BA's Old Club Seats - 11% Of Them Are Quite Good!

[@shehebehsuebwisshgauwbevsjs]

Your focus on BA (always fair) really sets you apart! Strong point of this channel!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks!

[@hanrau7349]

More SQ content would be appreciated :)

[@karlp8484]

Why is focussing on BA a strong point? Do you think there's only one airline? I've got news for you, pal, BA isn't even in the top 20 airlines.

[@JJ-vy2rh]

Only good if you're from England

[@JJ-vy2rh]

​​@@hanrau7349I agree but SIA of course not based in the northern hemisphere... I'm Aussie and fly them a lot

[@internationAL21]

Another great video Matt. Your sharp whit is always a welcome reprieve from the mundane (“shadow puppetry?” Yes please!). I’ve actually flown BA’s awful old ClubWorld seat in the middle whilst trying desperately to avoid the glare of the two (equally uncomfortable) strangers staring back at me. It was the one and only time where I’d been upgraded…and,on balance, wish I hadn’t.

[@MattsPlanet]

Only BA can give you a seat so weird you'd wish you hadn't been upgraded!!!

[@kevinlong6482]

A great video, I do like your style and also your realistic real world way of putting your views across Thank you

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for watching!

[@kevinlong6482]

@ keep em coming👍

[@steve-marsh]

I just can't get over seats a quarter of a century old! I was YOUNG when these were unveiled :o

[@MattsPlanet]

I remember 1999.... Vaguely... Filson was just cotton bulbs blowing in a field...

[@steve-marsh]

@ 🤣🤣🤣

[@markusx22]

Well 25 years old isn’t actually correct. The seat that Matt flew in is a 2012 iteration of a seat that launched in 2007. The seat launched in 1999 had the same layout but was quite different to this. The 2012 iteration added a couple of features and new colourways.

[@nickflintoff8077]

Great video again Matt and some really useful info on the visa situation. I’m planning to be in Riyadh for a few days next February so very helpful to have the entry options laid out in simple terms, albeit with the proviso that the rules may be about to change imminently. Looking forward to seeing more of your KSA trip in the coming weeks.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - the visa situation is only going to get better... Unlikely to be free entry on arrival, but cheaper and easier.... Riyadh is quite a place! Video should be out before February!

[@Genius0122]

A really interesting video! The 787-9 fleet still has the old Club World seats too, and I understand refits won’t begin until the 787-8 fleet is complete.

[@MattsPlanet]

With the engine problems BA is having, I believe they're slowing the refits to keep planes available for service so it could indeed take a long time still for the planes to all be converted

[@robp4682]

Thanks for a another great video

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for watching it!

[@Crazy_Charo]

Great video Matt. Glad to see someone else put out a generally positive report on BA, just like Phil (Grey Gap Year) did recently. I flew that seat on the A380 from LHR to JNB (and back), and was climbed over and stepped on... not fun, but the lack of a footwell means that theres ample room for me as I constantly turn during sleep. Keep up the good work. Looking forward to more vids.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - its great for those allergic to foot coffins...

[@karlp8484]

One of the things I really like about the Middle East is how stress-free it is. Zero crime, no one trying to rip you off or hassle you and very good service. The latter is important to me (and others) because I have a habit of yelling at people if I don't get good service.

[@MattsPlanet]

Right at the end you may notice a chap trying to convince me to ditch Uber in favour of his car, and Saudi hasn't quite nailed the customer service ethos yet, but you are broadly correct!

[@NonstopEurotrip]

The huge fish tank in JED is the most amazing think I've ever seen at an airport (SIN excluded) - I stayed and looked at it for ages. I flew in to RUH from DOH with Saudia and with the free transit visa you mentioned, you also get a free hotel night, I chose the most expensive one on the list - a £300 a night suite. It cost more than the flights.

[@MattsPlanet]

Good stuff - I was focussed on getting to my hotel so did sort of skip past the fish tank (it is a good landmark though!!!) but looking at the footage it is quite special!

[@kevinnolan8586]

Hi Matt,As usual, Great video, That seat and general set up of the business cabin looked depressing, I guess the darkness did not help, However you did say it was a great flight so looks can be deceiving. Thanks again.

[@MattsPlanet]

A flight is made up of soft and hard elements... Rare for an airline to absolutely nail both....

[@MarkSmith-ku4fu]

Very helpful Matt, as always. I lived in KSA (Riyadh) for 3 years in the 90s, visited Jeddah a few time - the city with roundabout art! - so looking forward to your video on that. I have learnt from you the the old style BC will remain at Gatwick for some time to come. Didn’t know that Matt. I really do like Gatwick but I’ll really need to rethink flying from there if BC upgrades aren’t happening for some time. Cheers.

[@MattsPlanet]

I passed through Riyadh this trip - it will have changed a lot if you were to go back!!! And Gatters flights will have the old seat for some years yet...

