BA "classes"

[laughoutquiet]

Hi

Has anyone travelled in all or any of the four classes long haul. If so, which is the best value in your opinion?

There's not a massive price difference between economy and premium economy but then quite a big leap to club and then first.

Am I better sucking up economy and then having more money for the holiday?

(For ref: London to Las Vegas)

Thanks

[notimagain]

@laughoutquiet

Has anyone travelled in all or any of the four classes long haul. If so, which is the best value in your opinion?

Be aware that if you are looking LHR/LGW-LAS with BA then pre-Covid First Class was often not an option since as I recall it the route was often operated by one of BA's three Class" 777's (i.e. fitted with Club, Economy plus, and Economy cabins).

In any event everything is moot, pending, fingers crossed, a post-Covid rebuild of BA's operation and route network. AFAIK at the moment whilst you can actually book LHR-LAS with BA it's not a non stop service, it's a flight change (e.g. at Miami) onto an American Airlines Flight.

Good Luck.

[notimagain]

I’ve travelled allot for work in all the premium cabins and my main advice would be avoid BA- especially in Vegas routes which have the oldest planes..

Historically that might well have been true but in this Covid/post covid world it has all changed.

BA's venerable 747s (that were regularly used by BA on the LHR-LAS route) have all gone to the scrapheap, some of their older 777's that were also often used on that route and many other routes have also bitten the dust.

BA took delivery of some new 777-300s hulls in the last few months and also they have a large and growing fleet of brandish new 787's and many even newer A350's.

[Billericaydicky]

Middle Eastern are better than ba club class definitely but we either use avios or go with the cheapest carrier which suits us timing wise. Honestly ba business is great in my experience, especially as I'm either using avios or its the cheapest, best option.

[MrsKingfisher]

Have a look on seat guru for configurations etc I don't like old planes like the 777 and I prefer airbus to Boeing. I will always avoid a 777 or a 767 I find them the least comfortable with the least amount of amenities in club. If you get the choice of the 787 take it, it's new and really lovely to fly club in.

[WingingWonder]

I’ve travelled allot for work in all the premium cabins and my main advice would be avoid BA- especially in Vegas routes which have the oldest planes... virgin is significantly better for that route albeit less services (virgin proper not codeshare delta flight)
For anywhere else in world the Middle easy nation carriers are amazing - Emirates, Qatar (q suite is immense), then Asia- Singapore / Cathay and further afield air New Zealand who were so very lovely and genuine service too

[kittenpeak]

Club is good. Premium economy is ok, but check the route and plane. Absolutely not worth it on older aircrafts. if you want to treat yourself, but are on a budget, fly premium there and club back. It will be cheaper to fly back to the UK in club. I think the planes they use transatlantic are newer too so if you do premium on the way there it will be worth it. Similar seat size, and not much more leg room, but it's a quieter cabin which does it for me

[safariboot]

I've only flown economy, but BA economy on their long haul planes is more comfortable than budget airlines. Mine was just a 4 hour flight mind (but apparently the plane was one they usually use for their Atlantic routes).

[PegasusReturns]

I hate hate hate the seats in virgin upper class. I don’t understand the point of a lie flat bed that you have to get out of to convert.

@Cookerhood that’s interesting - if I was going on holiday I think I’d do the opposite! Enjoy club during the day, drink, eat, nap and arrive excited about my hols and then fly economy overnight on way back. It’d be grim but I’d take some melatonin and drink a few glasses of wine and hope for best.

[Hairbrush123]

That’s ok, OP! I’ve flown Virgin in economy and premium economy and found it an excellent option. You won’t go wrong with either airline.

[laughoutquiet]

@Cookerhood

I would always fly business class if I could afford it. One compromise is to do economy or premium on the way out on a day time flight & club over night on the way back.

Good plan!

[Pipandmum]

Premium economy on BA not worth it. On Virgin it is - must better than economy. On BA hardly noticed much difference. Business is great - wouldn't bother with first.

[GiraffeNecked]

I flew business with aer lingus last year twice, paid to upgrade. Bloody loved it, access to the lounge was great, flat bed, good food. I’d do it again.

[Crazycatlady83]

Sorry should have added, we have flown First with American and their service is fantastic!

