Skybound Chronicles: Exploring the Skies with British Airways - London to Johannesburg 747 Flight Review

It’s been some since we’ve flown BA long haul, more recently preferring Qatar Airways. We decided to use up some Avios though and booked flights to/from Johannesburg as our route to Madagascar as both were overnight flights.

The outbound flight was the BA57, a 747 where we were lucky to be situated in the small Club World upper deck cabin. This was the first time we had experienced the new Club World food/meal service and the White Company bedding/amenity kit. The meal was great and some really nice touches with the presentation, bread basket etc. Staff too were brilliant, none of the “attitude” which unfortunately does afflict some BA cabin crew.

Originally on the return we were booked on the earlier A380 flight, the BA56, however a last minute change of plan meant we had to return a day early. Despite the ticket office at the airport not being that helpful, as Avios tickets, on phoning the service centre the agent was unbelievably helpful, got us rebooked on an earlier flight within minutes and even offered to stay on the phone until he made sure we got checked in as the flight was closing - well done!

The staff on the return flight were equally good but the allocated seating being two of the four in the downstairs cabin wasn’t brilliant by design (next to a stranger and having to step over a stool to get to the aisle for one of us). I would have used my BA Golden Ticket if I’d had it with me, or been able to “submit” this online, which I couldn’t find out how to do.

Will definitely consider BA again for future long haul.