[@mrfrisky6501]

Great video again Mat! 👏

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for watching!

[@VicTheflyingDentist]

Really love your videos Matt. I look forward to watching your next adventure ❤😊

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks Vic

[@charliebrown5]

Thank You ✈️

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for watching!

[@davenorth2903]

Great video Matt. Let’s not tell too many people the secret of the back row in business class where the window seat has both privacy and direct aisle access! :). Incidentally Jeddah is a very nice airport with a great lounge. Riyadh a whole other story.

[@MattsPlanet]

I have a track record of giving away secrets.... T5B lounge anyone??? I departed JED and RUH on this trip and you are right - RUH is comical.... A new terminal is under construction though....

[@brianhappydays2023]

Great video as always. I’m 1.98m / 6’6’’ in old money and actually appreciate the old layout (although I still can’t lie flat.) also my wife and daughter sit together in the middle two and I fly as wingman in the aisle seat. Have two flights booked to San Diego (LHR T5) and Tampa (LGW) that I believe still older layout so not bothered. BA cabin crews have been really good for us; let’s hope they keep it up.

[@MattsPlanet]

I don't think there's a business seat in the sky where a 6'6"-er can get flat!!! The two in the middle when its 2-4-2 can be quite cosy if you're travelling with a young'un

[@tobymitchell2607]

Great video Matt!

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks!

[@AftabKhan-yq5sk]

Hi Matt, Excellent video as always. I get the feeling the club dormitory might start becoming fashionable and a collectors item as it becomes rare 😂! … . By the way greetings from Brussels airport ( excellent alternative to some mega hubs) where I’m travelling Qatar BC to Dubai ( via Alsafwa) 😊. Good job I listened to your advise and allowed lots of time for re-positioning as BA cancelled on me from LHR yesterday .. I am doing VS upper return to LHR so let’s see if they have listened to your recent very correct observations on the remarkable fall in service and food standards onboard.I am more of a VS fan at heart than you so would like them to improve!

[@MattsPlanet]

That's quite a trip! BRU is a good airport....

[@1987olliebrown]

Great video Matt. As someone who is 6’5” I actually prefer sleeping in the BA old club seats without a foot coffin so will opt for those on a night flight but Club Suites always for a day flight

[@MattsPlanet]

For those of us in "tall club" the old seats aren't terrible... Having a well trained bladder helps too with those window seats....

[@jimmyjames6492]

Get some cake in the lounge and pretend its the inaugural flight 🤣🤣🤣Thanks for the info + video!

[@MattsPlanet]

You've gotta do what you've gotta do!!!!

[@andrewstorm8240]

Looking forward to the Saudi video

[@MattsPlanet]

It's going to be interesting!

[@MonsieurWaffle]

It’s definitely worth checking up on these old seats; many passengers will still end up on these nowadays rather than the newer suites!

[@MattsPlanet]

They'll be around for many years yet....

[@stevecraven3502]

Matt. A nice if not awkward step back in time with those seats. That was my very first business class upgrade 20 ish years ago. I'm. with you and Phil on BA's idea of service. They just don't seemed to have learned from what their main competitors are doing. OR, they see themselves as the main company out of London and other places in the world and look at it as, people are flying with us in business class and above no mater how we serve our nuts and our meals. so why add the extra expense and effort.😔☹. I'm with you on the Cognac front. I really do wish BA would bring back a decent Cognac to their lounges and to their business class cabins. Maybe you could start a petition and we could all sign it.👍😁. Keep it going love the vlogs and the information they provide, thanks. Have you ever done anything on Chicago? flying there in May 25. Steve. C. YNWA. P.S. How are you in yourself now after your issues? hope all's clear.

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers Steve. Still got it but still not too bothered by it... Been to Chicago a few times - boiling in summer and frigid in winter but lots to see and do - a really fun city

[@tonyracks2956]

hi matt great video as usual we have them seats on a A 380 to mia hope they are ok i thought you would have the new BRUNCH thanks matt hope you are fit and well keep in good health

[@MattsPlanet]

All good here thanks... A 19:20 departure so no risk of bunch and no abbreviated dinner either....

[@tonyracks2956]

@@MattsPlanet ours is the 09.40 ba 207

[@sarahsutton9680]

I have flown in the middle seat on the 787 as I was travelling solo and I loved it! Felt very secluded once the divider went up 😁 The meal service should absolutely have been done with the cabin lights up and I would’ve questioned why it wasn’t. I agree re the nuts. Such a shame when the small dishes of mixed nuts were stopped

[@MattsPlanet]

I'm sort of intrigued by that middle middle seat now... When its 2-4-2 that middle pair can be quite cosy but on a 2-3-2 its very private

[@sarahsutton9680]

@@MattsPlanet try it and at least you won’t have the window issue 😁

[@richardstreet7518]

2 787-8s done the 787-9 is old CW great upload again.... originally BA were going to do 2-4-2 in economy and they had a mock up at HQ.... only JAL currently offering this config. I can't see the Gatwick 777s being refitted....

