British Air, Premium Economy

I have been a loyal British Air/Open Skies customer for quite a long time, and am not an overly picky person, but I really did not care much for this premium economy class. Thankfully, the flight from JFK to Heathrow was under six hours, and since it was a day flight, I felt no pressure to squeeze in a couple of hours of sleep in the seats that do not differ that much from regular economy class.

The configuration in the premium economy cabin is 2-4-2, the pitch is 38" and the width 18.5". The pitch in economy class is 31", width is 17.5", and business class is 72" and 20".
A small pillow, blanket, a very basic amenity bag, and headphones were waiting for each passenger.

I really feel that airlines, short of dragging a bleeding passenger off their plane, can get away with pretty much anything. The floor space on this flight was ridiculous. My choice was to either place my carryon in the overhead bin for the duration of the flight,

or fight for space with the person sitting next to me. Unacceptable. The airlines add and move seats without any consideration to how those changes impact the floor space.

On another premium economy BA flight, I had the same issue plus an equipement box on the side.

The second that we have reached our cruising altitude the guy in front of me pushed his seat back, and it stayed like that for the duration of the flight, even during meal service. He was not sleeping, mind you, just watching movies and playing games. Yes, he had every right to lean back in his seat, but I think that picking the seat back during meal service should be a common curtesy.

So, once I put a newspaper and a thin magazine in the pocket, the legroom shrank considerably.

The basic amenity baggie had socks, sleep mask, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a pen.

Our breakfast was decent and served by a very professional and smiling cabin crew.

We had plenty to choose from as far as the entertainment was concerned.

Our snack consisted of a sandwich, chips and a chocolate bar.

The flight attendants were lovely, worked very hard, and my frustration was solely with the decisions made by the airline. I think that in the future, I will check the floor plan on SeatGuru to book seats that do not have obstructed floor space.

Joanna

Comments

Bordier Butter - The Best Butter in France

France is in the midst of a butter shortage! Due to a decrease in milk production and a substantial demand for French pastries all over the world (mainly China and the Middle East), the price of butter has increased by 60% in one year. The French are stocking up and thus creating shortages. French newspapers are publishing articles titled "A guide to cooking without butter". So, with hopes that the shortages are temporary, here is my ode to the best butter in the world. I'm not kidding. The. Best. Butter. In. The. World. Mr. Bordier, a grandson and a son of cheese mongers, became a butter artisan in 1985. He acquired a creamery originally founded in 1927. The supreme taste of the Bordier butter was first recognized by a chef from the Plaza Athenee while vacationing in Brittany, a beautiful region in northwestern France. Bordier is the lone butter master to still use the old method of kneading the butter according to the 19th century t...

A. Lacroix Patisserie, Paris

My visits to Paris are usually carefully planned out; practically every meal is decided far in advance, and same goes for pastries, ice cream and macaron. While I have not visited every pastry shop in Paris, that would be almost impossible given their numbers, I am aware of most of them. Imagine my happiness when I came across a brand new patisserie, one that is barely a year old! A. Lacroix is a lovely tea room/patisserie opened by an American woman and a Parisian pastry chef. Jackie, the founder, is originally from Ohio but has been living in Paris for nine years. She left her job in the telecom industry in order to pursue a dream of opening a tea salon. I'm so glad she did! This is a charming patisserie/tea salon with beautiful stone walls, wooden beams, plenty of seating space, and location that just can't be beat. One side of the place looks at the Notre-Dame Cathedral! A. Lacroix is not just a pastry sho...

Indian Accent, NYC

Often when a question arises as to what to eat for dinner, I think of Indian food. I am a very happy gal with chicken makhani, basmati rice, an onion kulcha or a nan laid out in front of me. I have heard some very good things about Indian Accent, a relatively new restaurant in midtown Manhattan, adjacent to the Parker Hotel. The décor here is unlike most Indian restaurants I have visited; no boldly colored fabrics, beautiful tapestries, intricately carved wood, or lanterns. Indian Accent restaurant looks like something that Daniel Boulud would envision. There are about fifteen wooden tables and a few small booths, fabric covered modern chairs, a lit bar with glass shelves and golden accents throughout, and large glass vases filled with flowering branches. The menu is complicated, however, our terrific waiter took his time and explained each dish and even made some wonderful suggestions. Actually, everyone at the restaurant was really professiona...

A Fork And A Suitcase

Search This Blog