Inconsistent British Airways Business Class | Is Club Europe Worth It In 2024?

[@zaphod4245]

The free WiFi is a new policy, all BAEC members can get the messaging pack free as of the start of April. Looks like your 2nd flight was on a neo, which explains the lack of the middle seat tables. I agree on the on board breakfasts. I usually have a cooked breakfast in the lounge and then just ask for a couple of the croissants and jam on board.

[@simonofarrell6218]

The first A319 from NCL to LHR is actually not that old. It's actually newer than the vast majority of the 319's. It's just got the old BMI configuration.

[@elaineadams3992]

Exactly mirrors my experiences. Totally inconsistent. BA really has to get their act together if they want to stay in the game.

[@doveronefoxtrot4417]

It has definitely dropped in quality It is basically what economy was during the 😢 1980's. And the legroom in business class is exactly the same as in economy. Also the seat is the same, which when they operated 737's, was a much bigger, more comfortable seat.

[@MSD88]

There’s still a few ex-bmi A319 and A320 in the BA fleet that still retain the old bmi interiors, like the A319 your were on from NCL to LHR. They’re not comfortable seats on longer sectors as headrests aren’t high enough for tall people and the backrest angle isn’t very upright, so neck pain sets in after a couple of hours. The older neos never have a tray table in Club Europe, but the new neos will have them reinstated, along with the new seat, interior and mood lighting, the first of which began service this month.

[@charlesontravels]

Yeah I’d have hated to have been on that a319 on a longer flight, but absolutely fine for the NCL to LHR, especially when the service was so good. Hope I can try out the new seats soon!

[@RobertClaeson]

The breakfast options in Club Europe are usually a full English or an omelette. I always go for the omelette, as the full English is a bit disappointing. If you fly frequently enough to collect 1500 tier points in a year for gold membership, you can use the 1st class check-in at the far end of Heathrow Terminal 5. It has its own security which is fast, and you then walk straight into the First lounge which is nice and has a self-pour Champagne bar. The Champagnes there are better than the ones served onboard the flights. You can typically only book the first-row seats if you're a gold member. Some of the A320's are different from the rest. I was told that they're planes originally used by BMI.

[@Fat_Cat_747]

I usually go for mice. That's normal for me as a cat.

[@abcat131]

I also fly Club and I’ve always had good service with one in particularly memorable the flight which was managed by a CSD and she serviced Club by herself, she was fantastic gave us 2 bottles of champagne to take off the flight 🎉

[@joelchapman8622]

I actually think club europe is a reasonable product. Yes, the seat isnt great but not having someone in between is great. Its also about the rest of the experience such as check in, lounge access and i have always found the food and crew to be great

[@aarond5843]

BA is so bad on all levels now, I flew on a new A321 Neo the other week the business seat didnt even recline and there was no screens either for a 2024 plane and the price of the ticket you'd expect that, it makes me think next time I fly it will be easyJet or Ryanair

[@r12004rewy]

Fly regularly BA business LHR to Berlin certainly a marked improvement in on time departure times from LHR over the last few months.

[@charlesontravels]

That’s good to know! Hope it continues to improve

[@123malichi]

Staff always excellent. On my regular Aberdeen flight ……this weekend they did a round of drinks before the meal service,which generally never happens. I always decline the afternoon tea service which I find horrible. Still ❤ BA though.

[@brian402]

I don't know what it's like flying on B.A now day's, but a long time ago mother and i flew on B.A back in 1986 from LHR to LAX on a 747-400., our seats were in the up stairs cabin. Flight took around 11 hours, service and food was ok but mother and i also flew on Singapore Airlines and we both felt that Singapore Airlines were back in 1986 far better re service/food and drink., in fact mother and i returned back to the U.K in 1987 for a holiday & also in 1991. Yes! we flew on Singapore Airlines in 1987 & 91. Thanks for uploading this awesome video, very professionally presented & i like that catchy background music too!✈👍

[@Ben-xe8ps]

You didn't fly on a BA 747-400 in 1986, it would have been a 747-200, but leaving that aside Singapore Airlines have always had an excellent reputation for the quality of their in-flight service and I have little doubt that you did find them better than BA. I first flew with SQ in 1978.