[@MattsPlanet]

I made a whoopsy in the voice over - they must have originally scheduled a 787-10 on this route as I definitely snagged a club suite on the outbound...

[@adamgibson7181]

Love your videos. Really helping me progress towards gold status. However, bare socks in the toilet is a wild decision! Lol

[@MattsPlanet]

Socks and airline socks over the top.... Still probably not ideal, I will concede!

[@LeonidasC]

Thanks for the review as always. A correction Matt Only 2 x 787-8 have CS G-ZBJA & G-ZBJB so far. None of the 787-9s and all 11 x 787-10s are equipped with CS (last delivered G-ZBLK)

[@MattsPlanet]

It wouldn't be a Matt's Planet video without an error! It must have first been scheduled on a 787-10 rather than -9...

[@possetgirl]

Yes I was on a 9 last month G- XBKS and that has old club

[@asasmee]

Still Yin Yang Club World on 787-9. Only a couple of -8 and the -10 fleet with club suite on 787

[@MattsPlanet]

It does seem I made a whoopsie in the commentary.... The inaugural I booked on must have been a 787-10 as I certainly reserved a club suite seat when I booked

[@jasondurden2803]

Another good informative watch, which had me nodding in agreement. I flew to the US from Gatwick last month in the Club Dorm on a redemption. I flatly refuse to pay cash prices unless it's a Club Suite. 1B suited as a day flight privacy isn't a massive issue for me and I thought I'd beat the system with the back row window seat for the overnight on the way home. Right up until they changed the aircraft for one without a forward crew rest area and I was bumped back to 1B at check in. Not great but the rest of the flight was surprisingly good and BA complaints team offered a £150 voucher, which was appreciated, given it was a redemption.

[@MattsPlanet]

Ouch... Spend the £150 wisely!

[@alfaa_44]

Another great video I was meant to fly on a 787-9 from Johannesburg to London but now we have had a equipment swap on to a 777-300er so we have the new club suites and I am very excited to fly them for the first time and not the old club world seats!! Which I think are quite overated

[@MattsPlanet]

Not often an equipment swap works out - buy a lottery ticket!

[@oliverbatt3559]

Another great video, Matt. Are you sure the flights on the previous two days were carrying fare-paying passengers? It seems unlikely these days, but they could have been press flights or even just training / shakedown flights (particularly if the crew rosters demand using crew without experience of Riyadh - Saudi Arabia is still enough part of the "other world", including with the alcohol restrictions, that it may have given management pause for thought). Looking forward to seeing your video on your time there.

[@MattsPlanet]

Pretty sure they were proper flights... If BA ever responds, perhaps I'll know! Given BA is so tight for aircraft I very much doubt they'd run anything non-revenue....

[@johncallow5184]

I noticed they also give out those Belazu nut mixes on Club Europe flights, so maybe they get a bulk discount? 😂

[@MattsPlanet]

I'm certain they wouldn't be on a BA plane if BA wasn't getting an excellent deal... At least by having the same packed on LH and SH planes, they don't have to spend extra money training the crew how to take them out of the box and put them on the tray when they change fleets...

[@obamtl]

Well-held champagne flute, Matt!

[@MattsPlanet]

I've been practising!

[@robertmay7331]

So glad you found Neddy! 🐴. I have 186K of Aviooo's , 2 companion vouchers, and a dream to go to Costa Rica next year, but no plan as I don't know what to do with this stuff. 😭

[@MattsPlanet]

New York is always a safe bet, which gets you 60% of the way there.... Mexico city is usually a good bet too....

[@mariusm9108]

Iberia?

[@robertmay7331]

@@mariusm9108 i'll check it out

[@ukdavepianoman]

Excellent video as ever. I agree the old seats were innovative 20-25 years ago, but now they are a bit of an embarrassment. I do the same - pick a seat that doesn't require clambering over anyone which I can do for free as Gold/Silver but for others it's a £90 cost or so :( I've found the food in BA Club World/Suites to be excellent. Looking forward to your Saudi report. I've been there 3 times - interesting country, very friendly people but not being able to drink with dinner was a pain; I think Saudi will change this (much as UAE did ~40 years ago) - it will just take time.

[@MattsPlanet]

Indeed - from what people on the ground were saying, it may not take that long to change....

[@ukdavepianoman]

@@MattsPlanet I think it has to as when the oil runs out, what then? Saudi has to start attracting tourists. This is where UAE were quite visionary.

[@Traumahawk007]

About to do rtn leg HKG-LHR all 15 hours on 787-9 old CW, totally agree with everything you say. I’m in row10 isle tonight which I’ve done on way here. I actually think the seat is more comfortable for sleeping than new Club Suite which seems narrower and boxes in your legs

[@MattsPlanet]

I agree about the sleeping point - no foot cubby and a bit more space at the knees. Hope it went well

[@HowardBobson]

Been through Jeddah a few times for work via Qatar. Airport is amazing and can accommodate enormous demand for Haj pilgrims.

