British Airways First Class Review: London to Dubai & Back – A Solo Travel Diary
Having not been to Dubai for probably 25 years or more (I did try My Flight Path on the BA app which shows me back to 2001, and Dubai didn’t feature) I thought it was about time for a return visit. ‘Mrs’ TPT wasn’t remotely keen on the idea, so I decided this should just be a solo trip. I clearly remember when I was there before, and staying at the Jumeirah Beach Hotel (I know this opened in 1997 so we must have been within a couple of years of it opening) and looking out from high up in the hotel towards the rear there was literally nothing there other than sand/desert for as far as you could see.
In front and along the beach, the Burj Al Arab was there (and I went) and I’ve just realised that it opened in 1999, so I guess we must have visited in 2000. I can remember the pile-driving was being done to create The Palm (and that began in 2001), but really nothing else was along the beach in that direction. Now I know it’s Madinat Jumeirah, and more, and more, …….
If you want to check out my full itinerary for this trip, you can do so here.
Signature British Airways mood lighting and speedmarque branding add a calming atmosphere to the First Class cabin.
With a connecting flight from Edinburgh early in the evening, my Dubai flight was the last of the day due to depart at 22:30 from London’s Heathrow Terminal 5. BA seems to have three a day, one at lunchtime and two departing within an hour of each other in the evening. On the return, there were again three options, one leaving at a very unsocial 1am in the morning, and the other two at 9am and noon respectively. I opted for the noon flight, which would get me back to Edinburgh late evening with the onward connection.
Why I Chose British Airways First Class for Dubai
Index
1. Booking & Check-In Process
2. Airport & Lounge Experience
3. Cabin Ambiance & Seating
4. In-Flight Service & Dining
5. Entertainment & Connectivity
6. Comfort & Amenities
7. Arrival & Post-Flight Experience
8. Overall Experience & Final Verdict
Spacious and private: British Airways First Class suite with personalised service, ambient lighting, and ample storage.
Fast Facts about British Airways
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Website | britishairways.com |
| Skytrax Ranking | 4 Star |
| @british_airways @oneworld | |
| Flights | LHR - DXB BA 105 / DXB - LHR BA 104 |
| Scheduled Times | 8hr 10mins / 7hr 40mins |
| Actual Times | 8hr 7mins / 7hrs |
| Aircraft | Boeing 777-236 ER (G-VIIV) — 26 years old, same aircraft on return |
| Flew | July 2025 |
From Click to Check-In: The First Class Journey Begins
I thought it was about time to write another flight review, and with this flight being booked in First it seemed like a good option to feature. That said, with a 10:30pm departure and overnight, I don’t plan on doing anything other than having dinner in the Concorde Lounge at Terminal 5 first so that I can then just sleep on the flight. Thinking this wouldn’t be the most interesting review, I’l combine both the outbound and return flight (daytime) to be able to talk more about features and service.
1. Booking & Check-In Process:
Booking was very straightforward on the British Airways website, and I was able to complete this quickly once I’d chosen the flights to best suit the Edinburgh connections, then finalised with all seat bookings. 1D on the domestic in Club Europe, and 1A in First both ways. Having a bag to check in, this was fairly simple in Edinburgh, though nothing memorable - I’m expecting a much more prestigious First check in at Dubai International.
Famous last words indeed! I know checking in at Edinburgh didn’t give me the First Wing in London, which is a great experience, but I had thought that the Dubai experience would exceed this - how wrong I was. In Dubai’s Terminal 1, British Airways check-in area was Section 2, and there were the usual desks for First, Club World etc. and I was able to check in at the First desk quite quickly. It was explained that the lounge was above the duty free area in departures. I was amazed that there was ZERO benefit while going through the airport in terms of a fast track/premium experience, nothing special at either Passport Control nor Security for any level of fast-track. Once through both of these, it was then a case of getting the automated shuttle train to the departure area, and indeed there was the British Airways branded lounge on the first floor.
2. Airport & Lounge Experience:
Edinburgh does have a Fast Track security channel (separate access) but as they then merge the security lane with everyone else, it’s never that quick. The British Airways Lounge (opposite Gate 5 in the main concourse area at Edinburgh is always decent, and a very regular location for us with British Airways being our most flown airline by far.
The prime lounge is in London though, the Concorde Lounge which is accessible either if you’re actually flying in First or have a Gold Guest List membership. I had planned to visit before the Dubai flight for dinner (there are either great inside dining booths for one or two people, or an ‘outside’ area too). With the flight from Edinburgh departing over an hour late, there would not be time for this and instead straight to the gate for the onward flight.
