Is British Airways First Class the World's Best Business Class?

Рет қаралды 222,464

Күн бұрын

WARNING: BA has actually refused to give me my suitcase back saying they're too busy.
That aside, join me for my journey from New York to London and then on to the Red Bull Ring in Austria for the highly anticipated 2023 Austrian GP. But here's the twist: I had the opportunity to fly in British Airways' first class, often referred to as the world's best business class. Intrigued? Join me as I share my honest review of British Airways' first class in this exciting video.
In this immersive adventure, I'll take you through the entire journey, from the moment I stepped onboard British Airways' aircraft to my arrival in Austria for the adrenaline-fueled race. With the utmost attention to detail, I'll examine the offerings, amenities, and overall experience of British Airways' first class, shedding light on whether it truly lives up to its prestigious reputation.
Prepare to uncover the nuances of British Airways' first class as I delve into every aspect, comparing it to other first-class experiences and highlighting both the impressive features and areas that may have fallen short. This video is your chance to gain insider knowledge and make an informed decision when it comes to choosing your preferred flying experience with British Airways.
Don't miss out on this intriguing review of British Airways' first class, where business class meets the sky-high expectations of first-class travel. Join me as I dissect the journey, share my genuine insights, and help you navigate the world of luxury air travel. Buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in the skies with British Airways!
Purchase a hand-signed F1 driver print here: www.kymillman.com/signed-f1-d...
Become a channel member and receive monthly free wallpapers, RAW image files after each race, Exclusive videos and discounts at my store. VIP members get even more. Click here to join - / @kymillman
See 2023 Grand Prix images live from the track on Instagram bit.ly/2P6l6PY
My digital images are available at www.prostarpics.com/
F1 Photo Books & Merchandise available at www.kymillman.com/store/
Follow my journey as an F1 photographer here • My Journey as an F1 Ph...

Пікірлер: 343

@Gutenmorgenside Жыл бұрын

The comb did it for me.

@gstevens6948 Жыл бұрын

😂😂😂😂

@mtmawdsley Жыл бұрын

Very accurate review Kym. I've travelled BA long haul over the last two years. BA isn't as glossy as the other Middle East airlines, however it is consistently professional service at the front and back. Lounges, aircraft, and staff are all very good.

@PetriTemiseva Жыл бұрын

"... as the other Middle East airlines" 😁

@chinqlinq89 Жыл бұрын

Yea I don’t know the average price differences between the 2, but I would like to see what the difference in operating cost/revenue are.

@nibzee Жыл бұрын

I'm glad you have experienced good service with BA, as I wont fly with them again. I used to fly BA in first regularly where their service was first rate, and their afternoon tea service was exemplary. But in the years pre-covid their planes were often tired, their hard product worn out and unreliable which also described their staff. I've switched to middle east carriers who seem to have poached any of the good staff from BA as many of the staff have said that they were ex BA. To even charge for a seat in business whether short haul or long haul shows that they have become more of a LCC than a legacy airline.

@algita8 10 ай бұрын

Emirates and Qatar have a huge logbooks with many failures, I prefer to fly BA with regulations, than a plane from middle east that has technical failures but stupid overrated luxury with young not professional instagram barbies on board and almost crashing like Qatar Doha - Copenhagen, Emirates 380 with huge hole inside engine. Cheers from the engineer.

@wengelder9256 8 ай бұрын

But the food and seat is utter crap

@shLNG3345 Жыл бұрын

The editing when you were going through the amenities kit in BA - especially the comb and when you pulled the pillow from behind you!! Really funny!

@chron123 Жыл бұрын

Talking about lack of sleep due to short flight time: couple years back there's this BA flight that encountered a REALLY power jetstream that cut the flight time from LHR-JFK down to a whopping 4 hrs and 56 mins, that's a proper redeye

@tonystewart1309 Жыл бұрын

Another great vid mate, thanks. Enjoy the race. BTW I saw you in the front row photographers scrum at the drivers interviews post quali today, couldn’t miss the bucket hat!

