3 January 2006

Boeing 747-400  Business Class

Many trips over the past 18 months mostly Far East - LHR Hong Kong and UK-US. Upper deck is the best club area of seating - even quieter I would say than First, although First cabin is delightful and spacious with excellent food. Upper deck A or K excellent seats - very private. Bed very comfortable and I always sleep well. The 777 is a wonderful aircraft but business class seat area is far too cramped - too many seats BA needs to look at this. On US flights I always choose a 747 if I can.

1 January 2006

Boeing 777  Business Class

My flight from Toronto to Heathrow in the sleeper seat restored my faith in longhaul travel. From the champagne when boarding to the dinner, movie and breakfast, BA excelled. The flat seat was a blessing and it was refreshing to fly in such a civilized way and the onboard service was flawless. I couldn't have enjoyed the trip more and this comes from a seasoned traveller. BA will continue to be my choice. I arrived in the morning refreshed and relaxed. Last time I was this impressed was Concorde.

24 October 2005

Boeing 747-400

First Class

Just back from BKK and managed to get upgrade on way back to first and I have to say the seat was very comfortable. The full flat bed meant I slept for 6 hrs. Overall service was good even though FA's were a little grumpy.

15 October 2005

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

Various long-hauls recently, mostly LHR-Asia and return, with both old and new cabin fittings. Always travel upper deck, much quieter, crew- pax ratio seems better. Reasonable storage in under-window lockers if in window seat (tops also provide useful additional flat surfaces for laptops, papers etc when dining, but beware that these are marginally shallower toward the front and wont take a 17-inch screen laptop in its carry case). Crew generally top-notch. Food/wine noticably not as good as First. Flat bed BA noticably better than lie-flat in SIA. In-seat power in the old cabin not good (uses some kind of transformer device, rather than letting pax plug in their own equipment in the normal manner – never used in new cabin). Seat is too narrow. Herringbone layout would work better for access/egress to window seats. IFE screens and control interface now outdated and clunky.

14 October 2005

Boeing 747-400

First Class

As a regular traveller in BA First Class I find that although the service is excellent, when the seats go flat there is a slight bump caused by the lumbar support which can make sleeping rather uncomfortable and often does not go away however much you fiddle with the controls. Also, on a recent flight from Newark to London, the cabin was about half full and as we passed over NYC, about 8 members of cabin crew from throughout the plane flocked to the windows to see the view, which was most unprofessional. I have also on occasion seen crew luggage and carry-ons littering the space around empty suites which is quite unpleasant.

13 October 2005

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

LHR-Bangkok. Highly recommend travelling in the upper deck. The quiet atmosphere and very comfortable flat beds made for a great sleep. IFE was great and kept me entertained for hours. The Flight Attendants were delightful and worked around the seating arrangement with minimum fuss and professionalism. I certainly believe that Qantas needs to take a leaf out of British Airways manuals as this was one flying experience I enjoyed tremendously.

11 October 2005

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

LHR to Vancouver (March 05). Sat on the upper deck in seat 63B. The seat was very comfortable. The tray does not come close enough so had to bend over my food to prevent dropping it. When seat was in the bed position it was too narrow and firm for me. Pillow was good but blanket was rubbish (same as economy). Did not sleep that well. Difficult to get in and out of the seat if you sit by the window because you have to step over someone. Drinks trays are in the wrong place because one of my travelling companions knocked their champagne of onto their seat and consequently had a wet seat for the flight.

10 October 2005

Boeing 777

First Class

Usually travel in BA's Club World but decided to treat myself for this transatlantic flight. Couldn't have been happier with their 1st class product, wonderful roomy seat and great duvet, pillow and pyjamas. Impeccable service and food from an all male crew.

8 October 2005

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

A couple of round trips SEA-LHR in the past year in Club World. Seat comfort was excellent; arrived much more rested this way, and took less time to get over jet lag. My 6'3" son slept soundly for a few hours. Excellent food and wine; great cabin service.

