British Airways

[Watershed]

Surely you want to board last not first - less time in a cramped setup compared to the departure lounge or fancy lounge?

At Heathrow the departure gates are generally more cramped than the onboard seats, and that's saying something!

It's often very difficult to time it right leaving the lounge because the boarding status shown on displays/apps is often wrong (e.g. "now boarding" when they haven't even begun).

 

[richardderby]

I would not bank on a soft landing, you may end up back to blue in May 26. there is nothing in the t & c to confirm otherwise. things on x are probably not reliable, think twice before spending cash booking for status purposes, certainly until BA confirm this in the t & c of the 'new club'...

 

[camflyer]

Yet another extremely poor experience boarding with BA at Heathrow. Groups 0 and 1 were called forward ‘in preparation to board’ (their words) and held in one lane of the queue, then groups 2 and 3 were called forward and held in a separate lane. They released the lane for groups 2 and 3 first and held groups 0 and 1 back until 2 and 3 had boarded. It wasn’t me, but a fellow group 1 boarder who asked about this, and the gate staff said this is part of the new BA boarding policy.

Only boarded twice in group 1 at Heathrow, and both times, passengers in at least group 3, if not then groups 4+, have been permitted to board before group 1.

The inconsistency of the boarding experience is one of the most frustrating things about BA. They can do it right occasionally but too often it descends into chaos. On recent flight, a lane had been put out for Groups 1-3 then only Group 1 called from it, then Group 0 (they had obviously forgotten). I have zero problem with those who need special assistance such as the elderly or those with young children but too many people take advantage of it so you get whole family groups pre-boarding just because of one young child or disabled person in their group. I've even seen people pushing to the front because they had teenage children with them.

A recent Iberia flight from Madrid was noticeably different with the boarding groups strictly enforced with the boarding passses of those waiting in the lanes checked to make sure that everyone was where they should be.

 

[Huntergreed]

It’s not even that complex, it’s just clear that even in house BA staff don’t bother to even try to follow due process half the time when it comes to boarding.

I’ve had far better experiences (and far more consistency) with the staff in Glasgow than I ever have at any of the London airports. It truly is poor that staff at BA’s single hub can’t even enforce the relatively simple boarding policy.

Admittedly, this experience was slightly better than the last one when a decent proportion of economy passengers were allowed on before group 0 because they checked in a bag.

 

[Mojo]

It's always surprising to me how many business class seats BA can sell on short hops considering how poor the onboard service is but there is clearly a market for it. Maybe it's mostly feeders into their long haul routes.

I’m always surprised by people who say that BA’s short haul product is poor - it’s widely considered one of the better business class products amongst the European airlines. Yes, it doesn’t have the wider seats that you get in US “First class” (that’s actually business), or on the Asian carriers, but normal Economy seats are the norm in Europe. In addition, the onboard service is one of the better ones, with some European carriers not even offering a blocked seat or curtains (although SAS are apparently to reinstate that later this year) and many also only offering pre-prepared snack boxes of food as opposed to the plated meals and “drinks from the bar” offered in proper glasses on BA.

With regard to your last point; BA has previously said that “a large proportion” of their customers are on connections which is something I’m minded to agree with based upon passports you see on flights.

 

[eoff]

The last flight I took from LHR did have an annoucement of Group 0, but then they must have waved through Groups 1-2 which meant anyone in the queue with no direct view of the gate had no idea the Group 1 was called, possibly T5-A12.

 

[John R]

I'm not at all surprised by the comments about boarding. On our recent flight to Cape Town from T5 it was completely chaotic, whichever group you happened to be in. Unfortunately that was just a foretaste of the generally abysmal journey we had in WTP, whether it be the broken chair, the fact that meals were consistently left for about an hour before collecting the debris, the lack of a second tea/coffee run after meals, and more besides.

