To London for Lunch

British Airways First Class from LAX to London

British Airways First Class used to be on my "no fly” list, but a lot has changed since BA First was dubbed “the world’s 2nd best Business Class”. After a pleasant LAX-LHR flight last year, I was looking forward to today’s 10+ hour 777 flight to London.  Exceptional champagnes (once in the air) with mostly excellent food and service from a lovely cabin crew and a comfortable ride in BA’s new-ish 777 suites with doors.  Other than the cattle rustling LHR arrival, a better experience than the current version of Lufthansa First.

Not exactly a good start as there was only 1 jetbridge for the entire plane.

Relic signs from another era.

Once on board, all is well.   The lovely BA First cabin.

Nice predeparture plate of nibbles, sadly with cheap no name champagne delivered from the galley without the bottle.  

Time to look at today's menu...

And wine list.  Lovely champagnes and sparkling wines...

WIth the exception of the not on the wine list Boisset Marsannay, the rest of the wines were mediocre...

After take-off, love the blue window shades.

My champagne taste test... Lanson NOBLE vs. the British entry Gusbourne 51°

And the surprising winner!

Showtime BA First style.

Sadly with a gross and inedible amuse-bouche... buffalo mozzarella, figs, tomato, truffle honey, without the truffle honey.

My starters were much better.  King crab and asparagus spring roll was delicious.

Pea miso soup was very good.

Not on the wine list but the Boisset Marsannay was very pleasant...

... especially with my traveling Zaltos.

For my main, the Charcoal grilled corn fed chicken was fabulous, with marinated sushi rice, pickled ginger and seaweed salad, wok vegetables and teriyaki sauce.

After dinner, straight to bed for nearly 5 hours of great sleep.

Almost there.

Welcome to London.

And yes, the usual non-existent BA First Class arrival service. 

On the other hand, ePassport gates were empty and I was out in just a few minutes.   Then upstairs to the BA Arrivals Lounge.

For a much needed shower.

Then to the Concorde Room, reserved for arriving First Class passengers.

With some lovely champagne.

Why not?

Checking out the menu.  Just for the photo op since lunch is a little over an hour away.

Eurostar Business Premium to Brussels

Eurostar high speed trains are a great way to travel between London and Paris or Brussels. London St. Pancras International station is easy to use especially for Eurostar Premier travelers, with dedicated check-in, security and passport control. The Eurostar Premier Lounge is a pleasant way to pass the time prior to boarding, which starts out a little chaotic. Once on board, very peaceful especially since there were few passengers in my car today. Excellent service from a pleasant crew. The Eurostar Premier fare includes complimentary beverages and a multi-course meal, although I was so stuffed from lunch that I didn’t eat or even accept a meal for the photo op.

Uber to St. Pancras...

Private Eurostar Premier check-in.

And the pleasant Eurostar Premier Lounge.

Nice bar but not sure why "we're not serving right now" at 2pm on a Friday.

At T-25, I headed downstairs to join the masses to board my train to Brussels.

All the way to the front of the train where it is much calmer.

And Business Premier car 16 with only a handful of passengers today.

The meal looked good but I settled for water and some nibbles.

Two hours after departure, we're approaching Brussels.

Welcome to Brussels.

Waiting for my airport train...

Et voila.

For just 1€ more, a private 1st class car for the 20 minute ride.

On the way to the airport.

Emirates First Class to Dubai

I chose Brussels for my gateway home this time because Emirates features the wonderful Game Changer, and Seattle because there was award availability. Sadly, Emirates swapped out my Game Changer for old First 77W. But old First is still a great product. On board, amazing as always even in old First. Wonderful service, great food and fabulous wines making Emirates First Class an absolute joy to fly.

Not the Game Changer, but old First is still darn good.

Why not/

Tonight's menu...

And highlights of the wine list...

Love the cabin lights in fiight.

Burgundy taste test.

Showtime Emirates First style.

Roasted hearts of palm with tumeric starter.

Cream of white asparagus soup.

Yummy Chicken Biryani.

And wonderful cheese plate.

Bedtime across the aisle.

Beautiful morning on approach to Dubai.

My personal First Class escort meeting me on arrival, and escorting me to security and the lounge.

Emirates First Class Dubai to Seattle

After three hours in the A First Class Lounge, I’m back in the B concourse for my 14+ hour Emirates First Class flight to Seattle. 

Not exactly premium gate check-in...

My home for the next 15 hours...

Lots of great plane spotting on the morning departure rush...

I went to sleep right after take-off and managed to get nearly 5 hours of sleep, before lunch. As always, wonderful service, great food and fabulous wines making Emirates First Class an absolute joy to fly.

Cool due north routing over the north pole.

Wowza!

Let's check out the menu...

So much for truth in advertising, sadly she was not on the flight.  lol

Fabulous wine highlights...

Showtime Emirates First Class style.

Extraordinary Corton.

Even better in my traveling Zaltos.

Amuse-bouche.

Heirloom tomato salad.

Oh yeah.

Yummy Sweetcorn chowder.

Next up was the incredible 2004 Mouton Rothschild.

Line em up.  lol

Amazing Tandoori Lobster.

Working my way thru the wine list.  The 2022 Don Melchor was outstanding.

After a few more episodes of Landman, back across the aisle for another 3 hours of sleep.

Sadly, we begin our descent to Seattle.

Mt. Rainier.

Winding our way around the S Gates.

What a wonderful 26 hours of Emirates First.