FLIGHT TEST

Flight BA2159, Gatwick to Grenada

BRITISH AIRWAYS BOEING 777 IN ECONOMY CLASS (ba.com)

Details: Return flight, there’s a stopover in St Lucia of about an hour but you don’t need to leave your seat.

Experience: British Airways may be a national institution but it’s a carrier I seldom use for a number of reasons (one being I’m a bit mean). This meant I didn’t already have the airline’s app... which I found clunky and hard to navigate. I thought I’d got my boarding pass only for it not to show and I had to get it printed out at the airport.

‘Glitchy’ seemed to be the word of the day, but you have to divorce all this from the actual staff. They are excellent and quickly deal with any problems both on and off the ground.

Boarding was efficient and the in-flight entertainment was wide and varied. My personal system was ‘glitchy’ (there’s that word again). Unfortunately, the touchscreen for my seat didn’t really work so I couldn’t play games. The sound only came through one ear too.

When it comes to watching videos a minor issue was that many of the box sets on offer started on the second series, so if you hadn’t seen the first it could be difficult to pick up the thread of the storyline.

Still, the cabin crew were excellent and the food, the Achilles heel of many an airline, was above average.

I tucked into chicken with orzo, plus cheese and crackers and a chocolate mousse. I didn’t think much of the starter salad, but then celery is my natural enemy.

With the seat next to me empty I managed good shuteye and the woman in front didn’t even put her seat back – double result. I arrived refreshed and ready to tackle 75% white rum on a beach.

Quibbles: The flight safety vid is long and probably the most annoying piece of film I’ve ever had to watch on an aeroplane.

Verdict: BA is an excellent service – but that’s mostly down to the people. Unlike the tech, they’re the best of British.

7/10