Hello from London, as I’ve kicked off my review trip to Hong Kong. I just flew British Airways’ Boeing 777-200ER Club Suites business class, on the 6hr15min flight from Washington (IAD) to London (LHR).
It has been quite some time since I’ve flown British Airways’ long haul business class product, and I was looking forward to checking it out, especially as the airline has made great progress with rolling out its Club Suites product.
So, how was the experience? All things considered, I’d describe it as solid. The crew was excellent. The seats are comfortable (though no longer cutting edge). The amenities are good. The food is fine. I’d gladly fly this product again, and perhaps aside from the new Air France 777 or A350 business class, it’s probably the best European business class product that’s widely available.
In this post I want to share some initial thoughts, and then soon I’ll have a full trip report.
In this post:
British Airways’ 777 business class seats are comfortable
British Airways’ Club Suites business class product should look familiar, because it’s the Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seat with a door. The Super Diamond seat is one of the most common business class products out there, and a select number of airlines have now slapped a door on the product as well (Etihad has done the same on its A350s).
This is ultimately a comfortable, reliable business class seat.
Now, a couple of things. First of all, it’s definitely noticeable how quickly seat tech has improved in recent years. Club Suites was introduced in 2019, and the tech doesn’t feel cutting edge at this point. There’s no bluetooth audio, wireless charging, etc.
Furthermore, the Super Diamond product is good, but isn’t as spacious as the new Collins Aerospace Elements seat, which you’ll find on carriers like Starlux. In particular, the footwell feels a bit on the tight side, especially if you’re a side sleeper.
Good bedding from The White Company helped with getting comfortable, as it includes a large pillow, a good blanket, and a (thin) mattress pad. Since there were nearly 20 empty seats in business class, I could even grab a second pillow from the seat next to me.
Ultimately this is among the best hard products you’ll find on a European airline, in my opinion, so kudos to British Airways for that.
British Airways’ entertainment & Wi-Fi are good(ish)
On the plus side, British Airways offers an extensive entertainment selection in business class, with a wide variety of movies and TV shows. The catch is that the system (at least on the nearly 30-year-old jet I was flying) was super slow. Like, when you’d make an entertainment selection, the system’s response was anything but instant.
It’s not a big deal at all, but it makes you realize, once again, how much technology has improved in recent years. I believe British Airways is updating the entertainment system on many jets, so not everyone will have this issue.
The airline also offers inflight Wi-Fi, with free messaging for Executive Club members, and a full Wi-Fi pass with no data limits for £17.99. Speeds are reasonably good.
British Airways’ business class food is fairly decent
I’d describe the food in business class on this flight as being edible but unmemorable. In the past, I recall actually having very good food in British Airways business class, given the partnership with DO & CO. Does anyone know if that’s maybe just not available from some outstations, if I just had bad luck, or if the quality isn’t what it once was?
Anyway, on this flight dinner was served after takeoff. Service began with some packaged mixed nuts and a drink. I decided to have a glass of sparkling wine. While Castelnau Reserve Brut is the carrier’s business class champagne, I decided to try Wiston Brut, the English sparkling wine on order. I figured I should try to “drink local,” and I was impressed.
There was a choice of three appetizers, and I selected the balik salmon with red potato salad and Asian slaw, which was tasty, probably the best part of the meal. That was served with a side salad containing roasted peppers, artichokes, and pumpkin seeds, plus some bread. I had a glass of South African sauvignon blanc to accompany it.
There were three main course choices, and I chose the pan seared grouper fillet with steamed black rice, kale, roasted yellow beetroot, and herb cream sauce. This was okay, but the fish was kind of flavorless and overcooked. In fairness, the crew was very apologetic, and explained that one of the business class ovens had broken, so they had to heat it up in a different oven. I’m not sure if that contributed to the taste.
Lastly, there was the choice of two desserts, a cheese course, or a fruit plate. I chose the pumpkin cheesecake, which was small but tasty.
