Is British Airways First Class the World's Best Business Class?

[@Gutenmorgenside]

The comb did it for me.

[@gstevens6948]

😂😂😂😂

[@callummjones]

That’s not how you clear immigration, that’s just BA using a new way to verify your ticket. USA doesn’t require you to exit via customs/immigration.

[@chron123]

Talking about lack of sleep due to short flight time: couple years back there's this BA flight that encountered a REALLY power jetstream that cut the flight time from LHR-JFK down to a whopping 4 hrs and 56 mins, that's a proper redeye

[@rolandfromearth]

I work for an EU airline and about the baggage - with separate tickets indeed it is tricky to do it and arrange it, but possible. But in the end, bag can always be lost, regardless. Or they just told you that they did it, but actually the bag was on the belt at JFK waiting for you.😀

[@MattNav]

Great video as always Kym, always love a visit to Heathrow Terminal 3 as it contains the delightful Cathay Pacific and Qantas lounges. Can't get enough of that delicious dim sum, dan dan noodles at Cathay and the Qantas lounge has a great bar and views too

[@devarona18]

BA lost my bags one time when I traveled to London. It took them a whole week to get my luggage to me. Good luck with that sir.

[@KymIllman]

They are trying my patience. Have to get the cops involved.

[@jameskiehm546]

Kym, I traveled the world for work. International flights I could travel business but often bumped to 1st because of status. While all those perks are necessary for someone that travels like you, that travel is grueling. Best of luck and safe travels.

[@LWT633]

hey Kym! just want to say its hugely admirable to see you do your vlog and see it growing too.. so cool

[@KymIllman]

Thank you so much!!

[@missVmilne]

So insightful through all your experiences - loved this video - thank you for sharing ! So sorry you were given poor advice regarding the bag transfer in US, the checkin trainee WAS correct. I travel often through the US from Europe and have to do the connections myself but the bags do get on the correct plane. Stay positive. Hello from London : - )

[@simonhogan2379]

I think it’s a little unfair to compare Emirates’ First Class lounge in their home airport (Dubai) to a BA First Class lounge in a different continent to the BA ‘home airport’. Having said that, I think it would definitely be true to say that the BA cabin levels aren’t quite the same standard as many of their Middle Eastern counterparts. It would be interesting to compare how the different airlines are funded as I wouldn’t be surprised if Emirates received some kind of ‘state support’ as a ‘representative’ of the region. Maybe they are just better than BA but it might be a slightly different story.

[@reggie1289]

its not just the lounge. the BA first class inflight is not a scratch on emirates or even for that matter Etihad.. typical british hype on their own brands...

[@charlieswift1299]

​@@reggie1289 Thats all a bit naive is it not? LHR to DXB is about £3800 on BA for first class, £7000 on emirates a380. Obviously emirates is going to be better but you're paying a huge premium, it's hardly like the prices are the same to justify the comparison.

[@charlieswift1299]

And its the exact same if you fly LHR to SIN. £6000 return for BA first, Singapore Airlines A380 £11,300 in their suite. Obviously SIN Airlines are the better choice but its almost double the price, BA first is a solid affordable first class option, it's not got a shower on it but its a very good product and better than flying Emirates or Singapore Business class (I use BA first as my regular flight to and from the states, have done emirates business and first on the a380 and have also done Singapore airlines a380 first suite).

[@hennyvanveldhuizen5976]

They don’t pay for fuel in the Middle East……also work their staff very hard

[@algita8]

Emirates has plenty of technical failures, so yes, bla bla this luxury, their 380s are almost crashing but yes, still they find ways to hide it. So I prefer BA with regulations, than fancy but technically bad plane.

[@tiadaid]

Interesting that you mentioned Qatar, given that they own a part of BA through their stake in IAG, BA's holding company.

[@Perfectlyhonest22]

You had better luck than I did re: change of seat in first class. Flew from LHR to YYZ in a broken business seat with no recline and no other option from BA

[@JP_Stone]

Good travels and fair weather Kym. Hope to catch you live soon

[@KymIllman]

I hope so too!

[@bethhigginson7216]

The comb moment sent me!

[@FlyandStay-524]

Great review and very nice!

[@KymIllman]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@vacation13]

Clear and concise report Kym...Wife and I are going from JFK to LHR in Sept. As a matter of fact she has seat 1F First Class. Did they tell you what the problem was with the seat? We're traveling from Charlotte to NY via Delta. I would assume it would be better to collect and re-check at JFK. We're both in our 70's and were hoping to avoid schlepping luggage around. Again, thanks for the Video.

[@den_525]

BA's first class is most top tier airlines business class... best... it's close. But I did it once on their first and never paying first class prices for business class product, especially there are some business class arguably better.