[@MattsPlanet]

Jeddah airport is indeed something else - a complete separate terminal for haj pilgrims I believe.... Riyadh take note!

[@neilhenderson7084]

Now booked on LHR-HND (Tokyo) for November 2025 using voucher/Avios - took your guidance for seat selection and snagged one of 4 of these seats with no 'climb over' - thanks for the tip.

[@MattsPlanet]

Well done - seats to Japan are rare so good pickup

[@neilhenderson7084]

@@MattsPlanet Thanks, yes I was lucky enough to see it on SeatSpy - I have a quandry though as my 'usual' annual trip is to Hong Kong and it's the A350 so considering ditching the Tokyo trip (where I've never been) and look for something on the HK side. Can't make my mind up on that.

[@kevanhubbard9673]

It was very hard to visit Saudi Arabia before unless it was for work reasons . Depending on where you consider the Arabian Peninsula as ending at the north end,are Jordan and Syria on it?,the only one that is really hard to visit now is Yemen.

[@MattsPlanet]

I'd say Jordan and Syria aren't Arabian... Which leaves 7 Arabian countries by my count

[@aletrailvid]

When travelling as a couple I don't really mind these ying/yang seats as long as I nab the pairs next to the windows. Flew LHR-SYD on an Avios redemption in August, I felt they had more space to 'live in' on that long flight compared to the Club Suites.

[@MattsPlanet]

Good point about long flights, although the storage in the club suite would probably swing it for me

[@aletrailvid]

@@MattsPlanet Upstairs in the A380 has those handy under window lockers... or mobile phone take-off slides, as I like to call them 🙂

[@wwewrestlemaniacs]

❤ British airways operating back to Jeddah 🎉

[@MattsPlanet]

Indeed! Lots of free seats too....

[@trimley]

Always a like Matt - my question on blanking out crew faces - do you do this as a matter of courtesy or have you been asked to?

[@MattsPlanet]

Courtesy. I've never had an issue when I haven't and very occasionally I get chatting and someone is happy to be shown.... I generally obscure crew and passengers on a plane as its more of a private space, but tend not to for check-in agents who work in publicly accessible spaces.... Unless they're awful and I criticise them, in which case I will obscure

[@trimley]

@ thanks Matt - all makes sense to me

[@GLAFly]

Great video, as always mate. I think you may have missed your true calling as a shadow puppeteer! (Not sure if you're a Terry Pratchett fan, but "do the deformed rabbit" next time)! 😉

[@MattsPlanet]

My list of talents is lengthy.... Who am I kidding???

[@mjrc123]

Michael Caine impression on point 👌🏼🤣

[@MattsPlanet]

First take too!

[@AviationAdam]

Great review! I must have flown on the 787 around 50 times, the most I’ve flown on any widebody. I also am not a big fan of the windows. I much prefer flying on a 777 or A350. I avoid flying on a 787 if I can, mostly because I’m a bit bored of it, but so many airlines have them so I usually end up on one.

[@MattsPlanet]

I heard that the 77X will have this style of window too, so that may be another airframe to avoid as and when it launches...

[@AviationAdam]

Shame because the 777X looks like a great aircraft. I think the A350 might be getting dimmable windows too. From my experience on the 787s, most of the time the crew don’t lock them when they are automatically dimmed. And I do like how big and high up the windows are, you don’t have to bend over to look outside. When you’re on an aircraft with the old style window shades heading east, the crew will often come round asking you to close them, even though the sun won’t rise for several hours. In some ways I find that worse haha. So I guess both have pluses and minuses

[@adamingleton8529]

Really appreciate the reviews, as I feel AVIOS are the easiest airmiles to collect in the UK, so while BA can be hit and miss, it is far more achievable for most to get the airmiles for a premium cabin etc So can represent good value when you collect avios for free etc

[@MattsPlanet]

Absolutely - it may take a while but any cabin on BA is achievable with some careful saving and the right credit card voucher

[@gregepps4710]

I worked in Jeddah for 6 months and absolutely loved my time there. Didn’t fly BA though 😉

[@MattsPlanet]

A fascinating place - the old town was quite remarkable

[@PeterMurray-ld6ci]

Enjoy Saudi and the Middle East hospitality… looking forward to the next video.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - it was an experience!

[@PeterMurray-ld6ci]

@ I hope in a good way! I spent the last 2 years working in Riyadh and did a few tier point trips to Sri Lanka and Bali as great flight times and convenient.