For breakfast there was just one choice, which was a streaky bacon and cheddar sandwich on grilled ciabatta, with chia strawberry budding and a banana muffin. I ultimately got this just for the picture, since I don’t eat pork, and I also wasn’t hungry just a few hours after dinner.
I do wish there would be a vegetarian or non-pork option, though. I know Americans and Brits love their bacon, but that excludes a lot of people (people who are Jewish, Muslim, love pigs, etc.). 😉
British Airways’ business class service was excellent
Some people like to call me a British Airways hater, and suggest I’m unfairly biased. For example, when I flew British Airways’ 777 first class some time back, I had genuinely sloppy and awful service. I call things as I see them.
I’m happy to report that this flight had the polar opposite service. The entire crew couldn’t have been lovelier. They were friendly and informal while still being professional and attentive, and there’s nothing I can critique about the service.
The flight attendant working my section constantly checked on all passengers, clearing plates as people finished their meals, offering drink refills, and more. This was a stellar crew. Of course the challenge is that British Airways is consistently inconsistent, just as we have on airlines in the United States. Sometimes you get great service, and sometimes you don’t.
Bottom line
I had a pleasant flight in British Airways’ 777 Club Suites business class. British Airways has finished retrofitting its 777s with these seats, and suffice it to say that it’s a massive improvement over the carrier’s old product.
There’s nothing about this product that’s cutting edge or amazing, though the seats are comfortable and private, the amenities are solid, the entertainment is pretty good, and the food is decent. On this flight, I also had very good service.
I still think Air France is the best among European carriers in business class, but I’d certainly take this over what you’ll currently find on most Lufthansa Group flights…
What do you make of British Airways’ 777 Club Suites business class?
Have flown Club Suites 7 times yyz - lhr return since their introduction on this route and the experience has always been very good - it's a great hard product. While I prefer the A350 for obvious reasons last month we had a 777 and it was better than anticipated. As for catering, like many airlines BA's apps are often the highlight of the meal and I frankly don't prioritize food on such a relatively...
Have flown Club Suites 7 times yyz - lhr return since their introduction on this route and the experience has always been very good - it's a great hard product. While I prefer the A350 for obvious reasons last month we had a 777 and it was better than anticipated. As for catering, like many airlines BA's apps are often the highlight of the meal and I frankly don't prioritize food on such a relatively short flight. Ironically, on our (business class) hops from London to Edinburgh we were served the best (cold) roast beef I've had in some time and a very nice champagne by a crew that were a delight.
I may have missed it but didn’t see a flight number or times in this review.
Bearing in mind BA recently scaled back catering, including on the short overnight Atlantic hops, maybe you got a limited hot breakfast selection due to that?
I understand after the same (invented ?) ‘customer feedback’ that prompted the cutbacks, BA has now restored the service.
But I guess the Full English I always enjoyed on BA would also not please those who don’t eat pork.
Just flew BWI-LHR RT on BA in J and the food BWI-LHR was seriously one of the best meals I have ever had on a plane and would happily have eaten it on the ground. Much better than the F slop I got ex-JNB 5 years ago
This is the problem with BA crew, they are inconsistent - and you really are at the mercy of luck of the draw. Also Do&Co catering at BA has always been all fur coat and no knickers to use a distinctly British phrase - because BA just wanted the prestige of the name, but weren't willing to spend the money Austrian or Turkish do to deliver the expected Do&Co high standard.
i recently flew Iberia's new seat on the a350 from MAD to EZE and I think they may now be among the top European carriers? The cabin looked sterile at first but the seats were super private, the bedding was excellent (especially the mattress pad), and the food was on par with if not better than Air France among the european carriers. Worth a try!
The information is incorrect, Ben. None of the 12 777-200s based in LGW have the new product. These still fly with the old Club World seats (and there are plans to change that in the followings years).
Right but none of those travel to the US (unless you are referring to *rare* utilization at LHR when another plane is in the shop, but honestly that doesn't happen very often).
