BA273 LHR-SAN 11 OCT 23 (CLUB WOR)
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The Prologue
Mrs Buns and I last took a trip on VS in May of this year and the return trip was so dire that we both seriously considered remaining with VS (total chaos with the crew in the cabin as I subsequently found out some Wizz in Crawley decided it was perfectly fine for new recruits to serve the Upper Class Cabin with little or no actual experience under experienced mentors – a decision which I understand has now been rescinded!!).
Anyways, due to a collection of Avios by Mrs Buns, as a consequence we had not only amassed sufficient Avios for a trip Stateside but also a lovely 2-4-1 voucher!! To fit in with plans to join some friends (former V Flyers BTW) on a trip to San Diego we planned utilising the new BA A350 Cabin, and fortuitously flying out of Terminal 3 whereby a proper “Lounge Crawl” could be undertaken.
Travel to Heathrow
In order to compare the services, I choose Addison Lee to take us to the Airport. One interesting snippet I discovered is they have recently re-secured the contract with Emirates and this no doubt was the rationale between being offered a pickup at either 6am and 9am as clearly the contract work is taking precedence over personal bookings. As a Lounge Crawl was one of our desired activities, we naturally opted by 6 am. As is to be expected with Addison Lee, the driver turned up early and we were at Heathrow Terminal 3 within 45 minutes– albeit outside the Main Terminal rather than a designated Upper Class Wing. First Round to VS then!
Check in was quick, straightforward and overall a rather pleasant experience – but then again it was 6 hours prior to our departure!! After completing the process we were directed to a specific escalator to take us up to the upper level adjacent to the Fast Track Security entrance. Quickly processed we found ourselves in the main Terminal Lounge area BEYOND the Duty Free Rat Run.
On balance, I would say BA have the edge here especially as you miss the long and winding road through the smelly offerings and booze temptations.
The Lounges
At the outset, I am going to say nothing compares with the Virgin Clubhouse in terms of service and range that is readily on offer. However, for the purposes of this essay, I will enlighten you of our experience.
Our first port of call was the BA Lounge, which is accessed down an unimpressive corridor. The Lounge itself was perfectly functional and had windows. There was a basic breakfast buffet on offer and coffee machines to compliment. Self Service Bars were available, but I have to say, pouring yourself a drink does makes it a little too obvious at 7am. My overall assessment is it is like a works cafeteria occupied by far too many status chasers.
We then moved on to the American AirlinesLounge. This is far worse than the BA offering with an almost hospital cafeteria ambience about it and there was far less than BA had to offer – our fairly swift assessment was – avoid at all costs.
Mrs Buns and I then retired to the Cathay Pacific Lounge – a haven of tranquility after the awful AA Lounge. Some comfy seats overlooking the apron, some delightful champagne and loos on par with the Clubhouse!!
So definitely a VS win here.
On Board
Well, thanks for keeping with me so far! Our Gate was at the far extremity of T3 at Gate 42, so we were grateful for the yomp. A one year old A350, it was a good opportunity to compare to the VS A350 we had returned in May onboard.
First impressions was the BA hard product is pleasing to the eye on boarding and more importantly, the fixtures and fittings are “industrial grade” showing relatively little signs of wear in comparison to the VS A350. The seat was far more comfortable and the provision of a full door gives you a much better feeling of seclusion. And this got a big thumbs up from both Mrs Buns and myself. Our recollection of the VS hard product back in May was the seat looked worn, the surrounds knocked about and little or no storage.
BA win hands down here
Champagne offered upon boarding as well as refills before take off! Indeed, the service throughout the flight was exceptional with the CC looking after us more akin to some of the best VS CC we have encountered over the years. This exceeded the expectation of having haughty CC (think the David Walliams character) and we could not have asked for a more pleasurable encounter.
When it came to the food, BA just knocks VS out of the park. The choices on offer were varied, all were substantial portions and the food itself wholesome. I started with the pea soup, then Braised Welsh leg of lamb and finishing with the cheese. Any fears of missing out on choices as we were sat at the back of the cabin were quickly allayed by the CC who assured us there was plenty of every choice when we ordered.
A vast range of both film/TV and audio on the IFE kept us both entertained throughout the long flight and I used the Wi-Fi, which I found very useful to give our friends a running commentary of our progress. When it came to the second meal (or “Light Meal” as BA described it) the massive Chicken and vegetable pie was entirely wonderful and for the very first time of flying the Atlantic, Mrs Buns and I did not feel the need to eat in the hotel on our first night.
Conclusion
Overall, an excellent flight on an aircraft that is far superior to the VS offering and with on board service that was up there with what we had, until recently, come to expect on VS. If we could obtain the same sort of offer in the future, we would jump at the chance.
We are shortly about to undertake a trip to MCO on VS and as the thread on the new Upper Class menu seems to suggest, there is not much to look forward to the somewhat over-seasoned offerings - which always indicate the caterer is trying to mask something – as opposed to the good, wholesome fayre we enjoyed on this flight.
Thank You for taking the trouble to read this long TR and hope you enjoy the snaps I took!!
Buns