SRO on board the bus but that was fine with me as I had been sitting for 10 hours and it meant I could see the aircraft views better as we drove about.

Arriving at T5 I was surprised to see zero wait at the "pre-screening" station and I was headed upstairs in the Fast Track queue straight away. This time I was prepared for the thorough screening and I had emptied the liquids from my BA amenity kit into my bag with personal toiletry liquids so I avoided a secondary screening. So, the final tally is 30 minutes form setting foot on the jet way at T3 to presenting myself at the Concord Room. Not too shabby.

I am distinctly aware of the timing as I had booked a spa treatment for 15:00 and I walked up to the Elemis counter at precisely 15:00.

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I was greeted immediately and shown to a seat to fill out the questionnaire.

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The massage commenced directly and was performed very satisfactorily by a lovely young lady. I thanked her and was finally on my way to the famed Concord Room.

I didn't have my boarding pass for the PHX-LHR flight in F so when I presented my Club Europe BP I was told to go up stairs. I think a better way to handle this would be to scan the BP and look at the PNR and see that I was in the correct place rather than to make the customer feel unwelcome. I know, I'm nitpicking here but still…

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The lounge space was fairly crowded with guests in virtually all of the various seating areas. My initial impression was, like the airplane interior, I really like the BA style. The decor was modern enough but still had a classic elegance about it.

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I din't stay long as initially as I was eager for a shower. I inquired with a staff member sitting at a desk and was led back out of the lounge to the Spa area from which I had just come. Oops, I'm new here.

The shower rooms are plentiful, if a bit sterile.



Hygienic conditions restored it was time to dine!

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I was shown to one of the dimly lit tables and presented a menu.



My first request was the Chicken Terrine and glass of the rose champagne (I cannot remember what they were pouring…Tattinger if I had to guess).

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The terrine was passable on flavor but the texture wasn't a smooth and consistent as I would have liked.

I moved on to the Artichoke Tortellini which was very nice. Perfectly cooked pasta.

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The young woman serving my table was nice enough but wasn't a very refined server. She never once cleared a plate even when bringing the next course. Even after my demonstratively moving the dishes away.

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I requested the cheese next which I quite enjoyed. It was served at a good temperature, not directly form a chiller.

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I retired to the terrace next which is really a lovely space.



Unless you select this seat.

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It took a long time to get service out here and I finally had to go inside to ask the person tending to the terrace for a glass of champagne and water. I noticed a slightly different menu here as well.

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In the interest of science I ordered the BA Burger but it took some time to be delivered so I only had a brief encounter with it before leaving to board the flight. Initial impressions were favorable.

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I was feeling a bit late but thankfully the trip to A23 was a short one and I arrived before boarding had commenced but after the stated boarding time.

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I was the second passenger to board the aircraft and found a clean and fresh looking, albeit cramped, cabin.

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This looker was pushing back at the next stand over.

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We pushed back on time and were off into the evening light promptly.

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It is a short 40 minute flight but a snack was served none the less.

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As quickly as the hard working flight attendant could dispense beverages and snacks it was time to collect them. We landed and took a lengthy taxi to Terminal 2, the pilot explained we were stuck behind a 777 under tow so that slowed our progress.

At last, my first visit to France!

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The line to enter France was non-existent and I was through immediately.

I have to say I was startled by this site. The shame of my home country.

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I made use of the Roissy Bus and I was deposited right across the street from my hotel for the brief say, the Intercontinental Paris Le Grand.

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Verdict

British Airways

6.3/10
Cabin5.0
Cabin crew8.0
Entertainment/wifi5.0
Meal/catering7.0

British Airways Concorde Room - 5A

7.5/10
Comfort7.5
Meal/catering7.5
Entertainment/wifi7.5
Services7.5

London - LHR

7.1/10
Efficiency7.0
Access7.0
Services7.5
Cleanliness7.0

Paris - CDG

7.2/10
Efficiency8.0
Access7.0
Services7.0
Cleanliness7.0

Conclusion

The Ground Service: There is not much to say here. BA doesn't provide ground service like Lufthansa or Thai. Perhaps our delay helped with the crowding as I made the transit from T3 to T5 in quick and painless fashion.

The Lounge: I enjoyed the Concord Room style and food/beverage. The service was pretty terrible with no clearing plates in the dining room to having to chase someone down for service on the terrace.The shower rooms were readily available and clean. I also really enjoyed the 15 minute massage treatment.

The Cabin: Club Europe is economy product so there's not much positive to say here. It was clean and smart looking.

The Crew: The French Flight Attendant hustled to get everyone their desired beverage and snack in the short flight time. Well done.

The Food and Beverage: A nice looking and healthy snack on this 40 minute flight was a great option.

Overall: The Concord Room feels First Class to me. It certainly made up for the sub par food offering on board the airplane. I still think it's odd going from First Class to essentially economy class for the connection on an F ticket but that's what the market allows.

Thanks for reading and happy flying.

Information on the route London (LHR) Paris (CDG)

Les contributeurs de Flight-Report ont posté 115 avis concernant 2 compagnies sur la ligne London (LHR) → Paris (CDG).


Useful

La compagnie qui obtient la meilleure moyenne est Air France avec 7.5/10.

La durée moyenne des vols est de 1 heures et 11 minutes.

