Business Class Goes Wrong - BA Club Europe in 2024

[@DoorsToAuto]

Let me know what you think of the review and the service on BA Club Europe. Would you be happy with the service in these circumstances? Comment away,like, and share. And please do subscribe for future reviews, including the three way comparison between One World, Star Alliance and Sky Team in Europe.

[@justins6113]

I liked the factual nature of your review. I do think your description of the lounge was somewhat cursory, as beyond just being “spacious“ I think it’s a very well appointed and modern lounge which has recently been renovated and certainly offers a little bit more than the “hot and cold snacks“ of your commentary which was borne out by the generous food offering in your video.

[@sb6181]

Diversions and delays are always unwelcome but there is always plenty of food in BA lounges for Club passengers. I always make sure I eat well before the flight as you never know what might come.

[@alohapeter]

I don’t understand the problem here. There was an unavoidable mechanical issue which was handled professionally. Too bad about the food but come on. They got you to London safely.They did the best they could about the food. BA Club Europe is what it is .The extraordinary circumstance denied you some of the food. Too bad but I feel your complaints don’t take into account the circumstances.

[@peterhastings703]

@alohapeter great comment. Everyone should have a reasonable idea by now of what to expect from Euro business class. If this flight hadn't had the technical issue leading to the delay and the food problem, it would be a normal review. As it is, there are always plenty of BA haters waiting to comment...

[@MrPickledede]

@@alohapeter I'm American but I'm going to say it anyways: bloody bullocks! He has the right to say what he wants!!

[@vt761]

I think the cabin crew did what they could in the circumstances, though the food freshness issue might have been anticipated when the plane had to turn back. Your request for compensation is reasonable. A BA plane should be fit to fly well before take-off.

[@RTD3]

I can see that BA still needs to up their game on keeping their planes clean.

[@pietvisser8657]

My most recent experiences with BA were not great. I flew First from AMS to Santiago via LHR. I found the first class seating on the first leg to LHR were almost like coach except for the empty middle seat. My first class seat form LHR to SCL didnt have any power or entertainment. All the electronics and power at my seat where out of order for 15 hours. While the service and food where pretty good, not having power and entertainment for 15 hours was rough. On the way back to London we flew business, and my wifes seat didnt go flat, it hardly reclined at all. They compensated us with some flight credit, which got lost on another BA booking, that I had to cancel, and BA decided they didnt like the reason that I gave them. Overall, the service was pretty good, but the bookings and the equipment were not really maintained at an acceptable standard.

[@thevirgintraveller]

Hopefully customer services will generously compensate you in avios points! The seat width though, I've seen better.

[@martinthoburn1089]

Pretty much all European airlines business class seats on short haul just has the centre seat blocked, unlike most Asian airlines that have proper 2 - 2 seat configuration. Also technical problems happen on many aircraft (except the Max which is just one big problem and a daily occurrence) it is an inconvenience, which the crew are experienced enough to deal with.

[@p1xiegirl]

The product is decent compared to other European short haul business products and dependent on the route the seat space in between aisle and windows are a godsend. Could they do more? Maybe. But it is what it is it does the job and is priced reasonably.

[@Yamenallouhispencer]

I always love to flyby BA

[@doveronefoxtrot4417]

I would be wanting some compensation for this !

[@jxnathanmark7661]

I get they don’t want to cause food poisoning but I’m sure the hot food would have been fine. But then again if that’s what the company states then they wouldn’t deviate from that rule. But for a two hour flight, the cheese, bread and snacks would have been enough for me personally anyways. I always have a snack in my bag. I’m just glad you guys are safe.

[@charlesp3395]

As they already took off what probably would have happened is the crew started cooking the meals in the ovens before the diversion. So the meals would have been partly reheated but then the aircraft would have landed, lukewarm. Hence why they would not then be safe to eat when the aircraft took again as they would have been in the “danger zone” too long. Not ideal but it happens

[@DoorsToAuto]

The crew said the issue was that the food had been out of refrigeration for too long, rather than they had started to heat it. We’d only been in the air about 20 minutes, when they knew we were returning to Rome.

