British Airways Premium Economy - Worth the upgrade in 2024?

[@JEH80]

Excellent trip report. Everything was so clear and well filmed, explained. I also think BA at LGW are great 😊 I hope they keep expanding their LGW traffic.

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thank you 🙏

[@redmg02]

Excellent video. We're flying back from Tampa - World Traveller Plus in October so this is really useful. Thank you

[@DoorsToAuto]

Glad it was helpful! Enjoy your flight ✈️

[@JamesYT_1000]

I’ve never flown premium economy before I’m excited for this one

[@TheTonytiger89]

I’m here because I’ve just booked it, first time not in economy!

[@DoorsToAuto]

Let me know what you think of the review and the British Airways World Traveller Plus experience. Have you flown with BA? What was your experience like? Comment, Like and Share. And please do subscribe for future reviews.

[@JamesYT_1000]

Can you give me 2 places of airports again and places again

[@JamesYT_1000]

Its just been my birthday 10 days ago

[@JamesYT_1000]

Approximately 2 weeks ago is 14 days ago but it’s 10 but minus 4 days or 3

[@JamesYT_1000]

When are you going to do another video with your little Mickey Mouse and I’ve got a little Mickey Mouse just like yours and I’ve been to America Orlando 6 years ago and 1year ago I was probably be in America still right now 1year ago for my birthday I went on the fourth or the 5th of August 2023 Orlando I took my Mickey Mouse as well I got a new one 1year ago and I 2019 9th of August is my birthday so we went to America 5 years ago wow so good enjoy the flight

[@Import_Fails]

Thank you for sharing your exprience with PE from BA. Can you tell me what kind of Lens Hood you are using at 6:24 and where you got it from? Cheers Michael.

[@johnhanson4952]

I am a BA GCH and never been offered first choice of food by BA, but have many times on MH QR AA JL. I enjoyed the vlog thank you

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thanks for watching. So far both BA and CX have taken my food order early. And both made a bit of a fuss, which was nice 😎

[@alantonkinson7676]

G-VIIO, was the plane that caught fire in Vegas on take off. Amazing how the fire department got there so quick and saved the plane. Also great work by all the crew.

[@DoorsToAuto]

So I found out after the flight. The aircraft appears to have had a bit of a makeover since and was a pretty good form.

[@hamoudsudan]

The negatives of knowing too much. I dont want to know the service history, I will be so paranoid :)

[@zahirahmed2498]

Great In depth review Thumbs Up! Bit of a grubby Situation @ 5:05 lol what is the best seat situation in the premium economy section?

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thank you. I think the plane could certainly do with a deep clean! For seats, I would choose the pairs by the windows rather than then middle block of 4.

[@Shane44]

I fly out from Gatwick to Orlando a week on thursday for my first ever premium economy experience and I'm really excited for it. This great timing so thank you for that. Heard mixed reviews about ba premium economy but this looks like a great flight 👍

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thanks. Have a great flight. If your crew are as good as the I had, you are in for a great flight!

[@thamerona]

I like how you describe small details I like your accent, non English speakers can easily understand your language. All the best

[@DoorsToAuto]

That’s so kind of you. Thank you 🙏

[@ukdavepianoman]

Very good review. I like your succintness in providing the information. WTP is definitely better than Economy - the only thing I really didn't like was when the person in front reclined their seat fully it seemed practically in my face. I presume empty seat next to you was Gold card seat blocking. I had this - tbh I'd have preferred the seat in front of me being blocked!

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thanks for the comment 🙏 The bulkhead seat at the front of the cabin is good for avoiding reclining seats in front, but then you can’t have the TV screen out during takeoff and landing.

[@anahill7398]

Great video - we recently flew with BA Premium Economy and if you can get a deal then it is worth the money. Quick question, do you know if the back row of PE seats recline back as well?

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thanks 🙏 On the aircraft I was as on, yes the back row fully reclined, but that is always an issue to consider…

[@triciarevill1617]

Thank you for your very informative review. We wouldn't fly long haul as my other half has had DVTs in the past, but it is interesting to see how much more room we would have with PE. We are going transatlantic in 2026 but on the Queen Mary 2.