Boarding in Heathrow was ok, a brisk walk from the connecting flight and then the departing flight had to go from C gates (C61) with the longest tunnel walk I think I’ve ever experienced anywhere in the world. Despite the 22:30 departure, boarding only started to commence around 9:40 with a pre-board, then actually getting to board the aircraft just after 10pm.
As above, on the return the airport experience was beyond disappointing, but as soon as I went into the Lounge this changed. The attendant on the desk was so welcoming, and escorted me through to “The Bar” - a lounge within a lounge only for First Class passengers, and I assume perhaps anyone who was a Gold card holder anyway, or Gold Guest List. Restroom facilities were shared in the main lounge, which was a really nice lounge anyway, you just had much more privacy and personal service in The Bar.
There were two booths for private pre-flight dining, and I was offered the breakfast menu, arriving there just before 10am. Having had a great breakfast before leaving One&Only One Za’abeel, I didn’t have anything other than a glass of sparkling water - really pushing the boat out! There is also a huge bar area in the centre (go figure, hence the name of the sub-lounge) with a whole array of drinks, teas, coffees etc. There were a number of high stools around the bar itself, then on two sides of the lounge were individual blue leather womb-style chairs, the ones at the front looking out onto the airport concourse, albeit through partially frosted glass.
The lounge was lovely and clean, as were the restrooms albeit the smell of toilet blocks, but the supplied Elemis handwash and hand cream helped get rid of that, despite my very poor sense of smell since Covid. I was told on arrival, but that once the crew had boarded the plane, I would be notified that boarding was about to start. We were due to depart from Gate D6 at 11:05, an hour before departure.
The agent in the lounge was excellent, keeping me informed of the flight’s progress and crew arrival, and a nice personal exit from the lounge. Not sure if you give Golden Tickets for airline lounge staff, but I will certainly look into this as she was worthy of one for sure.
Boarding at Dubai was straightforward, just a few minutes to wait in the departure area, after having another passport and boarding pass check. The gate lounge was divided into two areas, one for priority boarding nearer the gate itself and the main area for standard boarding. There was a group 0 boarding announcement, and boarding the plane was split into two air tunnels - the first for Business & First, the second general boarding.
This was quick, in that being first to that front door there was no one there to greet me. An announcement quickly went out over the PA system to advise that plane crew that boarding had commenced and crew should attend to their posts.
3. Cabin Ambiance & Seating:
In London, I was first in the queue to board and was welcomed at the door and escorted to my seat, 1A. Despite the age of the aircraft, it had obviously had a recentish refit and seemed way newer beyond its 26 years. Very decent space, just so exposed compared to the new Club World with the privacy door. I was offered a glass of champagne, water or orange juice on getting seated, and my jacket was taken.
Seat 1A in British Airways First Class: a private suite with electric-blue mood lighting, large HD screen and plenty of space for your essentials.
On the return, no surprise with the cabin as it was EXACTLY the same seat and aircraft as the outbound, the only difference I could see was that it looked like someone had had a go at getting the tray table to fully reset to the stowed position (more chips and scuffs and an obvious forcing of a screwdriver into the edge). It did lay flat, as it should, but made it look really poor for First class.
4. In-Flight Service & Dining:
On the outbound flight, the extent of dining on boarding was a glass of champagne before take-off and then a bottle of water afterwards. Deciding to sleep for the flight because of the timing, I declined the option of dinner, and the cabin crew made up my bed as soon after take-off. I advised her that I would have breakfast, if awake, but not to necessarily be woken for this.
I did wake up about 90 minutes before landing and had a decent breakfast - some yoghurt to start with orange juice, before a fresh fruit selection and a croissant with green tea. With the other hot option including mushrooms (Red Leicester, portobello mushroom and spinach omelette, with oven-roasted cherry tomatoes) and being the same as my pre-ordered vegetarian option, I went for the Handmade pancakes with mascarpone, mixed berries, mangoes and maple syrup).
In-flight service was good, both cabin crew who attended to me were nice, but one of them said he was drafted into First due to being a staff member short, and he was normally in Club World.
On the return, once I was seated, I was offered a drink and then given both the male washbag and a sleeper suit, this time with the addition of (and a decent size) pair of mens slippers. After a while some snacks were brought - cheese crackers, fantastic olives, and mixed warm nuts. I did leave my jacket on top, thinking it would get hung up in the main wardrobe, but the cabin crew member just suggested it get hung up in the seat wardrobe.
In terms of return menu, there was a full A La Carte menu (amuse bouche, choice of four starters and four mains, with various sides, a choice of four desserts and cheeses) as well as a Light Meal option of two starter choices, two mains, and a dessert.
