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And to think I almost refused that trip to Johannesburg!
I had just returned from Europe and was home nursing a headache, when my boss called with the news that our team was going to South Africa next morning.
- “Oh, no!” – I said. “I can’t. Please send somebody else.”
Well, I am glad that after a long argument I finally gave in. In fact, my initial (European) jetlag helped me deal with the time difference in Johannesburg. But that’s beside the point. What is important is that my company was sending us Business Class and that I did not have to do a thing before departure (I had not unpacked from my previous trip yet).
And off we went the very next day. The very first thing that impressed me was the British Air’s business lounge. It was very stylish, had great food and drinks and an impressive selection of newspapers and magazines. It also had a good number of free computer terminals, which allowed me to catch up on my work without plugging in my laptop.
During a day-long transfer break, I also had a chance to have a refreshing shower and free (!) massage at the Business Lounge in London. The Ladies’ Lounge had clean and well-designed showers, good hairdryers and a decent selection of toiletries. That almost kept me from going sightseeing. That massage, however, will be difficult to obtain if you have a short interval in-between flights: an appointment was required, and there was at least an hour’s wait.
I was so tired on the New York-London stretch of the trip that I slept the whole way. I absolutely loved the fact that BA chairs unfold into really comfortable (and completely horizontal) beds, which made me feel cozy and safe. I also enjoyed the “early dinner” option, which allowed me to have my meal as soon as we took off and go to sleep without worrying about service. If you are flying Business, I also suggest you ask for the upstairs cabin, because the seats there are placed in pairs, separated by screens. That creates a great feeling of privacy. Every seat has an individual screen (pretty basic nowadays), with a decent movie and music selection. I didn’t try the games though.
I must have been still under the weather on the London-Johannesburg leg of the trip, because I only remember being babied, but cannot share any details about that flight. But on the way back, I remember it all. And it was wonderful!
Having come back to my senses during a week-long conference, I started that flight with a glass of champagne (BA has a very decent selection of wines) and spent several pleasant minutes choosing my dinner menu. I don’t remember the exact choices, but the food was not bad at all. They also give you little bags with sample-size creams and cosmetics.
This time, I sat in the main cabin, which offers less privacy. The screens were still there, but there were three or four seats in a row. On that particular stretch, that was not bad, however, because I found myself sitting next to a couple of French colleagues, who also happened to like champagne. So we folded the screens and spent the whole time toasting each other.
And here comes my favorite part: by the time we got to London, we had had so much champagne that I absolutely refused to take the glass they offered me upon boarding again in London. Seriously puzzled by such unusual behavior, the flight attendant suspected that I needed a better brand of champagne – which he immediately brought from the First Class kitchen. That was Dom Perignon, if I am not mistaken (I did receive a lecture on the exact maker and vintage – very impressive - but champagne does affect one’s memory, and I don’t remember).
Having tried the First Class champagne, I decided that I still did not want any and sent it back (as I said, it was a lot on the previous leg of the journey). The flight attendant was heartbroken and wanted to know what I would like instead. Just to get rid of him, I pointed to some white whine on the list. Next thing you know, the attendant brought me a whole gift-wrapped bottle (wow!! – I should have studied the wine list more attentively!!!), saying that I should try it when I felt like it. And I must say that I have never encountered service like that.
It was not just the wine, mind you. All my colleagues agreed that the level of service on British Air was absolutely unbelievable. Without being obtrusive, the flight attendants were there, whenever you needed them – and then some. I felt absolutely spoiled.
On the whole, I think it was BA that made my trip, and I am still grateful.
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