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thanks for the watching and for the comment. I took the QM2 to New York last year and really enjoyed the experience - and the benefit of no jet lag when in the States. You can find some videos here: Queen Mary 2 kzbin.info/aero/PLGSlRJNpOHg8BL9e4YZpQsMWsDaOJBkEI

[@triciarevill1617]

@DoorsToAuto Thank you, that's very helpful. Watching now!

[@larryg6228]

I try and fly premium economy when I am going to my vacation destination. The reason is my jet lag issue can be severe and the larger seats allow me to fall asleep on later flights. Coming back, I fly economy since with jet lag, at least I am in my own place, with my regular diet, so the week it take to get adjusted is ok.

[@LizLeCouilliard]

Flown BA. Business class long haul as part of trip to Australia. The second part was with Quatar airways. What a difference. Standard of service with Quatar amazing. On a separate journey return from Singapore again with BA. Found the service indifferent. With family in Australia I will be making relatively annual trips to Australia but already looking for different carriers to travel. Considering returning via Vietnam and using their own carrier for the trip. On a separate note as we live in the Channel Islands the service on the BA flight out is normally good and the level of service for such a short trip very good

[@Sootytr]

Enjoyed the video, not sure if you knew though, G-VIIO was aircraft that caught fire at Vegas a few years ago, they did a pretty good job cleaning it up, your seat was pretty close to where it broke out!

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thanks 🙏 I didn’t know that about the aircraft, although it possibly explains why the aircraft didn’t look its age (other than the toilet). It must have been refurbed after the LAS incident.

[@tikibeach]

Well presented!

[@DoorsToAuto]

Glad you liked it!

[@sandippatel1969]

Accumulating 60000 points takes time! I've flown WTP before. Reasonable step up from cattle, if the price is keen. Lovely review mind, but does your lounge access and low price make the comparison more challenging.?

[@Fat_Cat_747]

BA's P.E. doesn't have the same level of perks as Virgin. Not that Virgin is so marvellous, especially with the two and a half inch reduction in width on their newer version of the service. Considering that if you want to be sure of securing a PE seat instead of economy ( as opposed to a last minute upgrade ) that it could be double the price, I really do think there ought to be more done. For example, an expedited ground experience ( like Virgin ), better food than is actually provided and make sure there is a dedicated bathroom for PE ( I know, aircraft dependent ) and not have to share with Economy - whose piss will swill around the floor soon into a long flight.

[@briankearns4771]

Taxes on an upgraded ticket to business class had an additional 2000. Dollars in taxes. On top of the taxes I paid on the original premium economy tickets. About 5000 dollars were fuel surcharge.

[@briankearns4771]

Sorry for 2 tickets.

[@internationAL21]

I’m not sure it is worth it tbh. With points as a redemption maybe, but the lack of dedicated check in and air vents and other BA cost saving measures would likely make me opt for Virgin on this route every time. I do quite like their PE product though the glory days of flying it up in the 747 “bubble” is now sadly a thing of the past. As a constructive criticism, I’m not sure that including all the Gold tier benefits you enjoyed is particularly helpful for this review; the vast majority of travellers won’t have these.

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thanks for the comment. On the Gold benefits, my logic was to try to explain when things were different to the service you’d normally receive. Perhaps it didn’t work out as well as I had hoped.

[@semsemeini7905]

Points? You should see what they charge with points from London. Its absurd.

[@infinityNmore]

Hello, would have been interesting to compare normal prices between economy, premium economy and business. Is the price of premium economy midway between economy and business? Compared to economy, is the mark-up of premium economy worth it? I can imagine, for example, that premium economy might be interesting for a day flight and business class for night flight.

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thanks for the comment. I guess the issue is that the prices (and differentials between class) vary from week to week). From experience premium is roughly twice the price of economy, and business is roughly twice the price again. So premium out business back is likely to be 150% of a premium return.

[@bazstravels8986]

Last time I Flew WTP with BA, I had the last row and the seat would not recline more than two inches and the IFE screen was broken. Once, it was noted, I received an apology, two large gins and 5,000 Avios points. Flying BA to Shanghai next week but in World, so will see what that is like. BTW, what is the suction mount you use? Great work, keep it up.

[@MumenRider78]

How tall are you and which did you prefer out of WT and WTP?

