British Airways First Class Review - Heathrow to Singapore - BA15 - Boeing 787-9
- Helena
- May 4
- 11 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Traveling in British Airways First Class from London Heathrow to Singapore is the epitome of luxury. From exclusive check-in, to impeccable service, every moment is designed to make you feel like royalty. In this detailed British Airways First Class review, we’ll take you through the experience, from arriving at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 to the time we touched down in Singapore. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller, or someone dreaming of your first premium flight, this guide will give you the inside scoop on what makes BA First Class so exceptional.
Booking
We booked this flight a month prior to departure using Avios. This flight cost 238,000 Avios plus £1051.44 in taxes and fees. Whilst not an efficient use of Avios, we wanted to kick off this new era of ours in style. In the future, I would recommend that you use an American Express Companion Voucher on a booking like this, to save 50% on the Avios spent. For the taxes and fees we used an Avios Plus Barclaycard, earning 1.5 Avios per £1 spent. The best card you could use for this booking though would be a British Airways Premium Plus American Express Card, which would accrue 3 Avios per £1 spent on British Airways. We have held this card numerous times in the past, but currently do not, as we are waiting to become re-eligible for the bonus after two years having not held this card.
Arrival at Heathrow Terminal 5: A VIP Experience
We arrived early at London Heathrow Terminal 5, eager to capture footage and photos for an upcoming project, but also to make the most of the Concorde Room, a luxurious lounge exclusive to First Class passengers.
The First Class check-in area is located at the South end of the concourse, marked by a sleek, pale wooden semi-circle with the word "First" elegantly displayed. As we stepped into this serene and quiet area, there was a hint of excitement mixed with a touch of nervousness - it was, after all, our first time experiencing this level of luxury. We’re fortunate enough to travel often, but these premium moments always come with a slight sense of awe. Check-in was swift and efficient, with staff providing personalised service. A special thank you to Sam here, who cleverly requested an upgrade to 1A (click here to find out more about how he checks this), the coveted seat typically reserved for British Airways Gold members. It was a lucky moment that made the experience even more special!
Security: A Stress-Free Experience
Unlike the usual airport rush, the security process for First Class passengers was surprisingly relaxed. Once we scanned our boarding passes, we were directed straight to security, and let me tell you - it was a breeze. There was none of the usual hassle of pulling out laptops or watches. We simply placed our bags in a tray and moved through security at a relaxed pace. It was calm, efficient, and, dare I say, a bit relaxing, setting the tone for the premium experience ahead.
The Concorde Room: An Exclusive Lounge Experience
After security, we were led straight into the First Class lounge, which boasts the iconic horse lamps that symbolise luxury and comfort. But the real highlight is the Concorde Room, an ultra-exclusive area just for First Class passengers. We’ll be posting a full review on this amazing space soon, so be sure to check back for more details!
Boarding: A Seamless Transition
When it was time to board, we headed to the C Gates for our flight to Singapore. The transfer between terminals via the T5 train was quick and efficient. We were soon at the gate, where we captured a few shots of the Boeing 787, which would be taking us on our long-haul journey. As they called up Group 1, we couldn’t help but feel the excitement build for what was to come.
The Seat: Comfort and Privacy
Upon boarding, we were greeted by the purser, Gonzalo, who guided us to our seats. I was fortunate enough to be seated in 1A, with Sam in 1E across the aisle. The First Class cabin is spacious and private, and I truly felt like I was in a world of my own. The seat was incredibly comfortable and fully reclined into a flat bed, making it perfect for relaxation and sleep during the flight.
Though I’m on the shorter side (just 5ft2), I found the seat to be roomy and well-equipped, albeit my feet could not reach the foot rest, even when pulled towards me! Sam, at the much grander 6ft2 found the seat equally as spacious, with ample legroom. And when in bed mode had no issues with a cramped footwell that you might find in the Club Suite. The storage options in the First Class cabin are nothing short of impressive, with four standout compartments designed for both practicality and comfort.
First, there's the closet space, which is surprisingly roomy - perfect for hanging clothes. I was able to hang my jumper and trousers without a problem, and they stayed wrinkle-free throughout the flight.
Next is the deep storage bin near the closet. It's incredibly spacious and could easily accommodate my laptop, iPad, charger pouch, amenity kit, shoes, and still leave plenty of room for other essentials.
Then, there's the charging storage area—equipped with a universal plug and two USB-A ports. It’s the perfect place to keep your devices powered up during the flight.