[@bertimunro]

Seeing that you mentioned DO&CO, Gottfried that started DO&CO was good friends with the late Niki Lauda and he got the break into airline catering through Niki with “Fly Niki” the airline! 😊 There is the F1 connection!

[@adventuresintandem]

Awesome Video! thank you -ceeg

[@KymIllman]

My pleasure!

[@POLONDO]

thank you. I love the video.

[@KymIllman]

Thank you too!

[@paulstannard3994]

Like it. That fellas watch was a corker

[@scottwebster9596]

Just curious why Hannah (with and "H on the end") is a shock?! Surely that is how it is normally spelt.

[@n1msu]

A pleasure to watch as always, interesting (to me at least) that I didn't know prior to watching this video, BA actually also carries out domestic US flights which seems a bit odd but I guess they're used to transfer passengers from smaller airports to the hubs.

[@Markus22MUC]

Maybe a tip for your next journey on BA/AA intercont first class. Book the ticket originating from Europe(Budapest would be ideal). I got a deal for about 2.5k Euros for Budapest-Las Vegas/Honolulu-Budapest in First. You can use the return flight for a whole year, so it should work out for your next trip to europe as well. Just have to book it 1-3 months in advance i believe.

[@tonytony3895]

Your presentation is highly interesting to watch. Thank you very much and take care. 😊

[@KymIllman]

So nice of you

[@the_rocksf1148]

You’ve taken probably over a thousand flights but does the turbulence ever scare you? Another beautifully presented vlog, thanks for sharing ❤

[@KymIllman]

There’s only a couple of times, I remember that turbulence has been an issue, and even then it was just discomfort rather than Terror

[@At_the_races]

We flew first class Miami Heathrow recently and the seating and cabin were appalling, however I must admit the Miami first class lounge was VERY impressive.

[@CookingNewJersey]

Love your video graphics!

[@KymIllman]

Glad you like them!

[@rogerbayzand4455]

Just watching the sprint shootout on TV here in OZ and keeping an eye out for you around the track.

[@KymIllman]

I was there

[@rogerbayzand4455]

@@KymIllman I spotted you at the end of the Sprint race, you need a green and gold bucket hat. Looking forward to your report, cheers mate.

[@KiwiJanner]

British Airways - Never fails to disappoint.

[@KymIllman]

They’ve stolen my luggage the c^*+s

[@Gutenmorgenside]

@@KymIllman Bloody pom's ! 😊 They were the 'worlds greatest airline' 30 years ago. Should have re-checked your luggage.

[@watson956]

I'm looking forward to the next episode of Kym's Travels to find out when and where you were reunited with your suitcase, Kym! 😎

[@henrysteppel2031]

Lufthansa is getting there as well, disappointing and angry FA in First!

[@luckylass5444]

Yep! We had a better experience on United from US to Heathrow.

[@xRicCi]

Great video as always!

[@harryswain4452]

I thought it was a bad idea to check those bags through. Especially when she said they don’t usually do it. Great video

[@KymIllman]

Thanks for watching!

[@ameerali.ouarda]

Funny thing is BA First is almost always cheaper than EK’s Business which is in a horrendous 2-3-2 configuration on that same plane. I’d take BA any day.

[@adbe52]

I have a good experience with British Airways from Bangkok to Australia..

[@AMPMhandle]

Kym, did you use the trampoline at your Spielberg hotel? More practical for you than that BA comb?

[@andrewhamilton6677]

No-one who has ever flown BA 1st class and ANY other 1st class over the past 5-10 years would say BA is the world's best 1st class. Compared to the likes of Singapore airlines, Emirates etc its like RyanAir.

[@mattmarino5486]

Recent follower, love your videos.

[@RyanLackey]

You were in in the Chelsea lounge, not the Soho lounge as identified in the timeline.

[@jgreysweater]

there is a concert hall in Vienna, and a shoulder where the doves go to cry.

[@eddypraet3536]

I just love your travel video’s 😍👍

[@Toolmanrules15]

Great stuff Kym! Do you have a favorite airport?

[@orighomisandediare4990]

You said it all. The First isn't my first choice. I still prefer the BA Club.

[@DiFigi]

Is this Farin Urlaub (famous german punk-rock singer) in the back of Nashville-JFK flight?😅

[@roobertnestaa]

my toughts 🤯🤣

[@TheCrzsrg]

I see that your enjoying americas finest t shirt 😁 love car-hart tees, highly recommend the cargo shorts.

[@andreas1337able]

hahah the Seinfeld music cracked me well to the ground :D hahaha

[@jeremykojoagyemang]

Amazing video 👍🏾

[@jbentley75]

Really good report (thank you!) but including the F&B offering would have added to it, or at very least, sharing the menus. Personally I find BA First ok (nothing more, nothing less) - it's miles behind the likes of Singapore, Emirates, JAL etc. but a decent (but costly) option when flying to the States. It would be a tough choice between BA First and Singapore Business - the service levels would probably push me to favour Singapore.