1 October 2005

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

LHR-LAX. Front row upstairs with my wife. Excellent lie-flat business seats, and great service - including the self-service for food and drinks. A little narrow compared to First but really very good.

16 September 2005

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

Flew SYD-BKK in Club World return. First time in the new seats, and found them very comfortable and the fabric very soft. Was in 13 A on the outbound, and 14 D on the inbound. Window seats can be tricky when getting out if the person sitting opposite you has the bed activated. Thought the cabin was very nice, and loved the beds! I can NEVER sleep in an aircraft, but relaxed in the bed and got off the aircraft at both destinations feeling refreshed.

23 May 2005

Boeing 777

Business Class

YUL-LHR. Club World seats on this flight were updated and are softer and more comfortable. The new seat dividers are better and no longer look scruffy. Even though the updated cabin was in place on this flight, it looked old and shabby. The seat did provide a few hours sleep on this flight. Overhead cabin reading lights should be deactivated for night flights as they disturb fellow passengers even with the new updated seat dividers.

23 May 2005

Boeing 777

Business Class

Kuwait to Heathrow in Club World. Flight was early morning, so most people slept after a nice breakfast. The lie-flat bed was very comfortable. Seats are in opposing directions, so the seat next to you faces in the opposite direction, but there are privacy screens between seats, unfortunately when seats are flat they touch the seat back in front so it is probably best to ask for an aisle seat as it is difficult getting out without disturbing anyone in a window seat (unfortunately you'll be disturbed too if sleeping). Seats 10B, C F or G are the best as no one can disturb you and you don't disturb anyone.

20 May 2005

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

Club World (UPPER DECK) LHR-BKK-SYD and overall it was good I slept ok but the Club World seat was too narrow and there wasn't any storage or shoe storage - I love the flatness of the beds and the dividing screen, and also the quietness of the upstairs cabin

12 May 2005

Boeing 777

Business Class

LHR-Dubai, Club World outward (BA109), Club World Sleeper Service return (BA106). Once again - good service and enhancements are a welcome touch. Travelled from Edinburgh, so decided to make use of the departure lounge on the way out and arrivals lounge on the return - great massage before flight & on the return. Due to this, managed to get a good sleep on the plane, I always select the front aisle seat - so no-one has to step over you. Seats not changed at present, but very busy flight.

11 May 2005

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

I travelled Club World LHR to Cape Town, and then Johannesburg to LHR. I have to say upstairs is the better choice, it is much quieter and there are less seats, hence less noise. The annoying thing is the jumping over the person diagonally next to you, if they have their seat reclined fully.

25 February 2005

Boeing 777

Business Class

The seats were of a sufficient length and width for me. The food and wine was of a good standard and the new menu's added to the fine presentation. Using the newly introduced pillows + blankets from the sleeper service and recent enhancements makes this quite comfortable however the seats are being enhanced to change the dividers and make the beds a bit softer (will be finished by Nov. '05) and this is very welcome.

7 February 2005

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

Very comfortable seats, excellent service, good selection of food and wine. When fully flat the bed is very comfortable. I'm 6ft tall and had no problem sleeping. Well done BA you have a world leading business class product.

6 February 2005

Boeing 747-400

First Class

SFO-LHR Upgraded from my Club World Sleeper Seat on the upper deck. First service & food far better than Club. The Seat is marginally better and 6" longer, not a lot wider. Its not twice as good as club so perhaps if it were not twice the price they might fill the cabin sometimes.

5 February 2005

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

I thought the seats too narrow and not comfortable for prolonged sleep. Length was a problem as well. Getting in and out of the window seat is very tricky as you do not have any room to move and striding over the passenger in front (facing) is not good as you can constantly keep kicking their legs or feet if they are fully reclined. I knocked a glass of orange juice off the tray as I was getting back in, sprayed my wife next to me and then my seat, sat on the glass and crushed it - I was very lucky I did not cut myself - only my dignity got shamed. Originally my wife had the rear facing seat and had to change with me. She started to feel rather sick but settled once we changed. Passengers should be asked when booking if they do have problems with a rear seat or else they could have a very disturbed flight. I thought the divider was terrible, looked cheap and nasty and when shut really closed in the area. The things we did enjoy was the service, the staff (they were terrific), the food and beverage service. IFE was ok, very average but ok!

