Scotiabank Gold American Express® CardScotiabank Gold American Express® CardEarn up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points + no annual fee in your first year

Review: British Airways B747 – First Class

  • Luxury
Review: British Airways B747 – First Class

Note9.2/10

Flight Carrier
British Airways
Departing Airport
John F. Kennedy International Airport
Arrival Airport
London Heathrow Airport
Flight Number
BA116
Duration
7:00
Aircraft
Boeing 747
Cabin Class
First class
Cost
68,000 airline miles
Share

The long awaited moment! After a short flight from Montreal, I found myself at 7pm at New York JFK airport. My next flight will be in First Class on a British Airways Boeing 747 – the Queen of the Sky.

Flight British Airways BA116 – New York JFK – London LHR – First Class

My flight from Montreal landed in Terminal 8, and I have to go to Terminal 7. Although the terminals are next door, it took me a good 20 minutes to get there!

Within the New York JFK airport

Let’s go for long corridors in Terminal 8. No doubt, we are in New York.

jfk lhr british first001
Terminal 8 JFK
jfk lhr british first002
Terminal 8 JFK

Direction the AirTrain, the train allowing to go from one terminal to another.

jfk lhr british first003
Direction AirTrain

In passing, I see a US Airways plane… a company that no longer exists since it was bought by American Airlines. They take a little time to repaint the acquired aircraft!

jfk lhr british first004
US Airways

By the way, as you leave Terminal 8 – or « American Airlines Terminal », a glimpse of the company’s various logos.

jfk lhr british first005
American Airlines logos through time

Changing the terminal means leaving the « Security » area. If my stopover had been longer, I could have gone to New-York in a few hours. That will be for another time 😉

jfk lhr british first006
Welcome to New-York

I finally reached the AirTrain, Terminal 7 is not far away.

jfk lhr british first007
AirTrain JFK
jfk lhr british first008
AirTrain JFK
jfk lhr british first009
AirTrain JFK

And here I am, a short one minute trip and I’m in Terminal 7 or « British Airways Terminal ».

jfk lhr british first010
Terminal 7 – JFK
jfk lhr british first011
Terminal 7 – JFK

No doubt, we are here in New-York with the famous yellow cabs.

jfk lhr british first012
New-York Taxi

Several signs indicate the paths to the different registration areas.

jfk lhr british first013
Terminal 7 check-in areas

This is the business class area (Club World), with little traffic.

jfk lhr british first014
Terminal 7 – Club World

I go to the first class area (British Airways First).

jfk lhr british first015
Terminal 7 – First
jfk lhr british first017
Terminal 7 – First
jfk lhr british first018
Terminal 7 – First

Terminal 7 – First

It is now 7:45 pm. I decide to see at the check-in counter if I can change my flight. Initially, I was registered on the last flight of the evening (22:55 – BA182). But before this one, there are 3 other flights, all on B747 (20h15, 20h40, 21h30).

Since I am traveling on an award flight (paid with miles), there is normally a fee for any changes. The agent decides to go see his supervisor and I wait in the very « British » chairs.

jfk lhr british first019

5 minutes later, the agent comes back with my new boarding pass: I’m now leaving at 8:15 pm, in 30 minutes! And what’s more… in seat 1A normally reserved for the most frequent British Airways passengers (with a high Oneworld status).

A short passage through security (2 minutes) and I am faced with a difficult choice: which lounge to choose to relax in before boarding?

jfk lhr british first016
Terminal 7 – Security
jfk lhr british first020
Terminal 7 – Lounges

This will be the Concorde Room, exclusively reserved for First Class passengers.

jfk lhr british first021
Terminal 7 – Concorde Room

In the Concorde Room – Terminal 7 New-York JFK

A small glimpse of this living room, with a style that I would describe as « old-fashioned British ».

jfk lhr british first022
Terminal 7 – Concorde Room
jfk lhr british first023
Terminal 7 – Concorde Room
jfk lhr british first024
Terminal 7 – Concorde Room
jfk lhr british first025
Terminal 7 – Concorde Room
jfk lhr british first026
Terminal 7 – Concorde Room
jfk lhr british first027
Terminal 7 – Concorde Room

There is the possibility to have dinner on the spot, I would only take 2 glasses of champagne and some cheese.

jfk lhr british first028
Terminal 7 – Concorde Room – Alcohols
jfk lhr british first032
Terminal 7 – Concorde Room – Alcohols
jfk lhr british first033
Terminal 7 – Concorde Room – Alcohols
jfk lhr british first034
Terminal 7 – Concorde Room – Alcohols
jfk lhr british first035
Terminal 7 – Concorde Room – Alcohols
jfk lhr british first036
Terminal 7 – Concorde Room – Champagne !