I feel like crews have been getting inconsistently more consistent on BA. I've not had a terrible crew for a couple of years now, across longhaul and shorthaul. I had one of the best ever about 18 months ago, my wife and I in PE to Singapore on Gold status. The crew were going out of their way to help everybody, including elderly passengers etc. And then did things like saying to me 'just head...
I feel like crews have been getting inconsistently more consistent on BA. I've not had a terrible crew for a couple of years now, across longhaul and shorthaul. I had one of the best ever about 18 months ago, my wife and I in PE to Singapore on Gold status. The crew were going out of their way to help everybody, including elderly passengers etc. And then did things like saying to me 'just head up to club suites and use the club kitchen for some wine if you want' - amazing. My wife called it the best flight of her life! But let's pretend she's flown as much J as me :/
"chia strawberry budding" - pudding?
First Trump says he wants to turn Gaza into a theme park, and then Ben writes a positive British Airways review. What the hell is this timeline we're living in?
whatever it is, this wave is carrying us so we might as well ride it
Their new seats look really nice. I kinda wish they'd doll up all ther -200s so I can take it for a spin from TPA to London
I'd like to give BA a try again in biz. But paying a business fare and then having to pay for advance seat selection keeps me away.
Really??
BA fares are usually far less than the competition and usually by far more than the cost of a seat round trip…
My best analogy for your issue is : it’s like saying I’d rather have 3 bars of chocolate because adding 2 + 2 bars of chocolate is a pain for me to do.
I mean, I get it out of principal… I’m not a fan of the $120 fee...
Really??
BA fares are usually far less than the competition and usually by far more than the cost of a seat round trip…
My best analogy for your issue is : it’s like saying I’d rather have 3 bars of chocolate because adding 2 + 2 bars of chocolate is a pain for me to do.
I mean, I get it out of principal… I’m not a fan of the $120 fee either… but I find BA fares to be at least $1000 less than most others usually… especially the US carriers. Seat fee policy protesting can only go so far with those savings imo :)
You may not eat pork products, since you find pigs intelligent, or endearing, or something, and it's fair enough. However, be aware they "like" you back too, in a way.
The phenomenon of live humans being eaten by pigs (mostly in farm-related accidents) is not unheard of...
You're always gonna have trouble lifting a body in one piece. I hear the thing to do is cut the corpse into six pieces and pile them all together. Then I hear the thing to do is feed them to pigs.
"Snatch".
My two ‘pond hopping’ flights since Christmas have been between LHR to DEN and IAD. Both Club with the only difference being the aircraft type. In my opinion Ben’s flight experience on the 777 echoes mine, right down to the fishy bits. However, I believe it to be Ben’s loss to miss out on the ‘bacon butty’, however, everyone to their own.
Thank you for a very fair critique Ben, perhaps you might think about trying the BA A350 as a comparison sometime?
Just in regards to a couple points made about the catering:
- Catering by Do&Co.
On longhaul flights catering is not return loaded from London. Do&Co load it for the LHR-XXX sector and whatever local caterer in XXX produced and loads it for the XXX-LHR sector. Obviously, if there is a Do&Co catering facility at a certain airport BA will use them (eg JFK) but the majority of outstations do not have Do&Co
-...
Just in regards to a couple points made about the catering:
- Catering by Do&Co.
On longhaul flights catering is not return loaded from London. Do&Co load it for the LHR-XXX sector and whatever local caterer in XXX produced and loads it for the XXX-LHR sector. Obviously, if there is a Do&Co catering facility at a certain airport BA will use them (eg JFK) but the majority of outstations do not have Do&Co
- Quality of mains. Many airlines 'plate' business class meals in the galley, others simply reheat the already assembled meal in the casserole dish it is loaded in. BA is of the latter. I guess mainly due to the enormous size of some of their business class cabins where individually plating 70/80 meals would be a nightmare.
My experience exactly ‘Quacker’, thank you for sharing that with us …. American BA haters please note …. only winding you up folks.
