BA New York flights

Author
Discussion

brissleboy

Original Poster:

400 posts

172 months

Tuesday 13th December 2011
quotequote all
Have enough Avios points for 2 x First Class flights to New York next year (including the companion voucher), I am just wondering if anyone knows what flight numbers they operate the 'new' First on?

Also, was hoping to go late November as wife's birthday but there appears to be little/no reward flights available then, is that because New York is such a popular destination in the build up to Christmas that they can fill the seats with paying customers? It isn't a problem, just wondering that's all.

Finally, I'm sure it's been done a million times already but hotel wise, what's good these days, been a while since I was last there, budget about £1,000 for 3/4 nights (not yet decided).

Cheers in advance...

LooneyTunes

6,987 posts

160 months

Tuesday 13th December 2011
quotequote all
Do BA points booking allow you to use the companion voucher?

(I queried Virgin's policy recently and was told that their scheme doesn't as the reward flight isn't in a qualifying ticket class, which is frustrating)

brissleboy

Original Poster:

400 posts

172 months

Tuesday 13th December 2011
quotequote all
I'm pretty sure they do... here's hoping!

K50 DEL

9,278 posts

230 months

Tuesday 13th December 2011
quotequote all
BA 113, 114, 115, 116 and 117 are all running on 100% New First so stick with those flights and you'll be fine.

Hotels wise, do you want to be in the middle of the action or somewhere a little quieter?

brissleboy

Original Poster:

400 posts

172 months

Tuesday 13th December 2011
quotequote all
Thanks K50 DEL, somewhere central I guess as we're only there for a few days

2pad

249 posts

153 months

Tuesday 13th December 2011
quotequote all
Novotel Times Sq, great location, good price, plus rated highly on tripadvisor...

GCH

4,007 posts

204 months

Tuesday 13th December 2011
quotequote all
For new F, choose JFK and on a 744.
EWR you may well get one of the 777s with no avod and old f, and newark is crap generally anyway.

Availabilty opens up later on this route (i fly it in club and f regularly) so dont stress just yet.

Consider first out and club back on the upper deck if its an overnite return. If you do want F back, then try and get ba178 which is the daytime flight

Edited by GCH on Tuesday 13th December 19:34

BigBen

11,685 posts

232 months

Tuesday 13th December 2011
quotequote all
LooneyTunes said:
Do BA points booking allow you to use the companion voucher?

(I queried Virgin's policy recently and was told that their scheme doesn't as the reward flight isn't in a qualifying ticket class, which is frustrating)
OP may mean the BA Amex companion voucher which is only for reward flight bookings

K50 DEL

9,278 posts

230 months

Wednesday 14th December 2011
quotequote all
GCH said:
For new F, choose JFK and on a 744.
EWR you may well get one of the 777s with no avod and old f, and newark is crap generally anyway.

Availabilty opens up later on this route (i fly it in club and f regularly) so dont stress just yet.

Consider first out and club back on the upper deck if its an overnite return. If you do want F back, then try and get ba178 which is the daytime flight

Edited by GCH on Tuesday 13th December 19:34
The problem with 178 is that it only runs New F 73% of the time on average, 176 is 100% but all the other 17* flights are way less, only 30% in some cases.

Agree with what you say about sticking to club on a return night flight, apart from the PJs there's precious little difference between club and F on a red-eye.

Hotel wise, I've not stayed at the Novotel, I've used the Marriott on Times Square though and that's fine, as is the Doubletree there as well.

brissleboy

Original Poster:

400 posts

172 months

Wednesday 14th December 2011
quotequote all
Thanks to everyone for their replies, we booked the flights last night, companion voucher worked a treat and we can't wait to see what First Class is all about, only ever flown economy before...

Now for the hotel...

K50 DEL

9,278 posts

230 months

Wednesday 14th December 2011
quotequote all
brissleboy said:
Thanks to everyone for their replies, we booked the flights last night, companion voucher worked a treat and we can't wait to see what First Class is all about, only ever flown economy before...

Now for the hotel...
Which flight and which seats have you gone for?

brissleboy

Original Poster:

400 posts

172 months

Wednesday 14th December 2011
quotequote all
BA0115 out, BA0114 back, 2 seats in the middle at the front (opposite the wardrobes on the seat plan), any good? Can always change as they were allocated to us.

