Review of British Airways flight from London to Nice in Business

Hello everyone,

I'm still a long way from catching up on my publication schedule, but I've decided to publish this flight as a priority because it presents a little novelty and even an exclusivity for Flight-Report by being the first story with British Airways' new medium-haul cabins. Unveiled in March 2024, these new cabins apply only to new Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft received by the British airline, i.e. from registration G-TTNW for the A320neo and G-TNED for the A321neo. So you have to be lucky to come across one, and it was by the merest chance that my flight to Nice was operated by one of these new machines.

The purpose of this trip was to get to the Farnborough Air Show, and consisted of a triangular routing with a departure from Paris Orly to London Heathrow with the new Vueling route (not postponed), this flight to Nice with British Airways and then a return to Paris with Air France.

Farnborough Airshow 2024

After 2 days at the Farnborough Airshow, with relatively clement weather and some fine aircraft like this Airbus A330-900neo Virgin Atlantic,

Boeing 787-9 Qatar Airways,

Embraer E195-E2 "Profit Hunter",

or Airbus A321XLR.

Now it's time to head back to Heathrow airport.

Check-in

After returning my rental car, I'm dropped off by the rental company's shuttle bus at Terminal 5.

I don't have any luggage to check in, and as I already have my boarding pass on my cell phone, I can go straight to the fast track in the South FIP.

The formalities are completed quickly, and I discover this rather well-designed British Airways lounge indication (already seen in other FRs).

I opt for the Club Lounge South.

As I no longer have oneworldstatus, I have no choice of lounge, and there's a bit of a wait to check eligibility.

British Airways Club Lounge South

It's still quite busy at the end of the day, but it's still possible to find seats (photos taken later), especially away from the windows.

It's been a long time since I've been here, and the refurbished furnishings give it a new lease of life.

Cubicles are the most popular seats.

I opt for a seat close to the windows and overlooking runway 09R.

The traffic is nice, but the double-glazed walls don't make spotting very easy.

Airbus A320neo British Airways with "BA Better World" livery.

Let's start with the liquid offer, and in particular the wines…

…and Prosecco.

But fortunately, real champagne is still available on request, it's Heidsieck Monopole Silver Top and I order 2 glasses at once :)

The solid food offer has also been improved, with a stand where you can compose your own Caesar salad.

A salad bar…

…with vinaigrettes.

Cheeses, puff pastries and savoury bites.

A wide range of hot dishes.

My first selection, more for aperitifs and nibbles…

…before moving on to dinner (yes, I do like cheese!).

Desserts and sweets remain the weak point of the offer, but this (rather hidden) Jude's ice-cream freezer is worth noting.

Boarding

Since booking, the aircraft has changed 4 times. Initially planned as an Airbus A320ceo, then an A320neo, 3 different registrations (according to FR24) have been assigned in the 24 hours preceding the flight.

Boarding begins 1 hour late.

And it's finally the G-TTNW that will make our flight, delivered on June 14, 2024, one of the 5 (now 6) Airbus A320neo with British Airways' new medium-haul cabins.

We shouldn't starve, thanks to the DO & CO catering truck at gate 1 on the right.

How I hate these low-cost boardings where we're parked in the gangway…

I'll even have time to start and finish my ice cream as I leave the lounge…

The entrance features the ceiling signature of Airbus' new Airspace cabin trim.

The cabin is bathed in a bluish lighting mood.

I'll be occupying seat 5F.

The back of the seat with the literature pocket.

And USB-A and USB-C sockets (not activated on the ground).

The center tray table on the middle seat is back, having disappeared with the introduction of the Airbus A320/321neo. British Airways reworked it with Collins Aerospace for a lighter model.

The seat features a modest mechanical recline.

And a 4-position adjustable headrest.

Not always easy to take photos in a full cabin, but fortunately its twin brother, the G-TTNY, was present at Farnborough, so let's take a look back.

Safran LEAP-1A engines for British Airways' Airbus A320neo.

British Airways' Airbus A320neo is equipped with 180 seats, the first 12 rows of which can be converted into Club Europe.

Club Europe

The logo emblem can be seen on the bulkhead in front of the 1ABC seats.

British Airways has chosen the Meridian seat from Collins Aerospace for its new medium-haul cabins.

Seat 1A.

Legroom is quite good in Row 1.

For the other rows, which can be converted into Club Europe, the standard spacing is 30 inches (76cm), with the exception of the emergency exits (rows 11 and 12), which have 34 inches (86cm).

The new central tray table is very practical for holding a drink and personal belongings.

It can be stored in a dedicated compartment under the central seat when the seat is marketed as a Euro Traveller.

Euro Traveller

Unlike the first Airbus A320neo / A321neo models, which featured simplified "ironing board" seats (Recaro SL3510) in the second half of the cabin, the entire aircraft now features the same seat model with adjustable headrests.

However, the pitch is reduced in Euro Traveller with 29 inches (74cm) and even 28 inches (71cm) for the last row.

The seat's finish is a success, with its dark blue hue, deep red accent (reminiscent of the Delta Comfort +) and diamond-shaped stitching on the backrest.

The disappointment remains the rear seatback, where the option of attaching a tablet or smartphone has not been taken up by the British company.

The new PSU (passenger service unit) in Airbus' Airspace cabins on the A320neo family.

British Airways has opted for the larger XL bins, offering 60% more volume than the previous generation.

Back on board our flight to Nice, we're ready for departure and the baggage compartments are closed.

Push-back and departure

We push off at the same time as this British Airways Airbus A320ceo, which is wearing the oneworldlivery.

Cabin lighting is reduced for our night takeoff.

Departure from runway 27L.

In flight

We quickly head south, switch on the cabin lights and activate the seat's USB sockets.

Dinner

The service begins with the offer of an aperitif, and I opt for champagne (Toujours du Castelnau) accompanied by a savory mix.

But there's no time to enjoy it, as the tray arrives immediately afterwards. The flight time to Nice is just long enough for me to enjoy a hot meal.

There's no menu, just a spoken choice of hot dish.

The starter is good and fresh.

I chose the shrimp curry with rice.

It's very good and spicy.

Dessert is a white chocolate (or vanilla) mousse with fruit.

Also good.

Arrival

Classic landing for runway 04L followed by a quick taxi to Terminal 1.

It's past midnight, and we're on our last flight of the day.

Last view from my seat.

Our plane, on a night stop before setting off again for Heathrow tomorrow morning.