British Airways Club World
Discussion
Just booked a trip to Vancouver at the end of March and as a treat (it's my 40th) I've booked to go BA Club World (Business?) instead of economy.
I've only been long haul once before, Air Canada economy, so what will I get in terms of comfort/service, and is it worth the extra cash over economy? Ticket cost £2500! The BA website says it'll be a 747 and it has those seats that fold out into beds but it doesn't say much more. Have I got an experience to look forward to or have I done the wrong thing!
I've only been long haul once before, Air Canada economy, so what will I get in terms of comfort/service, and is it worth the extra cash over economy? Ticket cost £2500! The BA website says it'll be a 747 and it has those seats that fold out into beds but it doesn't say much more. Have I got an experience to look forward to or have I done the wrong thing!
www.seatguru.com/airlines/British_Airways/British_Airways_Boeing_747-400_B.php
Hopefully this will give you the information you require. I don't know whether your seats are allocated already, but it gives you a target to aim for at the check-in desk.
Hopefully this will give you the information you require. I don't know whether your seats are allocated already, but it gives you a target to aim for at the check-in desk.
You'll enjoy it -jst make sure you turn up at the airport early - check out the lounge - have a shower, have something(lots) to drink, board the plane - huge seats - lots of carry on luggage - good food, champers all the way including coacktails.
On the way back - the same but make sure you use the arrivals lounge - shower, massage, breakfast, spa type things all free of charge - get in there an enjoy it.
On the way back - the same but make sure you use the arrivals lounge - shower, massage, breakfast, spa type things all free of charge - get in there an enjoy it.
oh an another thing - since you're travelling Business - ask for an upstairs seat - less interuptions as no-one else passes through the cabin.... 
Nice seats
If you're upstairs - either the seats beside the emergency exit or the ones against the bulkheads are the best to grab... Nobody climbing over your legs when your sleeping... And of course they're only two each side, go downstairs and their fourwide in the middle - great if you've got the middle two as you're facing the same way.
Remember - seats A & b will be facing each other...due to their layout..
turn up early and get the seats you want (or check in on line.)
Nice seats
If you're upstairs - either the seats beside the emergency exit or the ones against the bulkheads are the best to grab... Nobody climbing over your legs when your sleeping... And of course they're only two each side, go downstairs and their fourwide in the middle - great if you've got the middle two as you're facing the same way.
Remember - seats A & b will be facing each other...due to their layout..
turn up early and get the seats you want (or check in on line.)
Seconded on sitting upstairs, much better.
As a comparison with economy or even world traveller + (premium economy) in bus class I have slept solidly from HK to London, impossible in economy or WT+. Generally a better meal, a 'raid the larder' snack service, more likely to have car mags (BA lounge stocks 'Octane' magazine) and better service all round.
To maximise the experience get to the airport early and use the lounge for as much time as possible
Ben
As a comparison with economy or even world traveller + (premium economy) in bus class I have slept solidly from HK to London, impossible in economy or WT+. Generally a better meal, a 'raid the larder' snack service, more likely to have car mags (BA lounge stocks 'Octane' magazine) and better service all round.
To maximise the experience get to the airport early and use the lounge for as much time as possible
Ben
Always travel Club World (or sometimes First if there are good deals going) on BA for work. It is a world away from cattle class, on a 747 tbh the world traveller plus are pretty good seats. I find on long haul you can work your way through the wine list amnd stillhave time for a good sleep 
. Ensure you use the lounges both ends, it's always nice to get breakfast and a shower either end.
Only problem being when you next go on a package hoiliday, i.e. with your own money
, it can be a bit of a come down 
.
. Ensure you use the lounges both ends, it's always nice to get breakfast and a shower either end. Only problem being when you next go on a package hoiliday, i.e. with your own money
, it can be a bit of a come down .I'm afraid that I have to go against the grain here. I recently travelled Club Class from Cape Town to London. The seats are much, much better than economy, however if you are tall (over 6') then you probably wont be able to stretch out and will have to sleep on you side (daytime flight to Vancouver I suspect so probably not a problem).
Unfortunately, our crew had been held over 24 hours due to Cape Town international having a shortage of aviation fuel, so they were grumpy, unhelpful and the sevice was pretty bad. This is probably unusual.
The food was very disappointing.
As mentioned, the lounges in Heathrow are nice and you can eat and drink as much as you like.
I hope you have great flight, I'm sure mine was unusual - the previous BA Business class flight I had 5 years ago to Boston was superb.
Unfortunately, our crew had been held over 24 hours due to Cape Town international having a shortage of aviation fuel, so they were grumpy, unhelpful and the sevice was pretty bad. This is probably unusual.
The food was very disappointing.
As mentioned, the lounges in Heathrow are nice and you can eat and drink as much as you like.
I hope you have great flight, I'm sure mine was unusual - the previous BA Business class flight I had 5 years ago to Boston was superb.
Sitting here now I would never buy a first class ticket, but when I am actually in cattle class on a long haul flight (especially BA) I would just about sell a kidney to get into first class.
It's basically just a better class of misery in the end though, just keep in mind it may be difficult going back to cattle class
It's basically just a better class of misery in the end though, just keep in mind it may be difficult going back to cattle class
upper deck is much more spacious as you have stowage bins running down the sides. Each seat is damn good. reclines fully, lumbar support, adjustable footstool, large table (compared to W/T and W/T+) plus something like 18 video channels and 12 audio channels, and games on the IFE. All in all, should make a very comfortable flight. You also get a molton brown goodie bag i believe which are worth a few quid!
I should know i fit them for a living
I should know i fit them for a living
I did about 40 odd BA Bus class and about 16 quantas bus class last year (a few firsts in there as well).
Yeah its worth it, but I'm not sure I'd pay for it myself (I'm tight and have lots of airmiles...)
Are you travelling with some one as that can impact the seat to choose?, Join the exec club - you will get a fair few points and miles for the trip - probably enough for a european return or more.
Dave
Yeah its worth it, but I'm not sure I'd pay for it myself (I'm tight and have lots of airmiles...)
Are you travelling with some one as that can impact the seat to choose?, Join the exec club - you will get a fair few points and miles for the trip - probably enough for a european return or more.
Dave
Went to Maurtius in July BA Club (and upgraded to First going|). It's the dogs. Nice bed for a nap, wall to wall champers and the lovely lounge. I prefer it to Virgin Upper class. In the hump is a must.... feels like you are on a plane with only about a dozen people so it's nice and quiet.
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