[@Michael-wr1yy]

Just flown back from EDI to LCY in club and because its the Embraer the legroom is more generous, but what really surprised me this time was the lack of food ie only a very small chicken plate on a bed of slaw and a chocolate bar. Literally nothing else. Thankfully the food in the lounge at EDI is always a good standard unlike the Glasgow lounge which is pretty poor. The price difference in cabins to LCY can be relatively small at times. No tea or coffee offered which in club Europe I find is standard not to offer it and the champagne has switched to a really imo cheap muck, just too fizzy to be enjoyed. The cabin service on cityflyer is though always a high standard

[@overpar9878]

The trouble with the "short haul" business class is the definition of short haul. I use BA to fly to Turkey which is usually a 5 and a half hour experience from stepping onto the plane to leaving it, and the basic seat and austere surroundings always leave me questioning exactly what I paid £££ for....

[@charlesontravels]

Yeah for a flight of that length they really should be offering something better

[@kuzeyboy]

If it's to Turkey, no competition, THY every time

[@sb6181]

Thanks. Does the BA Heathrow lounge open at 5am? It’s always so busy.

[@charlesontravels]

Yes I believe so. They’re usually very busy but I’ve had a few more recent experiences of them being a bit quieter. A lot of people advise to always go to the B gates lounge to avoid the crowds, but I tend to just look at the boards to see how busy each of them are. I’ve had times recently where the south lounge has been less crowded than the b gates one depending on time of day

[@neilcoram3495]

Enjoyed the video but why did you keep your coat on while flying

[@charlesontravels]

Thanks! It was cold and I was travelling light so didn’t have many other warm clothes to wear

[@mikeparker3162]

Charles, Brave man!!! I have been travelling BA Business Class for at least the last 20 years and sadly still not impressed with its value for money. LHR B.C lounge at T5 is dreadful, Once on the plane seating is basically economy with the middle seat free. If you have booked late, no doubt you will be very disappointed with the menu choice, which will be "take it or leave it!" once the service gets to you in row 9 / 10!!! So is it value for money? no it is not. Even check in through so called Fast Track is a joke!! Do we have an option, sadly not, as most European flights, via other carriers do not fly direct to the destinations I wish to travel to. So we struggle on with this third rate service and hope one day they may deliver passengers over profit!!!

[@ALFOONUS]

All European carriers are exactly the same

[@GlobetrottingGraeme]

If anyone ever solves the mystery of why service does differ on flights, a lot of folk would be curious to know the answer. BA did announce in March that they are spending 7 billion pounds on new aircraft, cabin upgrades, improved IT etc, with 5 billion of that being spent on the aircraft and cabin upgrades. So hopefully they retire that old A319. This is all part of the overall BA push to win back brand loyalty. One of those changes was what you experienced. From April, all executive club members are be able to send WhatsApp and text messages on all BA flights that have WIFI. So hopefully some good things to follow. Great video.

[@charlesontravels]

Thanks Graeme, very good to know that the WiFi change wasn’t a fluke, that’s definitely a positive upgrade. Hopefully more positive changes ahead!

[@armychap007]

Did you catch the registration of the A319 which operated your NCL-LHR flight? BA still operate 10 ex-bmi A319s and I'm guessing it was one of those you flew on with the old fashioned cabin and pull down table in row 1 (their registrations are G-DB**). I wish bmi were still around to give BA a bit of healthy competition on short haul business class flights from LHR. It's the inconsistencies in the service which let BA down as you have highlighted. Shame about the flat champagne and admittedly a full English breakfast in any class of travel on most airlines is a disappointment.

[@charlesontravels]

Looks like the registration was G-DBCJ!

[@hovelad8214]

For someone who travels a lot and holds a silver card…surely you’d be aware that BA are offering free messaging onboard to Executive Card holders?

