On the Ground: I was traveling with my wife and daughter and we were looking forward to flying British Airways, a carrier I’ve respected throughout my career in luxury and business travel. I checked in online the night before and had the boarding passes printed by the Jumeirah Carlton Tower front desk. Unfortunately we were dropped off on the wrong side of Heathrow Terminal 5, which added a long walk and extra luggage handling. Check-in and security moved quickly, and I was eager to spend some time in the British Airways Galleries Lounge South. The lounge, however, was overcrowded and we struggled to find three seats together. It was untidy, with cups and dishes left around and debris on the floor—likely a result of limited staff and careless passengers. A highlight: actor Aaron Paul from Breaking Bad was in the lounge and kindly agreed to a photo with my daughter, which was a pleasant surprise.
Pre-Flight: We took our time walking to the gate and were surprised to find boarding already underway. I guided my family to the business-class boarding line. As we entered, a main ticket agent had directed some economy passengers ahead of us; when the BA boarding agent questioned that, I explained the agent had waved them through. With a quick exchange we all boarded without incident. Stowing carry-ons and settling in took a few minutes, after which flight attendants handed out newspapers and served Champagne.
In-Flight: The business-class seating felt awkward and a bit cramped. I was in a forward-facing aisle seat while the passenger to my left faced directly toward me, creating an uncomfortable proximity that made privacy difficult. Some passengers in middle seats had to navigate around sleeping travelers to use the lavatory. Meal quality was underwhelming and service inconsistent. My Scotch arrived in a small bottle more typical of domestic first class, though the Merlot was enjoyable.
On the overnight New York–London run, we intentionally ate in the lounge and planned to sleep on the plane. The Galleries Lounge dining is worth using; the onboard late-night offerings are limited. Newark lounge service was excellent—a generous buffet and good wine—and the made-to-order risotto was outstanding. By contrast, the in-flight meal I ordered to compare was a disappointing chicken salad.
The Experience: Overall the flight fell short of the standard I remember from earlier British Airways travel. Competing carriers have raised their level of service, and this trip suggested BA has not fully kept pace in some areas. The stacked seating layout, the messy lounge, and a sense that premium passengers were treated no differently than others lessened the experience. Still, credit is due to the lounge chef for a memorable risotto, and to Aaron Paul for adding a bright moment to our journey.
GT CHECKLIST
[checklist]
[item check=yes]Less than 10 minutes for check-in[/item]
[item check=yes]Friendly and helpful agents[/item]
[item check=yes]Priority tagged baggage[/item]
[item check=yes]Airport lounge[/item]
[item check=yes]Complimentary in-lounge food[/item]
[item check=yes]Priority boarding[/item]
[item check=yes]Helpful and courteous flight attendants[/item]
[item check=yes]Pre-flight beverage service[/item]
[item check=yes]Pre-flight newspapers and magazines[/item]
[item check=yes]Extensive on-demand entertainment[/item]
[item check=yes]Amenity kits[/item]
[item]Slippers[/item]
[item check=yes]Lie-flat seat/bed[/item]
[item check=yes]Turn-down service[/item]
[item check=yes]In-flight menu with three entrée choices[/item]
[item check=yes]Top-shelf wines and liquors[/item]
[/checklist]