Destination - Orlando, Florida. This holiday was booked 10 days before we were due to fly, a very spontaneous thing for the Mack's to do! BA was not our original choice of airline but seeing as though time was of the essence, we went ahead with it anyway. I've flown with them a fair few times and had no probs with them and this time it was no different.
Flight time was 9 hours 10 minutes. We took off 25 minutes late but that's the norm these days. Travel date was 24 May (I've only just returned so excuse the jet lag).
I had a window seat, not my favourite position because I'm a toilet person and am always up and down! Plus of course it's good to exercise on long haul flights because of the DVT threat. On the seat was the "free" gift pack consisting of fetching navy socks made of the thinnest ever material, a toothbrush and paste and pretty navy eyeshades to match the socks. What a fashion trend setter you would be in those! Also on the seat is the yucky blanket that always has marks on to show that even though it's in a plastic bag, you are NOT the first person to have ever touched it! And the obligatory ear phones for your entertainment.
The aircraft was a Boeing 777. Seating consisted of (from left to right) 3 seats, 4 seats, 3 seats.
Here's some useless facts about our aircraft, for anyone who actually understands them!
Capacity - up to 383 passengers
Range - 7,257 miles (11,676 km)
Engines - Two GE90 series B or Rolls-Royce Trent 895
Cruising - 554 mph (891 kph/Mach 0.83)
Speed - 35,000 ft (10,668 m)
Length - 209 ft (63.7 m)
Wing span - 199 ft 2 in (60.7 m)
Seat pitch - First flat bed 78 in, ClubWorld cradle seat 50 in; Club Europe 34 in; World Traveller 31 in, Euro Traveller 31 in.
The seat pocket had to be inspected after about 5 minutes in the air. Hmm boredom for the next 9 hours methinks. In there is the Shopping the World magazine (duty free prices), a safety on board leaflet, High Life magazine with details of healthy travelling, exercises, details of movies and radio for the month of May. Also a leaflet with instructions regarding visa waivers/customs and immigration and of course our favourite, the old sick bag!
I'll give you a few examples of Duty Free prices for the bargain hunters amongst you. Cigarettes were all approximately £17 for 200, some of the perfumes featured were Armani Sensi, Chanel No 5 and J Lo, make up was Benefit (woo), Origins, Lancome (Trio of Juicy Tubes was £23) and YSL Touche Eclat. Booze - Gordons Gin 1 litre for £9, Famous Grouse whisky £10. Jewellery featured DKNY and Armani watches and an Aeon heavy link silver necklace with interlocking hearts clasp was £50. Oh and a pocket FM radio is only £10 with any other purchase (normally £14.99).
I was still bored after looking through the magazine, nothing really caught my eye and as I was trapped into my teeny seat I thought I would have a look at my own private screen and view the entertainment. Good choice of films - Chicago, Gangs of New York, Daredevil, Maid in Manhattan, Catch me if you can, The Matrix, Comedy Channel, Friends, The Simpsons, Will and Grace, Fast Show, Discovery Channel, Sport, Family Movie (The Wild Thornberrys movie) and Cartoon Network. 12 channels available in all cabins on selected flights. Lovely. Time to watch a couple and then get rudely interrupted watching the 3rd while they collect your headsets. So you never find out what happens at the end. Until you rent the dvd. Hmph - thanks!
Also a radio selection, didn't go for that though, too busy watching the films. Lots of choice - classical, well being, album choice, pop, opera, classic albums (Led Zeppelin, U2), Jazz, High Life (interview with Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep), Business Life, The Essential Review and Gilles Peterson (who?!) worldwide. Something for everyone methinks.
As we cruised to 36,000 feet (that's 10,972 m apparently) I looked around. Staff were most friendly and helpful. A few people were ringing their call buttons and getting attended to quickly. Drinks were being served with the tiny packet of sour puss salt and vinegar pretzels. So now - onto the food.
Lunch was salmon salad, croutons and a caesar dressing. Hot lunch (there was a choice of 2 but hobson's choice by the time it got to us) was stewed beef, carrots, green beans and roast potatoes. The alternative was chicken. Pudding was 3 profiteroles with chocolate mousse and chocolate sauce. Also served was a foccacia roll with Country Life butter and a Kit Kat, tea and coffee for those that wanted it, oh and wine with your meal.
Afternoon tea was an egg and cress roll, cheese and pickle and chicken sandwiches (in separate sarnies, obviously!) and a chocolate pecan brownie. Drinks were served with tea/coffee or juice. I thought the food was OK, the beef could've been better but it was tender and did fall apart easily. Unfortunately, so did the roast potatoes as they were soaked in the gravy! However I've said it once and I'll say it again, Mack is very easy to please food wise. Not fussy at all so any food is better than nothing, correct?
Overall impression of BA was good. Toilets were fine, the usual pigmy size. Paper cups were in there if anyone wanted to help themselves to water, although the staff did come around with a tray of drinks fairly often with a choice of water or orange juice. Sleep wasn't really an issue although we had got up early I never sleep easily on a plane. Leg room wasn't great but then I'm tall and a smaller person probably would've found it more bearable.
One final point in this extremely long op - there's a piece in the magazine regarding zero tolerance on disruptive behaviour that was worth a read. Mike Street, BA director of customer service and operations writes "British Airways' primary concern is for the safety and security of its customers, crew and staff". It then goes on to say that anyone displaying air rage will be dealt with by fully trained staff. "The protection of all who travel on British Airways flights is our priority". This is good to know.
The time actually passed very quickly. As long as the Mack has her food and tv in front of her, she's fairly happy! There is a video shown at the beginning of the flight about how to stay healthy on board, with some leg exercises to do to prevent DVT. If you can do them with the hand luggage at your feet, then you fared better than me. The best thing to do is have a stretch when you're in the toilet as that's just about the only place you can go where you're in nobody's way!
I think British Airways is a fine way to travel. Plus it's part of the Frequent Flyer group so you can grab some points towards another trip. Go for it!
More details
Class flown most frequently
Economy
How often do you travel with this airline
Rarely
Where did you book
Online Travel Agent
Safety
Very safe
How well does it cater for disabled people
Don't know
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