Inconsistent British Airways Business Class | Is Club Europe Worth It In 2024?

Today I’m taking 4 British Airways Club Europe Business Class flights to try and determine if it’s worth the cost to upgrade. I’ll be showing the different types of seating and meals that are offered in this business class product as well as the lounge experience at Heathrow Terminal 5.

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[zaphod]

The free WiFi is a new policy, all BAEC members can get the messaging pack free as of the start of April.

Looks like your 2nd flight was on a neo, which explains the lack of the middle seat tables.

I agree on the on board breakfasts. I usually have a cooked breakfast in the lounge and then just ask for a couple of the croissants and jam on board.

[simonofarrell]

The first A319 from NCL to LHR is actually not that old. It's actually newer than the vast majority of the 319's. It's just got the old BMI configuration.

[elaineadams]

Exactly mirrors my experiences. Totally inconsistent. BA really has to get their act together if they want to stay in the game.

[aarond]

BA is so bad on all levels now, I flew on a new A321 Neo the other week the business seat didnt even recline and there was no screens either for a 2024 plane and the price of the ticket you'd expect that, it makes me think next time I fly it will be easyJet or Ryanair

[MSD]

There’s still a few ex-bmi A319 and A320 in the BA fleet that still retain the old bmi interiors, like the A319 your were on from NCL to LHR. They’re not comfortable seats on longer sectors as headrests aren’t high enough for tall people and the backrest angle isn’t very upright, so neck pain sets in after a couple of hours.

The older neos never have a tray table in Club Europe, but the new neos will have them reinstated, along with the new seat, interior and mood lighting, the first of which began service this month.

[abcat]

I also fly Club and I’ve always had good service with one in particularly memorable the flight which was managed by a CSD and she serviced Club by herself, she was fantastic gave us 2 bottles of champagne to take off the flight 🎉

[joelchapman]

I actually think club europe is a reasonable product. Yes, the seat isnt great but not having someone in between is great. Its also about the rest of the experience such as check in, lounge access and i have always found the food and crew to be great

[brian]

I don't know what it's like flying on B.A now day's, but a long time ago mother and i flew on B.A back in 1986 from LHR to LAX on a 747-400., our seats were in the up stairs cabin. Flight took around 11 hours, service and food was ok but mother and i also flew on Singapore Airlines and we both felt that Singapore Airlines were back in 1986 far better re service/food and drink., in fact mother and i returned back to the U.K in 1987 for a holiday & also in 1991. Yes! we flew on Singapore Airlines in 1987 & 91. Thanks for uploading this awesome video, very professionally presented & i like that catchy background music too!✈👍

[RobertClaeson]

The breakfast options in Club Europe are usually a full English or an omelette. I always go for the omelette, as the full English is a bit disappointing.

If you fly frequently enough to collect 1500 tier points in a year for gold membership, you can use the 1st class check-in at the far end of Heathrow Terminal 5. It has its own security which is fast, and you then walk straight into the First lounge which is nice and has a self-pour Champagne bar. The Champagnes there are better than the ones served onboard the flights.

You can typically only book the first-row seats if you're a gold member.

Some of the A320's are different from the rest. I was told that they're planes originally used by BMI.

[malichi]

Staff always excellent.
On my regular Aberdeen flight ……this weekend they did a round of drinks before the meal service, which generally never happens.
I always decline the afternoon tea service which I find horrible.
Still ❤ BA though.

[Michael-wryy]

Just flown back from EDI to LCY in club and because its the Embraer the legroom is more generous, but what really surprised me this time was the lack of food ie only a very small chicken plate on a bed of slaw and a chocolate bar. Literally nothing else. Thankfully the food in the lounge at EDI is always a good standard unlike the Glasgow lounge which is pretty poor. The price difference in cabins to LCY can be relatively small at times. No tea or coffee offered which in club Europe I find is standard not to offer it and the champagne has switched to a really imo cheap muck, just too fizzy to be enjoyed. The cabin service on cityflyer is though always a high standard

[rrewy]

Fly regularly BA business LHR to Berlin certainly a marked improvement in on time departure times from LHR over the last few months.

[sb]

Thanks. Does the BA Heathrow lounge open at 5am? It’s always so busy.

[armychap]

Did you catch the registration of the A319 which operated your NCL-LHR flight? BA still operate 10 ex-bmi A319s and I'm guessing it was one of those you flew on with the old fashioned cabin and pull down table in row 1 (their registrations are G-DB**). I wish bmi were still around to give BA a bit of healthy competition on short haul business class flights from LHR. It's the inconsistencies in the service which let BA down as you have highlighted. Shame about the flat champagne and admittedly a full English breakfast in any class of travel on most airlines is a disappointment.

[neilcoram]

Enjoyed the video but why did you keep your coat on while flying

[overpar]

The trouble with the "short haul" business class is the definition of short haul. I use BA to fly to Turkey which is usually a 5 and a half hour experience from stepping onto the plane to leaving it, and the basic seat and austere surroundings always leave me questioning exactly what I paid £££ for....

[hovelad]

For someone who travels a lot and holds a silver card…surely you’d be aware that BA are offering free messaging onboard to Executive Card holders?

[GlobetrottingGraeme]

If anyone ever solves the mystery of why service does differ on flights, a lot of folk would be curious to know the answer. BA did announce in March that they are spending 7 billion pounds on new aircraft, cabin upgrades, improved IT etc, with 5 billion of that being spent on the aircraft and cabin upgrades. So hopefully they retire that old A319. This is all part of the overall BA push to win back brand loyalty. One of those changes was what you experienced. From April, all executive club members are be able to send WhatsApp and text messages on all BA flights that have WIFI. So hopefully some good things to follow. Great video.

[DPWestMids-uc]

Thanks Charles
Very timely report as flying Silver Status next week BA Club Europe from T5 to a short haul plus destination with BA Holidays.
All the best sir. David

[georgezaharoff]

First time seeing your channel, new sub. I am 2 meters tall and BA’s Club Europe is TERRIBLE. the only saving grace is the middle seat being empty. I dropped my phone and it was so tight I couldn’t bend and get it. I had to kick the phone to the person behind me. The legroom overall is unacceptable.