And I sit next to the Business Center to admire the view with a setting sun.

jfk lhr british first030
Terminal 7 – Concorde Room – Business center
jfk lhr british first031
Terminal 7 – Concorde Room
jfk lhr british first029
Terminal 7 – Concorde Room – Open Skies

But it is already time to join my plane. To tell you the truth, I’m glad I moved my flight forward by almost 3 hours. I had planned to have dinner in the lounge to get as much sleep as possible during the flight, but I ended up having dinner on the plane! The visit of the other fairs will be done next time.

jfk lhr british first038
British Airways 747 – My plane for tonight

First Class Boarding – British Airways

The boarding area is very busy, fortunately, there is a dedicated line for First and Business Class passengers. The order is scrupulously respected.

jfk lhr british first037
Terminal 7 – Priority Boarding

A father and son boarded just before me and headed upstairs in business class.

jfk lhr british first039
Boarding

As for me, it will be all the way to the left… towards seat 1A, with a brief passage in front of a business class section.

jfk lhr british first040
British Airways Club World

Here I am, alone, in first class. So I take the opportunity to make a maximum of pictures.

jfk lhr british first044
British Airways 747 First Class / First
jfk lhr british first045
British Airways 747 First Class / First
jfk lhr british first047
British Airways 747 First Class / First
jfk lhr british first048
British Airways 747 First Class / First
jfk lhr british first049
British Airways 747 First Class / First – My luggage
jfk lhr british first050
British Airways 747 First Class / First
jfk lhr british first051
British Airways 747 First Class / First
jfk lhr british first052
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Seat 1A
jfk lhr british first106
British Airways B747 First – A large seat (just before landing)

The hostess, seeing that I take a lot of pictures, offers to immortalize this moment, sitting in my seat 1A.

jfk lhr british first053
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Your blogger 😉

Then she brings me back my « welcome kit » which is the product kit (for men) as well as a pair of pajamas in my size.

jfk lhr british first067
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Welcome Kit
jfk lhr british first069
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Welcome Kit
jfk lhr british first070
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Pyjamas

A small tour of the menu and drinks that will be proposed to me this evening.

jfk lhr british first078
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Menu
jfk lhr british first077
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Menu
jfk lhr british first076
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Menu
jfk lhr british first075
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Menu
jfk lhr british first074
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Menu
jfk lhr british first073
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Menu
jfk lhr british first072
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Menu
jfk lhr british first071
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Menu

I open the blind that covers my two portholes to see that we are already leaving the door!

jfk lhr british first079
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Portholes

I can stretch out my legs, savor my glass of champagne, we will soon take off. A Royal Air Maroc b787 is before us.

jfk lhr british first080
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Royal Air Maroc

The First Class cabin is almost full. Although the seats 1A and 1K appear to be close on the cabin plan, I am still far from the young woman in 1K.

ac hotel gran canaria
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Seat 1K across from Seat 1A

Shortly after takeoff, I went to the bathroom to change into my « pyjamas first ».

jfk lhr british first084
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Pyjamas

To my surprise, the toilets are not very big… but they do have a porthole 🙂

jfk lhr british first085
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Toilets
jfk lhr british first086
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Toilets

Back in my seat, the table is set: a new glass of champagne awaits me with appetizers.

jfk lhr british first088
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Dinner

While eating, I take the opportunity to test the screen, very pixelated. It will only show the map anyway because I won’t be watching a movie tonight.

jfk lhr british first089
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Screen
jfk lhr british first091
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Screen
jfk lhr british first090
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Screen