@MattNav Жыл бұрын

Great video as always Kym, always love a visit to Heathrow Terminal 3 as it contains the delightful Cathay Pacific and Qantas lounges. Can't get enough of that delicious dim sum, dan dan noodles at Cathay and the Qantas lounge has a great bar and views too

@bertko1710 Жыл бұрын

7:18 a comb hahahahaha that always cracks me up 😂😂 cheers Kym

@ratedz9188 Жыл бұрын

Love the travel videos Kym. good info and insightful.

@evns7142 8 ай бұрын

Great video as always Kym!

@callummjones Жыл бұрын

That’s not how you clear immigration, that’s just BA using a new way to verify your ticket. USA doesn’t require you to exit via customs/immigration.

@LWT633 Жыл бұрын

hey Kym! just want to say its hugely admirable to see you do your vlog and see it growing too.. so cool

@KymIllman Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much!!

@missVmilne Жыл бұрын

So insightful through all your experiences - loved this video - thank you for sharing ! So sorry you were given poor advice regarding the bag transfer in US, the checkin trainee WAS correct. I travel often through the US from Europe and have to do the connections myself but the bags do get on the correct plane. Stay positive. Hello from London : - )

@dibandukundu3070 Жыл бұрын

Great video as always 😃

@encryptededdy Жыл бұрын

In my experience with separate tickets with through-checked bags, it's best to talk to the 2nd airline's staff at your transit point (in this case BA at JFK) to ensure the bag exists in their system. IME 1/4 the time the bag info hasn't made it into the second airline's computer system, even though they printed the tag with all stops back at the origin airport checkin.

@JP_Stone Жыл бұрын

Good travels and fair weather Kym. Hope to catch you live soon

@KymIllman Жыл бұрын

I hope so too!

@n1msu Жыл бұрын

A pleasure to watch as always, interesting (to me at least) that I didn't know prior to watching this video, BA actually also carries out domestic US flights which seems a bit odd but I guess they're used to transfer passengers from smaller airports to the hubs.

@jameskiehm546 Жыл бұрын

Kym, I traveled the world for work. International flights I could travel business but often bumped to 1st because of status. While all those perks are necessary for someone that travels like you, that travel is grueling. Best of luck and safe travels.

@rolandfromearth Жыл бұрын

I work for an EU airline and about the baggage - with separate tickets indeed it is tricky to do it and arrange it, but possible. But in the end, bag can always be lost, regardless. Or they just told you that they did it, but actually the bag was on the belt at JFK waiting for you.😀

@alexbremner8361 Жыл бұрын

No. Is Club worth it? No. Is Premium worth it? No. BA is a poor airline but yet I use them consistently still. The crew are good, the cabin staff are usually spot on and the brand still exists. To many shabby cabins on the long haul routes although I did Club recently from LHR - JFK in a retro-fitted 773 with 1-2-1 and that was actually pretty good. Talking myself out of my critique ;-)

@xRicCi Жыл бұрын

Great video as always!

@devarona18 Жыл бұрын

BA lost my bags one time when I traveled to London. It took them a whole week to get my luggage to me. Good luck with that sir.

@KymIllman Жыл бұрын

They are trying my patience. Have to get the cops involved.

@kuchintamy Жыл бұрын

Great travel video, as always 👌! As a travel buff too, I found it interesting that your BA flight from LHR - VIN was shown on the info screen as Flight MH9918, MH being the code for Malaysia Airlines, not British Airways. I guess its an MH code share flight 😄.

@mikeabcable Жыл бұрын

Indeed BA and MH are one world members so I think code share is correct

@Gnrnrvids Жыл бұрын

I'm really enjoying your videos Kym. It is a great view into the travel world to follow the F1.

@KymIllman Жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoy it!

@tonytony3895 Жыл бұрын

Your presentation is highly interesting to watch. Thank you very much and take care. 😊

@KymIllman Жыл бұрын

So nice of you

@mattmarino5486 Жыл бұрын

Recent follower, love your videos.