Finally, the head-height storage compartment is a hidden gem. It’s tucked just to side of your seat, with a small door that opens to reveal a mirror on the inside. I used it to store my cross-body bag, but it could easily hold more if needed. It’s a smart use of space and offers a little extra convenience when you need to stow away smaller items.
In-Flight Entertainment: A Mixed Bag
When it comes to in-flight entertainment, the selection is decent. There are some great new releases, including Conclave, Lee, and Wicked. However, I was a bit disappointed that they only had one of the Lord of the Rings films - my go-to binge for long-haul flights. It would’ve been nice to have the entire trilogy available for ultimate comfort.
As for the entertainment console, let’s just say it wasn’t exactly user-friendly. The handest touchscreen was more of a "punchscreen" - meaning you often had to press multiple times to get it to respond. Even then, the interface was slow, and I found myself hitting a selection, nothing happening, and then it jumping ahead a few steps when I tried again. On top of that, if you accidentally brushed the screen, it would often select something you didn’t intend to. It was a bit frustrating at times, but once you got the hang of it, you could make it work.
Please never mistake our criticism for a lack of appreciation for getting to experience this sort of thing. We both spent the whole flight (when we were awake) thinking “how is this happening”, “we are so lucky”. My go-to reaction when we manage these insane things is usually to cry with joy, and there were at least four occasions where I had a tear in my eye and was mentally pinching myself. But as the seat didn’t have a door, I wasn’t about to start bawling my eyes out!
This flight did have WiFi onboard, which is offered free of charge to those travelling in First. All you have to do is input your surname, and seat number and you are logged on with one device for the duration. The service is provided by OnAir, with good speeds allowing for ample browsing and messaging.
The Service: Truly Exceptional
What really stood out during our flight was the unparalleled service. Our flight attendant, Mark, went above and beyond to make our experience unforgettable. He was not just professional, but also warm, attentive, and genuinely made us feel special. As someone who travels frequently, I can say that this was by far the best cabin crew I’ve encountered. If I could have Mark on every flight, I absolutely would!
The Dining Experience: Gourmet Meals in the Sky
Let’s Talk About the Fun Stuff - Food & Drink at 35,000 Feet.
Now for the part everyone really wants to know: what did we eat and drink? Spoiler alert - it was every bit as luxurious as you’d hope. To kick things off, here's a copy of the menu that Sam obtained from the "You First" service.
We kicked things off with a stunning amuse bouche: Isle of Wight tomatoes, manouri cheese, mustard pickled cucumber, and a wild rocket pesto. It was light, vibrant, and packed with flavour - the perfect start.
For my drink throughout the dinner service, I chose the Nyetimber 1086 Rosé Brut 2014. I’ve had this English sparkling wine on my radar for a while, and it absolutely lived up to the hype - refined, balanced, and celebratory in every way.
My starter was a real highlight: London Pride battered courgette blossom, stuffed with mushroom and kale, served with a creamy lemon and courgette sauce. I could go on for ages about how delicious it was, but to keep things brief - it was phenomenal.
Sam: I chose the Loch Fyne hot and cold smoked salmon roll, paired with pickled cucumber, radish, and asparagus. I enjoyed it, although it didn’t quite match the standard of the salmon starter that Helena had earlier in the Concorde Lounge.
For my main, I went with the free-range grilled chicken breast, served alongside crispy samphire jaipuri, English mustard yoghurt, and a spiced tomato pepper sauce. The pomegranate seeds were a beautiful touch, adding sweetness to the gentle heat of the dish. On the side, there were options: roasted heritage carrots, kale and cherry tomatoes, and British new potatoes. I opted for the carrots and potatoes, and they paired perfectly with the main.
Sam: I chose the British Beef Fillet, served with broccolini, vegetable fried rice, and oyster sauce. This is a dish with flavours straight up my street. The beef was cooked medium-well, but still tender. Not always something easily done well when being reheated in the sky. I ordered a glass of the Johnnie Walker Blue Label to go with this dish. Whilst not typically being a whiskey drinker, I found this to be smooth, with a subtle hint of smoke, pairing well with beef.
Then came dessert. I skipped the cheese course due to my lactose intolerance (even though I’d had dairy in the earlier courses - oops!). Instead, we both went for the Crêpe Suzette, which absolutely hit the mark.
A quick side note here: I didn’t pre-order a “No Lactose” meal on this flight, as I usually do. Special meals are often excellent, but I really wanted to experience everything this particular menu had to offer - and I have no regrets, Sam on the other hand...