I thoroughly enjoyed my flight a couple weeks ago LHR-BOS in Club Suites. Seats were surprisingly comfortable, especially in lie-flat position. Service was quality, food was above par. Now, if they could add this product to SIN-LHR long-haul that could be a game-changer. Currently, and shamefully, its a very old business product.
Between BA, VS, and B6 business class from JFK to London, BA wins hands down.
I flew business class SAN-LHR and found the meals to bland and boring. The service was almost non existent, not once was my drink refreshed unless performing the next service. It was like flying coach with lie flat seats.
I find it noteworthy that BA served Balik salmon in business class. For Swiss, it is the signature First Class appetizer.
I few the Club Suites out of LHR last summer and was very pleased; the crew and catering were great too! Unfortunately, few award seats are released to AA these days.
I have never seen it served on BA in Club World in 20 years, so it’s clearly not a frequent occurrence.
Although I will say the starters for the last 5 years have generally been the best bit - the mains vary from a plate of slop to a rare interesting or comfort dish (usually curry).
Salmon is served on LAX departures -- it's pretty good too. One of very few areas I'll give the nod to BA over VS.
Regarding the IFE, I flew BA178 - B772 - G-VIIM and had the old IFE.
“Pretty good”
You really are an incredible writer, Lucky.
Just curious why you don’t eat pork?
LOL
Pigs are very smart, Ben loves them and as such, he refuses to partake in atrocities the rest of us engage in :D
Although he still does, by ordering the pork food just to take a photo and throw it in the bin…
Disgusting that he doesn’t see the problem with wasting food, or torturing and killing other cute animals
Review is very similar to my own experience in Club Suites. Crew generally great and seat comfortable and good for sleeping. In my experience, food is always vastly nicer heading out from UK than the return flight from the USA. My niggles are mainly in relation to the thin ‘mattress’ (as Lucky pointed out), which is so thin I’d call it more like a blanket and weirdly is also a difference shape to the seat.
...Review is very similar to my own experience in Club Suites. Crew generally great and seat comfortable and good for sleeping. In my experience, food is always vastly nicer heading out from UK than the return flight from the USA. My niggles are mainly in relation to the thin ‘mattress’ (as Lucky pointed out), which is so thin I’d call it more like a blanket and weirdly is also a difference shape to the seat.
For the price, BA club suites are perfectly fine and the hard product in my opinion is better than the Emirates A380 we saw reviewed recently here. Emirates too have their own consistent inconsistencies - as yes, you might be able to bag a ‘true’ window business class seat, but the rest leave you right on the aisle. BA Club suites provide a consistently better hard product for all customers.
Are you listening, Lufthansa?
Oh, even if you listened, the processes for considering, implementing change…and getting regulatory approval…is too long to be relevant for your potential passengers!
They seen it, announced a plan to improve (for which they’ll receive a startrax 9 star rating) and it should roll out to 1 route in the year 2146.
dnata are the catering company out of IAD and probably the same in other us departure airports. In regards to your breakfast they do have the fresh fruit platter as the other option to the bacon option.
DO&CO would be the other caterer.
https://www.doco.com/airline/
Yes, not all outstations cater Do & Co, and the quality is widely disparate. Flew from SFO-LHR and the food was nearly inedible. Return on AA metal to JFK was borderline tasty. How the tables have turned. But the Do & Co meals out of JFK and LHR are usually very good.
As a frequent Polaris flyer, I will say the meal service on BA is night and day compared to United on international. Must have been a one off. Just flew LAX - LHR. The food was exceptional.
Well, I am also a BA hater (though not a fan of that term). BA is on my "never-ever-again" list as they moved my seat without any warning and was lucky to see the change 5 days prior to departure. I actually feel sorry for BA. Yes, I will get over it and have as there are so many options to cross Atlantic.
Bless your heart.
Absolutely Roberto, toys thrown out of the pram in a fit of peek moment perhaps?
Come on Rob, if all airline passengers became "never-ever-again" listers because of such trivia we would never fly again.
"perhaps aside from the new Air France 777 or A350 business class, it’s probably the best European business class product that’s widely available."