@eddypraet3536 Жыл бұрын

I just love your travel video’s 😍👍

@Markus22MUC Жыл бұрын

Maybe a tip for your next journey on BA/AA intercont first class. Book the ticket originating from Europe(Budapest would be ideal). I got a deal for about 2.5k Euros for Budapest-Las Vegas/Honolulu-Budapest in First. You can use the return flight for a whole year, so it should work out for your next trip to europe as well. Just have to book it 1-3 months in advance i believe.

@marcodipaolo9565 Жыл бұрын

Great stuff

@unitedcomputers Жыл бұрын

Good to hear an Aussie accent....always makes the viewing easier !!! 🙂 How did you get that little graphic to show the route ?

@CookingNewJersey 3 ай бұрын

Love your video graphics!

@KymIllman 3 ай бұрын

Glad you like them!

@chrisprideaux151 Жыл бұрын

It had to be Lewis lol, the emphasis on the comb was hilarious and I for one hope you enjoyed the trampoline 😊

@KymIllman Жыл бұрын

Have not had a chance to have a go

@chrisprideaux151 Жыл бұрын

@@KymIllman I’d be lying if I said I haven’t 😂

@jeremykojoagyemang 9 ай бұрын

Amazing video 👍🏾

@Perfectlyhonest22 Жыл бұрын

You had better luck than I did re: change of seat in first class. Flew from LHR to YYZ in a broken business seat with no recline and no other option from BA

@bertimunro 8 ай бұрын

Seeing that you mentioned DO&CO, Gottfried that started DO&CO was good friends with the late Niki Lauda and he got the break into airline catering through Niki with “Fly Niki” the airline! 😊 There is the F1 connection!

@bethhigginson7216 Жыл бұрын

The comb moment sent me!

@vacation13 Жыл бұрын

Clear and concise report Kym...Wife and I are going from JFK to LHR in Sept. As a matter of fact she has seat 1F First Class. Did they tell you what the problem was with the seat? We're traveling from Charlotte to NY via Delta. I would assume it would be better to collect and re-check at JFK. We're both in our 70's and were hoping to avoid schlepping luggage around. Again, thanks for the Video.

@graemecatty9921 Жыл бұрын

That first class lounge in NY looked superb.

@KymIllman Жыл бұрын

It was!

@savanahgiles5546 Жыл бұрын

AA and Delta great at losing your luggage.When we connected from States to UK baggage missing.We arrived at T5 on BA and the connection from Kentucky to JFK baggage did not make it on AA flight.But BA were really helpful in tracing them.

@POLONDO 6 ай бұрын

thank you. I love the video.

@KymIllman 6 ай бұрын

Thank you too!

@the_rocksf1148 Жыл бұрын

You’ve taken probably over a thousand flights but does the turbulence ever scare you? Another beautifully presented vlog, thanks for sharing ❤

@KymIllman Жыл бұрын

There’s only a couple of times, I remember that turbulence has been an issue, and even then it was just discomfort rather than Terror

@bradyw5263 Жыл бұрын

Great video Kym. That’s a lot

@KymIllman Жыл бұрын

Yes it was

@DJAlexParker Жыл бұрын

The Americans who say petrol prices are too high need to visit the UK 🤣. Random question though, do flight attendants get paid more for working first class part of the plane? I feel like they should

@stevejoseph1664 Жыл бұрын

I really enjoyed this video.

@KymIllman Жыл бұрын

I'm so glad!

@TheCrzsrg Жыл бұрын

I see that your enjoying americas finest t shirt 😁 love car-hart tees, highly recommend the cargo shorts.

@simonhogan2379 Жыл бұрын

I think it’s a little unfair to compare Emirates’ First Class lounge in their home airport (Dubai) to a BA First Class lounge in a different continent to the BA ‘home airport’. Having said that, I think it would definitely be true to say that the BA cabin levels aren’t quite the same standard as many of their Middle Eastern counterparts. It would be interesting to compare how the different airlines are funded as I wouldn’t be surprised if Emirates received some kind of ‘state support’ as a ‘representative’ of the region. Maybe they are just better than BA but it might be a slightly different story.