[@sagetheowlfatfeathery2083]

Flying biz class on short-haul flights within Europe is a total waste of money. My favourite is to go from LCY in an Embraer; 2+2 config, much better airport, only a bit more expensive than going LGW or LHR. Majority of PAX are regular fliers so much less fannying around when boarding etc.

[@chrisdeming9287]

You should do a review of United Polaris. I noticed you don't have any reviews of that product yet. Seems like a good product based on what I've read so far.

[@spark_6710]

A very interesting review !! Lol As always ,you did a very good job on reviewing !! 💜🥁🐉🎤🎶✈️🇬🇧💞

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thank you so much 😁

[@Bobrogers99]

For the higher priced ticket, you got an unoccupied seat and the promise of a decent meal. The seat apparently had the same width and pitch as Economy. The crew did what they could under the circumstances, but BA didn't do much to compensate you. For a 2.5 hour flight I'd probably fly Economy and use the savings for a good meal at a restaurant.

[@manuelgorgulho2209]

Excellent report. I just happened across your channel and im happy i did. New subscrber. Thank you for bringing us along.

[@DoorsToAuto]

Welcome aboard!

[@spark_6710]

Wow ! A very nice lounge !!👍👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶✈️🇬🇧💞

[@r12004rewy]

I would call that business flight totally unacceptable, for £450 you should have expected a far better service despite the issues, seems odd that hot food was offered to those in the economy cabin first (obviously for a fee) when surely hot food should have been offered to those who had probably paid twice as much for their ticket first. BA do work in mysterious ways sometimes, as for a £25 compensation voucher that's an insult.

[@peterhastings703]

There are two separate sets of food - all the 'hot' Euro Traveller meals are heated to order, I think, while all the Club Europe hot dishes will go into the ovens on departure. It's understandable that partly heated CE dishes should not be allowed to cool and then be reheated. Clearly, it's bad that the poster couldn't order ET meals online, but it's not clear if he told the cabin crew about this.

[@kenexx]

Im sure you’d be complaining if they had served you the hot meal which has been out of the food safe temp range and you got sick. I think they did very well under the circumstances.

[@ukdavepianoman]

Just unlucky - when any significant aircraft issue arises, the main focus of the aircrew is passenger safety and safe landing/return. Not much they can do about the hot meal in Club Europe. That particular fare seems rather extortionate, even for normal operations.

[@iancooper2213]

BA their best was the speed bird 1 recovery, but heck probably better than some

[@richjames2540]

BA Club Europe is no longer an option for me as I need a minimum of 34” pitch. Most of my flying is not in Europe but if I do fly to Europe I have to choose other carriers. I also have had too many cancelations and delays on BA.

[@fluffyfour]

I'd love to know which European carrier offers 34" pitch??

[@richjames2540]

@@fluffyfour Only European destination I have flown in last 10 years is AMS with KLM and their European Business and Economy Plus offer well over 34". I wanted to fly BA Club Europe as I am an American Airlines Advantage member but the only row with the required space was an exit row which I cannot sit in due to my disability. Very thankful that my flying schedule is Long Haul Premium Cabins. I remember flying to Europe in the 1990's and it was very different then.

[@mikeroo8736]

Flew BA last year business class to Auckland, New Zealand - BA to Hong Kong and Cathay Pacific to Auckland one bag lost back and forth to the airport to pick it up at our cost!! - return with Air New Zealand via Sydney no business lounge, then to Singapore rushed transfer to another BA flight to London no wi-fi!......could do better and overall not very good!!

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

Not good. But regular travellers will tell you that *at some stage* one's luggage will miss a connection.