[@redcomusic]

The ultimate harshest BA critic in history HAHAHA! These ones on BA are at least pod-like. Here in the US, we've got United and Hawaiian still sporting their old premium cabin (First/Business) product on some of their widebodies, which are those old 2-2-2 and 2-4-2 seats. In contrast, all of American's and Delta's widebody premiums are guaranteed lie-flat and pod-style.

[@MattsPlanet]

There's still some really weird layouts in the States I believe - 2-4-2 but the seats face each other??? Weird....

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

Thanks for the video, Matt. I was lucky to visit Jeddah almost 30 years ago but back then you needed to be sponsored if a non-Muslim. FYI I arrived with GF from BAH and, as it's shorter flight, no alcoholic drinks were served. Yes BA was the first with those fully lie-flat CW seats. VS followed but its version was a failure and was scrapped after a couple of years. I think back to their global rivals who, at the time, dismissed fully lie-flat seating in J class, and could not understand how BA managed it. They all maintained that angle lie-flat seating was the way to go. It took years before rivals to BA and VS caught up.

[@MattsPlanet]

Jeddah 30 years ago would have been eye-opening! I am planning a video on the evolution of BA's (and Virgin's) seating although I've clearly got more research to do - I has assumed Virgin had gone straight to the sharply angled 1-1-1 layout they still fly today...

[@alexmcwhirter6611]

@@MattsPlanet TBH Matt I just cannot remember. And it may surprise you to learn that I have never ever taken a scheduled VS flight. It's 20 years since I took my one and only BA Club World flight with the lie-flat seat. I do remember that VS' original J seats from year 2000 were a failure. But honestly I can't remember their replacement.

[@thomasmooreCQ]

For me Jordan and Oman would be interesting countries to visit. I remember years ago, thinking it would be fun to try BA's first class on their 787-9 to SCL. Which I believe is their longest flight.

[@MattsPlanet]

Jordan and Oman are both fascinating places and are well worth a visit.... And I have an eye on that SCL flight as I really fancy a visit to Chile

[@thomasmooreCQ]

@MattsPlanet if you do make it to Chile, check out the KL (& AC?) Flight EZE-SCL and latam flight to SYD via AKL

[@RandomLifeProductions]

I have chosen that seat 3a several times on this old style seat unless I am on the BA flight with the upstairs seats which are the best…

[@MattsPlanet]

Upstairs you get the jumbo bin as well.... On the 787 this seat is the winner....

[@declandevine2458]

Great video as always, I am 6.5 tall and really don’t mind these seats, especially if you get one of the few that have access like yours, I up until 2020 used both BA and Virgin, but Virgins meal service is so below par now that I avoid at all cost, plus the 787 upper class seats are dreadful, my last flight with Virgin was just before the pandemic and they had stopped serving red meat, was told this was a company decision, that was the final straw and will never use them again

[@MattsPlanet]

I flew Virgin recently (videos on the channel!!) and it was pointed out that beef is no longer served as its "not sustainable"... That's an acceptable strategy (albeit one unlikely to be popular amongst premium travellers) but if you're going to adopt that strategy you need to communicate it so people aren't disappointed

[@olly7673]

Thanks for this Matt, all comments welcome for the YT algos and all that. A bit poor of BA to excite you with inaugural when it want so let us know their response please.

[@MattsPlanet]

Cheers Olly. I will let you all know - one way or another. If they respond of course... Some of my Patrons have contacts quite high up in BA so if the media team doesn't reply I do have other ways!

[@jamiesawicki7715]

If you can nab that seat, it’s really quite an enjoyable experience. Alternatively, if with a partner, the larger 777 2 in the middle I also enjoy. But it is time to say goodbye…. The club suite is one of the best out there for its cost / redemption cost. Not q suite / jet blue (desperate to try that!) and emirates but we simply have such a soft spot for BA. They miff us right off, but we do keep coming back, as they do tend to apologise when things go wrong!

[@MattsPlanet]

Indeed - BA's compensation team does seem to be ready for action these days....

[@Thomas-s1d2m]

To my understanding there is strong roomers of the Gatwick 777 fleet being replaced by a new order of A350-900s. Which will also replace the 3-class 777s at LHR.

[@MattsPlanet]

That would be good, but it will take years for them to show up if the order is yet to be placed....

[@ScottMatthews-gk8ef]

Cheers for highlighting the hideous 787 lockable window shades. I always avoid flying the 787 at all costs although heading to Toronto soon where I don’t think there is any alternative BA equipment. At least BA kept them unlocked for you on this flight.

[@MattsPlanet]

I had a few more 787 adventures later on through this trip and I'll be having a right vent about those windows!!!!

[@ScottMatthews-gk8ef]

@ You’ll no doubt be getting a like from me for that video! 😂

[@marcd6897]

I’m flying to Jakarta early February, all segments are 787 but there no other options really, so I hope the crews on those flights won’t be on a power trip and disable the controls.