5 February 2005

Boeing 767

First Class

London to Dar es Salaam BA offers the older first suite on this route. However it is still on of the best seats in the air. The first cabin on the 767 has only 8 suites so service was excellent as expected for BA but food was a let down. The BA first class bed is excellent I slept soundly for 5 hours of this 10 hour flight glad to be in first as club has the outdated cradle seat on this plane.

19 January 2005

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

After much reading on this webpage, opted for BA Business Class for a recent trip to Cape Town. Pre- selected my seats (well done BA) at BA.COM on the upper deck as recommended here. Row 60 out, row 61 back. Upper deck is a joy, the only way to travel. Very quiet, plenty of storage space and attentive crew. Food average outbound, very good inbound, wine excellent both ways. Flight back was the BA42 daytime flight departing CPT at 0800. This I thought made for better meals and a more relaxing flight - after breakfast you can just doze for a few hours and the flight feels shorter. I'm 6'1" and bed was slightly short and firm, but still comfy, partner is 5'7" and slept like a log!

19 January 2005

Boeing 777

First Class

The seat does lie fully flat and my overweight 6'1" frame fit fairly nicely. The duvet was okay but actually a little warm. The pajamas were a very nice touch, and the toiletry kits were very well presented with nice items inside. The food service was mostly constant and consistent with what I'd expect. Outbound (overnight) service was much more attentive than the return to the US. The thing which kept me most from sleeping outbound was the regular tromping of someone through the aisles of 1st Class, enough to shake the seat. This having been an older 777, the seats were a bit worn and dated.

6 January 2005

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

JFK-LHR. 19.01 Departure. Good menu - unlimited food and drink (both soft & alcoholic). Discrete staff. Last flight of the day to have full menu. Recommend upstairs (as fewer seats) and aisle seat next to window as have easy access to bathroom . Only noticed the lack of elbow room when playing games. Would not advise sitting in 60 J as toilet and cockpit are both right in front - can therefore be annoying / noisy due to toilet flushing and movement by cabin crew and passengers. Seats 62 therefore much better. Could also show better films. Seats facing each other are great if you know the person facing you but may be too intimate if you don't! But comfort of seats is excellent and contributes greatly to arriving more rested at desitnation. Wouldn't travel long haul any other way!

18 December 2004

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

Comfortable seats, excellent service, good food on LHR-IAD. Pre-flight supper a great idea. Shoulder room is too restricted but this was the first time I have slept on an aircraft. Way superior to American Airlines in all respects. Give us a better pillow and duvet though please!

18 December 2004

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

Extensive travel in Club Class recently. Totally agree with other reviewers that A/K upstairs are the best seats on these flights and there is no disadvantage to facing backwards. Food generally very good, wine good quality and freely available (no cost-saving rule unlike some business class cabins) and generally good service. Downstairs more of a lottery especially if full in which case the cabin can be noisy and cramped especially if in the middle seats.

5 February 2005

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

I thought the seats too narrow and not comfortable for prolonged sleep. Length was a problem as well. Getting in and out of the window seat is very tricky as you do not have any room to move and striding over the passenger in front (facing) is not good as you can constantly keep kicking their legs or feet if they are fully reclined. I knocked a glass of orange juice off the tray as I was getting back in, sprayed my wife next to me and then my seat, sat on the glass and crushed it - I was very lucky I did not cut myself - only my dignity got shamed. Originally my wife had the rear facing seat and had to change with me. She started to feel rather sick but settled once we changed. Passengers should be asked when booking if they do have problems with a rear seat or else they could have a very disturbed flight. I thought the divider was terrible, looked cheap and nasty and when shut really closed in the area. The things we did enjoy was the service, the staff (they were terrific), the food and beverage service. IFE was ok, very average but ok!