  More information

6 Comments

If you liked this review or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to post a comment below !
  • Comment 159421 by
    jetsetpanda 2283 Comments
    I think a better way to handle this would be to scan the BP and look at the PNR and see that I was in the correct place rather than to make the customer feel unwelcome. I know, I'm nitpicking here but still...
    - I don't think you are nitpicking. As a F pax you have every right to expect F treatment in all aspects of your experience.

    The shower rooms are plentiful, if a bit sterile.
    - Just functional and that's it. Looked like a WC from a budget hotel chain except for the Elemis toiletries. Even UA and DL have better shower suites.

    The young woman serving my table was nice enough but wasn't a very refined server. She never once cleared a plate even when bringing the next course.
    - Really surprising coming from BA and a F lounge. Isn't British culture big on etiquette too? ;)

    It took a long time to get service out here and I finally had to go inside to ask the person tending to the terrace for a glass of champagne and water.
    - Service at the lounge seems a bit rough on the edges.

    It is a short 40 minute flight but a snack was served none the less.
    - Pretty good for a flight of this length, unlike U.S. carriers with their snack basket on domestic flights.

    I made use of the Roissy Bus and I was deposited right across the street from my hotel for the brief say, the Intercontinental Paris Le Grand.
    - You can't beat the convenience of the Roissy Bus when you stay at the IC Le Grand. That is my favorite hotel in Paris. ;)

    Thanks Christian for sharing this continuation. So was it worth it and will you be flying BA again up front? :P
    • Comment 336232 by
      socalnow AUTHOR 976 Comments
      Greetings Jetsetpanda and thanks for following along on this journey and leaving some notes.

      Really surprising coming from BA and a F lounge. Isn't British culture big on etiquette too? ;)
      -I don't think she had been in country long enough to pick up on the finer points of British etiquette. ;)

      You can't beat the convenience of the Roissy Bus when you stay at the IC Le Grand. That is my favorite hotel in Paris. ;)
      -Indeed, it was perfect. The IC Le Grand is my favorite hotel in Paris as well...also the only hotel I've stayed at but still...it is a stunningly beautiful property. It's like sleeping in a museum. The Roissy Bus is right there and the Metro is too.

      So was it worth it and will you be flying BA again up front?
      -Not likely. Not because of any perceived flaws but the value proposition just isn't there for me. Even an award ticket carries steep surcharges so I think I can do better elsewhere.

      Thanks again Jetset and happy flying.
  • Comment 159447 by
    SKYTEAMCHC GOLD 10061 Comments
    Thanks for sharing this report with us.
    The lounge is really a great experience despite being really full. Like you I like the classic yet modern look.
    The cabin looks great with those quite new seats but the legroom could be improved for the first rows.
    The flight is so short that I always admire all airlines FA on CDG AMS CDG LHR and CDG GVA to be able to do such a service in such a short time.
    • Comment 336296 by
      socalnow AUTHOR 976 Comments
      Hello Skyteamchc and thanks for stopping by and leaving some feedback.

      The cabin looks great with those quite new seats but the legroom could be improved for the first rows.
      -It really is a sleek and clean design. More legroom is always welcome!

      The flight is so short that I always admire all airlines FA on CDG AMS CDG LHR and CDG GVA to be able to do such a service in such a short time.
      -My flight was only 6/12 and the FA was working hard. I can't imagine a 12/12 load.

      Thanks again and happy flying.
  • Comment 161223 by
    KévinDC TEAM SILVER 6668 Comments
    Thanks for this report on the short hop from LHR to CDG! I transited to LHR about a week before you, also from Terminal 3 to Terminal 5. It wasn't as bad as it used to be, but it wasn't quite as smooth as your experience. With relatively few people around and Fast Track access (where available) it still took be well over an hour to get from deplaning in T3 to the BA First lounge in T5.

    I really like BA's aesthetic and their lounge decor is one of my favorite lounge styles out there, however, I've heard from several people and in several FRs that the service in the Concorde Room is often lacking and that staff are often rude or condescending. In the slightly less exclusive BA First Lounge, I found the staff to be delightful and dishes and glasses were picked up as soon as they were empty.

    It was clean and smart looking.
    - That was my impression of the new BA cabin as well. It's really a shame that they took the seat pitch in the front of the aircraft from (where seats are usually in Business class from 34 to 30. Yes, the cabin looks good, that is for sure, but 30 pitch in Business class is unacceptable. I had way more legroom than you sitting in the Exit row in Economy on my short hop to DUB.

    A nice looking and healthy snack on this 40 minute flight was a great option
    - Agreed. For such a short flight, the catering is very decent.

    Very behind on your reports, time to go check out the rest. Thanks for sharing!

    • Comment 337755 by
      socalnow AUTHOR 976 Comments
      Greetings Kevin and thanks for the insightful comments as always.

      ...service in the Concorde Room is often lacking and that staff are often rude or condescending.
      -Lacking is a good description of my experience. Thankfully no rudeness or condescension. I do see a lack of refinement and training in the restaurant staff.

      Interesting comparison between the First Lounge and Concorde Room.

      Yes, the cabin looks good, that is for sure, but 30 pitch in Business class is unacceptable.
      -It is really odd that such cramped pitch in J is tolerated by BA flyers. It just struck me how odd some of the service deficiencies we tolerate with the main US domestic carriers must seem to our friends in the UK.

      Anyhow, thanks again for the notes and happy flying.

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