It’s time for some pillow talk.
British Airways has just begun a brand new partnership with The White Company for its business class experience (called Club World in BA Land) and I’m putting it to the test.
The luxury high-street brand now provides all the bedding, plus a few other treats, for those who’ve splashed out for a flight in the posh end of the plane. The result? Perhaps the closest thing you’ll ever get to your own bed at 38,000 feet.
And relax: British Airways has teamed up with The White Company to create the best-possible in-flight sleep experience
Quality: Passengers are presented with a super-comfy, woven day blanket with satin trim and a luxurious duck-feather duvet
Granted, BA’s Club World was hardly uncomfortable to begin with thanks to its lie-flat beds, but the addition of The White Company’s capsule collection noticeably cranks it up a notch.
The magic happens from the moment you turn left, where neatly-arranged parcels await, ready to unpack like Christmas gifts.
These include an elegant day cushion, which doubles-up as a fantastic lumbar support, plus a luxuriously soft, large pillow in a pristine, cotton pillowcase.
There’s also a super-comfy, woven day blanket with satin trim and a luxurious duck-feather duvet, which easily matches the exact quality of my own at home. How did they pack these sizeable sheets and throws onto the plane so neatly? And how much would all this retail for? Easily several hundred pounds.
As if this wasn’t enough, there’s even a mattress topper to provide an extra layer of comfort.
Looking good: To help combat the visible signs of jet-lag, The White Company also provides Club World amenity kits, which come in handsome leather bags and are packed with goodies from its Restore & Relax Spa Collection
Perhaps the closest thing you’ll get to your own bed at 30,000 feet? Peter Lloyd says the new collaboration is truly sumptuous
Then, to help combat the visible signs of jet-lag, The White Company – which has just opened a flagship store on 155 Fifth Avenue – also provides Club World amenity kits, which come in handsome leather bags packed with products from its Restore & Relax Spa Collection.
But that’s not all. BA has also introduced a number of considerate, common-sense measures that further maximise shut-eye in Club World.
On night flights, crew bring passengers their meal by hand (rather than using a clunky trolley) and breakfast cards are given out early, allowing people to specify if they wish to be woken up for breakfast – or left in peace.
Together, these all work to help the friendly skies create heavy eyes, which is wonderful news – especially if, like me, you struggle to sleep in the air. However, it’s not all about slumber.
Food for thought: BA’s new restaurant-style food service, which gives passengers the freedom to select dishes from a choice of freshly-prepared starters and desserts
Delicious: A number of dishes are readily presented to guests, who can select whatever takes their fancy
There’s also plenty of good reasons to stay awake, too.
In particular, BA’s new restaurant-style food service, which gives passengers the freedom to select dishes from a choice of freshly-prepared starters and desserts, all served on beautiful table settings.
Forget plastic trays and peel-back lids – this is all proper crockery and cutlery, with high thread-count napkins, too.
To match this standard, BA has worked with top chefs, suppliers and nutritionists to create ‘Height Cuisine’ – the finest food and drinks available that provide full flavours at altitude.
For starters, I treat myself to a fresh pea panna cotta with herbed crème fraîche and pumpernickel crumbs, which easily matches some of the high-profile restaurant equivalents I’ve tried.
Posh nosh: Forget plastic trays and peel-back lids – this is all proper crockery and cutlery, with high thread-count napkins, too
Class act: A British Airways air steward delivers the new, improved food service on a flight from London to New York
Sweet truth: A number of tempting treats are also freshly-prepared, then presented for their visual power
Then, wanting to test them slightly, I opted for slowbraised Herefordshire beef cheek and mature Cheddar cheese potato au gratin, served with baby shallots and gingered carrots. Not easy to cook and serve well at the best of times, but still improbably delicious.
Never wanting to be rude, I then capped it all with a specially-made hot chocolate dessert, which was the perfect precursor to a post-dinner snooze.
Sleepy, I recline my chair and make my bed for the evening. As I slip off my shoes and pull down the eye-mask I suddenly appreciate the irony of my situation.
Here I am about to sleep, but this flight has already been an absolute dream.