British Airways Premium Economy vs Business Class

Premium Economy or Business Class? Which should you book for your next flight with British Airways. Today I’m comparing both offerings, from the experience on the ground, the seat, the food and drink, and the service.

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Chapters

00:00 Premium vs Business Ground Experience
01:40 Status Impact
02:12 The Seats
07:40 Food & Drink
11:05 Amenities
12:00 Service
12:55 Bathrooms
13:23 Which To Book?

[mjrc]

I’m with you on the old club world seat. I recently flew LHR-BWI on a 787 with the old business class setup, and (with a window, bulkhead seat) I think it is just about the best sleeper in the sky. No foot cubby, masses of space, excellent privacy. Just a shame not all seats provide the same experience…

[zaphod]

Yeah, the old CW seat does have its advantages as you mentioned. But one of the big issues with it on top of the lack of storage and direct aise access for the windows, and privacy for the aisles, if that in the same 'class', you have a wildly different experience depending on the seat you're in. I've flown it a few times, and while having a window seat to sleep in is lovely, a nice little coocoon, sleeping in an aisle seat is awful, it's like you're in the aisle. One of the big plusses of CS is that aside from having a window or not, every seat is the same, so I'm not so worried if I don't get my preferred seat, I'll still have a consistent experience.

I don't think old CW is fundamentally flawed design, it's just that BA didn't update it since 2006, had they made some tweaks, like slightly better privacy for the aisle seats, more storage, and a gap between rows to give the windows aisle access it would be fine. Coincidentally JAL have a very similar business product, but which has these improvements, and it's really good.

On the separate topic of food, BA policy is that you can have both desert and cheese in CW, you do have to ask as the crew don't tell you this, but per their policy they should give it to you. Imo tho business food doesn't need to be fine dining, just good restaurant quality food, proper fine dining is what First class if for.

[nlrdpgm]

I have had issues with people reclining their seats in economy and premium economy !!!!

On numerous occasions the person in front of me has reclined their seat minutes into the flight, when drinks / the meal are served it makes it extremely difficult to eat your meal due to the limited space, so upon myself reclining my seat the person behind starts hitting off he has no room to eat his meal, his leg room is limited

Upon asking cabin crew as was it ok to recline my seat, they said yes, its standard procedure throughout the cabin to recline your set

I had a man 6ft 6 inches tall behind myself in economy and he was complaining bitterly about the lack of space legroom wise etc surely some one that tall should take the leg room into account when booking economy !!!

[Michael-wryy]

Agree on the old club seating plenty of space. Not flown premium yet but thanks for the info on the seat recline, that could be a major issue. Fly a lot of club europe and yes the service is really mixed regardless whether its city flyer, mainline or gatwick. Had the misfortune to fly down the back on a glasgow flight 2 weeks ago 30f, window seat, but no window totally full flight, never been so crammed in, leg room abysmal, im 5ft 10. Could not have stuck it for a longer flight.

[msingh]

Great review. New subscriber here. Was that Dhaal I saw in one of the clips?

[tomd]

Hi I think the pulse point thing is an anti nausea gadget. I couldn't really see it in the video so not 100% on that.

[Crazy_Charo]

I've been lucky enough to fly club suites and the older club world seat, and agree that the bulkhead seat is great but almost every other seat is fairly weak.

The A380 club world seat (old type) also features a throne seat, which is in between two club world seats and can be even more anxiety inducing during due to two dividers.

I've just flown from HND to LHR in premium economy on the BA A350 and found it to be quite comfortable with both meals being quite decent. Definitely a step above economy and worthwhile the price difference (funny enough the premium economy seats were cheaper than economy when we booked).

Given the choice, I would choose the club suites over the older club world every time as that product offers so much better consistency.

[al]

Agree with you about the recline issue but then you also complained about how reclining in front means you can’t eat or watch TV. I try to avoid a full recline if there is someone behind me.

[rrewy]

Within the last few days i have travelled Club Europe from LHR, what annoys me is the breakfast offering on board, chances are you have gone for the full english whilst in the lounge and then you get offered another one on board (the alternative was omelette) 2 BA breakfasts within a few hours...not good.
Cabin crew are obviously different on long haul but I found the cabin service virtually non existent other than bringing meal tray that was it, considering the cost it wouldn't have been worth the cash but I used avios and got a reasonable deal.

[qpwssni]

i hate that BA charge club world passengers to book their seat

[MDiStefano]

Very informative providing invaluable information, However, dude, don't visit a tanning salon prior to making a vlog!

[journeyingjohn]

A Beyond Abysmal carrier with a Beyond Abysmal record for cancellations, delays and the worst IT in the sector, globally.

Best Avoided