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I had the pleasure of enjoying the new British Airways First Class on the B777 service from Sydney to Singapore on 23 September. The cabin has recently undergone a refurbishment, and is looking stylish and fresh.

To sum up the experience in two words it would be simple and classic - just what you expect from British Airways. There was none of the glitzy gold trim or the overdone wood pannelling of other airlines - just supremely comfortable and enjoyable surrounds. Each seat has a small lamp, which adds amazing ambience. A really nice touch.

The cabin on this aircraft had 12 seats. The configuration is 1-2-1, with the seats in the centre having a clever curtain built in to the divider that seperates the seats. This allows you to have privacy should you be travelling alone, or allows you to be social if you are travelling with someone else.

A slightly odd feature of this aircraft is that there are only 2 seats on the right hand side windows. This is because the Flight Crew rest is at the back of this cabin, and there wasn't quite enough room for a third seat! The result - a funny looking empty space. I thought for a while that they should have made this area into a lounge, or a bar or something, but then thought better of it. Such a feature would only create incentive for people to make noise :-)

The cabin is flanked by beautiful, train style windows. A single blind for two aircraft windows can be lowered and raised electronically. It creates a really different setting to the usual aircraft cabin, and works well with the mood lighting and seat lamps to enhance the softness of the cabin.

Dining was from an Al a Carte menue, with a selection of high quality meals. The wine list consisted of 3 white and 3 red wines, with one Australian in each (which I was somewhat relieved at, because otherwise I knew nothing on the list!). Passengers also have the option to 'double dine' if they are travelling with someone. There is ample room for the second person to sit on the footstool and for a two place setting to be set on the dining table. When you are done, your dining table converts back to a leather bound writing desk.

In all, it was a wonderful product and experience. I think it matches the style and history of British Airways and is in line with expectations. There are also some amazingly good value fares available in British Airways First between Australia and Europe at the moment. (for example, our fare was $2500 cheaper than Qantas Business Class) so now might just be the time to spoil yourself and try the new product. Call it research if you will :-)

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