British Airways A350-1K Business Class LHR-YYZ
These trip report is pre-covid. Services may have changed.
British Airways A350-1K
In late 2019 I booked 4 trips on A350s to/from Europe to see which I liked best. The first was Air France’s A350-9 from Toronto to Paris. This trip was a return back to North American which happened to be Toronto as well on British Airway’s A350-1k.
Leaving from London Heathrow Terminal 5 B gates offered a view of todays WBC A350 and the classic, now retired, BOAC livery on a B747.
This aircraft featured the new Collins Super Diamond business class seat with doors that British Airways has finally replaced from their 2006 “Next Generation” business class seat which had become anything but. They pack 44 of these in the spacious front cabin and another 12 in the mini cabin aft of door 2.
I had assigned myself 1K paying the ridiculous seat fee British Airways charges for Business Class customers.
Window shades were not the automatic kind, but the old fashioined pull down type.
An airline can not be wrong selecting this Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seat. They are at the very top of comfortable, roomy business class pods.
Plenty of storage and places to put things along with wide armrests.
Service trays on the Super Diamond are large. They are stored under the monitor and have 2 levels. This one was still wet from being cleaned, I suppose that is a good thing.
Of course the fad now is a door on business class seats. I guess they help, at least on overnight flights when sleeping. A daytime flight they aren’t necessary IMO. I really don’t see how they offer much privacy.
The IFE system was excellent as well, although they did not get the onboard cameras.
Even though this was a daytime flight it came with a bevy of comfy sleeping materials from White and Co.
Let’s see what the caterer has to offer. I’ve heard it’s hit and miss on BA flights. I’ve always hit.
I started off with a Fizzyberry mocktail as this was going to be a dry run for me today. This was followed by the Creamy burrata appetizer.
Lunch was the Corn Fed Chicken, and was tasty if you ignored the presentation.
A self serve area was set up between the lavatories and the business cabin. I’ve never understood these.
Afternoon Tea
The other hit or miss on BA flights are the Flight Attendants. I’ve had some misses on these, but not today. The young woman attending the cabin was very nice, maybe not the best I’ve exerienced, but she seemed to enjoy her job and I only had to ring the call button occassionally!
This was a very enjoyable flight. So far this A350 test is the winner. But there are 2 more to go, VS and SAS. Who will come out on top?