 

[Failed Unit]

I’m always surprised by people who say that BA’s short haul product is poor - it’s widely considered one of the better business class products amongst the European airlines. Yes, it doesn’t have the wider seats that you get in US “First class” (that’s actually business), or on the Asian carriers, but normal Economy seats are the norm in Europe. In addition, the onboard service is one of the better ones, with some European carriers not even offering a blocked seat or curtains (although SAS are apparently to reinstate that later this year) and many also only offering pre-prepared snack boxes of food as opposed to the plated meals and “drinks from the bar” offered in proper glasses on BA.

With regard to your last point; BA has previously said that “a large proportion” of their customers are on connections which is something I’m minded to agree with based upon passports you see on flights.

I think that was one of the reasons that BA re-introduced business class on the domestic flights. Someone with a first-class ticket from London - New York (other destinations are available) was expecting something better. That said when I did Edinburgh - Scotland a lot, when it didn't have business class a full breakfast was still offered in the morning.

I don't like the fact that club in the short haul don't have an increase seat pitch anymore (unless I am wrong).

When you consider the distances involved, I can't see many people caring about the enhanced catering on flights of less the 1h30 (however the fact it returned to Edinburgh, Glasgow etc -I am wrong here) But considering that some of the short haul routes are in excess of 4 hours I can see those wanting something a little extra. The better seats that BA used to offer did impact how much they can sell. I am not sure if business is selling well, if they push back the divider, but some flights only have 4 rows, others get upto the emergency exit so they definitely vary the space. Something that you couldn't do if you only have 12 better seats.

 

[WizCastro197]

Recently flew Gatwick long haul to Cancun. I find little issues with Ba 777s despite their age and find the seats in WT quite comfortable for the 10.5 hours. Catering though was on the worse side, both vegetarian options for both meals were pasta and even then were quite rancid and smelt poor as well. Heathrow's long haul catering is far better on Ba flights so it must be a different, far worse supplier, for Gatwick.

I am however looking into trying CityFlyer from London City in the hopes the experience at the airport is far quieter and generally a lot nicer - is anyone abl to shed light on what BA is like from LCY?

 

[Bald Rick]

Finding the boarding comments wryly amusing. The last time* I flew BA they so comprehensively mucked up everything from Check in to the gate that I was just about last person there and thus the boarding groups were completely irrelevant!

*Last time in every sense.

 

[Butts]

Recently flew Gatwick long haul to Cancun. I find little issues with Ba 777s despite their age and find the seats in WT quite comfortable for the 10.5 hours. Catering though was on the worse side, both vegetarian options for both meals were pasta and even then were quite rancid and smelt poor as well. Heathrow's long haul catering is far better on Ba flights so it must be a different, far worse supplier, for Gatwick.

I am however looking into trying CityFlyer from London City in the hopes the experience at the airport is far quieter and generally a lot nicer - is anyone abl to shed light on what BA is like from LCY?

Normally fairly quick Security with the new don't take anything out scanners.

Embraer Jets are great with 2x2 Seating and a free drink and snack even in "cattle"

Downside for status holders - no lounge.

 

[ainsworth74]

Downside for status holders - no lounge.

Though isn't that because the idea at City is you basically just rock up and board immediately rather than arriving hours beforehand because security and whatnot is deliberately as efficient as possible (even before magic "don't take anything out" scanners were introduced)? So really even as a status holder using a lounge at City would defeat the purpose of using City!

 

[telstarbox]

Both times I've arrived at LCY it's been less than 10 minutes from plane to DLR platform.

 

[camflyer]

I’m always surprised by people who say that BA’s short haul product is poor - it’s widely considered one of the better business class products amongst the European airlines. Yes, it doesn’t have the wider seats that you get in US “First class” (that’s actually business), or on the Asian carriers, but normal Economy seats are the norm in Europe. In addition, the onboard service is one of the better ones, with some European carriers not even offering a blocked seat or curtains (although SAS are apparently to reinstate that later this year) and many also only offering pre-prepared snack boxes of food as opposed to the plated meals and “drinks from the bar” offered in proper glasses on BA.

With regard to your last point; BA has previously said that “a large proportion” of their customers are on connections which is something I’m minded to agree with based upon passports you see on flights.

