Avoid the old British Airways Club World seat!

Experience the old British Airways Club World seat and appreciate why it is to be avoided, in this review of flight BA104 from Dubai to London Heathrow. The flight was on a Boeing 787-9 aircraft on Sunday 2 July 2023.
#BritishAirways #BA #FlightReview #BusinessClass #ClubWorld #DoorsToAuto
MUSIC
Deep House With Middle Eastern Vibes by Sondé (StoryBlocks ID SBA-300480618)
Synthwave Memories by Gushito (StoryBlocks ID SBA-346424016)

[@DoorsToAuto]

Let me know what you think of the video and the British Airways Club World service. Comment below, like and share. And don’t forget to subscribe for future reviews!

[@aace-uk]

Do you know if BA have plans to refit all their planes in the near future? I'm planning my first ever business class trip next year, on Club World to Tokyo, probably on a 787-9, and having watched this I really hope it'll have the new layout!

[@goutvols103]

It is beyond crazy that a business class passenger needs to step over the legs of another passenger. I once flew BA from Bahrain, and it was a eight seat layout in business. Never again.

[@michellegtravel]

Bit difficult when that’s the only one on the route

[@Serena_9]

The best row in 787 club world is seat 7A and 13A where you seat by the windows, but with direct aisle access. Cabin crew can serve food and drinks direct to your seat. It feels like you have your own private cabin.

[@philmac4825]

i am a frequent flyer to the Carribean, all of my trips are in the Dormitory, as this club class is known.

[@RTD3]

100% agree. The BA A380 service between Miami and London has those old seats and, yeah, they suck for a business class seat. Will be doing it again in June but at least the price is right. Now we just have to hope the flight isn't cancelled due to mechanical difficulties, again.

[@zaphod4245]

I agree that the old CW seats are to be avoided where possible, they were once revolutionary, but are an old and outdated product now. The storage they provide is pretty poor, and no direct aisle access is also not ideal. I do find the window seats nice for sleeping, they're nice and private and the long beds without any tapered footwell is nice, I'm not very wide so the width isn't an issue for me. Though the aisle seats have no privacy at all so it's like you're sleeping in the aisle itself, but like I say, as long as I can get a window these seats are actually quite good for redeyes.

[@harryhall197]

I'm avoiding British Airways altogether after my recent experience of the way I was treated. My flight from LHR to LAX was cancelled at the last minute. I was rebooked on a flight via Nashville but that was not convenient for me. After being on a 2 hour hold to speak to someone in 'customer service', I was booked on an AA flight to LAX. Then with absolutely no explanation, I was taken off that flight, by BA, and given a travel credit! No flight! I was left stranded in Heathrow. I ended up buying an expensive ticket with Virgin. BA has lost me (a premium customer, I always buy business class). Terrible customer service.

[@Knyght69]

Good to see that I am not the only one that dislikes this layout. I even gave feedback to BA suggesting their removal, for nearly exactly the same reasons you have stated dislike. Well done on the video.

[@MP-jy5ic]

Just did a trip to bengaluru, specifically for the new suites however last minute plane change on way out. So disapponting however got the new suite back. Night and day difference not sure how they can charge same price the hard product is so inferior on the old club world.

[@NatalieFantuzzi]

Just found a good price for Business class and watched this video. Unfortunately this is the only one flying from London to Orlando! So I might need to find another airline now!

[@Buns1172]

Great Vlog 👏👏 The old BA Club Seat is dire - way past it’s sell-by date and in no way compares to the new suite design I would feel short changed if I found this seat was on offer

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thanks 🙏

[@jlirving]

Flying this to Singapore in May definitely wasn't my first preference but there weren't a lot of options not my preferred seat but it eats Economy :D

[@SeniorTravels]

I agree with you that the seat setup is awful. My spouse and I will be traveling through London on our way home. Glad I watched your video, our flight appears to be the new seats as it is a 1-2-1 Configuration.