After dinner, it was time to wind down for sleep. Mark made up my bed while I changed into the Temperley London pyjamas - a chic navy blue set with a silky-feel collar. Very stylish, though I have to say, extremely warm. Combined with the ultra-plush duvet, mattress topper, and pillows (and no individual air vents), it got a bit toasty. Still, I managed to sleep soundly for a few hours - a rare treat in the sky.
Dining in First is dine on demand, so somewhere over Myanmar I ordered breakfast, starting with a plate of fresh fruit - melon, dragon fruit, pineapple, and berries - light and refreshing. Then I chose the pancakes, which was definitely the right call. I tend to avoid eggs on planes - the texture never quite works - whereas Sam always orders them, for what I assume is some kind of nostalgic punishment. True to form, he ordered the Strawberry Superbowl, followed by the Full English, and in his words, they were “the best eggs he’s ever had on a plane.” High praise!
While Mark was on a well-deserved break, Debbie took my breakfast order and accidentally brought me the omelette first. Honestly, it looked great! But 10 minutes later, my pancakes arrived - and they were fantastic. Thick, cakey American-style pancakes, easily the best plane breakfast I’ve ever had. I paired them with an oat latte, which was surprisingly good - helped along by being served in an elegant bone china mug.
Fine Dining, Even in the Sky
That brings me to another point: presentation. Every meal was beautifully set with a crisp white linen tablecloth and napkin, proper silverware, glass and chrome salt and pepper mills, and fine bone china crockery. The china, designed by William Edwards, featured a stunning geometric weave pattern in silver mica and raised white enamels - inspired by materials used throughout the cabin. The pattern is even echoed on the table surface itself. All of this elevates the meal to something that truly feels like fine dining at altitude.
Beyond the Seat: The Extras That Make BA First Feel First Class
We’ve already talked about the incredibly stylish - yet incredibly warm - Temperley London pyjamas, but that’s just the beginning of the added luxuries in British Airways First Class. There are plenty more little touches that elevate the experience, starting with the amenity kit.
Amenity kits are always a bit of a gamble - sometimes they’re packed with quality essentials, and other times they’re totally forgettable. Fortunately, BA First delivers. Women receive a floral Temperley-designed bag, while men get a sleek navy suede-look version. Inside? A well-curated selection of Elemis products - a major plus in our books.
For Sam, who already uses the Elemis men’s range, this was hands-down the best amenity kit he’s ever received. The ladies’ kit came with four Pro-Collagen skincare items: moisturiser, eye cream, lip balm, and a refreshing rose face mist. On top of that, there was a frangipane body cream (divine) and a standout item - a mini hard deodorant, which I absolutely loved. The kit also included a high-quality eye mask (BA always excels here), socks, toothbrush and toothpaste, earplugs, a First Class-branded pen and a little mirror.
All in all, it’s easily one of the better amenity kits we’ve experienced - both in branding and in substance. If we were to nit-pick (and let’s be honest, I am being super picky here), the one thing that would make it perfect would be the addition of a facial cleansing wash. That was the only thing noticeably missing.
Also part of your First Class setup is a pair of noise-cancelling headphones by Meridian Audio, provided for in-flight use (though not to take away!).
Sam: The headphones were… okay. While they are technically noise-cancelling, the on-ear cup design didn’t quite deliver the immersive silence you get from over-ear models like Bose or AirPods Max. As a result, there was still a fair bit of cabin noise when watching TV or films.
Curious about these headphones, I took a peek at eBay — and yes, it turns out people have taken them off the plane and are now selling them online! In fact, that little rabbit hole led to an unexpectedly entertaining discovery: everything from BA First Class duvets and blankets to bread baskets are up for grabs. Honestly, this could be an entire blog post on its own, “The Weirdest In-Flight Items You Can Find on eBay.” Watch this space...
Final Thoughts: A Truly Memorable Flight
Our BA First Class flight to Singapore was nothing short of incredible. From the exceptional service to the luxurious seat, dining experience, and amenities, every detail was designed to provide the ultimate travel experience. The highlight for both of us was definitely the cabin crew, especially Mark, whose attentiveness and care made the journey unforgettable.
Though flying in First Class can feel intimidating at first, it’s an experience worth every moment of slight embarrassment at the start. We were both in awe the entire time, often pinching ourselves in disbelief at how lucky we were. Our lovely cabin crew could definitely tell it was our first time as we gazed round the cabin with our jaws on the floor, but they were just wonderful at making us feel at home and at ease so that we could enjoy every minute of it. I can never take a moment like this for granted.
Stay tuned for our upcoming post about Singapore’s Changi Airport, which was the perfect end to this remarkable journey.
Helena
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