[@davidpascoe5842]

I am waiting for the rollout of the new aircraft. I'm glad to see the new free message service has rolled out.. The meal service tends to be the same on club Europe. They should offer you some avios rewards as guest of Goodwin

[@buzzukfiftythree]

TBH, it isn’t worth travelling Club Europe for short haul flights. We flew LGW to Faro 18 months ago and the only advantage is that the middle seat is not occupied and you get some food (although on the flight home it was pretty much inedible, being comprised mainly of pickled ingredients). My other half even had to get out of his seat and go and ask the cabin crew huddled at the front for a second cup of tea. They were friendly enough but not very attentive, given what we paid. We prefer to fly out of LCY whenever possible these days, as we prefer the Embraer 170/190 aircraft. (Seating 2+3 across).

[@steve3291]

I try for the exit rows as you get the best legroom.

[@bladeds100]

I only book it occasionally with avois ( if I don’t have silver), as it’s about £25 more than booking an economy saver flight.

[@jasonpayneuk]

Really good review as always - really disappointing to hear how BA handled things after the technical issue - things will go wrong sometimes, that’s inevitable, it’s how it’s handled afterwards is the test

[@DoorsToAuto]

Thank you 🙏

[@ruthbickerstaffe1915]

I know it was a big disappointment that you did not get your hot meal. However I am just guessing that the hot meal would have been in the warming ovens before your first takeoff. After returning to Rome and being on the ground for approx 2 hours in the heat, it was safer not to give passengers the meal and risk getting the passengers sick. I do agree they should compensate you for this meal and 2 hour delay.

[@dospalmascb]

Refrigerated food can be stored at ambient temperature for 4 hours and still be heated or cooked or even put back into a fridge quite legally.I would suggest you complain at the time to the cabin crew and they will fill out a complaints form and you will likely have your compensation sorted very quickly or at least that's my experience. From what I saw of the issue from your video, the crew were professional and informative, whoever took the decision to with hold the hot food will have had very good reason as per my opening to this comment.

[@kiwitrains]

Only two problems in my eyes. The price, I am assuming that was one way absolutely ridiculous and the seat it was economy and that cannot be disputed

[@fluffyfour]

That's common throughout Europe. Not just BA, all the airlines from all the countries do it on short haul. The middle seat is blocked off.

[@mojorisin71]

I never pay for business class for airlines that just clock out the middle seat.

[@ALFOONUS]

Every airline in Europe does it, BA are not unique

[@mojorisin71]

@@ALFOONUSI know most of them do, exceptions are Turkish Airlines, and some services by Aer Lingus mainly on the DUB-LHR route have a proper business section. For me the price of business is for the extra space as I’m tall. As such I’ll go economy and pay the extra for an exit row. This then gives you more leg room than business and a lot of the time the middle seat is free anyway.

[@WilliamMurphy-uv9pm]

@@ALFOONUS That doesn't make it good or right. It is more of an indicator of illegal collusion by the various airlines. No real competition between airlines to the benefit of travelers. Sad state of affairs.

[@Jamie-Fox]

Try to get compensations for all the trouble you had!

[@KathyBarnett-mv5vg]

I've flown in premium economy and that was exactly the same as you got but for a quarter of the price.

[@ALFOONUS]

You dont get Premium Economy on short haul routes!

[@gunvaldsandhaland7757]

Why Not Try ITA AIRWAYS Have Some Great A210 Airi Craft With Real Business Class Cabin.Great Video And Info

[@DoorsToAuto]

Funnily I took this trip as part of a three leg trip to compare BA, ITA and Lufthansa. The review is hopefully the next to be published.

[@spark_6710]

@@DoorsToAuto I'll definitely watch it ! 👍💜🥁🐉🎤🎶✈️💞

[@pennybaxter4]

A really good review and very professional “ it was inconvenient “ I would be cheesed off with the service “ also aswell ba club Europe are over booking flights and you could end up losing the middle seat “ hence why the tables could of been removed on a previous flight “ this is just unexceptable they are trying but I feel like I’m being ripped off flying ba so I avoid them unless I have too.

[@Lucky2be537]

Did they give you any mileage credits?

[@DoorsToAuto]

I got an email which directed me to a form on their website. Haven’t had any response to that yet.