[@JordanHammond7]

93 Octane, business must be booming! 😂 Well done!

[@brenoestrella7905]

I almost laugh my guts out with the "A COMB" and the Seinfeld bass slamming hahahhahahahahahaha

[@curious2travel]

Wow this guy loves the ME airlines! Not a fair comparison - an outstation BA lounge vs Emirates home lounge. A comparison with an EK outstation lounge would have been fairer - but looking at the cricket you Aussies don't care about fair play! ;)

[@KymIllman]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gbglobetrotter]

The ticketing issue with the bags is why I have an American Express card! I was at JFK flying to Almaty via Beijing and had two tickets, so they refused to let me even board the flight! I called Amex and they combined both flights over the phone onto one ticket and then the airline check the booking on their computer and allowed me to fly! This is why I love Amex - that and how they paid my hotel bill in Cuba releasing me from house arrest when the hotel refused to take a US bank card for payment!

[@MrNordpole]

I was surprised first when you told me about your bags in JFK, because I saw you at the qualifying with your camera. But you became experienced I guess 😉

[@KymIllman]

Cameras always come with me

[@jarrac]

No mention of the stick out shelf that will dig you in the ribs if you turn or get up in the wrong way. Who designed and passed that off?

[@marcodipaolo9565]

Great stuff

[@jameskim62]

LOVE YOUR VIDEO AND VIDEO OF CLOUDS !!!!!!!!! R U PLANNING TO GET EMBORIED POLO SHIRTS ???? I will purchase 3. Getting white bucket hat and T-Shirts. CHEERS.

[@Blawy96]

Lovely

[@DutchBikeGuy]

05:10 @nicoleonard PrideAndPinion fans!

[@kaywatkins2987]

Very entertaining as per usual … life lesson … we lost our luggage took 3 days to be returned.. now we pack all our personal papers spare set clothing ect just in case … haven’t lost it since lol 😂

[@jsyorks2023]

The difference between BA & the Middle Eastern carriers, the ME carriers are dowsed in oil money. BA by profit. Every airline can have all the bells and whistles if they had oil money.

[@Hammertime054]

Done the BA triple 7 long haul, never again, i must have got the bad day from the staff, not for me, good luck to you though👍🏻👍🏻

[@lucasc9950]

„Im suffering today“😂

[@velvetjones1856]

I always packed a days worth of clothes as insurance if my checked bag with all my clothes in it. Also I learned not to ever check any important things such as IDs, medicine and such.

[@heyjakeay]

American left my bag in Boston as well instead of putting it on my London flight... seems like a common problem?

[@radomiriz]

Can you tell us what gear you use to hold your smartphone while you're seated? 🙂

[@KymIllman]

Quad lock

[@radomiriz]

@@KymIllman Thank you. I'll check them out.

[@lamegaming9835]

lovely comb

[@waynefarrellvoiceovers]

I’ve enjoyed my premium trips with BA but they have to get rid of that awful seat design where you still have to step over the legs of the passenger next to you to get into the aisle. It must be at least a twenty year old design at this stage. Recently flew business class with Oman Air and Qatar Airways: such a far superior product.

[@fleetingflights]

At least they were kind enough to tell you your seat wouldn’t recline, for the LHR-SIN leg my seat on the BA A380 First wouldn’t recline either. Apparently a £1000 credit after chasing for 2 weeks was what they believed it to be worth alongside a lengthy non-apology

[@joshroberts3271]

Was the price for just the BA flight or all the way for Nashville?

[@mogsyman]

No, I’ve been in both on multiple occasions and aside from the Concorde Lounge at Heathrow, the ‘new’ business class on a BA aircraft is every bit as good as 1st. Sure you get better wine and food but the food in business is plenty good enough. Don’t waste your money, travel business would be my advice.

[@GeorgeDaymondLush]

You're not wrong and OUR opinion is shared by much higher paid friends than you or me who travel BA and only BA (because it's from Capetown to London). They always opine Business is as good as first on BA. Did you ever travel Concorde? I'm very very old and that was not comfortable especially but just "nice". All the better because I half knew the trolley man (he had worked for Shell - we both had). As we got off he said "Ive put a bottle Krug in this ere bag and I drew the cork on a bottle of $300 burgundy - can't offer it now". A nice gesture but they can't do that now.