[@ScottMatthews-gk8ef]

@ Good luck! 😱 I keep meaning to write to BA to ask if they have a window blind policy like American who leave it to the passengers to decide whether they wish to look out of the window or not.

[@Chris-MG79]

Hi there Matt. Long time watcher, first time commenter. How is seat 48 h and J on their 787? I’ve my first ever Dreamliner flight to NYC and first long haul ever coming up. Thank you

[@MattsPlanet]

Hi there. That would be a 787-10 - I'd be a bit worried about the loos right behind you and whether you'd get your choice of meal as you'd be served last.... Although NYC flights are often not full so you may have the chance to spread out a bit and the food may not be rationed... But getting a pair for the two of you is quite fun

[@JacobTarzi]

the feeling when a matts planet video appears on your home page

[@MattsPlanet]

For me its - yeah! Another one done....

[@orcaswaling1143]

May I ask what camera you were using when you were checking in with the agent as she did not seem to recognise the camera??

[@MattsPlanet]

I use a DJI Osmo Action 4, which I clip to my backpack strap so its black on black... Its probably 50:50 as to whether people notice it.... Its more noticeable in profile as it sticks out a bit!

[@BCO44]

Just returned from my Colombo tier point run and thought the new BA safety video was a big improvement on the last one. And i haven’t seen either downerton or bridge abbey

[@MattsPlanet]

It is quite fun and distinctive...

[@BCO44]

@ agree 100%. It beats the last one hands down

[@peetbothma1500]

Thanks for another good one Matt👍 Great to hear the meal was excellent, clearly better than Virgin😊 There is another way to enter the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It is the family Visa, my 3 sons live and work in Riyadh. 2 in the Restaurant industry and one with the British international school. They have what is know as Iqama, i.e work and residence visa's. Been regularly and the immigration is really the quickest, warmest welcome and efficient process I have experienced anywhere in the world. Our visa is valid for 12 months, multiple entry but no more than 90 days at a time. Fantastic place with brilliant food, shopping and an ancient history. Best place to have suits bespokely made at extremely good prices. Yes I still wear those in my trade😂. If you are ever there, I will gladly share info on the city and their restaurants. Really world class. Going there again in 3 weeks😎🇿🇦👌

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks - interesting info. I spent a bit of time in Jeddah and Riyadh and got a very positive impression from a short stay...

[@diamonddave2622]

I'm looking forward to flying to Riyadh to ride the world's largest roller-coaster when Six Flags Qiddiya opens

[@MattsPlanet]

Riyadh's ambition is quite staggering... A few years to wait though....

[@phil_nicholls]

When travelling with the family, I actually prefer this style Club seat to the new cubicles… far more sociable…. Also, I’ve found the new cubicles to be a bit limiting when sleeping, as a side sleeper, it’s difficult to find enough room for my knees - not enough room to bend the legs - again, these seats win…. However, the new cubicles TV is better, and there is certainly more privacy, and access to the aisle directly is a plus… So it really comes down to whether I’m travelling solo, then cubicle wins, - or plus one or more, then the old style wins… As far as lockable window blinds go… Being able to prevent the odd passenger from ruining everyone’s sleep by having their blind open is a plus in my book… though I accept that some crew are too quick to employ this feature to try and get everyone to sleep maybe? And so have an easier time? 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@MattsPlanet]

Excellent points... I find the club suite has knee space when you lay on one side but not the other.... So if you know which side you usually sleep on, you can pick a seat that fits!!! And someone is only going to ruin sleep if they open windows when its daylight - when people shouldn't be sleeping anyway... What about the passenger trying to get their biorhythms in synch by absorbing daylight??? A bit of a simplification, but you get the point!

[@Allan-Lauder]

Your shadow puppet skills are impressive 😂😂😂

[@MattsPlanet]

Years of practice....

[@alexcodes8169]

Made me laugh

[@GavTheFlyGuy]

Loving the vid Matt, I'm really not a fan of the Old club seats, I think they do look very dated with all the new wonderful business seats now out there. It is still cool however, to face backwards during the take off, I don't think I'll ever get used to the different sensation

[@MattsPlanet]

Been a while since I flew backwards and I'd sort of forgotten about it until we shot off down the runway and I did have a very weird moment when I remembered that this was a bit different!!!

[@gavincashman]

I recon the seats could updated

[@MattsPlanet]

Or ditched in favour of the club suite...

[@santstravels]

Dining in the dark and no breakfast - great crew! 😂

[@MattsPlanet]

I'd love to know if the dark bit is BA operating policy or if the crew were freestyling...

[@santstravels]

@@MattsPlanetI’ve been told by a trusted source that at the time you were flying the lights should have been on, albeit on a dim setting.

[@Tom-ih8gr]

Odd none of the 3 middle seats were sold. I find these really good for sleeping, you get significantly more shoulder space than the middle seats on an aircraft with an even number of seats per row. Definitely worth trying if you can tolerate the trapeze artist act to get to the loo. I’m a whisker under 6’2” and have the shoulders of someone that height and it’s better for me.