[@Lucky2be537]

My Husband and I were on a 3 1/2 hour domestic US flight in first class on Delta. The oven wasn’t working so we didn’t get a hot meal. The flight attendant gave wrote a hand written apology note and we each received extra miles for the flight. I was really impressed with the flight attendant and getting the extra miles was worth missing a meal. Sure hope BA comes through for you. I really enjoy your flight reviews.

[@davidwelch6796]

So your additional cost for club class bought you a pre-flight lounge and less food than the economy passengers received. I hope your partial refund arrives quickly and is more than the difference in cost between an economy and a club ticket. In my opinion if they value your custom as a club class passenger then you should receive a 100% refund or a free flight voucher to the value of your ticket.

[@atlanticza]

Paying a business class fare for a tourist class seat on a two hour flight? For me, not worth it.

[@paullewis2413]

You can’t blame B.A. for the inconvenience of a technical issue. The food is never that great on short hall and that applies to most airlines. Despite this, overall Club Europe is a pretty poor experience considering the substantial cost hike from economy. I think economy seats with the centre one not sold is actually an insult though I know they’re not the only airline that does this. I’ve given up on B.A. for my usual long haul, I can get an equally good, in fact overall better product for a lot less cost.

[@DoorsToAuto]

On the same trip it flew ITA - comparison review on its way. They also have the middle seat empty, but the middle armrests fold inwards to make the remaining two seats wider and more comfortable.

[@dizzydevil547]

On a lot of short haul package holidays Flights under 4 hrs such as TUI from the uk they no longer serve meals like they used to ...the flight has to be 4 hrs or longer to get a meal ...its all buying snacks / sandwiches ect like easy jet or ryan air these days its charge charge charge for all the extras you used to get included in the past these days sadly so to get a meal ( even in ba econoy ) is good...as for the service not so good on this flight lol

[@RJS4287]

Think European Business Class like BA is a rip off - economy seat with economy seat pitch & just a middle seat blocked off. Even Qantas (Australian Consumer Assoc Shonky Award winner & who are being investigated by ACCC) & Virgin Australia have 2*2 seating with 36-38 inch seat pitch on their short haul 737s. European Airlines well below standard of Asian Carriers like Singapore, Cathay and Thai - similar to their overall national economic performance recently.

[@fluffyfour]

Honestly I thought they did their very best under the circumstances. Maybe your expectations are a bit high? Or maybe you weren't in the best of moods? Seems like you got as good a meal as possible. I'm not sure what was wrong with it?

[@BitesizeBriefly]

I would have been pisseddddddd

[@DoorsToAuto]

The wine was flowing on the final leg ;)

[@dizzydevil547]

mmmm club europe looks to me like economy class seating in buisness class ..maybe a bit of extra leg room ect ( unless you upgrade to Club world where you get the proper armchair seats ect but i know they only do those on long haul so probably werent avaible on this short fight from rome to london!) ) with the added extras of the food and drink free of charge, the lounge, wifi , larger baggage allowance and extra avios points ? It looks like basicaly a cattle class ( economy) in buisness for those that cant afford club world or 1 class!...as for the menu well ...only choice of 1 starter wich is basicaly colslaw with fennel and apple with a bit of dill i like apple but the other 2 you can keep! lol .... so i would be buggered right away, prob have the rolled pork belly out of the 3 choices of main, ( i know they have to cater to other tasts but one being a pasta dish which is fine ...but the other is basicaly a chicken tika salad) Desserts i like both choices on that but would prob choose the cheese! ..yes i know the food and drink is free ect BUT even paying for buisness class i would expect a bit more of a choice in the menu that you OBV didnt get (hot food wise after the return and delay) ...as its still not cheap flying business class on BA ect as for turning around ect its better to be safe than sorry and if the pilots deemed they had to do that with the technical hitch its OBV for safety reasons till they can get it sorted ect I do HOPE i you got some some sort of comp from BA for the non exitant hot food due to the return to rome and delay ect? ..prob not as it was a small delay but having to turn around back to Rome 40min int the flight must of been scary not knowing WHAT the technical hitch was forcing them to return ect even if they said it was minor they only do a return if the realy need to ect TBH im ok with flying ect BUT if me and my other half would of been on this flight (he is a nervous flyer till we get airbourn i take my hands off the seat rests on take off and landing as i foud out one time on my 1st flight with him and i was left with finger nail marks in my hand lol) he would of totaly freaked out at this sitation ....not like get me off get me off freakout but he prob would have left gouge marks in the arm rests lol