What was disappointing was after take-off just being asked if I wanted my vegetarian meal, without being able to be told what it was. The crew member offered to let me see it, but came back to say it was some pancake thing. I asked if I couldn’t have the vegetarian menu option where I could at least know what I was going to be eating, but that seemed to depend on everyone getting their choice first. I don’t actually add a vegetarian request now for BA, as this gets linked from my Club profile, but for First I wish I’d removed this from the flight, albeit you then get served non-vegetarian amuse bouches etc.
5. Entertainment & Connectivity:
With being in First, Wi-Fi was free during the flight, and once at a certain altitude and the seatbelt signs switched off, access was available. Although I didn’t use it continuously (slept most of the flight) whenever I did for messaging it seemed quick and fairly consistent. It was only at breakfast time too that I started to watch a film - confession good for the soul - Bridget Jones - Mad About The Boy. I only watched about a third of this, so I intend to finish this off on the return. The choice of films and entertainment was ok, and despite having seen them multiple times, I was tempted by the whole James Bond 007 Collection!
On the return leg, soon after take-off Wi-Fi was available, and this was free and reasonably quick, but only free for one device. I thought perhaps I could have both the free First Wi-Fi and then a separate log on for being a Club member, but that didn’t seem to work and I kept getting an error message on my Club log on.
6. Comfort & Amenities:
The space was great, and seat comfortable - the aircraft had certainly be refitted since its 26 years in operation, the configuration (without any privacy door) now just seems really open (despite the 1A location) compared to either the new First, new Club World, or what Qatar have had for seemingly ages with their Qsuites.
Nothing really more to say here on the return, as the same aircraft, but with being a daytime flight, and shorter, while I did change into the sleepsuit, I didn’t get the bed fully made-up to sleep. I took the last flight out from London (of three daily BA options) because of the overnight timing, and the (last) return option also seemed best for me too.
The Temperley London amenity kit was thoughtfully designed, featuring a smart navy blue washbag in soft fabric with the signature BA x Temperley branding. Inside, the contents were curated by Elemis, offering a well-rounded mix of essentials: Ultra Smart Pro-Collagen facial mist, cleansing micellar wipes, lip balm, and a nourishing moisturiser – along with socks, eye mask, pen, and dental kit. It’s not quite the luxury of some Middle Eastern or Asian carriers, but still a useful and well-presented selection for a premium cabin.
7. Arrival & Post-Flight Experience:
On arrival in Dubai, on time, the air bridges were attached quickly and I was able to de-board first from the front of the plane. I think this caught out the crew who were stationed at the doors between First and Club, then obviously heard the knocking on the other front door.
Once off, there was a bit of walking then taking the air-train to the arrivals area and Passport Control. Despite their being no fast-track, this was fairly quick and then through to luggage collection on carousel 1, despite the crew on board saying I think 5 and TripIt advising 4! My case was first off, so quick that I actually watched it pass before realising and catching it.
De-planing at Heathrow was different with the air bridge being joined in the middle of the Club World sections, so no quick exit from the front of First like in Dubai. This means you have to wait for the forward Club section to clear, with crew discretely stopping anyone from the rear Club section getting off before First.
On arrival in Heathrow, the plane landed at the B Gates, so it was a quick stop on the train to get back to the main terminal. With the onward domestic flight, it was also quick going through the UK & Ireland area for passport control (e-gates) and then the boarding pass check (also automatic). Despite signs for Fast Track being different to the main direction for next steps to airport security, by going upstairs, once there (as always) there never seems to be anything remotely fast track and you seem to just join the normal airport security queues.
The queue was slow, but then I was able to get at least an hour into the Concorde Lounge at Heathrow through the side door, before the connecting flight. This is always an excellent space, and I enjoyed a two-course dinner before going for my next flight.
8. Overall Experience & Final Verdict:
A decent flight overall, both flights on time and the space on board was great. The boarding process never feels that premium, and the whole check-in to lounge process in Dubai felt anything but, with no sort of fast-track facilities at all, which was very surprising.
Knowing the age of the aircraft (same both ways) wasn’t the most inspiring (26 years) and although the fit was clearly newer, there was no privacy at all with the suite not having any sort of door.
Service was good (the lounge reception agent in Dubai was excellent), just a bit disappointing on board regarding the food and the seating, especially on the return with the tray table cover having been hacked at with a screwdriver. I wouldn’t say anything about the First experience with British Airways being the most premium of any airline, but if the aircraft had been fitted with the newer cabin suites (like Club World) then the overall experience could have felt very different.
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The British Airways lounge at Dubai International Airport features a sleek bar area offering premium beverages pre-flight.
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