British Airways Premium Economy Review - Worth the extra money?

On today's trip report we'll be taking British Airways 777 from LHR to ORD in Premium Economy, or as BA calls it "World Traveller Plus". In the future I could see myself paying cash for this experience as it doesn't offer enough over standard economy on the same route.
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About The Channel:
Hi my name is Taylor and join me while a travel the world bringing you honest flight and hotel reviews as well as some interesting things I find along the way. My promise to you is I will never be bought and my words are always my own. I'll fly any airline from Spirit to Emirates and I'll bring you my genuine reaction good or bad. I hope you enjoy the Videos and please leave any suggestions down in the comments or feel free to send them to me on Instagram

[@renodeeg]

For tall travelers like me, it is all about the extra legroom and elbow room in Premium Economy. Better food, security access, amenity kits etc. are nice but not the main reason to pay for that seat. It would have to be dramatically overpriced above economy for me to not choose it for the space alone.

[@DrineThePoet]

Agreed the space is what I care about

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

The extra legroom is definitely a plus especially when security access & amenity kits weren’t offered when I flew. And the menu I received was basically the same as economy menu save for more alcohol and better cutlery

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

This is a repost because it was brought to my attention that the audio was distorted at the end of the first upload... I appreciate you all watching and hitting the like button

[@dospalmascb]

Given the luggage allowance difference between economy and pe , the price difference is definitely well worth the extra £.

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

£500 for 1 extra check in bag is a hard sell for me. as a solo traveller it doesnt seem like its worth the extra money especially when you can check a second bag for £75 at the counter.

[@Tzvi092]

Since I travel with 2 suitcases, the difference to go prem-econ is very worth it. Smaller cabin, the seat is just enough bigger, and more legroom that I can get more and better rest. Food also a bit better. TLV-LHR-BOS round trip, booked far enough in advance only a couple hundred more than regular economy. flying in May 2023, approx $1200, more miles, more club points. At the end of the day, a better value for the price than the old (not yet updated)business class .

[@garybrooks5296]

Really? I've just called BA for a price to upgrade later this year. I was quoted an extra £3026...EACH and thats not a misprint either.

[@brunkerj]

I've traveled on the 777. It was okay. The A350 was much improved. On both, I appreciated the one fewer seats per row, giving us more width. The extra pitch, or leg room, was also appreciated. I had the same experience with the 777 tv screen. It lagged. The A350 was so improved.

[@EverythingFlight]

Really cool that they serve a pre-departure refreshment as well. For a 27 year old plane, it looked much better inside than we expected... 😅 Very surprised with the headphones offered as well! Do you know if they are the same for "regular" economy class? Anyway, loved the detailed explanation here. Great job, Taylor! ✈

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

Thank you so much for the comment. The pre departure beverage was definitely unexpected on my end, hence the bottle of Dr. Pepper sitting behind it. The retrofitted seats do give new life to an old bird, particularly when compared to the 20 year old united 737 that will be in the channel very soon. As for the regular economy headsets, standard earbuds were provided. Thank you again for watching, it genuinely means the world to me that people enjoy these videos.

[@EverythingFlight]

@@TaylorTravelsTheWorld Absolutely! And looking forward to your United 737 video! ✈

[@johnchristmas7522]

Your so easily pleased!

[@alstarpat]

Good video! Still not convinced you got a salad...looked more like garnishes for another meal!

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

You're not wrong. It was a classic two biter and brown before it got to me

[@johnchristmas7522]

Why would you expect different? After all its BA we are taking about here. Total crap airline. Out of the best top twenty -BA came twentiehy! Just below Artic airways!!

