Refreshed: British Airways 777 Suites First Class Los Angeles To London

It’s been nearly a decade since British Airways introduced a “clean sheet” First Class cabin. While BA has made significant strides with its Club Suite Business Class, First Class seems to have been left behind. In 2020, BA began rolling out a refreshed First Class product, adding sliding doors for privacy and some subtle enhancements. Without this update, it would’ve been awkward for First Class to feel less private than Business wouldn’t it?

The revamped First Class cabin on new and retrofitted Boeing 777s also shrank from 14 seats to a more fitting 8, creating a more exclusive atmosphere. Though it still lags behind competitors’ opulent First Class offerings, the changes are a welcome improvement. One particular highlight is the return of the stylish electric window blinds, mysteriously absent from the Dreamliner design.

But hardware updates are only part of the equation. How does British Airways fare now, when it comes to the all-important soft product—service, dining, and the overall experience?

Flight Particulars

Route: Los Angeles LAX – London Heathrow
Flight No: BA280
Date: June 2024
Departure Time: 17:25
Flight Duration: Blocked 10 hours
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER ( Tail G-STBO )
Seats/Suite: 2K

Check-In: Quick but Uninspiring

I arrived at LAX Terminal B three and a half hours before departure to enjoy some lounge time.

Like many airports, LAX offers self check-in kiosks for most airlines but BA was not one of them!

LAX itself isn’t exactly glamorous—it’s more retro grit than modern luxury—but BA’s check-in process was efficient.

With 3 other First/Gold passengers before me resulting in around five-minute wait, my bag was tagged, and I was on my way.

Lounge Experience: Qantas First Saves the Day

Unlike other U.S. hubs, BA doesn’t operate its own lounge at LAX. Instead, First Class passengers are directed to the Qantas First Class Lounge, an elegant space with à la carte dining. In my view, Qantas lounge catering is far superior to any BA outstation lounge catering.

The American Airlines Flagship First Lounge was still closed at the time, though passengers could opt for the Flagship Lounge for a change of scenery and apron views.

Boarding British Airways 777 Suites First Class Los Angeles

Arriving at the gate, I snapped a quick photo of our aircraft—a relatively new 777-300ER delivered in January 2021..

Unfortunately, BA closed the dedicated First Class jet bridge early, leaving me to board with the Zone 3-4 crowd through the second door.

It’s baffling that airlines assume premium passengers would want to board immediately, only to leave them waiting in crowded spaces when the cabin isn’t ready most of the time at specified boarding times !

Once onboard, a crew member escorted me to my suite—standard First Class protocol.

On today’s flight there were 6 First Class passengers.

The 777 First Class Suites: Familiar with a Touch of Refinement

British Airways’ refreshed First Class cabin is undeniably elegant, with just eight suites compared to the whopping 76 Club Suites in Business Class.

The design feels like a polished update of the 2015 model, featuring those signature electric window blinds.

The suite is spacious, aided by the 777’s wider fuselage, and the 23-inch HD touchscreen feels larger in this setting.

The seat controls are exactly the same as BA 787 First Class. As are storage options abound, with compartments within easy reach on both sides.

However, closer inspection revealed signs of wear and tear—scratches that felt out of place for such a new product.

Compared to the Club Suites – the doors are very much more substantial and higher up to give you greater privacy.

The seat itself remains unchanged from earlier First iterations: 22 inches wide, expanding slightly in bed mode to 79 inches long.

BA First Class Amenities

Another familiar feature of the BA First Class experience is their amenity kit by Temperley London, which are generously packed with everything you might need for a long haul flight, with perhaps the only exception of a mouthwash !

The provisions otherwise are extensive with Elemis lotions and creams, thick eye shades, deodorant stick, BA branded pen, tissues and dental and shaving kits.

In addition, I was handed out some PJs to my preferred size to get comfortable in for later.

I did not take any photos of them on this flight, as I have so many I plan to give them away. You can see the contents from my earlier First Class flight to Mexico

BA First Class Service: A Very British Wobble

Service began on the ground with welcome drinks and polite—though unmemorable—greetings from the crew.

After take-off meal choices were taken, which I had a good look through on the ground. The meal service began not long after.

BA’s now traditional trio of canapes for this flight were:

• Coppa ham with red endives raspberry truffle vinaigrette
• Tuna tataki with green gazpacho sauce
• Fire roasted red pepper & goats cheese roulade

From the starters I selected the Smoked Balik Salmon – an option frequently featured on BA’s First Class menus.