After the appetizers, the starter: lobster.

jfk lhr british first092
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Dinner

Followed by a very tender meat as a main course accompanied by an excellent glass of red wine.

jfk lhr british first093
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Dinner

This will be followed by a cheese plate. I won’t have dessert.

jfk lhr british first094
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Dinner

The hostess offers to prepare my bed for the night.

jfk lhr british first095
jfk lhr british first096
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Chair-bed

Comfortable no? In any case, it was because I was able to sleep a good 4 hours, which is rare for me on a plane! Actually, I was woken up by the stewardess 10 minutes before landing. She brings me a coffee, and I decide to open the blinds to enjoy the daylight and the landing. I missed breakfast (I’ll have it in the living room upon arrival!).

jfk lhr british first098
British Airways 747 First Class / First – Coffee

And here we are, arrived in London! The two giants of the sky: the Boeing 747 of British Airways and the Airbus A380 of the Australian company Qantas.

jfk lhr british first100
British Airways 747 vs Qantas A380

British Airways also has A380s.

jfk lhr british first102
British Airways A380

After a short taxi on the runway, we arrived at Terminal 5, the one for the international flights of British Airways, full of B747.

jfk lhr british first103
Terminal 5 LHR

It’s time for me to leave this British Airways first class to join the « Arrivals lounge » of London Heathrow before catching my flight to Amsterdam! A last goodbye to the plane that brought me here!

jfk lhr british first109
British Airways B747

Bottom line

This flight was excellent. The first class… was a first for me. Some call British Airways First Class the « best business class ever ». It is true that I found the front of the cabin, in the nose of the B747, quite full (14 seats in such a small space while other airlines just put 6-9 at most).

On the other hand, the service was excellent, as were the meals and alcohol served.

I’ll soon have a comparable one when I travel on my return flight with Lufthansa… also in First Class.

The maps to make this trip

Here, I needed American Express with Membership Rewards (transferable to Avios miles) and my Scotiabank Gold American Express card (which allowed me to pay taxes with the Scotia Bonus points).

Annual fee
$250
Our valuation
$1,020
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,020Total$1,020Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 60,000 points
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

Earn up to 60,000 Membership Rewards points with this welcome offer for the American Express Gold Rewards Card. That’s a value of $600 toward travel or any purchase charged to the Card:

  • 5,000 Membership Rewards points per month when you charge $1,000 in net purchases to your Card, for 12 months (a total of 60,000 points in the first year).

You can also transfer your points to airline partners such as Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways, Qatar Airways, Finnair), Flying Blue, and hotel partners (Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors).

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards points to a partner loyalty program, you would have the choice of earning up to :

  • 60,000 Aeroplan points
  • 60,000 Avios
  • 60,000 Flying Blue Miles
  • 72,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

With this Card, you get many benefits like:

  • $100 annual travel credit
  • Priority Pass membership and 4 complimentary Plaza Premium visits per year
  • $50 NEXUS credit

You earn 2 points per dollar for travel purchases, and at:

  • gas stations
  • grocery stores
  • drugstores

And 1 point per dollar everywhere else.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Annual fee

Primary card$250
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 2xPharmacy
  • 2xGas & EV
  • 2xTravel
  • 2xGroceries
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,555
2nd Year Value$589

Transfer partners

  • AeroplanAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • Etihad GuestAirline
  • Flying BlueAirline
  • Hilton HonorsHotel
  • Marriott BonvoyHotel

Card benefits

Airport lounge access$160

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $1,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
Annual fee
$799
Our valuation
$1,700
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,700Total$1,700Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 100,000 points
Apply Now

on American Express's website

Apply with confidence — no impact on your credit scoreApply with confidenceCheck whether your application will be approved before you submit it, with no impact on your credit score*When you apply for a personal American Express Credit Card, we will tell you whether you are eligible without affecting your credit score. So you can apply with confidence.*Instant decisions are only available for consumer Card applications (also called “personal Cards”).