[@paulcramer5671]

Thanks for the video .... Not sure what Premium Economy has to do with the wings needing a paint job 😀

[@thekoshertourist]

Seems to be the issue nowadays with Prem Econ class. Not always worth usually twice the price of reg Econ. Although, I've had a couple nice experiences, such as when Virgin upgraded everyone to upper (biz) class from LHR-TLV. This was after my first segment (MIA- LHR), i spilled my drink and lost half the fruit from the fruit platter they gave me because the airline didn't have me registered for a kosher meal (KSML) on this segment.. The flight attendant was wonderful - she upgraded me to upper class as she could tell I was absolutely wiped out and really needed some sleep 🤗

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

That’s a great thing to hear. I’ve found Virgin Atlantic have a great cabin team and I quite like the hard product.

[@thekoshertourist]

@@TaylorTravelsTheWorld wasn't a huge fan of the "upper class/biz" layout, but i was so tired i still feel asleep on both segments. Thankfully, I awoke on the 2nd segment, bc the dinner served was one of the best I've had in an airplane, and rivaled some restaurants ive been too - grant it i was stuck in the airport on a 14+hr layover (couldn't leave since it was 2020, if ya know what I mean :)

[@poetdude]

Yay! Another trip with Taylor!

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

Thanks for watching Tac! hope you enjoyed the Video!!!

[@franciskt4171]

A full bottle of red wine with the meals is remarkable...

[@glennsheppard4240]

Well you wouldn’t expect a half full bottle would you

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

A lot of the time you only get a small glass of wine with dinner in PE, so the bottle was a nice surprise

[@SalomonAviationTravel]

Excellent video! Thanks for sharing :)

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

Thanks for watching! And I'm glad you enjoyed the video!!

[@sacamuela]

Thank you, Taylor!

[@CarlesSpriggs]

Great video, Which airline would you recommend to fly to dallas to London?

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

As nonstops go I would probably fly American as it is their main hub and have more than one flight daily. BA does have a nonstop flight. for my money AA is the way

[@CarlesSpriggs]

@@TaylorTravelsTheWorld thanks I really appreciate that.

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

Of course. Enjoy London!

[@CarlesSpriggs]

@@TaylorTravelsTheWorld thanks I appreciate it!

[@rajeevpasricha5376]

Well’ hey consider yourself lucky enough to get a whole bottle of wine considering premium economy. All I got was a lousy 30ml vodka in PE in route to Delhi from JFK In United airline. When asked for another drink, I was told they are running low in inventory 😊 my advice to you all never to fly United or American Airlines for international destinations.

[@GundogJake]

Yeah, don’t waste your money on PE…unless you’re 6ft3’’ and on an 11hr flight to L.A like I was a few weeks back. Then it’s worth every penny. One caveat is I’d always go A350 over a 777 if I can, way better aircraft very quiet with much better aircon.

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

Like I said in the video (and almost every video), I’m 6’2” and generally a big guy. I fly the LAX to LHR about 6 times a year usually in business but I wanted to make this video because I feel the average consumer would find it helpful. With that in mind paying an additional £500 for a little bit more legroom and an extra checked bag isn’t worth it. I do agree that the A350 is a better aircraft and this flight was supposed to be on one but there was an equipment change the night before.

[@johnchristmas7522]

Agree 100%. They A350 is the airliner to be on, even though some airlines try to make it worse than Airbus envisaged.

[@Retired88M]

If you’re only flying one route such as PhL to LHR you have no plane choice. This route is exclusive 777

[@ellomate..]

Nice review thanks

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

Thanks for watching!

[@romualdojoven8992]

I think it’s still good premium economy for a 27-year old plane ✈️ ,,the IFEs from other airlines seems outdated.. I agree that the salad is a bit lonely 😢

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

100%. Back when this plane was new I remember having to rent a dvd player at the gate to have any kind of IFE. Thanks for watching

[@WilliamMurphy-uv9pm]

The seating inside the aircraft and its 27 year age are unrelated. A plane that old probably went through 3 different interior upgrades in those 27 years. That, of course, depends on the airline and profitability.

