Review of British Airways flight London → New York in Business

Hi everyone! Welcome to the second leg of the Winter 2019 travel series! After an amazing vacation touring around Europe, it was time for me to head back to New York flying on British Airways. I have to say, this trip was quite an extraordinary one, not only because I was at one of my favourites cities in the world, I finally got the chance to visit Paris along with Brussels. Even though I wanted to go to Amsterdam as well, it unfortunately didn't work out in the itinerary. However, I can definitely go there during the next trip to Europe! Anyways, without further ado, let's get to this report! ;)

Inbound flight can be found here!

Preflight

Anyways, it was a 20 minute drive to Heathrow Airport, and there was hardly any traffic while on the way. We made it at around 12:00 PM, which gave me just enough time to do everything such as checking in, going through security, and spending time at the lounge.

Terminal 5 Exterior


Time to check-in!


It did take some time to find the check-in counters for Club World since Terminal 5 was massive. So, I lost a bit of time trying to locate only to find it about 5 minutes later.


Check-in counters


The process was very smooth, with the total time of 5-10 minutes.


Heading towards security

Post-security

Airside


FIDS


Checking out the extensive duty-free area


I must say, LHR Terminal 5 is such a massive terminal that it was a bit difficult for me at first to navigate around.


Luckily, the signs came in handy and I was able to find a British Airways Galleries lounge in Concourse A


Heading to the lounge, which was a couple of escalator rides away


Lounge entrance


The Galleries lounge was another level up


British Airways logo


A model of a British Airways Airbus A380-800 at the entrance


Lounge entrance


This is one of the British Airways Galleries lounge at LHR Terminal 5, as there is another one at Concourse B (which I didn't know about that the time). To cut a long story short, I'd say that this lounge is quite decent. However in my opinion, I found it a bit too dark in some areas and not as glamorous as the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Terminal 3


However, the upside towards this lounge would be the spacing, the organisation, and the food + beverages choices


More shots of the lounge


Boarding pass


Some of the beverage choices


I later found out that my flight to New York was going to be slightly delayed but didn't know why at the time. Hence, the new time of departure was 2:45 PM. So, I had plenty of time before I had to board the flight.


After spending less than an hour at the lounge, I finally headed towards Concourse B


It was a long trek going from one concourse to another


Taking the automated people mover to Concourse B


On the way to Concourse B


Finally making it to the gate area


Gate B43


Well, time to head back home!


Plane to JFK: G-ZZZA


Taking the escalator towards the aerobridge


Walking down the aerobridge


Another view of G-ZZZA


Well, time to board!


Some pre-flight information:
Date: 24 January 2019
Airline: British Airways
Flight Number: BA 115
Route: London (LHR) - New York (JFK)
Aircraft: Boeing 777-200
Registration: G-ZZZA
Distance: 3445 miles
Scheduled Departure Time: 1:45 PM
Actual Departure Time: 2:44 PM
Scheduled Arrival Time: 5:05 PM
Actual Arrival Time: 5:43 PM
Flight Time: 8 hrs 20 mins
Departure Gate at LHR: B43
Arrival Gate at JFK: 7

Inflight

Club World Business Class cabin


My seat, 14K


Water bottle and amenity kit found as I got to my seat


Legroom, which was quite decent for a flight to the other end of the pond


View from my seat, with a view of British Airways Boeing 777-200ER, G-VIIL, which will depart shortly for SEA as BA49


The introduction of the inflight entertainment system


Cabin views


Welcome drink: Champagne


Menus were then handed out


Drink list


British Airways Boeing 747-400, G-CIVG, preparing to depart as BA273 to SAN


It took about half an hour for boarding to be completed and for the captain to make his welcome announcement, and apologising for the delay as the aircraft that was originally going to serve this sector, which was a Boeing 777-200ER, had some technical problems.

So, the reason for the delay was for BA to find a replacement aircraft which would fly this route to New York. So, this Boeing 777-200 (non -ER version) was available. I was a bit stunned by this, but it didn't really bother me as much as there was no significant difference between the two, besides having slightly different configurations.

Flight route


Controls, headphone jack, and USB port


Settling into my seat!


Views from pushback


British Airways Airbus A380-800, G-XLEI, which will depart as BA269 to LAX


Views during the taxi


Etihad Airways Airbus A380-800, A6-APE, preparing to depart back to AUH as EY20


Terminal 4


British Airways Airbus A380-800, G-XLEA, preparing to depart as BA209 to MIA


Swiss International Airlines Airbus A220-300, HB-JCD, preparing to depart for GVA as LX353


Terminal 2 and a lot of Star Alliance carriers


Taxiing to Runway 27L


We then took off an hour behind schedule at approximately 2:45 PM

High above the clouds!


A few minutes after departure


See you soon, London!


Hot towels were being offered


Before I knew it, the crew came around with drink orders. I got myself a glass of Los Cabos de Urbezo 2017 from Spain


After about 15 minutes, I decided to check out the entertainment system extensively and see how it compares to the Boeing 747-400


To cut a long story short, it definitely looked a bit dated compared to the former, but luckily it was a touch-screen and was easy to use.

Time to continue where I left off!


Now, it's time to enjoy the rest of this trans-Atlantic flight!


Views outside


Cabin views


Before the meal service started, I made a quick visit to the bathroom, which is quite standard on most aircraft


Once I got back to my seat, I came in just in time for the meal service!

The appetiser: Hoisin-glazed aubergine with daikon radish, carrot, and coriander. It was quite tasty!


Even though things were going smoothly on this flight, the only downside was that the service was quite slow, and it took almost half an hour before we got to the main course.


However, I was able to use this time to find something else to watch on the AVOD

Since I never got to finish Neighbors 2, I decided that this would be a good opportunity to watch it again!


As time passed by, the main course finally arrived. I ended up getting the miso-glazed Atlantic cod with wasabi mousseline and wok-fried vegetables. If I have to be honest, I'd say that it tasted a lot better than it looked.


For dessert, I decided to end it all of with some strawberry trifle with vanilla custard cream, which was amazing!!


Besides a few delays, the whole service didn't take too long, as the crew cleared out the tables within half an hour.

Once I was done, I decided to check up the progress of the flight

Above the Atlantic Ocean, with approximately 6 hours left


Cabin view with the lights slightly dimmed


After another half hour, I was getting a bit tired and wanted to get some rest before arriving in New York. So as always, I set the seat to the flat bed position and get all the contents from the bedding package. It wasn't that difficult to make the bed.

Within a few minutes, I was ready for bed with the seat fully flat and the duvet all nicely spread out!


I was able to get some sleep for 5 hours, and then woke up when the captain did his pre-arrival announcement saying that they are now starting the descent into New York and we had the usual 30 minutes until landing


Cabin preparing for landing


Filling out the US customs form


View of the sunset


Starting the descent


Over Long Island


Final shots before landing


Before I knew it, we landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport at 5:43 PM, more than 40 minutes behind the scheduled arrival time. However, the taxi to the terminal was quite quick

Flight information


Actual flight route


Docking at gate 7, with a side view of British Airways Boeing 747-400, G-CIVX, about to depart back to LHR as BA112

Post-flight

Disembarking/Arrival into JFK


Heading towards immigration, baggage claim, and customs


I breezed through immigration and customs, making it to the arrival hall within 10 minutes, despite this being an evening arrival.

Terminal 7 arrival hall


Terminal 7 Arrival exterior


I then called for an Uber, which took about 5 minutes. Afterwards, I met my driver and was on my way back home!