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| Business Class (777
OLD) |
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Extraordinary - Merit
June - 2008 |
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5
Stars & 4 Stripes
Overall - 'Service & Comfort' |
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The Ultimate Award:
Seven Stars and Stripes® |
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| Some might say, why are we reviewing an 'old' business
class? Its true, British Airways launched recently their
new revamped BC version and we were just not lucky to catch one of these new jets. However, since we 'old' business travelers pay the same top Euros for the outdated version, we decided to share our experience here with you. We truly hope that they will not forget to implement the use of the tongs for the breadbaskets on the new jets! Our flight schedule was Hamburg, DE -London, UK - Philadelphia, USA and we shouldn't even mention the condition of the Euro Business & Business Class Lounge and Terminal in Hamburg. Upon arrival at Heathrow's chic new terminal 5, all passengers (Economy, Business & First) were directed into one single shuttle. An eighteen-minute uncomfortable overfilled bus ride without a seat, really took its toll, especially on the older passengers. By now we were pleasantly surprised to find the comfortable business lounge in the old terminal four building in perfect shape and well equipped. |
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| So we are starting the review in London at the British
Airways Business Class lounge, which looked fabulous, modern and clean and
featured a
well
stocked bar. Here the food was not up to par, but getting online with our
laptops was an easy task and the service overall sufficient. A business class
should include a pleasant lounge in which one may relax and await his flight
and expect a certain level of customer service. When we informed the customer
representative at the counter about our most uncomfortable bus ride, his answer
was short and more or less annoyed: “That's what it
is…” |
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| When we arrived on
board flight BA 67, it became evident that we had missed one of the new jets.
We were instantly offered a newspaper and a magazine; our jackets were hung up
nicely while we waited for a drink. Then BA's gender friendly amenity kits were
offered, and the crew prepared for take-off. Though the seats were outdated,
they could be configured as a full flat bed; unfortunately the cabin layout
demanded every second chair to face backwards, not necessarily a comfortable
direction or position. |
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| British Airways - Business Class - Edmund Buehrmann |
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| But privacy screens could be unfolded between the
sleepers, and after supper we got a couple of hours of sound sleep under our
belts and that made all the difference. The onboard cuisine menu was created
after favorites of renowned chefs such as Liam Tomlin. Shaun Hill and Vineet
Bhatia. I still can't get over the breadbasket faux-pas. Don't get me wrong,
there were several nice looking rolls and breads to choose from. In most
countries the health department demands appropriate serving tools for 'public'
breadbaskets. There were three appetizers to choose from, Liam Tomlin's
'Poached Cray Fish with Pink Grapefruit Salad' though not a British Classic was
rather bland. |
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| British Airways Business Class - Food |
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Four main courses were
offered and I was definitely not disappointed by Shaun Hill's Asian spiced
'Lamb with New Potatoes' and his delicious Au Jus. Another treat was BA's
version of New York's favorite Cheese Cake, though a little on the British
side, to die for. The selection of wines that were offered was rather
interesting. Two whites, a Chardonnay Mermesa 2005 of Edna Valley California,
which paired well with my appetizer, and I declined the two reds, created in
Spain and Italy. The airline-food was well presented and acceptable, and
overall we had a good meal. |
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| A nice touch was the 'Club Kitchen'; between meals one
could help themselves to a drink, fruits, salads, little sandwiches, all kinds
of healthy or unhealthy snacks and even organic chocolate. I tried the tea,
since we were flying British, and don't remember having had it that strong, but
it was hot and the service most accommodating. There is no need to analyze the
on-board entertainment system since this was obviously dated, too. We assume
that the cleanliness factor was somehow affected by wear. We are looking
forward to flying again with
BA Business Class after the fleet is fully merged and has had an improvement in comfort and sensitivity to its paying customers needs. |
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by Edmund & Thorsten Buehrmann
Editor: Ingrid
Lemme
Editor-in-Chief: John Lomitola |
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| © 2008 ~ Seven Stars and Stripes,
Inc. |
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