Ben, I don't mean to nit-pick but would you really take BA CS over VS A330/A350 business class? I realize Virgin have considerably more dated 787s in their fleet than we would all like, but at least all those 787-operated routes are highly predictable. You should have a very good idea what...
"perhaps aside from the new Air France 777 or A350 business class, it’s probably the best European business class product that’s widely available."
Ben, I don't mean to nit-pick but would you really take BA CS over VS A330/A350 business class? I realize Virgin have considerably more dated 787s in their fleet than we would all like, but at least all those 787-operated routes are highly predictable. You should have a very good idea what you're getting at time of booking.
CS is great. As much as I dislike BA due to all the stress with plane swaps, if you do land CS you're in for a good time. And at this point pretty much all non-Gatwick 777s have CS anyway... so it's getting better with time.
Personally, I prefer the center aisle inward-facing seats on VS versus outward-facing on BA, although my partner and I typically grab window seats anyway... you're not that far away from each other and having a window can't be overstated.
Did you forget your user password?
Nope, it's just a pain to log in when I'm accessing from an "in-app browser" within an RSS reader app, which is mostly how I consume OMAAT. Simply being able to post my comment without clicking on an advertisement is an accomplishment lol.
After traveling various premium cabins a bit (thanks in part to you, Lucky!), I've come to appreciate a COMFORTABLE seat. Especially one which is comfy in bed mode. I've found the BA club seat to fit that bill. I think it's because they use foam padding. I think that's why I also find AA J very comfortable, especially the Zodiac Concept D that AA stopped installing. It's just so soft and comfy in bed mode...and...
After traveling various premium cabins a bit (thanks in part to you, Lucky!), I've come to appreciate a COMFORTABLE seat. Especially one which is comfy in bed mode. I've found the BA club seat to fit that bill. I think it's because they use foam padding. I think that's why I also find AA J very comfortable, especially the Zodiac Concept D that AA stopped installing. It's just so soft and comfy in bed mode...and you do not even need a mattress pad! UA J seat is great too!
I really wish airlines paid attention to the type of seat padding they choose. It really affects the comfort of the seat. Just look at AC, their air bag padding is atrocious. Similar to the padding the LH group uses on their long haul planes (not referring to the 787 since I have not tried it).
Biggest Club Suites issue is the cabin temperature. I had to leave to door open to make it bearable when trying to sleep.
That might depend heavily on the cabin crew's preferences? My last BA flight was fairly pleasant climate-wise... although in general I certainly agree that air nozzles should be standard.
Regarding the breakfast option, a light or a continental option would be nice. Something like overnight oats, some breads, cold cuts, etc., with a side of fruit would be nice. A bacon and cheddar sandwich is just too heavy and greasy for me, especially after a long flight.
Flew their Club Suite over the weekend on a B787-10 and B777-300, both had more modern IFE versions which was very reponsive and more user friendly. A vast improvement on their previous Club offering!
On the 4 Class 772s with Club Suites, as shown here, BA decided to retain the older (~2010) Thales IFE. All other aircraft types with Club Suites (including the 3 Class 772s) have a much newer and more responsive Panasonic system.
I swear a few years back I flew First in a GE powered 772 with the Panasonic IFE. I distinctly remember the Panasonic logo, how responsive it was, and that I was in First since I never flew CW in a 772. I also know for sure that it wasn’t a 77W
It might have been you were on one of the few ex-Gatwick 772s now based out of Heathrow. (Or were you flying out of Gatwick?)
The Gatwick based 4 Class 772s were refurbished around 2019. This included replacing the ancient Rockwell Collins IFE with Panasonic. 3 of these aircraft (G-VIIV, G-VIIW, and G-VIIY) were moved to Heathrow after being in storage during the pandemic. Only now are these 3 aircraft finally getting Club Suites.
I am pretty sure I was either on G-VIIV or G-VIIY
I believe there are a few 772s that had the seats removed during covid for cargo use, and when they returned them to passenger configuration they updated the IFE
G-YMMK and G-YMMG