[@charlesontravels]

I am now! This flight was the first time I encountered that change. Seems it was announced at the same time as a few other things like the new seats and the other changes drew my attention at the time!

[@rickreid8572]

Not sure if he's aware that flights are divided into catering bands with consistency across each of the bands.

[@DPWestMids-u3c]

Thanks Charles Very timely report as flying Silver Status next week BA Club Europe from T5 to a short haul plus destination with BA Holidays. All the best sir. David

[@charlesontravels]

Hope you enjoy your flight David, and have a great holiday!

[@DPWestMids-u3c]

@@charlesontravels thanks . Fingers crossed as you are nearing the 1000 subscribers. You deserve your success.

[@charlesontravels]

Thank you very much, I really appreciate it! Keeping my fingers crossed that I can get there soon!

[@georgezaharoff]

First time seeing your channel, new sub. I am 2 meters tall and BA’s Club Europe is TERRIBLE. the only saving grace is the middle seat being empty. I dropped my phone and it was so tight I couldn’t bend and get it. I had to kick the phone to the person behind me. The legroom overall is unacceptable.

[@charlesontravels]

Thanks very much for subscribing! Yes you’re right, unless you can get front row or exit row, it’s going to be pretty rubbish for anyone tall like yourself

[@andyt8216]

In 2013 I flew from Gatwick to Dubrovnik return in Club Europe and it was less than the economy cost. Made no sense, but was a win for me! Edit… definitely cream first on scones. Ignore any haters 😜

[@charlesontravels]

I do love when you find pricing like that. I recently saw first class to NYC for about half the price of business, and I’ve definitely seen premium costing more than business on long haul too! Not seen a club Europe one less than economy before though!

[@Ben-xe8ps]

The most likely explanation for this is that it is not a like for like comparison of fare type. BA yield management staff (or software) would have set the availability in different booking classes for different fare types. Dubrovnik is not a prime business destination and I would therefore suspect that Club Europe demand is relatively low on this route. In all probability economy sold out quite quickly leaving only availability in a high fare booking class while Cub Europe sold more slowly and availability remained in a lower fare booing class.

[@reddress2200]

What is the cost comparison? This information would be useful to decide whether it is worth it.

[@FranciscoCamino]

I had the same breakfast a few weeks ago. Far from being unedible

[@charlesontravels]

Yeah I’ve had this same breakfast on club Europe quite a few times now. On one occasion it was actually really good, but all the other times it’s been really bad. So I know they can get it right at times, it’s just not consistent. It’s also probably not helped by the fact that they do a really good quality breakfast in the lounge, so if you’ve eaten there first, then this seems even worse in comparison

[@Mubzander]

BA got the worst food 🤮

[@charlesontravels]

Breakfast is usually pretty bad, but I’ve usually really enjoyed all the other meals!

[@TheFourSatoshis]

Very shabby plane that first one 🤢

[@charlesontravels]

Yeah it was very dated, but a great flight overall with the service from the crew!

[@northbankgooner6126]

What wasn't covered in this video was the cost of the flights, Club Europe paying with cash is notoriously expensive. I love Club Europe, but won't use it on domestic flights and usually go one leg on a trip to mainland Europe using my AVIOS stash. For instance LGW - MAD.MAD- LHR is 24,000 plus £50 going economy (with Iberia) and returning Business with BA with the lounges in Madrid being exceptional. I was also offered an upgrade on the outward leg for £60 but as the flight was early didn't think it was worth it for the sake of a fry up or 2 as we saw on your flight, so I just had breakfast in the departures area.

[@charlesontravels]

I find the pricing can vary massively. At times it’s only a slight premium over economy or can be upgraded relatively cheaply, other times it’s an absolutely ridiculous cost. I’ll only ever pay cash if I can get it at a decent cost for the tier points or if I’m connecting on to a long haul business flight. I’ll be trying the Madrid lounges soon on a return business class trip with Iberia, so glad to hear that the lounges there are great!