[@bazstravels8986]

@@MumenRider78 6’4” and sorry, am travelling club world. But prefer WTP if having to pay

[@Halfwayto100]

Great review! We’ve just flown WTP to Boston return as part of a BA holiday. We’d previously flown WTP and think the upgrade is well worth it. We flew out on the A380, so with the upper deck cabin and additional side space, it really felt premium. On the way back we had the front row on the 777 so even more leg room. Excellent crews and service both ways (albeit I slept for most of the pink eye return). I’m vegetarian so my meal is preordered but my partner got his first choice meal and both were very tasty. I agree with you regarding the plastic and paper cups- they need to upgrade this as it seems out of place. Next long haul is JFK Club suite return- a companion voucher redemption. Top tip for LGW lounges- don’t go down the escalator and through Duty Free! Turn left at the top of the escalator and follow the corridor straight to the lounges. Much quicker. Look forward to more reviews!

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thanks. I read about the short cut to the lounges, but wanted to film some of the terminal before I relaxed. 😎

[@JayneBirch]

First time watcher and I enjoyed your video. I like the straightforwardness of it. With regard to PE, I find that it's usually twice the cost of economy with business class being twice the cost of PE. Fortunately, I can afford to fly business but I would consider PE if the seats in front didn't recline but were in a shell. I think some airlines do offer this but can't recall which ones. I can't put up with a reclined seat in front of me on a long haul flight.

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thanks for watching 🙏 Business Class is definitely preferable but PE isn’t so bad, particularly on a day flight

[@philfoxtrot2115]

@@DoorsToAuto PE on BA is a terrible product. As you mention - not very wide. Can’t move the rigid armrest, which if you are next to your partner is a shame. When I flew WTP to the Maldives, they ran out of our first choice food. Both directions. We were in the second row (not joking) - both directions. Massively overstocked the veggie option and understocked the chicken for some reason. And the sweaty cheddar was off in my wife’s lunch (really bad smell when opened). The staff didn’t respond to the call button. In fact, they had disappeared altogether. We waited for 45 minutes for trays to be cleared and Only when I went to find the head purser did it get sorted. The recline is nice if you’re sleeping. If you’re watching the TV, you need to be upright. If the person in front reclines, you are literally sniffing their head - there is very little “headroom” and it is very claustrophobic. Don’t waste your money on PE. I’d recommend going business on the night leg, and economy on the day leg if your flight is 8+ hours. For LON-NY, stick with Economy. Do business if you get a good deal in the sales (BA run 3 biz class sales per year), and/or you have Avios to burn or you really need Tier points.

[@uccaan9195]

BA Economy on the Brand new Air Bus 350 ..is ridiculously tight for long hops like Heathrow to Dulles.

[@billyboy733]

Detailed report well done

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thank you 🙏

[@neilcharles2520]

PE is way too expensive for what you get if you are paying cash..i think lounge access should be included..I fly MCO to France yearly and usually fly into CDG,but i stay 15 minute away from Orly and the traffic is horrible from CDG...so i decided to fly from MCO to LGW and connect on Vueling to ORY which is reasonable,but BA wants $3800 return flight from MCO to LGW in July...I flew last year on United Polaris from MCO to CDG via IAD return for $3200 on July 4th...with lounge access...

[@greymenmilsims4011]

i did Tui premium last week, didnt rate it so will look for alternatives

[@Reachforitify]

wow a pen, that is awesome even though many countries are getting rid of arrival cards having a pen in the amenity kit is fantastic.

[@wishingwellangel4991]

😂😂😂

[@simonyau5394]

hello. what did you think of the seat depth when the person in front reclines their seat? was it ok?

[@DoorsToAuto]

Hi. When the seat was reclined, it didn’t feel like it was too close to me, although getting into and out of the seat was then slightly challenging.

[@bhangraman7000]

United’s premium economy does the same thing where they use real China plates and metal utensils but use plastic cups for drinks. I’ve not flown Cathay or singapore premium economy so I don’t have a comparison but this seems to be the norm on western carriers.

[@DoorsToAuto]

Virgin used glassware (until they ran out) on my last Premium flight with them. It is one of those touches that makes it feel like an enhanced service.

[@zamskycrane]

You also have to pay for seat assignments.