[@user-th6ip7jk2i]

Why would you think packaging would guarantee cleanliness? The seat isn't covered in packaging yet that wasn't mentioned. Think of all the old bums which have sat, sweated and farted on that seat...

[@raven122199]

As a seasoned flier, have you had any flights that have actually scared you? What do you know now that you wish you knew then, that may have kept you calm? I am about to take my first flight and have been scared of flying my entire life.

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

Thank you for watching the video and commenting. To be completely honest with you, I've never really had a fear of flying. I was lucky enough to take my first flight when I was really young and have been very comfortable with it ever since. I think the scariest thing that can happen in flight for a lot of people is turbulence but it's important to know that turbulence, no matter how severe it may seem, isnt going to have a negative effect on the flight or the aircraft. Remember, the pilots do this every single day and if they felt that you shouldn't take off or that the plane isnt safe they wouldn't be flying it. There are two other KZbinrs that I would direct you to - Captain Joe and 74Gear. Both of those guys are 747 pilots and have made videos directed at first timers. Definitely go check them out. I hope you really enjoy your first flight I promise it will be a fun time! Hope this helps

[@thegeneral123]

I'm a nervous flyer myself and only flown about a dozen times total. What I do is make the airport and plane part of the "adventure" I watch videos and plan and use the months before the trip to get myself mentally prepared for it in a positive way. I've learnt that watching flight "entertainment" channels makes this something to smile and not dread. Then while I know I will be nervous and anxious at the airport and once on board. I will know that I've done so much extensive planning and research. Things like using Flightradar 24 to see the paths my plane will fly (it gives you an understanding and feeling of control) the gates/terminals/how to get there etc. It makes the surprises far less common and it's the unexpected that tips me over. Also try to aim to be seated as close to the middle of the plane as you can be as it's at the balance point of the aircraft and things like turbulence won't be as bad there. Worth noting also that turbulence has NEVER brought an aircraft down. So it's not dangerous even if people are bouncing in the air and luggage is falling from the overhead bins, which is very rare. The take off and landing are the bits that get me nervous so what I do is find a way to distract myself. If you have a camera or a phone, focus on filming the take off (pick a window seat for the distraction factor) and focus on getting that recording as level and bump free as possible. Your brain won't have time to find things going on to worry about. Or if that's not your thing, play music on noise cancelling headphones. It does help to look out the window as you have a point of reference for your inner ear to understand what's going on. Once you are up in the air and drinks and food start getting served, it gets really easy as it's basically just boring then. Watch a movie/TV show on the screens or bring your own tablet etc. Focus on foot exercises and get up every couple of hours for a walk to the nearest galley and stretch, snaffle some snacks. The other tip I've learnt is look at the body language and faces of the cabin crew. If they look relaxed/bored, everything is absolutely fine. Drinks wise, they say that alcohol is perhaps not a good idea but I find it helps me to relax (it's a depressant) and I balance with a diet coke and coffee. The last tip is to think about what you're going to do on arrival, have a notepad or note on your phone. Go over your items you need like your passport and immigration details again. Make sure you have things like your hotel details and so forth. Make it a bit of a routine to do a quick check every couple of hours that it's all still where it should be in a safe place that you won't forget. An hour before landing, busy yourself getting your bits and bobs together and handy so you can grab your stuff on arrival and be up and out. It will again keep your thoughts on things you can control and away from the flight, which you can't control. Aim of the game is either tire yourself out so you don't care or keep that brain distracted.

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

If I could pin this I would.

[@johnchristmas7522]

Dont be its more dangerous crossing the road! Different sounds I grant you but nothing to worry about. Try Heathrows nervous flyers programme.

[@johnchristmas7522]

​@@thegeneral123 You must trust the pilot to know more than you. If you were "up front" what could YOU do better? I would say NOTHING- so trust these guys, they are far more knowledgeable than you and do it on a daily basis, not just the time you are flying! What would you do during an medical operation, want to be up front?