I agree that Club Europe is one of the better European business class services. The crew are invariably great and the drinks flow very generously - even the food has improved a bit recently. It's just that the price differential makes it hard to justify. I occasionally do it for when I'm search of Tier Points to requalify but I was recently offered £169 whole checking in to upgrade on a 2 hr flight. I declined.

 

[AlterEgo]

I agree that Club Europe is one of the better European business class services. The crew are invariably great and the drinks flow very generously - even the food has improved a bit recently. It's just that the price differential makes it hard to justify. I occasionally do it for when I'm search of Tier Points to requalify but I was recently offered £169 whole checking in to upgrade on a 2 hr flight. I declined.

Agree with this. Once the TPs all change people will probably buy upgrades or fly Club europe less often, and the cabins will be smaller.

BA has some huge Club cabins on short haul, frequently 10-11 rows.

 

[Mojo]

Agree with this. Once the TPs all change people will probably buy upgrades or fly Club europe less often, and the cabins will be smaller.

I think I was on a flight once that had the curtain behind the two exit rows on an A320, although it certainly doesn’t happen very often in my experience. Conversely I’ve had a few trips where it’s only three rows.

I always wondered how much of Club Europe was for Tier Point purposes, but I suppose it’s a bit of a niche interest so probably not much, at least on the 40 TP routes.

If I ever did lose my BA status and I had cause to travel with them, I may be tempted to fly short haul business more often than I do at the moment, purely to get the lounge access. On the other hand, I was once split up from my travelling companion on a Club Europe flight and I believe the likelihood of this is higher in business than in Economy, purely because of the smaller number of seats.

 

[jfollows]

I think that was one of the reasons that BA re-introduced business class on the domestic flights. Someone with a first-class ticket from London - New York (other destinations are available) was expecting something better. That said when I did Edinburgh - Scotland a lot, when it didn't have business class a full breakfast was still offered in the morning.

I don't like the fact that club in the short haul don't have an increase seat pitch anymore (unless I am wrong).

When you consider the distances involved, I can't see many people caring about the enhanced catering on flights of less the 1h30 (however the fact it returned to Edinburgh, Glasgow etc -I am wrong here) But considering that some of the short haul routes are in excess of 4 hours I can see those wanting something a little extra. The better seats that BA used to offer did impact how much they can sell. I am not sure if business is selling well, if they push back the divider, but some flights only have 4 rows, others get upto the emergency exit so they definitely vary the space. Something that you couldn't do if you only have 12 better seats.

A number of years ago - more than ten - I flew "Club Europe" from Manchester to Toulouse via Heathrow T5. All fine until my return, when I was not allowed to use the lounge during my (lengthy) connection because my onward ticket was only Economy Class. Not that it could have been anything else. I wrote to BA and complained and they said the same thing, so I turned my Avios into a box of wine and made a point of avoiding BA since.

Last July I flew Business Class Los Angeles - Manchester with BA, and this time of course my onward ticket was the right class to grant me lounge access. I also have to say that it was nice having the room and the food on the short flight to Manchester, again after a long wait at Heathrow and a totally full flight.

I'll still avoid BA out of choice - it's not much good for me living close to Manchester Airport - but the change is a slight improvement. Virgin no longer flies Los Angeles - Manchester direct, otherwise I'd use them.

 

[eoff]

Recently flew Gatwick long haul to Cancun. I find little issues with Ba 777s despite their age and find the seats in WT quite comfortable for the 10.5 hours. Catering though was on the worse side, both vegetarian options for both meals were pasta and even then were quite rancid and smelt poor as well. Heathrow's long haul catering is far better on Ba flights so it must be a different, far worse supplier, for Gatwick.

I am however looking into trying CityFlyer from London City in the hopes the experience at the airport is far quieter and generally a lot nicer - is anyone abl to shed light on what BA is like from LCY?

