Dream(liner) or Nightmare? British Airways, Athens to London in Club Europe

A review of my flight with British Airways from Athens to London on a B787 in business class.
Flight time: 3hr18min
Flight: BA627
Aircraft type: B787-8
Aircraft reg: G-ZBJD
Aircraft age: 7 years
Ticket cost: 18,000 miles + £25 for taxes

[@Aidankiwi]

It's been nearly 20years since I have flown BA - thanks for reminding why I have avoided them for all that time.

[@tominfldixon2020]

Just joined as a new subscriber from the USA and really enjoyed your trip report. The video quality was excellent and you provided a fair and informative review of the and cabin features. Looking forward to your future trips and reviews, and wish you safe travels. This report caught my attention as I'm currently booked on BA Club World from Tampa-to-Gatwick in October using AA miles to position myself to Southampton for a transatlantic cruise in November. A bucket list trip I hope holds up with travel more open by October. Thanks again for sharing your trip with us.

[@tominfldixon2020]

Oops typo. 2nd sentence should read "informative review of the service and cabin features."

[@MyTrips_Aviation]

Thank you so much. I really hope your trips go ahead in October and you have a great time!

[@diov.867]

Enjoying hot food at 45000ft and 600mph on a Dreamliner to a short-hall route. Takes courage to pull through well done

[@TripReportaviation]

Great trip report. The service was very disappointing from the beginning to the end. They really need to improve a lot

[@Ben-xe8ps]

Not impressed at all. The only redeeming factor (assuming that you actually consider that to be a redeeming factor) was that you got to occupy a Club World rather than a Club Europe seat. Out of curiosity, was there a F cabin on this aircraft? if yes, was it occupied and any idea how passengers were selected for this privilege? Do we know why online check-in was not allowed? The lack of lounge access, which is now an expected part of the Club Europe product, is unacceptable especially at a major airport such as Athens. As for the meal, that shepherds pie with no vegetables looks like a cheap supermarket ready meal, not the sort of thing that you would expect for a business class main course at all and a simple salad is not appropriate as a business class starter either. Can't tell what the desert is. No cheese and crackers. Can't see any evidence of salt, pepper or salad dressing. Difficult to tell from the video but that glass containing the wine? looks suspiciously like a plastic glass to me. I found your comment about 50 business class passengers on this flight to be curious. This is a very high business class load and looking at the passenger numbers in the Economy cabin would seem disproportionate. The premium economy cabin looks nice. Considering the duration of the flight, I think I would actually have preferred to sit there rather than in that narrow backwards facing Club seat. Back in the mid 1970's I flew on a number of occasions on the Athens - London route. The best carrier in those days was Olympic who operated 707's in an FY configuration. Delicious hot meals and a printed menu in Y. Broadsheet size menus and a full long-haul style course by course meal service from the trolleys in F. Far superior to the service offered on the BEA/BA tridents. To be honest, BA have never really been a favourite airline of mine. In the past I have always found them to be satisfactory rather than than good. There were a few European flights in Club (prior to the introduction of the Club Europe branding) in the late 80's which I enjoyed with good service and excellent catering. In the early 2000's I started to like them again as they retained standards when other carriers were going low cost but then they joined the race to the bottom and Club Europe became an overpriced joke.

[@GenkisTravels]

That’s probably the worst Shepherds Pie I’ve ever seen lol

[@MyTrips_Aviation]

That wasn’t a shepherds pie at all basically. Lots of ingredients missing

[@johannesbols57]

I would've asked the cabin crew, "Is it made from real sheperds?" before handing it back uneaten.

[@Brackenfield1]

The camera operator was no great shakes either - far too much time focusing on the port wing and RR engine, we all know what they look like!

[@andrew3084]

They were great

[@goldenkoi23]

😂😂😂👍

[@johannesbols57]

On balance, I prefer the long shots of the engine and wing and vista as opposed to giggling selfies proclaiming, "Look at me flying in a premium cabin with my iphone glued to my face! Aren't I special! Look at me!" It's hoi polloi status for them wot don't have it nor deserve it,

[@andrewdanner915]

Beautiful work on the video. Was like being there. I liked your video very much. But it is amazing looking at the comments and hearing yours how first world your problems are. My wife and I fly in the cattle car section and just choose to have fun with it!

[@TheKennedysTravelChannel]

Thanks for sharing that. I was thinking of trying that route with the 787, but I think I have changed my mind. Looks too much like a broom cupboard. Now just hoping that Swiss bring the A340 with the throne seats back on the LCA-ZRH route.