[@MattsPlanet]

That's a good point actually as you would get those inserts on both sides from your neighbour's leg area narrowing.... I'm tempted to give one a try one day, although my videos really do benefit from the window views...

[@timtony7153]

Great video as Usual Matt! The seat is not bad, its only 31 out of 35 that are awful 😅...your humour is as dry as the weather in SA!!!! Surely asking staff to walk up and down the cabin with hot food, glassware etc in a blacked out cabin is a health and safety issue? Guess it is one way to not have see your shortcomings as a company! You switch the lights off!! Stay well Thomas

[@MattsPlanet]

Darkness hides a lot of sins!

[@da480]

Had same thoughts once or twice about the nuts situation… There perhaps a team of cost cutting analysts at BA who are searching for high hanging fruit… 😁 when it’s in front of them.. And I don’t even buy an argument of dispensing nuts into ramekins being an additional duty for already reduced crew… BA still serves it in ramekins in First 🤷‍♂️

[@MattsPlanet]

One commenter suggested it might help limit nut cross-contamination for the allergic... Which is a good point, although it would mean that other airlines aren't bothered, and indeed BA isn't bothered about nut allergies with its F customers!

[@Maiiftl]

90 degrees C? :o

[@MattsPlanet]

90 C would be really toasty....

[@ss-xy2im]

Those climb over seats 🙈 The number of times i was woken up 🤬

[@MattsPlanet]

They were great when they launched! But it is funny these days... More videos on the Apex suite coming up...

[@Hazel-w2v]

Great vlog . Agree with your comments but still better than having to fly economy 😊. Wish they would refit the 380’s

[@MattsPlanet]

Much better than economy!!! Heard some rumours that the A380s will be getting spruced up although it'll be a while off as the schedule can't cope with planes being taken out of service for refits right now

[@wwewrestlemaniacs]

Am I the only one who noticed the large number of Indians at Heathrow, making it feel almost like being at Mumbai airport?

[@MattsPlanet]

Probably....

[@ss-xy2im]

You expect a response from BA within 6 days? 😂 I wrote to them asking about an avios adjustment i saw on my account, i asked if it was for a particular booking, after 9 weeks i got i response "Yes it is" and it didn't even include the original email, had to scratch my head to figure out what that email was!

[@MattsPlanet]

I'd like to think the media / press team works to different KPIs....

[@craiggemmell4559]

The forward/backwards seats are not great especially when travelling alone, I was fortunate enough to be travelling with my wife so we were facing each other therefore could chat and enjoy a drink which was good.

[@MattsPlanet]

That is an upside of the ying yang, although one of you will be stuck out in the aisle

[@christuck-n7e]

i flew out of Jeddah back in the early 80's on BA and it was dry until in the air. Wouldnt go back

[@MattsPlanet]

Same today! Although Jeddah has changed a lot...

[@hughjaars2285]

Agree re the Brandy - no demand I was told.

[@MattsPlanet]

They didn't ask me!!! Or you by the sounds of it

[@craigekaye6720]

I'm so confused, how do you find out if its "Old" club or the "New" club BA seats? I fly next week and I'm just wondering. Thanks,

[@MattsPlanet]

The equipment type will probably give it away - I think only the 787-8 is part converted.... Or the seatplan in BA or Expertflyer will show the different seat layouts

[@craigekaye6720]

@ just checked thankfully on a newer one 😅

[@speedendurance]

So there is no way a couple can sit face-to-face AND not bother anyone when getting up AND nobody bothering them when they get up.

[@MattsPlanet]

Nope!

[@sebastien79a]

Doesn't compare to 62/64AK (64A a bit less) though on 744 :)

[@MattsPlanet]

Indeed - that was the best....

[@michaelj3282]

Getting into KSA, it's not Dubai. Weirdly KSA is the biggest export market for Johnny Walker Black.

[@MattsPlanet]

It's not Dubai in many ways!!!! Yet....

[@paololim3513]

It's insane that this route gets a 787 whilst a similarly long LHR-Amman flight gets a Euro business class A320. What gives?

[@MattsPlanet]

JED is close to 30% further than AMM - still well within range for the A320 but pushing customer tolerance too far.... I suspect there are more high budget travellers to London from Saudi than Jordan....

[@ashwilliams999]

Some entities are wary of dealing with loose nuts for fear of nut allergy cross contamination

[@MattsPlanet]

Good point! Although plenty aren't so concerned...