[@DoorsToAuto]

The new seat is so much better! I hope you enjoy the flight 😎

[@nouralsaeedi8161]

How can I know the difference between the old and new ?

[@CaptJerry]

Better than crammed into the rear matey, I regularly fly business to Antigua and love the rear facing window seat so I can see the engine and wing :-) an over 20 year old 777

[@gunvaldsandhaland7757]

I Am So Agreed Whit You ,I Dont Like The Old Club World Seat .I Like The New Seat In A350-1000 I Like The Product.Great Trip Report

[@Edgetravelguy]

What a crazy seating configuration

[@gaddyfree1085]

Literally like a dunce designed it

[@robllan]

Due to my job I’m living in Chennai. I reckon the planes serving my route will be at the back of the queue in the 787-8 retrofit programme. I’m saying that because BA is the only carrier offering flights between Chennai and 🇬🇧 so they have zero competition.

[@robbieross8591]

Well just to add a bit of balance to this I actually like the old configuration! If you are travelling with a friend or partner and the one who is in the window seat in particular is great! Facing your partner in the aisle works well I think! And if you are travelling solo and have a stranger in the aisle seat then just use the privacy divide! Also no restriction with legs and feet when the seat turns into a flat bed. Meal service and everything else obviously is no different to what it would be on the new configuration anyway. So all in all suits me.

[@deenaparker8689]

I actually chose a flight from London to Chicago because of the new 777 configuration. I had shopped around to look at seat configurations on a lot of airlines and avoided this old configuration. I detest flying backward. The configuration for my seat assignment showed the new configuration. I purchased the seat precisely for the new model. Well…they changed it back to the old model weeks after I paid for it and noticed I was now in a backward facing seat. I paid extra for this seat…window seat in the row I wanted. Now I have that backward facing seat…all for the extra money I spent. I’m so unhappy with this airline. Terrible….

[@deenaparker8689]

@@claneful I’ll be flying from Rome to Heathrow. The long haul to Chicago is the one with is configuration 🙁

[@TXRedheadRN]

Same thing happened to me. No warning.

[@aaronukhampshire]

I tend to have no choice when flying club as often use avios, and usually find they have open availability for the old club seats, but never Avios seats for the new business suites!

[@KPWHU]

What a strange layout, so if the passenger in the aisle seat behind has their seat folded flat you have to climb over that to get out? That's so bad. Wasn't impressed with food trays going directly over other passengers either.

[@DoorsToAuto]

Fortunately the person on the aisle the row behind me was in my party. It was an aerobic experience getting out when their feet were on the footstool! The newer aircraft with all direct aisle access are definitely a lot better.

[@lauragreenberg2074]

Got downgraded to this when i had booked and paid for club suite seats.. then quoted £4000 to change flights. I wonder if they havent retired this set up so they can continue to bill more for people to change flights..

[@Doodledoo92]

I am hearing from Boeing and friends who work with these that when the WiFi goes in it’s year on the fleet they seats will get a new seat but don’t quote me. I really wish they would invest more on the newer fleets than the older 777s even though the 777s are more spacey

[@hlau4449]

Hi May I ask when get off the plane, will BA let business classes passengers all off before let the economy go？cause I am considering choosing the last row of business, but bit worried that I may not get off fast enough

[@DoorsToAuto]

Business Class seating is all closer to the aircraft door than Economy, so you should get off first. I think they crew do hold back Economy passengers in any event, so they can’t try to barge past.

[@hlau4449]

thank you~@@DoorsToAuto

[@SuperMillhill]

I am flying a 777 on business this week and the seat map is showing a 2-4-2....I am furious I literally booked 777 flight to may sure it would be the new seats

[@richardstreet7518]

The old club seat was a game changer but that was 20 years ago!! I don"t think BA try too hard on the Middle East routes as the competition from QR and EK is unbeatable...

