British Airways 747 London to Phoenix First Class Experience

Entering First Class Galeries Lounge in Terminal 3 at Heathrow is suitably classy and impressive leading straight into the Champagne Bar

A coffee station area gives the range of hot drinks one would expect 

Lounge areas offer a variety of seating options for individuals or small groups with easy or more upright seating

Refreshments available with a range of beers, wines and spirits 

Buffet of food available to match the time of day with a range of cold and hot options

Dining space is available with further menu of items available to request for table service or in the lounge areas.

A number of magazines and newspapers available for reading 

As well as a work zone of computers and multi-function printer

Then first to board, the cabin is literally at the very front of the plane as the pilots are on the level above and further back so First Class passengers indeed arrive at the deistination first 

to the seat...

Even a cupboard for one's coat!

Pyjamas were offered in medium or large with a toiletry bag which seemed well provisioned.

Naturally champagne was offered prior to departure and for a cabin of just of 14 it is good to see 2 or 3 members of staff offering of course the staff attention ratio to be expected in this premium cabin.

Aperitif with roasted nuts (not packet stuff at the front so lovely and warm) are served as lunch orders from a selection of 4/5 choices for starters and main are taken with wine suggestions...

As avid consumer of tech the 20-year old technology apparent in the screen has to be the most obvious flaw. I assume the core technology feeds the whole plane or else why wouldn't at least the top cabin have a quality screen; however, the slightly larger screen especially when further away from the seat is appreciated as is a USB socket for charging (power socket also available by foot stool). Without wanting to labour the point when at home one can enjoy voice activation, streaming of any content this felt a very old school way of controlling the entertainment and took away from a key part of a top of the range cabin experience for the trip.

Moving on from the unintentional irony of my photo being from a sci-fi film, it is a film that would be best appreciated on a decent screen rather than something that feels decades old. The headphones provided give good audio and noise-cancelling so as in previous Business (Club) class no need to break out one's own. 

Now to lunch, with attendant pulling out the tray and cloths very nice start...

Starter as equisite of course, in this case seared tiger prawns and scallop with umami crumble, Marie Rose sauce, avocado purée and cucumber salad...

Mains equally showed a freshly served look for a seated fillet of Aberdeen Angus beef with pearl barley arancini, cauliflower purée, root vegetables and Madeira jus...

Followed by desert and cheese options, coffees and chocolate.

When it comes time to relax (I paused the entertainment for the meal only for it to seal it's fate as sub-standard by failing to keep my place), as one would expect one is in control of the seating with a luxurious twist dial 

The foot stool is comfortable and can then become a lie flat bed or seat for a meeting, presumably for an underling!

Even the toilet has a window (with blind)! 

Other than that the addition of facecloths as an alternative to paper towels was a nice touch.

A light bite meal followed in the last hour or so before landing, started with a salad...

Followed by braised Moroccan-style lamb slider with tomato relish, baba ghanoush and slaw salad.

Then followed be fruit and coffees or teas.

Is first class worth it? The very fact you have to ask then maybe not! Like so many things in this world, the only reason to maybe do it is because you can.