[@Xav284]

The seat you sat on is the exact same 😅😅😅one I sat on my flight from Toronto (Canada) to London Heathrow (business class) it so good 👍 👌 👏 😀

[@georgecosta7209]

Nice video - those engine and wings views, were awesome. You don't seem like a big fella, but the space to access your seat is crazy and honestly, I would be concerned about safety, in the event of an emergency? The luncheon did not look appetizing, at all. No a fan of Shepherd's Pie, but BA take note, fancy piping, is just that, fancy piping. TBH, the Premium Economy looked good.

[@MyTrips_Aviation]

When you have 7 people on every row it is tight regardless of the class so in case of an emergency it will be difficult anyway. I'm not big at all but the space is tight indeed. On a flight in Europe I would not mind this, however I would not fly this layout long haul under any circumstances - there are a lot better offers

[@tedsgirluk736]

Looked more room didnt there?

[@cyberi4a]

I've never cared for backwards seating. Even if I was facing forward, I wouldn't want to look right in a strangers face for take off and landings when the partition is down.

[@johannesbols57]

BA's Club World and Club Europe meal offerings are what quality airlines serve in economy.

[@seantimmons3136]

That looks a pretty grim experience.

[@franklinsternberg4528]

I had a pleasant experience in Athens for check-in. However, the worst of all experiences at check-in is Barcelona Airport. Disrespectful, annoying, and tremendous queues all the time. The same personnel for check-in is responsible for boarding - so do not expect fair and decent treatment.

[@MyTrips_Aviation]

I've never had a problem in Athens either before. I believe BA opened the check in later to save money and this caused all the queues. At the same time online check in was not allowed because they wanted to check all passengers had filled in the PLF and had a negative COVID test

[@Bobrogers99]

As someone who has only flown Economy, I would have looked forward to the benefits of Business Class. Like time in an airport lounge. Like a speedy check-in. Like an actual dinner. I would have found the seat comfortable if not terribly private. Having shelled out premium money for this experience I would probably decide to go back to Economy for my next flight.

[@ihsanqazi]

Same here, I've travelled a lot in economy BA, then got upgraded once to business class as complimentary from BA....all the fatigue of travel was still the same to be honest

[@F2Aviation]

Check in doesn't open at Terminal 5 until 2 hours before each short haul flight. Check in opened 20 minutes early on this occasion. Thanks for sharing, very intriguing video

[@Oscar1042A]

I really like this channel, every single aspect is fully detailed. I wonder when are you gonna try Avianca 787?

[@towaritch]

The PB system voice is not sympathetic rather reminiscent of N Korea,

[@Joe-GMY]

Almost 50 passengers in Business Class on a BA 787 aircraft? That sounds strange - there are just 42 Business Class Seats in a 787-9 aircraft of BA (a 787-8 has even fewer seats!). So, how is that?

[@MyTrips_Aviation]

You're right, one version has 42 and the other 35. I was on row 7 so I counted 7x7=49 passengers but there are two rows missing. Regardless, there was a very long and slow queue at the one check-in business class counter which opened late and that's what I wanted to emphasize

[@Joe-GMY]

@@MyTrips_Aviation @ Thx for your feedback. So far, so good - but it's anyway quite astonishing that there were so many Business Class passengers on board this flight from Athens to LHR where you normally see just a handful of psgrs seated in just 3 or 4 rows of a small flexible Business Class on an A319 or A320 (normally operated on this route).

[@flyingdentist]

BA needs changes.A lot of changes.Great video

[@lesmacleod4980]

Hate those seats on BA.Refuse to fly with them.

[@robmontini9622]

It is unusual to see a Business class meal served on a small tray. However , in my opinion there’s nothing wrong with the food presentation. I am not british so don’t really know how a sheperds pie should look like or taste

[@gharwood1356]

Don't know what it tasted like, but it should look better than that!

[@phil1506]

Why do you continue to fly BA if they’re not good?

[@freddielaker2707]

Well you will go with British Scareways, almost as bad as Ryanscare but not quite.

[@oilburner225]

As one that wouId fIy internationaIIy on a reguIar basis from the earIy 1970's I gave up with BA around 1980, I wouId avoid them at any cost. Nothing seems to have changed, how they manage to stay in business aII these years is beyond me? Great video though!

[@zakelwe]

Maybe already your worst airline trips of 2021. One good thing is no holding pattern with the current situation, but that is not something BA can take credit for ! Also you probably flew over my house to the NW of Sevenoaks ... I would have waved if I had known, perhaps thrown you some proper food ... :)

[@robyoungquist5803]

Just barely tolerable at best. Excluding the usage of Avios, would Aegean Business Class offered a better experience?