Other than one connecting flight (OK I know you don't really 'connect' at LCY) I have only used LCY for EDI to LCY trips.
My rule was fly down to LCY and get a choice of drinks compared to the LHR catering of just a bottle of water that needs Geoff Capes strength to open.
Fly back from LHR in the evening, I had too many trips where LCY was mobbed on a weekday evening with hardly anywhere to sit.
Because of those choices I'm not sure of the current crowding situation but I would not plan to arrive early.
If I didn't have lounge access I might still choose LCY for LCY-EDI

 

[camflyer]

I think I was on a flight once that had the curtain behind the two exit rows on an A320, although it certainly doesn’t happen very often in my experience. Conversely I’ve had a few trips where it’s only three rows.

I always wondered how much of Club Europe was for Tier Point purposes, but I suppose it’s a bit of a niche interest so probably not much, at least on the 40 TP routes.

If I ever did lose my BA status and I had cause to travel with them, I may be tempted to fly short haul business more often than I do at the moment, purely to get the lounge access. On the other hand, I was once split up from my travelling companion on a Club Europe flight and I believe the likelihood of this is higher in business than in Economy, purely because of the smaller number of seats.

As a single traveller in CE I've often agreed to move to accommodate couples who want to sit together but weren't able to a check in. On a 2-3 hr flight I really don't care where I sit. I'm less likely to move in Economy unless it is to an equivalent (or better) seat.

 

[alholmes]

I am however looking into trying CityFlyer from London City in the hopes the experience at the airport is far quieter and generally a lot nicer - is anyone abl to shed light on what BA is like from LCY?

If you’re flying economy, it’s the seats behind the over-wing emergency exits which have been reconfigured to squeeze in extra rows, resulting in less leg room. So try and sit in front of the exit rows if you can. Service is good, though remember some flights aren’t in the air for very long - I’ve done Rotterdam in 35 minutes with a favourable routing. And if you’re in Business there’s no middle seat to block out (as there’s no middle seat), so you could be next to someone.

In terms of how crowded the airport is, it depends on the time of day. Early morning and late afternoons can be very busy, but middle of the day is quiet. If your gate isn’t shown on the screens then (a) check the airport website as they are sometimes displayed there a bit earlier; and (b) take a seat at gate 2 so you get a view of the runway - flights don’t usually depart from that gate. There’s sufficient coffee shops and a couple of pricey food / booze places, but it’s not really an airport designed for hanging around in waiting for a flight.

And don’t arrive too early. Absolute maximum is 90 minutes, and you’ll still have too much time. My record for getting from taxi to plane seat was 7 minutes, though I definitely wouldn’t recommend that (long story as to how I achieved it, pre-9/11).

Worst experience there is in times of disruption, usually caused by early morning fog. It’s pretty awful then, as many arriving aircraft end up diverted or cancelled, which then has a knock-on effect to departures.

Of course, it’s my local airport so I’m slightly biased - been a regular user since shortly after opening.

 

[Tetchytyke]

I always wondered how much of Club Europe was for Tier Point purposes, but I suppose it’s a bit of a niche interest so probably not much, at least on the 40 TP routes.

From IOM I connect through Heathrow, often with connecting times of 4-5 hours, and so I do look at Club Europe. I’ll pay £100 or so extra for the main benefit: the lounge and the fast track security. I’d otherwise spend most of that in the Wetherspoons waiting room anyway

 

[Butts]

Has anyone ever flown Business Class to Los Angeles on BA ?

Going on a trip next year Los Angeles/San Francisco/Las Vegas with my Son.

When we went to Orlando a couple of years ago being at the front of Premium Economy on a 777 had a good view of the next cabin up.

To me it seemed a bit cramped a bit like sardines in close proximity to each other.

If you are both over 6 feet like we are is it worth the extra three grand compared to being in the front (bulkhead) of PE ?

 

[jfollows]

Has anyone ever flown Business Class to Los Angeles on BA ?

Going on a trip next year Los Angeles/San Francisco/Las Vegas with my Son.

When we went to Orlando a couple of years ago being at the front of Premium Economy on a 777 had a good view of the next cabin up.

To me it seemed a bit cramped a bit like sardines in close proximity to each other.

If you are both over 6 feet like we are is it worth the extra three grand compared to being in the front (bulkhead) of PE ?