[@ALFOONUS]

There is no Club World or 1st to upgrade to!

[@lawrenceosborne1946]

So basically economy class with a divider. Dismal

[@semsemeini7905]

That was just a snack.

[@jonbell6682]

£450, anyone that pays that need their bumps felt.

[@believerone2001]

god bless.

[@JSUKyrks69]

Sadly aircraft are mechanical and faults arise, just like your car. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Seemed BA did the best they could given the situation, you had access (unlike economy passengers) to hot and cold food plus drinks in the lounge so you wasn’t going to starve. Lots of things are taken into consideration and plans implemented for the best of all customers. Aircraft don’t have massive pantries storing food for “just in case”. You’d complain if they gave you food poisoning by thinking, eff it, let’s serve it anyway. Seemed the airline had your health and safety as top priority. I’m sure you’ll be refunded Wi-Fi or given points. To me seemed the airline did what they could given the circumstances.

[@pennyhaskins7952]

Seriously no extra legroom for £450! Seat no bigger this is a joke.

[@pauljeffels8356]

23kg cabin baggage! incorrect

[@DoorsToAuto]

It is correct. Please see the BA website at www.britishairways.com/en-es/information/baggage-essentials

[@rolyrobertson9906]

Yes incorrect should be 2 hold bags at 32K each

[@joebarrett4353]

I bet they didn't give you any compensation for not having a hot meal. BA service is always appalling. never fly with them as everyone else does it better

[@michellestevens2454]

Not a fan of this class. You don’t get much for the extra money. No leg room and a small seat. What is the point"

[@fluffyfour]

Lounge access, dedicated check-in, baggage allowed without paying, free drinks, free meal and change/refund abilities (sometimes a bit extra) not too shabby!

[@ukdavepianoman]

Also Tier Points - if someone is interested in attaining BA/OneWorld status

[@semsemeini7905]

30" is bad.

[@MrDavey2010]

BA is a third rate company now. It’s gone down the pan and very expensive. Totally unreliable. Most of my recent flights have been delayed or cancelled. Dreadful service. I’ve tried to complain so many times but they ignore them. No email address available to complain.

[@sandippatel1969]

450 quid is a total rip off. Seat is no different from economy and you should have received more than 25 quid. Utter joke.

[@frederickvondinkerberg7721]

Technical issue = not enough ice for the pilots midflight G&T's

[@DoorsToAuto]

To be fair to them it turned out to be a faulty indicator light on a cargo door. Had it not been secured and we climbed in altitude it could have been really serious if the door wasn’t secure. But yes, the lack of information at the time did make you wonder…

[@anddyx]

Sorry but I would expect a full or half a refund.

[@meljames172]

BA business class is a joke, it is simply not worth the money. Same seat as economy except for a vacant middle seat, where is the premium?

[@Matty12333]

Honestly I would rather fly ryanair

[@MrPickledede]

What type of stupid bs is Euro Business....unoccuppied seat?

[@Max-hd1kw]

BA in general,, and their Laughable business class is total waste of money … do not bother paying for such a scam

[@hovelad8214]

But what you fail to say is that is standard across Europe….its not just BA!

[@physeipb1]

That's just economy.. awful , I only use economy for the leg room, not an economy seat with no one in the middle ...

[@richardstreet7518]

Paid £450 and grumbling about missing a ready meal... cost about £5!! Great vlog but honestly BA saw you home safely with a short delay and no risk of food poisoning!😂😂😂😂