British Airways trials First off First initiatives at Heathrow
British Airways is currently trialing two new priority services for its first class passengers arriving into London Heathrow. Business Traveller was alerted to the initiatives on this forum thread, and has now been provided with more information by the carrier. Dubbed "First off First", the two services include the use of dedicated coaches for First customers on flights arriving at remote stands at Heathrow.
BA says that the buses aim to get passengers en route to the terminal "within 90 seconds of leaving their seat", adding that "Early trials have found that we can get them there up to ten minutes quicker than before". The carrier said that around 9 per cent of BA flights arrive onto "off-pier" stands.
The other initiative is around the prioritising of checked luggage for First customers at arrivals. BA is currently trialing a new service on routes from New York JFK, Los Angeles, Dubai and Johannesburg, whereby bags "are reserved space in containers closest to the hold doors, and then separated on arrival at the baggage hall so that they are more easily identified".