[@mogsyman]

@@GeorgeDaymondLush Hi George. I have been on Concorde once (in 1989) on what was a Goodwood trip. I won an incentive as a young salesman to go to Salzburg on the Orient Express and then back from Linz over the Bay of Biscay for a 3 hour flight back to Heathrow. I remember it as if it were yesterday, it was so memorable. I’ve still got a picture of a very young man (with hair!) standing by the Mach meter flying at Mach II. I’d happily fly Concorde today and with no hair!!

[@vyomakeshaconsultancy3406]

Nice review of BA first class but after so many flights your baggage has got stuck which brings us to the point that Airlines will be same as ever. Hope you get your bags. Your anecdotes are legendary cheers Gowra

[@KymIllman]

Thanks for your comment

[@MrSeveSeve]

Does anyone know what window mount Kym used to hold his phone with?

[@marcusgreig3169]

Cathay lounge in T3 is the best! Don’t even bother with BA’s

[@M158-o3x]

I have not and will not check any bags in for any business trips. Just not worth the risk. Less stressful to buy everything that doesn't fit into my hand luggage at my destination and either throw away or leave in the hotel for my next visit.

[@MJUSlK]

4k USD for a one way ticket? Wow that’s expensive af. I paid 480€ for a two-way ticket in economy

[@4dshow]

Noise cancelling 😂😂

[@royeusebio5462]

woah 12k from JFK to LHR

[@georgeyerou3142]

Did you get your luggage back and if so how long did it take?

[@chriswellstead776]

Anyone seen Kym's Suitcase?

[@KymIllman]

Finally got it back.

[@papi8659]

No point in paying for a premium cabin NYC- Lon, flights too short

[@michaelslattery9923]

I’d like to see you get Emirates first class at a third off four months in advance

[@hectorchittenden9749]

Wait till you get to the UK, and have to pay 140p per litre

[@sharoncorry5709]

What's your accent? I can't place it. Dave from Sydney Australia

[@KymIllman]

Perth from Australia

[@MultiformeIngegno]

Did you call the guy on the plane ‘poor bastard’? 😂

[@dblesch1]

I think it's unfair to compare this product to Gulf carriers that have completely different business models. Emirates and Qatar are 100% government owned and don't have to answer to shareholders. The constant unfavorable comparisons made by social media influencers gets a little tiring. You stated early in your video that you paid a mere fraction of the published fare so the product should be considered in this context. I quite like BA First as the service a nice step up from Club and seats can often be booked at a reasonable premium over business. Also, I believe the lounge you visited in JFK is the American Airlines Chelsea lounge which is jointly operated with BA and is not solely for use of BA First customers as stated in your video. Most viewers would be interested to see the catering on the transatlantic leg which is a huge part of the onboard experience. The BA flight attendant was a good sport to let you film her!

[@locochoco5959]

The comb 🤣😂

[@georgefraser589]

You had made up your mind about BA before you boarded the flight. Also not showing the F&B offering did not allow BA to shine.

[@trentgeary307]

A warm hot towel 😂.

[@ddslayer6]

Never quite understood why you'd fly first over club suites. if you're going to sleep the entire journey..

[@jarenschindler5279]

Screwing the rental car with premium gas lol

[@MarkB4444]

BA first is about the same as Qatar or Emirates business. Their business (the one just phased out) was a disgrace. Priority boarding is always a complete disorganised mess too.

[@mmcgify]

Why did you kick up a fuss to stay in First class so you could "review the cabin for us" and then opt not to get a meal, missing out on half the first class experience? 🤣

[@westerlywind1035]

Why would you fill up with the premium petrol?

[@KymIllman]

So people comment, “why would you fill up with the premium petrol?”

[@westerlywind1035]

@@KymIllman Ahh I see, extra engagement!

[@wanderer5581]

I haven't spoken to an immigration person leaving the UK for years ...

[@PPOSEC1]

Nice review, but allow me to say, from many many bad experiences on BA, that for me, as of now in Europe, AirFrance is the best of the best! Nothing personal, just experience! Sorry…🤗👊

[@KymIllman]

Watch my next travel video then?

[@PPOSEC1]

@@KymIllman ok, then looking forward…🤗

[@alumni2a692]

The title says it all.

[@Fifty8day]

Omg I was yelling a the screen never ever check your luggage all the way through when changing airlines in the US of A . I had a $15000 lens stolen doing that . 😮

[@Trickshots69boi]

The most irritating thing is they assure you that they will do it but they didn’t

[@andrewstorm8240]

So was first like business?

[@NyxGoblin]

I reckon they gave you that bad seat in first class and offered you a business class seat as a better option in the hope that you would switch and probably give that seat to someone else, but as soon as you mentioned that you were doing a review of the first class, they changed their minds. Obviously, they don't want bad reviews; it is bad for business.😅

[@thebyronicmann8292]

“Whoever does that with a rental car?” Those who can afford a first class flight from NY to London…