@reggie1289 11 ай бұрын

its not just the lounge. the BA first class inflight is not a scratch on emirates or even for that matter Etihad.. typical british hype on their own brands...

@charlieswift1299 11 ай бұрын

@@reggie1289 Thats all a bit naive is it not? LHR to DXB is about £3800 on BA for first class, £7000 on emirates a380. Obviously emirates is going to be better but you're paying a huge premium, it's hardly like the prices are the same to justify the comparison.

@charlieswift1299 11 ай бұрын

And its the exact same if you fly LHR to SIN. £6000 return for BA first, Singapore Airlines A380 £11,300 in their suite. Obviously SIN Airlines are the better choice but its almost double the price, BA first is a solid affordable first class option, it's not got a shower on it but its a very good product and better than flying Emirates or Singapore Business class (I use BA first as my regular flight to and from the states, have done emirates business and first on the a380 and have also done Singapore airlines a380 first suite).

@hennyvanveldhuizen5976 11 ай бұрын

They don’t pay for fuel in the Middle East……also work their staff very hard

@algita8 10 ай бұрын

Emirates has plenty of technical failures, so yes, bla bla this luxury, their 380s are almost crashing but yes, still they find ways to hide it. So I prefer BA with regulations, than fancy but technically bad plane.

@Toolmanrules15 Жыл бұрын

Great stuff Kym! Do you have a favorite airport?

@harryswain4452 Жыл бұрын

I thought it was a bad idea to check those bags through. Especially when she said they don’t usually do it. Great video

@KymIllman Жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@OliDeu Жыл бұрын

I'm passionate about Motorsport and an AvGeek. I love your trip reports, you can compete with the best ones on YT now !!!!

@KymIllman Жыл бұрын

When I’m finished with F1, perhaps I’ll take up plane spotting at exotic locations

@jameskim62 Жыл бұрын

LOVE YOUR VIDEO AND VIDEO OF CLOUDS !!!!!!!!! R U PLANNING TO GET EMBORIED POLO SHIRTS ???? I will purchase 3. Getting white bucket hat and T-Shirts. CHEERS.

@mstenvers Жыл бұрын

Especially in Germany and Austria (but probably most of Europe) never fill up at the Highways, Petrol will cost you between 30% and sometimes even 50% more, just go off the highway to fill up and prevent being scammed out of your money just because its convenient to stay on the highway...

@rogerbayzand4455 Жыл бұрын

Just watching the sprint shootout on TV here in OZ and keeping an eye out for you around the track.

@KymIllman Жыл бұрын

I was there

@rogerbayzand4455 Жыл бұрын

@@KymIllman I spotted you at the end of the Sprint race, you need a green and gold bucket hat. Looking forward to your report, cheers mate.

@jbentley75 Жыл бұрын

Really good report (thank you!) but including the F&B offering would have added to it, or at very least, sharing the menus. Personally I find BA First ok (nothing more, nothing less) - it's miles behind the likes of Singapore, Emirates, JAL etc. but a decent (but costly) option when flying to the States. It would be a tough choice between BA First and Singapore Business - the service levels would probably push me to favour Singapore.

@tiadaid Жыл бұрын

Interesting that you mentioned Qatar, given that they own a part of BA through their stake in IAG, BA's holding company.

@davidbalcon8726 Жыл бұрын

At T3 should have used the CX lounge…best OneWorld lounge with a first class section you could have used coming off F transAtlantic.

@0tispunkm3y3r Жыл бұрын

I've been on that aircraft layout from LAX to LHR... in business. I was disappointed when I got on and still had to turn right! lol I don't get to turn left very often! But yeah its got a few first seats and then a huge chunk of the middle is business! like 24 rows or something. I thought the business seat was very good. But actually the premium economy probably represents the best value experience.

@JordanHammond7 11 ай бұрын

93 Octane, business must be booming! 😂 Well done!

@simondelacanal4543 Жыл бұрын

Everytime I flew through USA I had to re-check my bags, even when it was a connection with the same airline

@PetriTemiseva Жыл бұрын

Yes, going in, because of Customs. But, never in the past 48 years when flying out.

