British Airway flight review: revamped business class offers a few surprises
This international carrier’s business class offering was once dubbed “coffin class” by frequent flyers. But its revamped suites offer a few nice surprises.
This international carrier’s business class offering was once dubbed “coffin class” by frequent flyers. But its revamped suites offer a few nice surprises.
On the ground
On the way to Heathrow, my outspoken London driver asks me which airline I’m flying and I tell him British Airways. He says he wouldn’t wish flying BA on his worst enemy and that it should remove British from its name. “It’s not our national carrier,” he adds. BA was privatised in early 1987. Great to hear Londoners share a similar sentiment to BA as some Australians do with Qantas.
At the airport
I check in at the self-service kiosk. A BA staff member approaches and asks if I’m flying Club, referring to the airline’s business class product. I nod and with butler-like service, my boarding pass is printed out and I’m directed to the other end of the airport so I can use a separate security checkpoint reserved for first-class passengers, which will take me directly into the lounge.
Take a seat
British Airways unveiled new Club Suites in first and business several years ago, phasing out what one executive described to me as its “coffin class” offering. These older seats were laid out in a tight 2-4-2 configuration, and passengers seated by the window almost had to climb over the passengers in the aisle seats. Thankfully, the new seats are in a more spacious 1-2-1 configuration on the same Boeing 777 aircraft. What’s more, they have sliding doors, so it’s very private and I instantly feel cocooned and relaxed. The seat converts to a 198cm fully flat bed. I am 185cm tall so it is incredibly comfortable and I have my best sleep ever on a plane.
The White Company designed the amenity kit, which comes in a faux leather rectangular pouch, with the usual inclusions of toothbrush, socks, earplugs, eyeshades and moisturising lotions. It does the job but doesn’t have the ritzy feel and usefulness as, say, Emirates’ Bvlgari-designed kit, which includes a shaver.
Tech Talk
The Club World seats have a spacious 43cm screen and noise-cancelling headphones but these are no match for a pair of Apple Pro Max or Sonos Ace headphones. And unlike on Emirates, I can’t seem to pair my own headphones to the entertainment system. There is also in-seat power plus USB. But the USB is useless. Like most airlines, it’s still USB-A, with the airline yet to make the conversion to USB-C, which has become the standard charging port for all our new devices.
On the menu
One of the drawbacks of that cosy bed could mean passengers get too much sleep. But BA flight attendants are keen for all on board to sample the cuisine. After nodding off, I get a gentle tap on my shoulder asking what I’d like for starters, which includes a chicken caesar salad, mango and spiced watermelon chaat or a roasted artichoke soup. I opt for the caesar salad, which is similar to what you’d get from 7-Eleven, and leave it half eaten. I go back to sleep.
Tap on the shoulder again. This time, main course, and the flight attendant seems full of pride. My choices are Cornish chicken breast with mushroom ragout and wilted kale; railway lamb curry; or shahi paneer korma. All come with a nicoise side salad comprising cherry tomatoes, Kenya beans and French dressing. I opt for the chicken, again leaving it half eaten.On the wine list, there’s Castelnau Reserve Champagne and a sparkling wine from Kent.
The white selection features labels from Chile, Australia and France. Australia also gets a guernsey among the reds, with a Two Hands, Gnarly Dudes Shiraz from the Barossa Valley, plus offerings from New Zealand and Spain. I skip dessert, with the options being vanilla panna cotta; sticky toffee pudding or a cheese plate.
At your service
The crew are very helpful and eager to please but more conservative than those on competitor airline Virgin Atlantic, which likes to offer passengers more of a Soho House private members’ club experience, complete with convivial bar.
That’s entertainment
BA has a deal with streaming service Paramount+, offering its TV shows. There’s a variety of hit movies and new releases plus a selection of older movies but, sadly, no James Bond spy thrillers. It feels like the weekly section of an old video shop. In between doing some work on my laptop, sleeping and being woken to eat, I don’t spend much time swiping on the infotainment panel.
Make your points
BA operates its own Executive Club frequent-flyer program and is part of the Oneworld Alliance.
In the bag
Business class passengers are allowed two 32kg checked bags and a 23kg cabin bag.
The bottom line
A one-way fare from London to Nashville is £8,059 ($16,470), based on an airline website search departing three months from publication.
The Verdict
BA offers a few surprises in its revamped business class seats, with the doors creating the feel of a mini-suite. The lie-flat bed is comfortable and staff are friendly. I arrive feeling refreshed but the experience carries the conservative overhang of a national carrier. I do wonder why anyone would wish such an experience on their worst enemy. It’s not as bad as my London cabbie makes out, though the price of a one-way ticket would definitely hurt.
Jared Lynch flew courtesy of Amazon.
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