Following this, I wanted to try the Creamy Sweet Potato and maple soup

Not only was there a considerable gap between me finishing the salmon starter and the soup being served, the soup was served almost cold !

After two spoonful, I returned it. The crew then explained they had followed the heating instructions but still couldn’t get it hot enough a second time — fail !.

For the main, while I liked the sound of the Braised beef short rib, charred pineapple with miso soy jus, I had already consumed a fair bit of red meat on the 2 days prior and the lounge itself ! So I settled Cajan Butter Chicken Supreme

This arrived around 30 minutes after I was done with the starter “soup”..

The chicken itself was very tasty and tender. This was served alongside marinated sushi rice, sauteed Swiss chard and vegetables.

Once again, the presentation wasn’t exactly at a fine dining level.

To finish things off I had the caramel tart for dessert and skipped the cheese plate. Again, this was just ok, nothing more or less.

BA First Class Lavatories: Finally an Upgrade

For years, BA’s First Class lavatories were indistinguishable from those in Economy. On this 777, the restroom is larger and more suitable for changing—still not luxurious as the likes of Qatar/Etihad or Emirates but a step forward.

The is only one dedicated restroom for 8 passengers, and as I understand it, the pilots also use this, so make of that what you will. I felt it was adequate on this flight and never had to wait around.

British Airways First Class Bed & Turn Down Service

I don’t recall this on my other BA First flights, but the crew were very eager and proactively offered me a turndown service right after dinner.

With it being only around 7pm LA time, I was not yet ready for bed, so I asked to have the bed made an hour later.

When I was ready an hour or so later, I had to request a crew to make my bed, while I went to brush my teeth.

Even though the bed setup was very cosy and comfortable, It took me a while to fall asleep. I may have managed around 4 and half hours with some interruptions.

Breakfast In Bed

I was awake naturally about 90 minutes before our expected arrival into Heathrow.

Within a few minutes the crew noticed I was up and offered to setup the table, seeing as I was still lying down, they asked if I preferred to eat in the bed, to which I was happy to go along with.

I appreciated the speed and efficiency here – within seconds my table was dressed and I already had my cutlery and Energising Smoothie – apple, pineapple, orange, kiwi and spirulina and fresh fruits and pastries already plated and served..

I also do love that BA doesn’t just serve you a cup for your tea, but rather a whole pot with a proper cup and saucer, separate milk and sugar tray etc , just how it should be if you are in First Class !

It was during this I noticed the somewhat awkward and impractical setup of the dining table in bed made. There was barely any space for me to move my legs. I could neither lower the bed or bring up the tray table to be able to adjust myself comfortably.

Tempted as it is, I do not eat pork so could not order the Full English ( BA really should be offering substitutes for this by now, but in fairness, there is 2 other choices available on the menu ! I therefore opted for the French Toast – mixed berry compote, mascarpone cream and maple syrup

This was fine, but I daresay, it was nothing spectacular, as matter of comparison, I had a better French toast in AeroMexico Business Class, of all airlines !

How I Booked This BA First Class Ticket

I booked this LA trip with Avios and my BA Amex Companion voucher. In last couple of years British Airways has released far less award seats in general and especially to popular city pairs such as LAX.

I managed to a 10 day return 5 months out and that total cost was 85,000 Avios + around £900 in taxes and fees. This represented a saving of 85000 Avios due to the 50% discount applied with the voucher.

Cash First Class fares from London to LAX were over £7000 at the time, which I would never pay off course !

Overall Thoughts

This is the forth British Airways First Class flight I’ve flown this year and I have to say, they all left me somewhat underwhelmed. I was working through two of those flights so did not have my review hat on, so to speak, but a general theme emerged – BA First Class has become somewhat sloppy and unpolished. This is far from the excellent flights I have had in 2018/19 and then in 2022.

I think the product update to the 777 was much needed and now brings this up-to what you would expect for a decent First Class. There is nothing I dislike about the product at all. I specifically like the understated nature of it.

It is rather a shame then, to see BA has dropped the ball with service levels and catering. Meal presentations have been far from refined. How hard is it to get the right instructions to heat soup? Were they never checked on the ground when these meals were selected for the menu? Or by crew themselves when they began serving it to other customers in the air?

Furthermore, ground service is still a weak point – even out of London with BA’s mediocre Concorde Room lounge – which frankly speaking is not even near my favourite Business Lounges across the world !

I already have 2 British Airways First Class flights booked for 2025, but would I be in a rush to book anymore? Probably not. I do hope British Airways address this in 2025 in time for the new A380 First Class launch in 2026 !