BA business class

[xelous]

Flying business with BA for the first time (long haul) to Mexico later this year.

How far in advance would you suggest we reserve our seats? And do you recommend paying to reserve?

It depends if you have strong seat preferences e.g. must have a window seat or want the middle seats because you have children, or as a couple want to be close together and facing the same direction. BA will usually try to sit you together but there are no guarantees. It's more of a leisure route though so tends to be more couples and families rather than single business travellers.

It's the old style Club from Gatwick so be aware that if you pick a pair of seats, one of you will face forward and the other backwards (window seats face backwards). It also means that the window seat person may have to step over a stranger's legs to access the aisle.

Have a look at the seat layout online and if you have strong preferences, you definitely need to reserve asap. There's no point waiting - prices won't change and the cabin will only become more full so giving you fewer choices as time goes on. BA Exec Club members with Gold/Silver status can reserve for free so they will grab the 'best' seats as soon as they book so the more preferred seats may start to disappear quite quickly. For example, I'm BA Gold and have just booked a flight to New Orleans next Feb and have already reserved our seats.

Do you have airmiles!? You can use them to book your seats. We always book ours and there have been times where I've seen people complaining that they're not sat together. If it was just me and my husband I wouldn't care too much as I just watch movies and sleep!

It also depends on the layout of the plane. The old business class has 2 seats side by side in the middle and while there is a small divider it's a bit like a double bed when the seats are flat. I wouldn't want those seats with a stranger.

@HundredMilesAnHour we fly from Heathrow and come back to Gatwick annoyingly.

We want to sit together by the window so probably best to just book now.

Thanks ☺️

@Tailfeather we have avios but I can't see an option to pay using those?

Maybe it's only if you booked the seats with avios? Maybe worth a phone call if you have the time and inclination!

Definitely. Window seats always go first.

You might have Club Suites out of Heathrow (depends on your aircraft type) so you'll get to experience both versions of BA Club.

You (or the household account) needs to be logged in to your BA Exec Club account to pay for seats with Avios. Then you can do it via Manage My Booking.

@Tailfeather @HundredMilesAnHour we did use avios. Thanks, signed in and can use avios but it's 40k avios and we're building them to book business to the Maldives later this year so don't want to spend that many one way!

It's £188 for the both of us so will just pay. It's a daytime flight out so want a window seat but not fussed for the way back as it's a night flight.

Any recommendations on what seats to book or avoid? I'm thinking 12 JK or 12 AB

I'd book 6 A/B (first choice) or 7 A/B. The mini cabin at the front is quieter. Being at the back of the bigger cabin means you're more at risk of being disturbed by the noise from the WTP cabin right behind you. Especially with the bassinets on the front row of WTP if there are crying babies. Some of the WTP people sneak in to Club to use the Club toilets so there's more traffic going past you in the larger cabin.

You'll also get served food/drinks sooner at the front, and more likely to get your first choice of main meal.

I would avoid being too close to the galley too. Loads of chitter chatter and clanging and banging while you're trying to sleep!

Actually 7A/B is probably better for you as 7A doesn't have to step over anyone to get to the aisle. (Just remembering that last time I was in 6A, there wasn't anyone in 6B and I spent most of the flight drinking champagne with friends in First so stepping over someone wasn't an issue).

It's a daytime flight.

@HundredMilesAnHour @Tailfeather thanks both! I will book 7A and B! ☺️

Have a brilliant trip!!

@xelous yes, enjoy!! And just in case you're not aware, they DO serve champagne in the BA Business lounges at Heathrow but you usually have to grab a member of staff and ask them to bring you a glass or five.

Thanks both! 🥰

7AB is next to the loo...

@eurochick oh, not ideal. Is JK not as good? In terms of the side of the plane?

I personally would go for your original options.

There's a big enough space between both 7A and 7B (plus a curtain) that the it's unlikely to even be noticed or heard. I've spent I estimate 200+ hours sitting in those seats and never even heard the loo flush or door open. It's actually one of the premium window seats in the old style cabins because there's no-one to step over for aisle access and very private. One of the best seats in the entire cabin. Perhaps you've had a different experience though?

@eurochick have you been in those seats before? I'm now worried about a potential crying baby in front

@eurochick about to book and just wanted to know if you've sat in 7 A/B before and had any issues?

Honestly I can't recall. I've sat in various places in the cabin over the years!

My general practice is to go for an aisle seat away from the loos and kitchens. I have quite a sensitive nose.

Someone on my last business class flight persuaded me to swap but didn't actually inform the stewardess. I ended up in the really shit middle seat in the old layout for 16 hours - no idea why I agreed to it. So he got my meal options (low cal) that I didn't want anyway because they're not that nice 😁

Go onto BA flyertalk- there is a thread with all seat details or just post and get advice- they are the experts

Can't see from the map which plane type but there is a thread and discussion for each
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/1816768-seating-guide-boeing-777-a.html