On the Ground: I arrived at Newark Liberty Airport and was second in the Club World line to check in. The agent placed an express security sticker on my boarding pass and directed me to the British Airways lounge on the second floor, making the process quick and straightforward.
Pre-Flight: The British Airways Galleries Lounge provided a welcome contrast to the busy terminal. The lounge felt elegant and calm, with a variety of comfortable seating and plentiful power outlets conveniently located at many seats. My flight was scheduled for 9:20 p.m., and I arrived just as the evening meal service was beginning. A separate dining area offered a buffet that included an Asian station with noodle and rice dishes, but I chose a light snack of hummus and crudités to save room for the onboard meal. Staff in the lounge kept passengers informed about the flight status, and when boarding began the gate was only a short walk away.
In-Flight: This flight was particularly memorable because it was my first time aboard a Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Boarding revealed an interesting seat configuration: my window seat in the front row faced backward. This layout provides aisle access for each passenger while still offering a window view. I noticed a drawer at the base of the seat, ideal for storing a laptop, e-reader and phone, and the overhead bins were large enough for my carry-on. The cabin crew welcomed me with a glass of Champagne and an amenity kit containing Elemis products.
We were soon underway. Takeoff felt different while seated facing the rear; the initial sensation of being pulled forward took some getting used to, but once airborne I enjoyed a longer view of the ground fade away. Shortly after takeoff, an attendant took dinner orders. British Airways’ “Well-Being in the Air” menu offers healthier choices, and I selected herb-roasted salmon served with baby spinach and goat cheese. For dessert I had ricotta cheesecake and paired it with a Kir Royale. I browsed the in-flight entertainment selection but soon felt sleepy, so I reclined the seat to a fully flat position and slept comfortably.
The Experience: A clear sign of an excellent flight is when time seems too short, and that was true here. After about six hours, the Dreamliner’s soft LED mood lighting signaled the approach to arrival and gradually roused passengers. I wasn’t quite ready for the journey to end, which says a lot about the comfort and service throughout the trip.
GT CHECKLIST
• Less than 10 minutes for check-in
• Friendly and helpful agents
• Priority tagged bags
• Airport lounge access
• Complimentary in-lounge food
• Priority boarding
• Helpful and courteous flight attendants
• Pre-flight beverage service
• Pre-flight newspapers and magazines
• Extensive on-demand entertainment
• Amenity kits provided
• Slippers (not provided on this flight)
• Lie-flat seat/bed
• Turn-down service (not available)
• In-flight menu with three entrée choices (varies by route)
• Top-shelf wines and liquors