Terms of the offer

  • Unlock special experiences with the newly designed metal Platinum Card
  • New Platinum® Cardmembers, earn 25,000 Welcome Bonus Membership Rewards® points when you charge $2,000 in purchases to your Card in the first three months of Cardmembership
  • Earn 3 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible dining in Canada, 2 points for every $1 in Card purchases on eligible travel, and 1 point for every $1 in all other Card purchases
  • You will have access to a $200 CAD Annual Travel Credit to use towards any single travel booking of $200 or more charged to your Platinum Card and made on www.americanexpress.ca/travel or through Platinum Card® Travel Service
  • Take full advantage of the American Express Global Lounge Collection which unlocks access to over 1200 airport lounges worldwide. This includes The Centurion® Lounge network, Plaza Premium Lounges, and hundreds of other domestic and international lounges designed to enhance your travel experience
  • Enjoy complimentary benefits that offer an average value of $550 USD at over 1,000 extraordinary properties worldwide when you book Fine Hotels & Resorts.
  • Platinum Cardmembers can enjoy access to special events and unique opportunities
  • Enjoy premium benefits at the Toronto Pearson Airport including security bypass, complimentary valet car service and discount car care and parking
  • You will also have access to many leading hotel and car rental companies’ loyalty programs. Our partners include Marriott International, Hilton Hotels and Resorts®, Radisson Hotel Group Hotels and Resorts, Hertz® and Avis®
  • As a Charge Card, the balance must always be paid in full each month. 30% annual interest rate applies to balances not paid in full. Payments must be received and processed by the date of the next monthly statement to avoid interest charges
  American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details, current product information and Terms and Conditions, click the Apply now link. Conditions Apply

The Platinum Card® is the best premium card in Canada for travellers.

With this welcome offer, you can earn up to 100,000 Membership Rewards® points:

  • 70,000 points after charging $10,000 to your Card in your first 3 months of Cardmembership
  • 30,000 points when you make a purchase between the 15th and 17th month after your Cardmembership begins

With this Card, you get:

  • 2 points per $1 on eligible dining and delivery purchases in Canada
  • 2 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases charged to the Card
  • 1 point per $1 on all other purchases charged to the Card

You can use your Membership Rewards® points in many ways:

  • Transfer points to airline partners: Aeroplan, Avios (British Airways / Qatar Airways), Flying Blue, Delta SkyMiles, etc.
  • Transfer points to hotel partners, including Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy
  • Redeem points for statement credits to offset any travel purchase charged to your Card (1,000 points = $10)
  • Redeem points for statement credits towards other purchases (1,000 points = $10)
  • And more!

For example, with this welcome offer, if you decide to transfer your Membership Rewards® points to a partner loyalty program, you could earn up to:

  • 100,000 Aeroplan points
  • 100,000 Avios
  • 100,000 Flying Blue Miles
  • 120,000 Marriott Bonvoy points

With this card, you also have advantages for your travels:

  • $200 Annual Travel Credit
  • An annual meal credit of $200
  • A $100 statement credit for NEXUS membership
  • Complimentary access for you and one additional guest to more than 1,550 airport lounges in over 140 countries
  • Hilton Honors Gold status
  • Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status
  • Access to the Fine Hotels + Resorts program

Last but not least, The Platinum Card® offers a wide range of insurance coverage: rental car theft and damage, $500,000 travel accident, emergency medical expenses (out-of-province or out-of-country), lost or stolen baggage, flight delays and misdirected baggage, hotel or motel burglary, Purchase Protection, Purchase Security.

Like all American Express Canada Cards, there is no minimum income requirement.

Annual fee

Primary card$799
Additional card$250

Annual income required

Individual$0
Household$0

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 2xTravel
  • 2xRestaurants
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,482
2nd Year Value$470

Transfer partners

  • AeroplanAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • Etihad GuestAirline
  • Flying BlueAirline
  • Hilton HonorsHotel
  • Marriott BonvoyHotel

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7
Airport lounge access$400
Travel creditsIncluded

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $5,000,000 / 15 days
Trip CancellationUp to $2,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $2,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $1,000
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $85,000 / 48 days
Sponsored
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$500
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$500Total$500Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 50,000 points
Ends Nov 1, 2026
Apply Now

on Scotiabank's website

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card offers an excellent welcome bonus.