@paulstannard3994 11 ай бұрын

Like it. That fellas watch was a corker

@o.c.g.m9426 Жыл бұрын

Last 3 trips with BA & now have gold status. They not as glossy or loud as middle eastern airlines. Staff is so sweet & very professional. They have everything. Id go with BS 1st class bc im not paying $17k for 12 mirrors & 2738 lights

@andreas1337able Жыл бұрын

hahah the Seinfeld music cracked me well to the ground :D hahaha

@MrNordpole Жыл бұрын

I was surprised first when you told me about your bags in JFK, because I saw you at the qualifying with your camera. But you became experienced I guess 😉

@KymIllman Жыл бұрын

Cameras always come with me

@steveegger7954 Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@KymIllman Жыл бұрын

No problem! Thanks

@tajammulrizvi9504 Жыл бұрын

First time I have been recommended your channel by KZfaq.

@KymIllman Жыл бұрын

Welcome to the channel!

@At_the_races 9 ай бұрын

We flew first class Miami Heathrow recently and the seating and cabin were appalling, however I must admit the Miami first class lounge was VERY impressive.

@den_525 Жыл бұрын

BA's first class is most top tier airlines business class... best... it's close. But I did it once on their first and never paying first class prices for business class product, especially there are some business class arguably better.

@ayecarambapoker Жыл бұрын

Is there a reason you didnt use the Concorde room in LHR? If you arrive in 1st and connect you should be allowed access

@lamegaming9835 Жыл бұрын

lovely comb

@kaywatkins2987 9 ай бұрын

Very entertaining as per usual … life lesson … we lost our luggage took 3 days to be returned.. now we pack all our personal papers spare set clothing ect just in case … haven’t lost it since lol 😂

@danieltreloar5246 Жыл бұрын

Should've gone at Heathrow terminal 3 to either the Cathay Pacific first of Qantas lounge

@lowflying 11 ай бұрын

I was pretty much all your content .. and subscribed on my multiple personal channels ;-) but i have a question .. when i vlog on an airplane .. the ambient noise is very high .. i primarily use a DJI wireless mic (really nice) .. what are you using to have such clear and low ambient back ground noise in your shots inside a flying aircraft ??

@michaeltaylor3473 Жыл бұрын

The guy with the green shirt and gold watch at 5 mins in, I was sat opposite him at breakfast in the T5 arrivals lounge last Thursday morning.

@KymIllman Жыл бұрын

He’s famous now

@Blawy96 4 ай бұрын

Lovely

@jgreysweater Жыл бұрын

there is a concert hall in Vienna, and a shoulder where the doves go to cry.

@AMPMhandle 10 ай бұрын

Kym, did you use the trampoline at your Spielberg hotel? More practical for you than that BA comb?

@brenoestrella7905 Жыл бұрын

I almost laugh my guts out with the "A COMB" and the Seinfeld bass slamming hahahhahahahahahaha

@ameerali.ouarda 11 ай бұрын

Funny thing is BA First is almost always cheaper than EK’s Business which is in a horrendous 2-3-2 configuration on that same plane. I’d take BA any day.

@velvetjones1856 Жыл бұрын

I always packed a days worth of clothes as insurance if my checked bag with all my clothes in it. Also I learned not to ever check any important things such as IDs, medicine and such.

@gbglobetrotter 11 ай бұрын

The ticketing issue with the bags is why I have an American Express card! I was at JFK flying to Almaty via Beijing and had two tickets, so they refused to let me even board the flight! I called Amex and they combined both flights over the phone onto one ticket and then the airline check the booking on their computer and allowed me to fly! This is why I love Amex - that and how they paid my hotel bill in Cuba releasing me from house arrest when the hotel refused to take a US bank card for payment!