[@DoorsToAuto]

They do seem to fly the new Club World Suite on some Dubai flights. I guess I was just unlucky to get one of the flights with old seats.

[@richardstreet7518]

@DoorsToAuto of the three daily flights only one has CS

[@r12004rewy]

Looks ok as a business class flight but certainly nothing spectacular food looks well presented apart from the piece of plastic that's just not acceptable, having to serve food across another passengers isn't good especially in business class, hopefully BA will continue to refit these cabins as a matter of urgency.

[@ginginc]

@DoorstoAuto How do you find out whether a flight has the new or the old style seat?

[@DoorsToAuto]

In very general terms, A380s and 787s have the old seat. 777s have the new seat. However, BA are refurbishing aircraft so some 787s now have the new seat. Various websites like expertflyer.com let you see the seat maps for aircraft; old seat is 2-3-2 (or 2-4-2) across the cabin, new seat is 1-2-1.

[@oblongmusic3389]

As far as I’m aware , BA aren’t the only carrier who haven’t updated all of their business class seats .. I first flew on this seat in 2002 , and it was a breath of fresh air.. obviously it’s no longer anywhere near the cutting edge, but then the major gulf carriers also still use very dated seats on some of their planes .. and some of the fashionable Asian airlines do too .. this BA product was the original business lie flat seat , but everyone complains about it nowadays .. I suggest you try other airlines until BA really do update all their Club world products.. freedom of choice etc .. 🙏

[@Serena_9]

Even BA new club suite is not as good as Qatar Q-Suite. Qatar is rolling out a brand new Q-Suite V.2 out by 2024. I would say once BA has completely roll out club suite, it will become outdated already.

[@ukdavepianoman]

Very good review - excellent filming and clear voiceiver. Yes, the old BA CW configurations are a disgrace - whoever designed them should have their brain removed, set in formaldehyde and put on display in a natural history museum in the 100,000BC section. Thankfully BA are getting their act together with the new suites which are a vast improvement. Only positives on this trip I'd say were the lounge looked nice and generally FAs are very friendly. But the hard product - awful!

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thanks for the comments 🙏

[@asikbanget5041]

I can't imagine sitting hours in rear facing seats with that amount of price

[@johny5400]

the issue is not rear facing seat. The issue is that your neighbor has face 50cm from your face and looking at you anytime you are served or eating. And when you want to go to toilet, you have to step over the sleeping person on another seat. This is disgrace lol, offering such a shameful business class for that money

[@believerone2001]

good for that traveller.

[@internationAL21]

Good video of a dreadful product. Not sure how BA get away with selling seats for these in 2023. Does anyone know their panned timeline for retrofitting the new Club Suites (which I am keen to try) across their wide body fleet?

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thanks. They have got the new suite on a number of aircraft flying to Dubai, and I believe the Dreamliners are slowly getting refurbished. Just not quickly enough!

[@frederickvondinkerberg7721]

Good review... Horrible layout and I hope you complained about the food (not that much will happen) haven't flown BA since 2001 and hope to never have to again... Living in the US now and ATL is my local airport Delta has me locked in though Virgin seems to be the better choice

[@BillandSue]

That looked awfully cramped in there… and dinner passed through your neighbour hatch ?

[@nouralsaeedi8161]

How can I know if it’s old or new club world seat?

[@DoorsToAuto]

Old seat is configure 2-3-2 or 2-4-2 seats across the cabin. New seat is configured 1-2-1. In general if you are flying on an Airbus A350 of Boeing 777 it should be the new suite. The Airbus A380 and most Boeing 787 aircraft have the old seat, although some are being refurbished.