[@Watfordfc71]

Great flight and I would fly premium definitely. But o have issues firstly I know it’s a small thing but at least the pen In amenity kit could have been branded that’s poor attention to detail , also the plug socket was disgusting and not acceptable in any class . But it was a good product and I’ve always liked BA crew Cheers

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thanks for the comment. It was a good flight, but there are certainly a few areas where they could enhance the product.

[@andyd5681]

Just off it RT to London. Answer is yes. The standard economy is absurdly tight for a grown adult. More legroom, enough recline for a nap, pre departure towel/beverage, food slightly above economy, basic amenity kit and a nice blanket, and onboard service is very good. No need for a big cliffhanger reveal.

[@happyyorkshireman9250]

Hi, Good comprehensive review of going premium economy but to give it a fair balance how much would the flights have cost to anybody travelling without status or points.

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thanks. A good question to which I don’t have a straightforward answer. I only wanted a one-way flight so purchasing it would have been very costly. I returned with a different airline to make another video. A return ticket bought a three weeks notice would currently cost from £2,000.

[@sandippatel1969]

About 900 quid if you book well in advance. Return

[@StevePinder-t3j]

Very informative video, could you consider doing a points video and how to redeem them etc as it’s a minefield. I have 145k Virgin points and I’m working on my Avios collection which currently sits at 17k, just an idea👍

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thanks 🙏 an interesting video idea - let me see what I can do…

[@Andrew.-.-]

Brilliant flown premium business and first . Can’t beat BA . Far superior to Virgin and other US airlines . Great video too . Never fly anyone else . Would say even better than Emirates who are really on the down hill slope quickly

[@mandyfalloon3354]

do you knw the cost in cash

[@r12004rewy]

Looked a pretty good flight, but cleanliness needs to be improved the spilt wine looked pretty grim as did the toilet, but for a 25 year old aircraft what else do you expect? ,BA should have retired these years ago. A few minor changes could make the experience a little better, proper glasses and a no paper cups please. The new BA safety video is brilliant.

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thanks for the comment. The new BA safety video is very clever and plays into their British Originals theme on the entertainment system.

[@helenneal2609]

Long haul we fly economy on the way out and premium on the return. It works for us.

[@Lakesider52]

Many Singapore Air economy class seats are wider than that.

[@Andrew.-.-]

@@Lakesider52 no when I flew with them

[@Lakesider52]

@@Andrew.-.- A380 economy class seats are 19" wide.

[@mxyzptlyk]

I wouldn't fly BA anywhere. Taxes, fuel surcharge, more Avios. Dirty aircraft seems to have not changed since a flight I took from CDG to LHR in 1979 when there were sandwiches walked into the carpet, plastic cups rolling in the aisles. I was asked if I would like a sandwich and a drink - I asked if I should pick up a cup off the floor and scoop up the crumbs. Also, I wouldn't fly long-haul out of Heathrow - taxes upon taxes. We fly short-haul out and pick up a long-haul flight to where we want to go.

[@DoorsToAuto]

Short haul out of London only really works if you are flying east, otherwise you end up flying back on yourself. But it’s an option I have looked at before to get to Asia.

[@Nateyboy876]

I’m watching this 30 minutes till I get on the plane for premium economy

[@kuzeyboy]

Many thanks for your video and I commend you on the professionalism however, it would be good if you concentrated on the premium economy product rather than dropping in your gold card status which has no meaning for me if I were to travel premium economy.

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thanks for the comment, and noted on the gold card point. I was trying to highlight when something was difference from the standard experience. It seems I didn't quite hit the right balance on this occasion.

[@RandomLifeProductions]

Don’t mind premium economy…. Always useful to get a feed in the lounge

[@DoorsToAuto]

It’s a good product on most airlines if you are looking for an enhanced service but don’t want to go for three expense of business class, particularly on a day flight. Good food and a good selection of content on the entertainment system works well, particularly if you have a great cabin crew who offer more wine 😉

[@arshduggaldoctorwh0818]

Do premium for virgin atlantic

[@DoorsToAuto]

I flew VS Premium a couple of months ago. I’m hoping to make a comparison video between the two shortly.

[@judyl5260]

Premium Economy is ok, but business class is a real change

[@JamesYT_1000]

I will

[@ACUK82]

Flying BA premium economy tomorrow from Heathrow to Shanghai

[@DoorsToAuto]

Have a good (and safe) flight ✈️

[@ACUK82]

@ thanks! Back in the UK now and I was quite impressed with BA premium economy. It was a long flight but at no point was it unbearable. Food was decent and the BA staff were good throughout. Thumbs up from me.