5 February 2005

Boeing 767

First Class

London to Dar es Salaam BA offers the older first suite on this route. However it is still on of the best seats in the air. The first cabin on the 767 has only 8 suites so service was excellent as expected for BA but food was a let down. The BA first class bed is excellent I slept soundly for 5 hours of this 10 hour flight glad to be in first as club has the outdated cradle seat on this plane.

19 January 2005

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

After much reading on this webpage, opted for BA Business Class for a recent trip to Cape Town. Pre- selected my seats (well done BA) at BA.COM on the upper deck as recommended here. Row 60 out, row 61 back. Upper deck is a joy, the only way to travel. Very quiet, plenty of storage space and attentive crew. Food average outbound, very good inbound, wine excellent both ways. Flight back was the BA42 daytime flight departing CPT at 0800. This I thought made for better meals and a more relaxing flight - after breakfast you can just doze for a few hours and the flight feels shorter. I'm 6'1" and bed was slightly short and firm, but still comfy, partner is 5'7" and slept like a log!

19 January 2005

Boeing 777

First Class

The seat does lie fully flat and my overweight 6'1" frame fit fairly nicely. The duvet was okay but actually a little warm. The pajamas were a very nice touch, and the toiletry kits were very well presented with nice items inside. The food service was mostly constant and consistent with what I'd expect. Outbound (overnight) service was much more attentive than the return to the US. The thing which kept me most from sleeping outbound was the regular tromping of someone through the aisles of 1st Class, enough to shake the seat. This having been an older 777, the seats were a bit worn and dated.

6 January 2005

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

JFK-LHR. 19.01 Departure. Good menu - unlimited food and drink (both soft & alcoholic). Discrete staff. Last flight of the day to have full menu. Recommend upstairs (as fewer seats) and aisle seat next to window as have easy access to bathroom . Only noticed the lack of elbow room when playing games. Would not advise sitting in 60 J as toilet and cockpit are both right in front - can therefore be annoying / noisy due to toilet flushing and movement by cabin crew and passengers. Seats 62 therefore much better. Could also show better films. Seats facing each other are great if you know the person facing you but may be too intimate if you don't! But comfort of seats is excellent and contributes greatly to arriving more rested at desitnation. Wouldn't travel long haul any other way!

18 December 2004

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

Comfortable seats, excellent service, good food on LHR-IAD. Pre-flight supper a great idea. Shoulder room is too restricted but this was the first time I have slept on an aircraft. Way superior to American Airlines in all respects. Give us a better pillow and duvet though please!

18 December 2004

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

Extensive travel in Club Class recently. Totally agree with other reviewers that A/K upstairs are the best seats on these flights and there is no disadvantage to facing backwards. Food generally very good, wine good quality and freely available (no cost-saving rule unlike some business class cabins) and generally good service. Downstairs more of a lottery especially if full in which case the cabin can be noisy and cramped especially if in the middle seats.

24 November 2004

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

Heathrow - Singapore - Melbourne. Seat 62K which has to be the best (along with 62A) of the lot. Rear facing is good, the bins at the side of the window seats are excellent. I'm only 6 ft tall and needed to keep my knees slightly bent. Privacy in the window seats is very good, service was quiet and discrete, even underplayed, which I find better than over attentiveness. Slept well for the first time since 1970 when I had the middle four seats of economy to lie down on!! The upper deck is the quietest place on any aircraft.

22 November 2004

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

Upper Deck is good. Lower deck is cramped when the flight is full or close to full. For larger people the seats are a bit narrow and cramped. The best seats are those where your neighbour does not have to cross in front of you on the way in or out.

2 November 2004

Business Class

We booked Gatwick - Tampa on BA Because we were told they were at last introducing flat seats in the first week of Nov. Sure enough when we selected our seats for the return flight (Nov 19th) flat seats were illustrated. We were just checking and found that the illustration has been changed to the old layout. No notification from BA. On calling we are now told that the change will take place next March. Clearly BA don't care about their Club class passengers.

