British Airways upgrades First

Includes new bedding, amenities and menus

I will always remember the first time I flew First with British Airways.

I was in 4A on a long daylight flight from Seoul to Heathrow on a 747-400. I particularly enjoyed a long after lunch nap in a seat/bed that stretched forever, under a great quilt. Later on, a pot of tea with a plate of biscuits was just perfect.

It looks like passengers on British Airways First are about to have an even better flight than I did.

British Airways is set to deliver significant changes to the onboard product and service in its First cabin.

The new look and feel will include new bedding, amenities and menus.

Passengers in First will be offered super-soft, sophisticated new male and female loungewear designed exclusively by luxury British fashion brand, Temperley London.

The loungewear will be coupled with bespoke British Airways amenity bags, featuring Temperley’s “Star” design. The bags will be filled with products from No 1 British Skincare brand, ELEMIS, including products from the highly sought after ULTRA SMART PRO-COLLAGEN range. The amenity kit contains the essentials to cleanse, revive and hydrate.

British Airways First loungewear

The airline’s chefs have also designed new delicious A La Carte menus that focus on fresh seasonal ingredients of British provenance. The new menus will be served on elegant bone china crockery, designed exclusively for the airline by high-end British tableware designer William Edwards. The new tableware will be accompanied by contemporary cutlery from Studio William.

The airline will also be introducing a new signature afternoon tea service, showcasing the great British tradition of high tea. The menu will include a selection of sandwiches, delicate pastries and scones, as well as a wide range of tea infusions.

British Airways First afternoon tea

As part of the changes, British Airways is also investing in new Dartington glassware. Passengers will now be able to enjoy the airline’s fine wines and champagnes from sophisticated stemware, while soft drinks and spirits will be served from elegant cut-glass tumblers.

Carolina Martinoli, British Airways’ Director of Brand and Customer Experience:

“As part of our £6.5bn investment for customers, we’re changing parts of the travel experience in our First cabin. Our teams of designers, chefs and customer service experts have carefully thought through the details we know matter most to our customers.

“In this, our centenary year, we’ve sought out some of the best British designers and manufacturers to work with to ensure travelling in First with British Airways is an unforgettable experience.”

Passengers in First will benefit from an improved turndown service for the perfect night’s sleep, thanks to new luxurious 400 thread count bedding, accompanied by a foam fibre mattress topper. They will also receive a stylish new day blanket and bolster cushion.

The rollout of the airline’s new First products will start on March 31 and will be complete by April 7

And those wishing to relax and enjoy the 1,000 hours of programmes available on the in-flight entertainment channels, can do so through high performance headphones crafted by Meridian, the British Pioneers of High Resolution audio.

British Airways’ First passengers continue to have access to the airline’s exclusive First Wing at Heathrow Terminal 5. Re-designed and unveiled in 2017, the First Wing provides customers with a private check-in area leading through to dedicated security lanes, which grant customers direct access to British Airways’ prestigious First Lounge.

2019 is British Airways’ Centenary year. The airline is investing £6.5 billion for customers over five years, including new aircraft, new cabins, new catering, new lounges, WiFi, and new routes.

N.B. Images: British Airways

Internet links

British Airways (BA)

British Airways First