K50 DEL

9,278 posts

230 months

Wednesday 14th December 2011
quotequote all
brissleboy said:
BA0115 out, BA0114 back, 2 seats in the middle at the front (opposite the wardrobes on the seat plan), any good? Can always change as they were allocated to us.
I'm guessing you've got 4E and 4F .... probably the best seats in F if you're travelling as a couple.
Personally I'm normally in F solo, so I aim for 1A as I like to have a window, but if you're not worried about the view then I reckon you've got the best you can.

brissleboy

Original Poster:

400 posts

172 months

Wednesday 14th December 2011
quotequote all
Spot on and that's good to know; don't too worried about a window seat, have seen it all before, and besides, I'll be far too busy drinking as much of their fine champagne and wine as I possibly can... ;-)

K50 DEL

9,278 posts

230 months

Wednesday 14th December 2011
quotequote all
brissleboy said:
Spot on and that's good to know; don't too worried about a window seat, have seen it all before, and besides, I'll be far too busy drinking as much of their fine champagne and wine as I possibly can... ;-)
Don't forget that you're flying from LHR T5 so you've got dedicated F checkin in zone G.... go through the security at that end of the terminal and turn immediately right through the little door marked "Concorde Room"
Enjoy the waitress service restaurant and (if you're flying with your wife) pre-book a spa session for her, it's all complimentary and is a lovely way to start your vacation.

And the champagne is pretty good!!

BigBen

11,685 posts

232 months

Wednesday 14th December 2011
quotequote all
K50 DEL said:
brissleboy said:
Spot on and that's good to know; don't too worried about a window seat, have seen it all before, and besides, I'll be far too busy drinking as much of their fine champagne and wine as I possibly can... ;-)
Don't forget that you're flying from LHR T5 so you've got dedicated F checkin in zone G.... go through the security at that end of the terminal and turn immediately right through the little door marked "Concorde Room"
Enjoy the waitress service restaurant and (if you're flying with your wife) pre-book a spa session for her, it's all complimentary and is a lovely way to start your vacation.

And the champagne is pretty good!!
Even better book a cabanna room in the F-lounge. You then get your own room and waiter service to the room at the press of a button

Ben

K50 DEL

9,278 posts

230 months

Thursday 15th December 2011
quotequote all
BigBen said:
K50 DEL said:
brissleboy said:
Spot on and that's good to know; don't too worried about a window seat, have seen it all before, and besides, I'll be far too busy drinking as much of their fine champagne and wine as I possibly can... ;-)
Don't forget that you're flying from LHR T5 so you've got dedicated F checkin in zone G.... go through the security at that end of the terminal and turn immediately right through the little door marked "Concorde Room"
Enjoy the waitress service restaurant and (if you're flying with your wife) pre-book a spa session for her, it's all complimentary and is a lovely way to start your vacation.

And the champagne is pretty good!!
Even better book a cabanna room in the F-lounge. You then get your own room and waiter service to the room at the press of a button

Ben
Problem with the cabana is it isolates you.... I found it nicer to actually sit in the Concorde room itself, but then I like to people watch..... horses for courses I guess.
Either way it beats having to walk through half the airport to get to the normal lounges!

BigBen

11,685 posts

232 months

Thursday 15th December 2011
quotequote all
K50 DEL said:
Either way it beats having to walk through half the airport to get to the normal lounges!
Ever feel the layout is designed to make you take that walk just to stress how much better First is ?

arfur

3,876 posts

216 months

Thursday 15th December 2011
quotequote all
BigBen said:
K50 DEL said:
brissleboy said:
Spot on and that's good to know; don't too worried about a window seat, have seen it all before, and besides, I'll be far too busy drinking as much of their fine champagne and wine as I possibly can... ;-)
Don't forget that you're flying from LHR T5 so you've got dedicated F checkin in zone G.... go through the security at that end of the terminal and turn immediately right through the little door marked "Concorde Room"
Enjoy the waitress service restaurant and (if you're flying with your wife) pre-book a spa session for her, it's all complimentary and is a lovely way to start your vacation.

And the champagne is pretty good!!
Even better book a cabanna room in the F-lounge. You then get your own room and waiter service to the room at the press of a button

Ben
You cant use the Concorde room if its a rewards flight ...

Tried that myself .. frown

BigBen

11,685 posts

232 months

Thursday 15th December 2011
quotequote all
arfur said:
BigBen said:
K50 DEL said:
brissleboy said:
Spot on and that's good to know; don't too worried about a window seat, have seen it all before, and besides, I'll be far too busy drinking as much of their fine champagne and wine as I possibly can... ;-)
Don't forget that you're flying from LHR T5 so you've got dedicated F checkin in zone G.... go through the security at that end of the terminal and turn immediately right through the little door marked "Concorde Room"
Enjoy the waitress service restaurant and (if you're flying with your wife) pre-book a spa session for her, it's all complimentary and is a lovely way to start your vacation.

And the champagne is pretty good!!
Even better book a cabanna room in the F-lounge. You then get your own room and waiter service to the room at the press of a button

Ben
You cant use the Concorde room if its a rewards flight ...

Tried that myself .. frown
I have a couple of times, most recently early last year. You can't use it if you are a gold card holder and not travelling F.