26 October 2004

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

Heathrow-Changi return. Had excellent sleep both directions. Am average build and height and found no real problems re space. Was in aisle seat and not disturbed by centre passengers though would think these seats could be claustraphobic. wine list excellent and food superb. Cabin crew attitude good.

26 October 2004

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

SFO-LHR. I found the sitting to be a bit awkward for personal belongings, and the lying down a bit tricky - I am 6'4"/194cm, and I could not lie completely flat; the sleeping surface is fairly firm as well. Even with the privacy screen, I found myself playing an avoidance game with my seatmate, and when she needed to emerge to use the lav, it was a bit awkward. I believe the middle seats to be ideal for couples, or friends who want to chat during the flight. All in all, service and lie flat are a work in progress. I'd actually rate a 6.5 or 7, if I had the choice.

11 October 2004

Boeing 777

Business Class

The flat beds are ok but not as good as other commentators have suggested. They do go fully flat but they're a bit narrow and are very hard.

14 September 2004

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

Everyone raves about upstairs in business class. I agree you can't fault it. Unfortunately "downstairs" is a different matter. I the olden days you had a 2-3-2 configuration, now it's 2-4-2! On a full flight that makes the journey claustrophobic and "intimate" to say the least! If upstairs isn't available, I fly someone else Upstairs I give BA 10/10 - but downstairs and on a full flight - lousy

14 September 2004

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

Also as a "long body" (194 cm) I did the London-Singapore-Sydney in Club World. The seats are just perfect for sleeping and I had a good 9hrs sleep to Singapore. Improving service on these flights would be a free of charge adapter! (only in 1st!) for your laptop. On my way back I had also upper deck and it is the quietest place you can find in a 747! If Club World, try it always upstairs!

9 September 2004

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

LHR-SEA. Lower deck rear facing seat in the last row. The cabin was largely empty. Rear facing was fine - but it would have been confronting if somebody was in the next seat as you are looking very close into their eyes. But it was comfortable. I'm 192cm (6'4") and intended to have a quick nap after lunch, but ended up sleeping deeply until landing.

31 August 2004

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

I totally agree with Jim Callaghan, the upper deck on a BA 747 in a rear facing seat is the best way to travel (if you cant do it in 1st). Having travelled a number of sectors in Club World, I've tried seats all over the upper and main decks and agree that A and K are the best seat up top! The extra storage spaces are definitely very handy and the cabin is much quieter overall. BA's flat beds are very comfortable and being truly flat beds make sleeping very easy indeed. The only criticism is that the seats could be a little wider, the quality of materials used in the seat should be a bit better

25 August 2004

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

Long haul Heathrow to Narita upstairs in Club World. Seat 61K was excellent. Sleeper slightly too small for me being 6.2, but I'm not complaining. Very comfortable, excellent in-flight service from 2 very friendly FA's, and great entertainment options. Food of a high standard also. Cabin staff far superior to Virgin who I find rude and arrogant.

6 August 2004

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

I would echo all the previous comments about the upper cabin, it's definitely the one to travel in. Personally, I prefer a rear facing seat. It's a safety thing as much as anything else (how many cabin crew do you see facing forward on take off and landing?!) Rear facing seats also have an additional advantage which answers some of the criticisms of previous commentators: A and K on on the upper deck are all window seats where you will find additional, lift-top, storage bins set into the wall. These are easily large enough to hold shoes, books, toilet bag, blankets etc. On the long overnight Hong Kong run, there's no better way to travel. The English cooked breakfast is excellent too. Just give us duvets and the service would be nigh on perfect.

5 August 2004

Boeing 747-400

Business Class

I find the sleeper beds to be just a fraction too small for me - I'm over 2 m (6'6") tall. Since my legs are cramped against the chair/bed in front of me, it actually makes it impossible to lie flat