Until November 1, 2026, you can earn up to 50,000 bonus Scene+ points, broken down as follows:

  • 30,000 Scene+ points by charging $2,000 in purchases to the card within the first 3 months
  • 20,000 Scene+ points by making $7,500 in purchases on the card in the first year

This represents a value of up to $500 for travel (including Airbnb).

With the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card, you earn 6 points per dollar spent at Sobeys, IGA, Safeway, Foodland, FreshCo, Voilà by Sobeys, Voilà par IGA, Voilà by Safeway, Chalo! grocery stores. FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, IGA West, Les Marchés Tradition, Rachelle Béry and Co-Op.

Also, you earn 5 points per dollar for:

  • Grocery stores
  • Restaurants
  • Entertainment centers

And 3 points per dollar on gas, transit and streaming services purchases.

You can redeem your points on travel purchases (flights, hotels, all-inclusive and even Airbnb). You can also use your points as cash back rewards with Scene+.

The Scotiabank Gold American Express Card also offers no foreign transaction fees, excellent insurance for your travel or purchases, concierge service, exclusive American Express benefits like the Front of the Line program.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$29

Annual income required

Individual$12,000
Household$12,000

Conversion fees

0%

Earning rate

  • 6xWith the partner brand
  • 5xGroceries
  • 5xEntertainment
  • 5xRestaurants
  • 3xStreaming
  • 3xTransit
  • 3xGas & EV
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,460
2nd Year Value$461

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (55-64)Up to $1,000,000 / 25 days
Travel medical (65+)Up to $1,000,000 / 3 days
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $1,500
Delayed BaggageUp to $1,000
Lost BaggageUp to $1,000
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $1,000
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,000 / 1 years
Auto Rental Collision (primary)Up to $65,000 / 48 days

Our featured card

Featured
Annual fee
$120
Our valuation
$1,050
Milesopedia first-year estimateFirst-year valueWelcome bonus$1,050Total$1,050Rewards on your spending are not included. The calculator that adds them from your own profile is on the card's page.
Welcome offer
Up to 70,000 points
Ends Nov 25, 2026
Apply Now

on RBC's website

For a limited time, the RBC Avion Visa Infinite Card offers a welcome bonus of up to 70,000 Avion points, worth up to $1,500 in travel.

  • 35,000 points upon approval of your application
  • 20,000 points when you charge $5,000 in purchases to your account within the first six months
  • 15,000 points on the first anniversary of your account

You can redeem your Avion points for flights with more than 500 airlines, with no blackout periods or seat restrictions, or transfer them to partner programs such as American Airlines AAdvantage, The British Airways Club, Cathay Pacific Asia Miles and WestJet Rewards.

The card earns you 1.25 points per dollar on eligible travel purchases and 1 point per dollar on all your other eligible purchases. It also includes extensive insurance coverage: emergency medical, trip cancellation and interruption, collision coverage for rental vehicles, and mobile devices.

The annual fee is $120.

Annual fee

Primary card$120
Additional card$50

Annual income required

Individual$60,000
Household$100,000

Conversion fees

2.5%

Earning rate

  • 1.25xTravel
  • 1xAll spending

Value

1st Year Value$1,369
2nd Year Value$271

Transfer partners

  • American Airlines AAdvantageAirline
  • British Airways ClubAirline
  • Cathay Asia MilesAirline
  • WestJet RewardsAirline

Card benefits

Concierge service24/7

Travel insurance

Travel medical (under 55)Included
Travel medical (55-64)Included
Travel medical (65+)Included
Trip CancellationUp to $1,500
Trip InterruptionUp to $5,000
Delayed BaggageUp to $500
Lost BaggageUp to $500
Flight DelayUp to $500
Hotel BurglaryUp to $2,500
Travel AccidentUp to $500,000

Purchase protection

Purchase ProtectionIncluded
Extended Warranty+1 years
Mobile DeviceUp to $1,500 / 1 years
Auto Rental CollisionUp to $65,000 / 48 days

Our editorial integrity

Our reviews and rankings are based on an objective assessment. Advertisers do not influence our content. We may receive compensation through some links; our analysis and opinions remain independent.