Club World Sleeper Seats
 

I do the LON/BAH run every couple of months with BA. Being generous souls, my company pays for me to live the life of Riley in J class. I haven't been over since April, but I'm off again on 125 this Saturday, so can anyone tell me if BA have got round to doing the "comfy bed" thing in the 777's on the route?

I'm not holding out much hope ... their only comptetion on the route is Gulf Air, and as there is normally "standing room only" in J on the BA flights, it's not as though they need to lure the punters in with promises of luxury beyond compare! ;)

Seriously, if the 777's haven't been converted, can anyone shed light on when they may be? Or do BA relegate aircraft on the "Hobson's Choice" routes to the bottom of the makeover pile?

Duncan

The only way you'll get a Sleeper Seat to Bahrain this side of Summer 2003 is through an equipment substitution.

Basically, the 777s used for BAH/DOH services are A-market aircraft with the regn G-ZZZ*. As far as I know, the only 777s with the '21st century' product are the new ERs (with RR engines) with the regn G-YMM*. Also, some of the G-VII* aircraft (older ERs with GE engines) have it as they are rolling through with the installation. I don't know how long it will be before they get down to ZZZs, as their future in the BA fleet is not secure - ZZZD I believe has been sold for example. However, YMM 777s have been known in BAH - there were a number of flights this summer operated with them, so you might get lucky!

So, Bahrain is pencilled in for a 21st century rollout sometime next summer. Dubai already have it, so you could go down there and then back!

Your comments about standing room only are not unique. BA have a dilemmas with the route. Since they stopped Dharhan, BAH has been full at all times of the year (which is very rare). There is a rumour that they will either substitute a 747-400 for the route next summer (which happens quite a lot in Dubai) or go double daily (the preffered consumer option).

BahrainLad,

When ever have BA substituted either of the services to DXB with a 747-400. In the last 18months I have made 10 journeys down to DXB with BA (My Previous Employer) and never experienced the 747.

Now working for EK in DXB, and with a great view over the ramp, I still have not seen one. Just the usual 777, with an enormous amount of staffies trying to get home!!!!!

If they do fair enough, but I've never seen one, and I think I would notice!

:cool:

You'd be surprised what routes BA will put a 747 on if it is necessary. Due to the Aer Lingus strike earlier this year a 747 went to Dublin, due to equipemnt shortages both 74 and 777 have been seen in Paris, Amsterdam and Madrid. If the route is big enough permananet or temporary a/c changes are not uncommon. Eg Caracas used to be served by a 767, which has now been changed to a 777.

AOG.....this information was given to me in passing with the phrase 'apparently the 747 goes down to Dubai quite often'. The person who disclosed this piece of info is usually very reliable, but have no fear, he will be shot at dawn for embarrassing me on a public forum!!!

Obviously, if noone's seen the aircraft at DXB ever, then it comes to reason that it's never been there!! Apologies to all.

Personally I'd prefer to see BAH go double-daily....the 1am start can be a nightmare - especially when the flight isn't long enough to get some decent shuteye.

Redeye
 

BahrainLad,

Agree with you about the 0100 kick-off being a royal pain. Even worse when the UK is on GMT as the departure moves back to 0200! Most uncivilised.

Overnight sleeping arrangements now sorted ... BA have a promotion until Dec on longhaul. J is upgraded to F for one leg on tickets purchased after 02-Sep. Travel agent baulked and said "but the tickets were booked weeks ago". Answer? Cancel them and issue another pair. Sorted.

Duncan

BahrainLad,

Apologies for sounding a little harsh, I certainly did'nt intend to try and embarrass you. I have seen a BA 747 in Dubai, but it was on a private charter for the services I believe?

Anyhow the 777 looks just right at Gate19 every morning, a nice reminder of my good times within the BA group over the last 7 years!

Sadly the same problem applies on LGW - CCS - BOG. Old-style J class fine on the way out (day) but not great on (overnight) return. Word from cabin crew is no change to C21 product in near future, as BA a touch short of cash right now. No direct competition, everything else involves a change somewhere. BA only really competing against itself, as the other option is to fly back via MIA for a good night's kip on BA into LHR.

On the other hand, any more than about 15 seconds in MIA is, if anything, rather worse than a lousy night's 'rest'.

Can only hope for (another) lucky upgrade to F. Now THAT'S what I call luxury...

Looks as though 744 will be operating by next March/April, it will have New J class, in the Hi configuration (approx 70 seats), so they will still offer the same number of J seats, rather than losing them on the 777, it will also offer the same number of Y seats as 777, but as a bonus will have the Traveller Plus seats as extra, I think they will lose about 4 F seats though, but New Club is a pretty damn good alternative. In fact if you go online to the BA website and look on the Flight Schedules section for the BA124/125 after next March/April the aircraft type shows up as 744!

So roll on new J!

I'm sure the 744 drivers will love doing the BAH-DOH-BAH shuttle (20mins-ish flight time I believe), hand fly it all the way baby! Plus she'll be as light as a feather, who says the longhaul guys have less fun!!! Alternatively the crew may overnight in DOH instead of BAH? But still great to hand fly that big bird that short distance and a nice casual visual approach, gorgeous! Getting a bit carried away there!

Cheers all.

Alvin