[@ExploringtheWorld]

Thanks for sharing this video! But where does this 2,300 Dollar come from? I just booked my BA Premium Economy return flight from Germany to Washington DC for 870€. And in my opinion the additional 300€ compared to regular Economy are worth the money. Have a great day!

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

The $2300 was the cash price for the trip when I booked. As you know prices fluctuate and was traveling at a peak time.

[@selwynjsilk5379]

Aye mate those British airways have a website if can you plz send me the link?

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

It’s just britishairways.com

[@selwynjsilk5379]

@@TaylorTravelsTheWorld thanks 🙏 bruh 😎

[@MrTwister86660]

You sound like Chris off family guy

[@timia1705]

Good review thanks !

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching!

[@magnumjohnson9628]

@@TaylorTravelsTheWorld is it worth it to fly premium economy for a family with small kids?

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

I would say the extra room is definitely nice. I’d you aren’t dead set on having window swats the middle seat down the middle of the plane are excellent for a family. Lots of space for the kids and all their stuff

[@amandagrace7300]

If that’s a salad, I’d love to see a garnish 😹 great video!

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

Definitely a disappointing salad. Haha. Thank you for watching

[@johnchristmas7522]

Its called -someones "leavings"

[@johannesbols57]

You don't 'repaint' wings.

[@magnumjohnson9628]

Dude that salad was pathetic! Although I think premium economy is worth it just for the extra inch of seat width for me.

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

That is a valid point. Although the seats were still pretty narrow.

[@youngpac20000]

Plastics cups…

[@testing_oscar]

try it on an a350 - so much better!!

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

This flight was supposed to be on an A350 but the morning of the flight there was an equipment change. I am a massive fan of the A350.

[@testing_oscar]

@@TaylorTravelsTheWorld Ah thats a shame! Business seats on a BA a350 are superb too.

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

Im planning on flying BA business later in 2023 on the A350. Definitely looking forward to it

[@johnchristmas7522]

Nothing about BAa is worth the extra anything. Never mind the aircraft is the attitude of the management that stinks

[@testing_oscar]

controversial…

[@johnchristmas7522]

@@testing_oscar Nothing controversial about it, BA laid off staff via phone! 10,000 of them pre Covid and now expect everyone to come running back, yes master! Just look at the reports of BA by their customers and see for yourself. They are not even in the top ten airlines. Me? I stopped flying BA years ago, so many other airlines serve their customers far better. Across the pond? Virgin Atlantic anywhere else try Singapore Airlines,Qatar,Emirates,Turkish Airlines, EVA, Finnair, Cathay Pacific and Qantas, thats just a few who are better.

[@testing_oscar]

@@johnchristmas7522 can you blame them? every other company did the same! one of the only downfalls i see is that BA isnt quite as luxurious as it was and should be. their staff are well trained and lovely people. the pilots are, personally, some of the best out there. and their meals are known to be great among other things. sure, the airline has its issues but dont they all?

[@tonimcnamara8282]

What a load of rubbish. In February my disabled husband and I travelled to Dubia via premium economy . The staff and service was amazing.For my husband and his issues the seating was perfect . We are people who cannot afford business class and more. . The blanket was fine with the heating on the plane who needs a blanket, because of his condition my husband did and it was adequate.. will give the food was not the best but. Sorry only needed the loo once during the 7 hour flight. This man needs to get a life . Yes I would pay the extra for the flight. Well done BA,

[@TaylorTravelsTheWorld]

Did you watch the video? I said the blanket and pillow were adequate. I said I was overall impressed with the IFE. I said I enjoyed the meal service other than the salad. What exactly was “a load of rubbish”? Your entire comment tells me you didn’t watch the video. Would I pay 2300 for this? no because there’s better options for less money. Also, I have a great life but I appreciate you telling me I need to get one. Have a great rest of your day

[@michaeli160954]

BA are the Ryanair of national carriers. Avoid