British Airways and Google have teamed up to provide users with a google street view virtual tour of British Airways dedicated London City to New York City-JFK service. The virtual tour is a great way to see what high end business travelers experience on British Airways unique A318 business class only service. The two specially configured A318s are the only A318s flying comerical transatlantic flights, and a service reserved for those with deep pockets or tons of miles who are willing to pay high surcharges.
The virtual tour is a great way to peek inside the 32 passenger plane and see what amenities are offered both onboard and at the private lounge in the gate area. The virtiual tour covers everything from the plane to the gate and the terminal in the congested London City Airport. From the virtual tour I could see that the gate area includes a unique private lounge area with drinks and snacks and room for all 32 business class travelers, yet it’s clearly dated and screaming for a refresh. The London City Airport Terminal also seems to be an extremely narrow corridor with multiple gates and appears to barely be large enough to operate.
I have never flown through London City, nor on this BA unique service. This virtual tour may be as close as I ever come to the unique service from London City, and although this virtual tour was supposed to be a way for British Airways to advertise and upsell their Business Class only service that starts at £2,773.94 return, I think I was honestly turned off by it and I’ll instead return to the larger London Heathrow.
