London LHR to Los Angeles LAX
British Airways BA269
B787
4:15pm-7:20pm
September 19, 2020
Seats 1K and 2K
After the train ride, the elevator and the long trek to B42, the furthest possible gate location in the B concourse, we were boarded. Gate agent was a comedian saying 'just head down the esclator and from there, it's only a mile or so walk ". LOL. And not that far wrong.
On board, nice enough... if one is flying Business Class. Not very First Class though.
Unlike our excellent and personable CSM/FA Lewis on SPU-LHR, our two cabin crew members today were disintereste and just going thru the motions. No personality, warmth or interest. Passed out PJs...
... and amenity kit...
... which actually had more usable items than LH.
But that's where it ended. Our Predeparture Beverage, handed out with no offer of anything else. LOL.
A far cry from real First Class and last week's Lufthansa First COVID service on LAX-FRA.
Lufthansa First Class pre-departure beverage set-up.
... and service.
And away we go.
Once in the air, world famous BA COVID First Class begins. LOL. I asked for a Gin & Tonic and got a Gin & Light Tonic, because they are just the same anyway right? And it was poured in the galley, apparently against BA COVID service protocol.
Just like Lufthansa First. LOL.
At this point, I went to my DIY kit and at least tried to make BA look at least Premium Economy.
More of the same on round two although our FA make sure to bring a proper G&T. And also, a bottle of BA First cheap Class champagne with lovely BA flute, again poured in the galley.
Showtime, BA First COVID style. So far, so good.
The BA First Class Meal Box...
Uh-huh. Nicely packaged though. LOL.
And of course, just like Lufthansa First Class COVID meal service. Amazing that German cabin crews are immune to COVID while preparing and serving meals.
Back to reality and BA, I brought out my DIY kit to at least make it a little more attractive and palatable.
The salad was fresh and tasty.
And the tuna tartare was quite good.
For the hot main, we had a choice of chicken curry or pasta, staples of pre-COVID BA Economy or Premium Economy meal service.
Looked better on my DIY plates. I like curry so it was fine especially with another round of Gin & Real Tonic. Just not very First Class.
Meanwhile over in proper First Class on a real airline...
Germans can also pour real wine at your seat without contracting COVID. OMG.
And a surprising cheese and dessert trio.
My second Do&Co mousse of the day... with another G&T.
Alas, our Gordon Ramsay Buffalo Fried Chicken sandwich which wound up being the culinary highlight of the flight.
Before going to sleep, I made the rounds of the other cabins. Maybe 12 pax in Business, 10 in Premium Economy and another 15 or so in Economy, where seemingly everyone gets lie flat seating today. LOL.
One of our FAs made our beds and we pretty much slept the rest of the flight.
Good or bad, BA made sense for us today as was the only same day combo back to LAX that didn't involve a 4am wake up call. Even pre-Covid, BA ranks near the bottom of international First Class ranking. BA's First Class COVID service is pathetic. The BA cut backs have nothing to do with COVID health rules. If they did, then I wouldn't have seen properly plated hot meals being prepped in the galley for cabin staff. It is nothing more than BA cutting costs under the guise of COVID.
Downstairs, LAX's massive CBP facility was deserted. We were the only arrival at that time. Needless to say, we were outside in just a few minutes. And back home in The OC an hour later. What a wonderful trip with lots of memories of beautiful Croatia. Thanks for following along.
