British Airways - Travel classes. Premium economy/Business class.

[User018475022]

I am (with a bit of luck, had three attempts canceled) traveling with British Airways to New York in the new year.
I am traveling Premium economy out and Business class back.
Just wondering, from people who have flown these classes what to expect?
I'm used to basic economy class!

Do you have to fly BA, or can you use any airline.

The BA website can help you with that.

Here

Premium Economy is not that much different to Economy, just a bit more space.

Are you travelling alone? If so, be careful about which seat you book in Business otherwise you can end up in a sort of enclosed double bed type arrangement with a stranger, which can be a bit awkward. Depending on the aircraft, these are usually the centre seats.

Club is a waste of money on such a short flight.

PE is a slightly bigger/ wider seat and you get a Club equivalent main meal. Depending on the plane, it may be a smaller cabin so quieter and calmer than economy can feel.

Club has a low flat bed, which is always nice. The problem is it can feel like a dormitory of old business men! The food is OK, better than economy but it's not going to win any awards. The lounge is a nice bonus but can get very busy.

If you're paying, I'd stick with PE or even an exit row economy seat for an east coast trip.

I've flown both, and to be honest I wouldn't bother with premium economy, I don't think it's worth the premium over business class. I'd book economy and log on bang on 24 hours before flying to try and book emergency exit seats. You do have to pay extra for these.

• lie flat bed, although it is quite low too.

We've already booked it :(
It's my husband and I going.
We've booked premium in the hope that we would have a bit more room as I'm very tall and so is my husband.

If you're tall try to get an exit row seat in PE. PE seats have greater recline, but that means the seat in front going into your space. The exit row seats have an extendable leg rest.

PE isn’t significantly different from economy in my opinion: a bigger seat and slightly better than standard airline food - although not if they’re selling M&S in economy. Not sure if that’s a thing on transatlantic flights. But an M&S sandwich is defo better than a club Europe sandwich.

Club world is nice, you’ll have lie flat bed and choice of food. Try and get a window seat.

Premium Economy is economy, with a bit more space and a nicer meal.

‘Club World’ is completely different. You get a seat which folds completely flat into a bed. It’s not huge, but it’s way better than trying to sleep in an economy seat. You get nicer food & drink and better service, too. On the ground, flying Club entitles you to use the Club lounges. In my experience they can be crowded, and other airlines have better lounges, but they are better than fighting for a table at Prêt in departures.

(Club) Business Class is fab on BA (I even prefer it to 1st class) and is very relaxed and chilled. You get great choice of wines, champagnes and an actual menu to chose what you eat. They also have a self service bit call The Pantry. You can help yourself to lots of snacks, sweets etc if you get peckish. The seats are great and become a flat bed if you want to. I spend most of my time watching all the great movies and drinking the booze. Staff are very friendly and will do anything you want. Business Class lounge is fun with nice food.

You will love it.

I've not flown premium but the seats when I've passed just have more room in them and a bit more leg room.

I like business class, free flowing drinks, great food to choose from and a flat bed for a snooze. Enjoy 😉

I would look at the BA seating plan for each type of aircraft and class to try and book seats which have the most space and leg room

PE is worth a little bit extra, there is more legroom which is what you're looking for. I'd pay £50-£100 extra for it.
Club is lovely. Yes, not as good as some other lines' business class but you will have a far nicer journey than you're used to, it feels luxurious with lots of space, much better food, lounge pre-flight (with food n drink) and food service.

I flew PE on an older aeroplane, waste of money, should've just been in economy as the seats were not much different. On another PE there were footrests which were welcome. Business class is great and if you have an overnight flight back to the UK arriving early morning I think you booked the classes in the right direction. By the time the flight has taken off, a meal has been served etc there isn't much time to sleep, so the fact you have a lie flat seat will help with the shut eye

Premium economy is fine for European short flights.
If I was flying longer haul, I wouldn’t choose BA. Actually, I wouldn’t choose BA usually anyway.

If you’re coming back from JFK, double check if the Elemis spa has reopened

All club and first passengers are entitled to get a free massage or treatment at the lounge but they get VERY booked up, so unless it eats into your plans, get to the airport in plenty of time and go straight to the spa to book something. Even the chair massages are a good use of 20 mins

If you’re getting a night flight back, you can have a full meal in the lounge and then sleep the whole flight without being disturbed for the meal service.

And in the biz lounge, they don’t keep champagne in the ice buckets on display but will bring it to you by the glass - just ask any of the staff and they will come back with some

If you’ve got a night flight, change into something fairly comfy, and as soon as the seatbelt sign goes off, turn your seat into a bed and put your earplugs and eye masks on

If you’re on a day flight, you can still turn the seat into a bed, and have a glass of champagne while you watch some movies
The refurbed plans have quite decent screens in club now so it doesn’t feel like you’re watching something on your phone

@LemonRoses

Premium economy is fine for European short flights. If I was flying longer haul, I wouldn’t choose BA. Actually, I wouldn’t choose BA usually anyway.

BA doesn’t offer premium economy cabins on European short flights

It’s only an option on long haul

@LemonRoses no PE on European and the club Europe is hardly different except for a fixed middle seat and a rather dull tomato pesto and mozerella panini.

[quote PegasusReturns]@LemonRoses no PE on European and the club Europe is hardly different except for a fixed middle seat and a rather dull tomato pesto and mozerella panini.[/quote]
Oh interesting. I tend not to fly BA so was thinking it was the same as KLM comfort economy or Lufthansa. Clearly not.

I love flying business. Apparently it's not the best but I love it. Champagne on arrival, lots of lovely food and cocktails. It's fantastic

Premium economy is good for a bit of extra space. You don't get that much else with it though.

Club is pretty nice. Lay flat beds, decent wines and the food is not too awful. You will arrive feeling noticeably better than if you had been stuck at the back of the bus. Unless you care about the breakfast more than sleep, as the overnight flight is a pretty short one, I agree with the recommendation to go with the "wake me up with a coffee" option. You get to maximise sleep, and then have time for a coffee and a pee before the seatbelt signs go on for landing.

I really love Club World. You really feel looked after and the food and wine are good.

I love reclining almost flat and putting my blanket over me whilst watching a film. It’s very chilled