Travel YouTuber Hannah Ricketts spent £10,000 of her own money on a British Airways first class ticket from London to New York, only to declare it a "waste of money" and a disappointment.
A Costly Experience
Hannah Ricketts, who runs a travel channel with 476,000 subscribers, paid for the ticket herself to provide an authentic review. She expected a luxurious experience, recalling that British Airways was once considered the "height of sophistication and customer service." Her journey began at Heathrow's Terminal 5, where she accessed the exclusive Concorde Room and enjoyed a "fantastic" full-English breakfast. However, upon boarding, she found the first class cabin "really small" and similar to business class.
Service and Meal Issues
Within two hours of the flight, Hannah expressed concerns about the service. She noted that despite only eight passengers in first class, she had only been offered one drink. She compared this unfavorably to business class, where she would expect more attention. The meal service also disappointed: her starter of marinated lobster was chewy, earning a rating of "two out of 10." The main course of herb-crusted Welsh rack of lamb and a salted caramel chocolate dessert were better, but overall, she felt the service was inconsistent.
Comparison to Other Airlines
Hannah had previously flown first class with Emirates and was thoroughly impressed, which made the British Airways experience even more underwhelming. She stated, "I'm reviewing this based on it being like 10 grand... I can't really rate this as a very good product." She added, "I genuinely thought I was going to make this video and say... you've got to do it... Just don't bother. It's pointless."
Positive Aspects
Despite her overall disappointment, Hannah did appreciate some features. The cabin had a dark, moody aesthetic, a wardrobe for jackets, and generous storage space. First class also included complimentary wifi, a footrest, and a wash bag with luxury items like lip balm, moisturizer, and a collagen face mask. She praised the Temple sleeper suit and slippers, as well as the spacious bed, though she noted the absence of a duvet.
Future Improvements
Hannah acknowledged that British Airways is rolling out updated first class cabins from mid-2025, which she described as "stunning," and expressed interest in trying them. However, for this experience, she suggested it would be wiser to "save nine grand and sit in economy."
Final Verdict
Before landing in New York, Hannah noted that no staff asked if she needed anything. She concluded, "For me personally, I wouldn't spend the money on this ever again unless there was some crazy sale or I had tons and tons of points." She recommended business class as a better option and advised against saving for British Airways first class unless one is "absolutely minted."
Viewers echoed her sentiments, with one flight attendant calling the service "ridiculous" and another saying they would be "bitterly disappointed." British Airways declined to comment on the review.