[Crazycatlady83]

There are loads of airlines doing some great deals trans Atlantic. Don’t restrict yourself to BA. We have flown Upper Class with Virgin and it was great. We have also flown Club with BA and, to be honest, their service wasn’t great.

[Cookerhood]

I would always fly business class if I could afford it. One compromise is to do economy or premium on the way out on a day time flight & club over night on the way back.

[laughoutquiet]

@Bathroom12345 I'll check out virgin now. Thank you!

[laughoutquiet]

@Hairbrush123 thank you for such a comprehensive answer. Much appreciated!

[FinallyHere]

The flat bed in club outweighs all other benefits for me. I'd rather not travel if I don't get a flat bed.

[HeronLanyon]

I have flown all classes.
Premium economy is worth every penny to have extra space and not feel claustrophobic on long haul.
Shorter (3 hours or less it’s less worth it I think).
First only when I’ve been upgraded. If i had limitless money I would probably choose to fly first partic fir overnight flight. The ability to sleep and arrive fresh is wonderful.

[Hairbrush123]

Oh and First Class. It sometimes isn't much more expensive than Club. The legroom is greater in First, you have direct aisle access and a smaller cabin, making it feel more intimate. Dining on demand is a nice touch and your own pyjamas. You get china tableware in both cabins but I wouldn't pay non-sale prices to fly First or if Club isn't much less than First. I normally use my Avios or wait for a sale to come out. My opinion remains the same as my previous post - Club if the price is right otherwise economy if the fare is very cheap.

[Hairbrush123]

Hello. I fly very frequently (until the pandemic struck) so I'll try to answer your question as best as I can! I have travelled in Economy and Club World more times than I can count.

Economy depending on which aircraft you're flying on (probably 777) is fine. I flew to Tel Aviv in economy on a 777 back in February with BA's new upgraded economy experience and I was quite impressed! Plump cushion - far better than its predecessor (piece of paper comes to mind), the blanket was thicker than the old one, improvement on dining and decent legroom. I think the "soft" experience is definitely a massive improvement however the "hard" product is good. I'm 6ft and I found it alright legroom wise. I can't comment on premium as I've never travelled on it.

Club World (or Suite) is a massive leap up. You have access to their lounges at Heathrow and Vegas. I imagine it's a 3rd party lounge in Vegas and I haven't been to their lounge in Vegas however the BA lounge at Heathrow is often a tranquil haven (except on a Monday morning), escaping the chaos of the T5 departures lounge . You get complimentary hot food, a plethora of cosy seating and access to the showers.

Onboard - you have a lie flat seat and BA use The White Company bedding, which converted me to purchase their bedding when I first tried it! The seat is comfy however you don't have really anywhere to put your belongings when you're in the lie flat position or generally, which is very annoying. Depending on the plane you're flying, it could be a 2-4-2 configuration which means you have to climb over someone's feet to go to the toilet or go into the overhead lockers to get your belongings during flight unless you're in the aisle seat (if you're travelling with someone, it won't be as much of a problem) and alas, seat selection isn't free so you might have to pay a pretty penny to seat in the perfect seat. The in flight entertainment isn't any different in business class versus any other cabin so don't factor that into your decision. Research The Points Guy or Head For Points to see reviews of BA's cabins - that might give you a better idea what value you'll get for your money.

If you're asking me - it would entirely depend on your budget. I would fly business class (Club) if my finances allowed it. Economy is still good on BA, it's improved a lot and would feel comfortable flying it to Las Vegas. Look at the sales or perhaps Virgin too. As someone else pointed out - they have aggressive sales to the USA in business class so now might be the best time to book for a good deal (make sure it's a flexible ticket or wait until the US border reopens). Good luck in your decision!

[Bathroom12345]

Virgin have a massive sale at present including Upper Class. Most flights including East and West Coast US, are £996 return! I thought Premium Eco had a solid base between seats that meant you couldnt lie down across the seats but I went a while ago and maybe things have changed.

Having said that I would suck up Eco or splash out and book Club.

[mdh2020]

Premium economy can be worth as it isn’t always full. I flew with a friend and she was able to move to the middle row and lie down across all three seats and go to sleep.

[laughoutquiet]

@MrsMiaWallis

I've travelled premium ec 6 times and been upgraded to club 5 times.

Do you mean you upgraded yourself? Did you use Avios points?

[MrsMiaWallis]

I've travelled premium ec 6 times and been upgraded to club 5 times.