@watson956 Жыл бұрын

5:16 "Lewis Hamilton, OF COURSE !" - 😂😂😂

@seanp7dc 9 ай бұрын

Your video says "Soho Lounge" but you were actually in the Chelsea Lounge, for First Class only. They have Krug, Dom at the moment - did you get some? Also, you should have gone straight to the CCR in LHR. Better food, drinks, service. It's a shame you missed out on this! Re: BA being the world's best "business class" - i know it's cute for people to say that and laugh at BA, but I would say QR J is the best biz, and BA F is somewhere in the middle. Their lounges are fantastic, seat/bedding great. Where they fall down is drink selection and service - if you get a bad crew it can be horrid. Thanks for posting!

@MrSeveSeve Жыл бұрын

Does anyone know what window mount Kym used to hold his phone with?

@idfisher 10 ай бұрын

@kym, that isnt the Soho Lounge, its the Chelsea Lounge for BA first customers only. Soho is Gold Card and non BA first class lounge

@KymIllman 10 ай бұрын

Noted

@RyanLackey 8 ай бұрын

You were in in the Chelsea lounge, not the Soho lounge as identified in the timeline.

@jarrac 11 ай бұрын

No mention of the stick out shelf that will dig you in the ribs if you turn or get up in the wrong way. Who designed and passed that off?

@joshroberts3271 Жыл бұрын

Was the price for just the BA flight or all the way for Nashville?

@magicwhite2166 Жыл бұрын

Counter intuitive but flying central US to LHR is more pleasant with the 8 hour flight time vs the 6 hour from east coast

@ukdavepianoman 9 ай бұрын

Very entertaining video! As a Brit I feel embarrassed at BA but the good news is they are now improving. I agree BA First Class is on par with the better business class products...the old BA business class was probably the worst (out of "first world countries") but the new configurations are a huge improvement. BA FAs are always top notch, the food has improved, lounges are a bit of a mix - T5 Galleries are like zoos, Concorde is excellent, I think the T3 lounge is supposed to be better. It's a bit poor that your booked First class seat was broken but thankfully they found a replacement. Hope the luggage turned up!

@KymIllman 9 ай бұрын

Two days late, yes

@davidgriffiths3713 8 ай бұрын

Don’t be embarrassed being a Brit, British airways is a brand name for the owners IAG which is a Spanish registered company. Bags not arriving on time is not BA fault but the baggage handlers fault at the American airport.

@scottwebster9596 8 ай бұрын

Just curious why Hannah (with and "H on the end") is a shock?! Surely that is how it is normally spelt.

@Hammertime054 11 ай бұрын

Done the BA triple 7 long haul, never again, i must have got the bad day from the staff, not for me, good luck to you though👍🏻👍🏻

@qkorea 9 ай бұрын

Very nice and informative video. Tx a lot. Just that your voice is muffled by airplane noise so maybe use better mic

@KymIllman 9 ай бұрын

I asked them to turn the engines off for some of it but they wouldn’t have it.

@hannesr133 Жыл бұрын

1€/litre is absolutely cheap, in Germany you’re paying like 1.80€/litre

@edwardhendry2179 Жыл бұрын

What fun. Baggage included.

@BJRoyalty 11 ай бұрын

Do they have a double cabin?

@KiwiJanner Жыл бұрын

British Airways - Never fails to disappoint.

@KymIllman Жыл бұрын

They’ve stolen my luggage the c^*+s

@Gutenmorgenside Жыл бұрын

@@KymIllman Bloody pom's ! 😊 They were the 'worlds greatest airline' 30 years ago. Should have re-checked your luggage.

@watson956 Жыл бұрын

I'm looking forward to the next episode of Kym's Travels to find out when and where you were reunited with your suitcase, Kym! 😎

@henrysteppel2031 Жыл бұрын

Lufthansa is getting there as well, disappointing and angry FA in First!

@luckylass5444 9 ай бұрын

Yep! We had a better experience on United from US to Heathrow.

@adamgibson9385 Жыл бұрын

guy just casually showing off the AP!

@fleetingflights Жыл бұрын

At least they were kind enough to tell you your seat wouldn’t recline, for the LHR-SIN leg my seat on the BA A380 First wouldn’t recline either. Apparently a £1000 credit after chasing for 2 weeks was what they believed it to be worth alongside a lengthy non-apology