[@andrewmorton3177]

Sorry but I can’t agree, I’m coming to the defence of the old seat. I’ve just returned from LAX from a family holiday in the club suites & considering all the hype over the old product they’ve received I found them disappointing. My main dislike was the bordering on antisocial layout (a problem with most herringbone layouts) which is fine if your a sole/business traveler but definitely a draw back if your travelling with a group of friends or family & absolutely no use if you’ve got young kids to keep an eye on. The old seats blow the suites out the water in this respect, we seem to be obsessed by privacy these days. Secondly the “extra” storage that a lot of videos talk about. For clarity I’ve only ever flown the a380 & 747 upstairs window with the big window storage bins, so that’s what I’m comparing it to, which are fantastic when it comes to storage you can fit jackets, handbags etc in no problem & gives extra table space (granted the 787 your on looks a bit tight so I get that issue) The suites only have 3 wee cubbies that are really only good for phones, tablets, bag of sweets etc & what resembles a waste paper bin at your feet & gone is the really handy drawer for your shoes 🤷‍♂️ is this really an improvement 🤔 I’m 6ft 5” & have a medical condition that has made me lose the sensation in my legs from the knees down, without physically looking at them I basically have no idea where my feet are, which brings me to my next issue. The wedge/pie shaped, uneven area you have to put your feet into which was fine on the day flight but very uncomfortable in the dark cabin on the overnight coming back. In the old seats you can stretch your legs for the ceiling if you were that way inclined & in the suite the upper part of the flat bed isn’t as comfortable as the old one either, I also found it on the claustrophobic side even with the pointless suite door open but I’m putting that down to the aisle seat I had on the way back instead of the window on the outbound. In short then, I don’t care if I’ve to climb over someone’s legs to go to the toilet or if they have to pass me my meal through the large partition that’s allowing me to keep an eye on my kids & eat it on a less than stable tray table. I can only hope that the next time BA have put the a380 with the old layout back on the LA route 🙏🏻 Good video btw & thank you for listening to my jet lagged ramblings 😂

[@robbieross8591]

Thank you 🙏 for this comment Andrew. You’ve given me some hope that the old style cabin will not be a disappointment. Im flying London to Tokyo end of October this year and was hoping for the new suite but not to be it’s the old business cabin and so many people are so critical that I was a bit disappointed but let’s see. As long as i have a flat bed that’s the main thing on a 14 hour flight! I do have a window seat however which I believe is preferable to the aisle.

[@goldl3147]

Can anyone please explain why BA is still in business? Are they state-run? Do employees receive compensation from the government and the entity receives funding from the government anyways so for years they can afford to put minimum efforts into customer services and equipments? No, please do argue they are not the worst, compared to Asian or Middle East airlines, they are literally garbage. I'm asking for clarification. If you cannot provide one, please don't respond.

[@russellgray1426]

I never fly BA or Virgin! BA is known as the worlds most expensive budget airline and Virgin would be lining the pocket of Branson, both no no’s for me😞

[@brynjolfn]

Got downgraded to this from Club Suite. And they refuse to help me. I called them to ask and they told me I was crazy for even suggesting to change flights and I should know my place and be quiet. The customer service of British Airways means I will never fly them again. Getting called "manipulating idiot" for asking for a change of date is the most crazy experience I ever had.

[@lauragreenberg2074]

I've just been through this same experience today. Spent thousands for a once in a lifetime trip and made absolutely sure the plane had club suites. Found out they have changed aircraft by checking my seats yesterday , received no notification. Was quoted £4000 to change flights when the flights are cheaper online. Then got shouted at and hung up on. they seem to be trying to make profit by having us change flights. never ever ever booking with them again

[@ozbolli]

BA - crap all round just like my experience in Club World.

[@daniel-janbeentjes6453]

your videos I must say are informative but your commentary is very boring and repetitive and giving information that’s quite obviously and mostly rather negative

[@Oldladysgin]

Utterly uncivilised and should have been dispensed with by now.

[@johnjanland4788]

I think you are olfto loucn

[@oliverzhao1005]

so bad

[@moneszka326]

The music prevented me from watching the whole video. Terrible choice.