[@MyTrips_Aviation]

Aegean is definitely better than BA, especially before the pandemic. I’m yet to try them after things have calmed down a bit

[@henryjames5663]

Never been impressed with BA, Crew or meals

[@mxyzptlyk]

Excellent review. I totally agree, BA has always been 'most money for least value'. And the product that you endured is just awful. It's like being sent to the 'naughty closet' under the stairs. I bet, if you slept and some joker had hung a toilet roll on a wall, you'd be confused when you woke. 😒 It's bad.

[@leathomas9983]

You do realise that if you complain to BA, you might get a shed-load of Avios points. The Business class offering on the A320 family is nothing better than economy with free food (which isn’t amazing). Business Class with BA shorthaul is nothing to write home about and isn’t worth the huge hike in fare. Personally I had more legroom on the A319 in economy on my return than the A320 outbound in business!

[@gonzaloMR786]

How do u complain?

[@doveronefoxtrot4417]

I went during the scamdemic, boarded last, had legroom the same as economy, same seat as economy, and the food consisted of a brown paper bag containing a cold half pizza slice, a dry chocolate muffin and a bottle of water. Was told that due to covid no drinks would be served, the only difference was a hike of £126 in the ticket price. Absolutely pathetic they have become.

[@nmx1978]

Why are you complaining about when you are busy flying intereuropean flight? You could have stuck in small seat of airbus a321. No airlines flies 787 for this route. Ba already upgraded their long haul business so maybe you should try that

[@MyTrips_Aviation]

Where exactly am I complaining?

[@peterfinn6098]

Not even a piece of cheese or decent starter. LH still do a better job on that route with a lovely meal on their long haul European routes

[@paulkeay5032]

Thing happened in the UK about 10 years ago, decents cuts got taken off the menu and restaurants opened selling cheap cuts like mince were introduced at extra cost with the word Gourmet added.

[@LMays-cu2hp]

Nice.

[@tedsgirluk736]

Oh no, that’s no good! It’s like being in a cell! I’m sure I wouldn’t have got through that gap! Better than climbing over legs I guess 🤷‍♀️ Food looks a disgrace

[@Swiftydw]

the food looked disgusting at 1st

[@ManmohanMohanty]

nice video!! watch my latest one on Qantas Supermoon scenic flight!!

[@georgegeorgakopoulos5956]

Piraeus Bubble @ 1:26

[@stephenbrackenbury214]

#britishairways They have lost the plot in everything they do; they are just a low cost airline with an attitude! I really don’t understand how people can say they offer brilliant service; they just don’t. Competitors are SO much better. It’s an embarrassment to call them British

[@syedsiraj1791]

Ohhh !! Ur seat looked more like a cramped prison cell. Then a business class seat

[@coolking_07]

When was this uploaded

[@MyTrips_Aviation]

Today

[@coolking_07]

Thanks

[@froilandsteve]

The food looks like it was served by a hospital. Just horrible. I flew on economy wit BA and I got a biscuit and a bottle of water. This is supposed to be an international flight isn't it? What's funny is, airlines from third world countries are better than this. I mean, I came from a poor country and I have high expectations flying UK's flag carrier. Boy was I wrong. So damn wrong. My flight with BA is the one that I am most disappointed with. Never booking with this airline ever again.

[@today0152]

Just don’t fly with ba than!

[@gkeaoyrge]

About right for BA. Poorly designed, gloomy and tatty interior, rude and miserable staff, rubbish food and being charged a small fortune for the privilege.

[@ericthire9106]

pourquoi voyager avec british !!! le boss de qatar qui détient pour tant 20 pour cent de iag l as dit british ne vaut que 2 sur 10

[@tjittekamminga5170]

shudder: is this british brexit third world class? manifestation of a bankrupt country and airline? where are the days of Olim: from the Comet to the Concorde. no lounge, no welcome drink, terrible 'prison' food and a ridiculous so-called BC configuration in which way too many rows are crammed. This is how the British Empire fell. Avoid BA !! By the way: I nice video!

[@charliezz6746]

You do realise BA is not state owned and these cuts have been going on for many years long before Brexit why even bring up politics on a video like this I'll assume its just sarcasm and light humour though also the comet and Concorde were both designed and built long before Britain even joined the EEC as it was known back then.

[@tjittekamminga5170]

@@charliezz6746 a little hurt I suppose? perhaps the lack of state aid to BA in the past as now given to KLM, which is of course also criticized in the Netherlands, is one of the causes of the decline of BA = the lost british empire of thatcher & consorts

[@charliezz6746]

@@tjittekamminga5170 No not at all hurt just slightly ridiculous especially with the empire nonsense that hasn't existed since the 1950s BA really isn't that bad an airline it could do a lot better though.