July 2023, from Los Angeles only. It was OK but JAL from Tokyo and Finnair to Hong Kong earlier in the trip were better. A bit “cramped” in comparison, as you say. 777 of some sort. JAL was also 777 whereas Finnair was an Airbus.

 

[Butts]

July 2023, from Los Angeles only. It was OK but JAL from Tokyo and Finnair to Hong Kong earlier in the trip were better. A bit “cramped” in comparison, as you say. 777 of some sort.

From what I can see it is pretty difficult to get a Club World Flight to the West Coast of the USA for under 2.5 Bags return but Premium Economy is plentiful for less than a Bag.

That three thousand pounds would buy a lot of excursions - Helicopter over the Grand Canyon Etc ?

I know with my Silver Status I will be able to get the best seats free of Charge and have access to Lounges and Fast Track Security.

Is that lie flat seat a sensible investment ?

 

[jfollows]

From what I can see it is pretty difficult to get a Club World Flight to the West Coast of the USA for under 2.5 Bags return but Premium Economy is plentiful for less than a Bag.

That three thousand pounds would buy a lot of excursions - Helicopter over the Grand Canyon Etc ?

I know with my Silver Status I will be able to get the best seats free of Charge and have access to Lounges and Fast Track Security.

Is that lie flat seat a sensible investment ?

Personally I’d rather have less of a rabbit hutch and more ease of moving around the cabin. The BA one felt a bit like a cage and I rarely lie down completely anyway. But we’re all different!

 

[eoff]

Has anyone ever flown Business Class to Los Angeles on BA ?

Going on a trip next year Los Angeles/San Francisco/Las Vegas with my Son.

When we went to Orlando a couple of years ago being at the front of Premium Economy on a 777 had a good view of the next cabin up.

To me it seemed a bit cramped a bit like sardines in close proximity to each other.

If you are both over 6 feet like we are is it worth the extra three grand compared to being in the front (bulkhead) of PE ?

I have been to San Jose and upgraded on the return to business class (Club World).
On BA planes there are two styles of Club World, old mostly-paired seating and newer Club Suites with a door, Both offer (almost) lie-flat seats and that to me is the massive advantage, obviously for night flights. On a quick check BA has different plane types servicing the route from LHR.
You couuld join Flyertalk and ask there saying what features you are looking for.

 

[jfollows]

The old “upstairs on a 747” was better in my opinion. I think as much for the feeling of the cabin, the 777 is just one part of a long sausage.

 

[nlogax]

Has anyone ever flown Business Class to Los Angeles on BA ?

Repeatedly, but in old CW. I'm pretty sure you'd be in new Suites by now.

 

[Failed Unit]

LA you have to pick your flights, as the last time I looked at it you had the choice of the 777 or the 380. It is horses for courses as I prefer the new suites, a little less room but you don’t have to step over someone (or be stepped over) like you do on the 380s (unless you can bag certain seats where near the bulkhead).

I elected to use Virgin, better product, I had already made Silver that year. However I see if you are travelling from Scotland don’t have that option.

 

[Bald Rick]

Has anyone ever flown Business Class to Los Angeles on BA ?

Going on a trip next year Los Angeles/San Francisco/Las Vegas with my Son.

When we went to Orlando a couple of years ago being at the front of Premium Economy on a 777 had a good view of the next cabin up.

To me it seemed a bit cramped a bit like sardines in close proximity to each other.

If you are both over 6 feet like we are is it worth the extra three grand compared to being in the front (bulkhead) of PE ?

LA you have to pick your flights, as the last time I looked at it you had the choice of the 777 or the 380. It is horses for courses as I prefer the new suites, a little less room but you don’t have to step over someone (or be stepped over) like you do on the 380s (unless you can bag certain seats where near the bulkhead).

I elected to use Virgin, better product, I had already made Silver that year. However I see if you are travelling from Scotland don’t have that option.

By chance a 380 on BA269 to LA flew over me a couple of hours ago, and it was G-XLEF, which I always think is very appropriate for that route. (For those who know their 1980s cop films!)

Back to the question, personally I’d fly upper class on Virgin on that route.