BA first "Old"? "New"? how do you tell?

[dragonman]

On BA 287 LHR to SFO tomorrow dec 29. I know there is a long thread on this on BA FT but its completely incomprehensible to me. Can anyone explain how you tell or just whether it's new or old first? Thanks in advance.

 

[serfty]

See this FT post - Tracking NF [New First] - FlyerTalk Forums

You can find out from:

The seat Map on BA.com/MMB
Aircraft registration (look out from the gate lounge?)
Where windows are 'blanked' (look out from the gate lounge?)

Other resources:

British Airways route overview - FT Dashboard
BA287 LHR-SFO - FT Dashboard

 

[amaroo]

Much better odds of getting NF than the one & only BA SYD-LHR-SYD service This will change March/April next year when the 777 replaces 744 - 100% NF.

 

[benlight]

On BA 287 LHR to SFO tomorrow dec 29

I presume you mean November 29, not December 29!

BA updates the seat maps on Manage My Booking on ba.com about three days before the flight, and the configuration the seat map shows will give a very good indication if the cabin will be New First or 'Old' First. BA287 on November 29 is a 747, and if it has New First, there will be a bassinet (labeled 'COT') located adjacent to seat 5F. If the seat map shows cots at 1A and 1K and a wardrobe in-between, then it'll likely be Old First. The seat map isn't a surefire way of knowing, since there can always be last minute aircraft substitutions, but it's as reliable an indicator as any.

You can also ring BA's 'You First' helpdesk for F pax, and they should be able to tell you if it's NF or OF:

• In the UK call: 0800 408 7667
• From overseas call: +44 161 448 3013

 

[eosphoros]

Much better odds of getting NF than the one & only BA SYD-LHR-SYD service This will change March/April next year when the 777 replaces 744 - 100% NF.

I'm looking at booking either BA11 or BA15 for a flight next month. Does this mean I should go with BA11 then?

 

[amaroo]

I'm looking at booking either BA11 or BA15 for a flight next month. Does this mean I should go with BA11 then?

Definitely, BA11/12 will almost certainly be NF.

BA15/16 is still running at around 40 odd %:evil:

See here British Airways route overview - FT Dashboard

This will change mid/end March as they change BA15/16 from B747 over to B777.....then it will be NF all the way - also T5 arrival/departure, & access to the CCR.