[@paulb4877]

Great video 👍

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thank you 😎

[@rogerwild1966]

The gold card seat block worked for you this time

[@DoorsToAuto]

Yes. There were two other gold cards in the cabin, but they were travelling with others so I lucked out on the only blocked seat.

[@michaelaronsohn3624]

I've flown with BA a lot although great deal less the past few years, because it has become dreadful, the planes are generally filthy, the crew mostly incompetent, and the service 3rd rate.

[@thevirgintraveller]

That's an intriguing review, the product looks better than Virgin's current Premium offering.

[@DoorsToAuto]

Funny you should say that. I’m planning a comparison video between BA and VS. It’s going to be a close call over which scores more highly.

[@glennlewis8141]

I've heard Avios pronounced a few different ways, but never like that!!

[@DoorsToAuto]

😂 to be honest, I'm not sure how I got to that pronunciations either..

[@wishingwellangel4991]

Just returned from Orlando. Got to say it wasn't the best. Definitely not worth the extra. There was only one toilet between us and cattle 😂 plus the toilets were not kept clean. My seat stank of smelly feet...not nice!!!! Just didn't smell clean. Flying out from Gatwick there Definitely was not enough food and drink service for a 9 hour flight...coming back not bad. I don't drink and eat that much but would imagine someone with an appetite would have been starving. Then they served a manky sausage/veg roll...very poor. However...we landed safe and that's all that matters in the scheme of things. Would not go long haul with BA again. Emirates and virgin Definitely the best!

[@jon-ie4li]

I have flown BA PE once in 2009 to Mumbai., looks exactly the same now, the only benefit I got was a upgrade to business on the way back, not worth the money, business or economy and not on BA but to NY they don't have any good competition, if you fly to the Far East or Australia these days you hardly see a BA plane, unless its on a old Colonial route without restricted access they can't compete, who in their right mind would pay 2 grand for that on a 7 hour flight?

[@sandrav8368]

I just travelled on premium economy on British airways, I think the product is excellent but the air airline is absolutely shocking, the worst experience I have ever had , bad service, terrible food , never ever again will I fly BA

[@well-blazeredman6187]

Efficient review. I like seeing airliners getting to old-age. BA? I hesitate to book with them and have contingency plans in place when I do. BA does seem to cancel a lot of its trans-Atlantic flights. But the crews are good and the food is improved of late. Pay the 'delta' for PE? No. I'd rather save my points for some Club Europe action.

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thanks for watching 🙏

[@MsSmartmonkeee]

That was the grossest plane I think you have ever flown on. The spilled wine on the power area was just disgusting. That was way worst than the wine bottle on the floor as at least the lid was on!

[@DoorsToAuto]

Indeed. It wouldn’t be too hard to have a bit more thorough deep clean and wipe down every so often to clean up wine spills.

[@JamesYT_1000]

Or first

[@user-ar94tre7huif5]

The bottle could of had wine in it and ended up in a child.

[@juditmihalovits4641]

Sounds like BA Premium Economy is better than Delta’s . Delta’s is nothing special.

[@DoorsToAuto]

I haven’t flown Delta Premium this year, but certainly based on last autumn’s experience, BA was far better.

[@wearethemags6613]

You ask if it's worth the upgrade. To answer that properly, you should have listed the difference in prices between normal economy & premium & not judged it on the free flight is was....

[@bazstravels8986]

Las

[@user-ar94tre7huif5]

You dont need status to get fed first. Just order a special meal. Lol. You being done. Sorry no glass. I hope you got over it.

[@smythe2310]

No comment on the recline. Not particularly helpful.

[@Isaac-n1g]

@@smythe2310 he talks abt it at the beginning listen mate

[@johnchristmas7522]

NO NOTHING IS WORTH IT WITH BA, I WOU;LD ADVISE TRAVEL WITH ANOTHER GOOD AIRLINE.- FINNAIR

[@DoorsToAuto]

Not sure why you would fly LHR > HEL > JFK which takes about 11 hours plus a connection, rather than a 7-8 hour direct flight?

[@Toast0808]

BA looks like crap