BA Business Class on the Way Home

On the way back to the US, we also flew British Airways in business class. Their check-in process was slow. The line for business class was long and it was a 15-minute wait to get to the desk.

We had access to the lounge but it wasn't as impressive as the Turkish Airlines Lounge in Istanbul. There was a self-serve beverage station.

Breakfast was still being served at 11am. There were pastries and generic fruit.

They started bringing out various salads for the change to lunch; none looked appealing.

The soups were much better.

Mediterranean and Red Pepper Soup with seeded roll. 

Sweet Corn Chowder was the other option. Both soups were delicious.

The lounge did have an Elemis Spa and you could sign up for a free 15-minute facial or massage. It's virtually impossible to get one of the slots though because there weren't many therapists. What a tease!

The herringbone configuration of the Boeing 787 is awkward if you're traveling solo. You end up staring face-to-face with your seat mates. If you're traveling with 1 or 2 other people, being face-to-face becomes more of a party. 

The business class in the 787 is 2-3-2 configuration. If you have a middle or window seat, the last row is the best because you don't have to climb over your seat mate to access the aisle. 

If you're in the aisle, you don't have much privacy. You have people climbing over your feet, the flight attendants reach over you to serve the middle passenger and you get bumped when people are in the aisle.

After boarding, we were offered a glass of champagne.

Shortly after takeoff, you're served your choice of beverages and mixed nuts. I chose a Sauvignon Blanc from Chateau de Maupas, Sancerre.

Starter choices included smoked salmon, Stilton cheesecake, mushroom soup or fresh seasonal salad. I chose the Severn and Wye Scottish Smoked Salmon, Burford Browns' Hens Egg, Shallots, Dill Creme Fraiche, Pumpernickel. This was quite good but the Cep (Mushroom) Soup with Creme Fraiche was delicious!

The mains included beef, trout or Thai vegetable curry. I chose the Seared Filet of British Beef, Potato Dauphinoise, Hone Roasted Butternut Squash and Peppercorn Jus. This was also quite good. The potatoes were my favorite.

I had a glass of Carmenere Gran Reserva from Tarapaca with my dinner.

Instead of dessert, I opted for the Cheese Board. This included Coastal Cheddar, West Country Brie, Shropshire Blue, Walnuts, Biscuit and Apricot Chutney.

The dessert options included chocolate and caramel layer cake, apple and cinnamon sponge cake and fresh fruit.

Prior to landing, we were served a "light meal." The starter options were prawn or mushroom quiche. I chose the Prawn Cocktails with Baby Gem Lettuce, Marie Rose Sauce. The sauce is a British condiment made from a blend of tomatoes, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and black pepper.

The main was a choice of chicken, salmon or steak sandwich. I chose the Seared Sumac Scottish Salmon, Lemon Quinoa, Lentil Salad, Lemon and Elderflower Dressing. I was surprised that the salmon was not dry.

The dessert was a Belgian Chocolate Torte.

Overall, business class on British Airways was disappointing after my Turkish Airlines experience. The seats on Turkish Airlines were older but the service was much better.

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