[@SireMoon]

Excellent review. It also made me quite irritated - not you I hasten to add - but the dinner offering which showed what BA can do . As you rightly point out, when they get their catering act together like they obviously did on this flight they are capable of putting out something very good. And, as you and others have noted, Virgin seem to have lost their way and arguably for one of the few times since Virgin started, BA have had the upper hand. So what do they do - press home that advantage and put some serious clear blue water between them and Virgin? No - they shoot themselves in both feet with this brunch and supper nonsense. You can almost imagine the BA meeting going something like "well folks, Virgin are pretty bad at the moment so we can afford to dumb down our own offering to something cheaper and nastier and get away with it". I really thought BA had turned over a new leaf permanently however it is at least somewhat reassuring that they still seem to be managing to dish up something worthy of a premium cabin on flights not inflicted with the new offering.

[@MattsPlanet]

I really hope your speculation about that BA meeting is wide of the truth but I fear it isn't... Oh to be a fly on the wall....

[@FrazerThomson]

Flew that LHR - Jeddah (old terminal) route a few times and loved the early morning flight back to london as a lot of offshore guys were heading home, so there was a healthy party atmosphere. I came unstuck in a small Jeddah restaurant one time and a local guy, realising that I was struggling to work out how things worked, helped me out and let me sit with him and his friends, his only condition was that if I ever saw a foreigner struggling in my country, I’d help them. I’ve been keeping that promise the last 17 years, it was a fair trade.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks for that - I was on the morning flight back from Jeddah and it wasn't so much of a party for me.... Middle Eastern hospitality can be amazing - thanks for sharing

[@FrazerThomson]

@ you had to go to the galley at the back of the plane🥴

[@iancooper2213]

Umm British airways are the best, I still remember a trip out to Freetown in Sierra Leone on British Caledonian stopped at the Gambia where locals wanted to bring cooks onto the airplane

[@MattsPlanet]

Happy days....

[@aviationtrainsfc1]

I would not want to sit backwards on a plane

[@MattsPlanet]

Its more of a mental thing than a physical thing....

[@Fat_Cat_747]

In a future shadow puppetry show I want to see an alpaca please.

[@MattsPlanet]

I'll start practising tonight....

[@BarryOnCaroline]

Although very familiar with this particular BA seat, as always an enjoyable and informative watch, sadly the preferable seats are becoming too well known about. Hidden away with the rear window seat on the A380 Upstairs I like it (when it doesn't go tech that is) . A really pity about that poor definition screen, even non teccy types are now used to high quality video, so very obviously dated.

[@MattsPlanet]

Like AUH - CGK and the T5B lounge, I didn't think it was that big a secret!!!

[@oblongmusic3389]

So if a flight to Saudi is part ‘wet’ and part ‘dry’ , could it be called a ‘damp’ flight ? Or even a ‘moist’ flight ?😅😅.. I’ll get my coat .. 😬

[@MattsPlanet]

Soggy?

[@maxthelab8457]

BA roster tatty old bangers on these sorts of route due to the demographic that is most likely to be on board ( as seen ) i.e. - they aren't particularly fussy about how they treat things, especially other people's. So - give them something they can't really wreck any further - wise advice, oft heard in China. Also since most routes out of Gatwick are leisure, passengers will continue to be expected to put up with the old tatty dirty crabby CW cabin. The old CW cabin I find horrific - the chances of being labelled a bloody nuisance mid-flight as you attempt to clamber over the aisle passenger without waking them, looking at them, or inadvertently giving them a quick thrill in your PJ's as your sagging tackle glances a cheeky rub on their protruding lump is almost nil ( although I have heard that some folk have met their life partners that way! ). Personally, I much prefer the isolation of the new CS or better still First ( my usual parking spot ).

[@MattsPlanet]

You paint a vivid picture! But I'm sure all of that happens regularly!

[@maxthelab8457]

@@MattsPlanet I was once on a flight with my Mum out to Singapore. It was in the 90's when business class was a twin armchair affair 2-2-2. I got a window seat and my mum was on the aisle. The bloke across the aisle was a Dutch bloke ( a timber trader as it went ) and he spent half the flight chatting my mum up and asked if she'd like to carry on to Indonesia with him. At one point he reclined his chair and it was obvious he had a raging rush of blood going on, most likely for my mum's benefit. She got off the plane in Singapore and spent the week with me at Raffles. We did giggle.

[@dospalmascb]

Israel haven't stamped passports for many years, you now get a little blue ticket with your information on it, you have to keep it until you leave but nothing fixed in your passport.

[@MattsPlanet]

Indeed - I've heard that perhaps a Jordanian land entry stamp can give it away, although whether anyone is going to scrutinise stamps that closely is the question.... Although relations between Saudi and Israel have thawed - I believe there is a visa available for Israelis these days?

[@khalid969]

As a Saudi, I was very proud to see that we no longer allow dozens of taxi drivers to stalk arriving passengers like many other countries still do. Welcome to the new Saudi Arabia.

[@MattsPlanet]

Thanks! There were one or two trying to persuade me to ditch Uber in their favour!!! But is was very manageable!

[@IWTBF]

7:50 horrible seating arrangement especially for all that money 😢

[@MattsPlanet]

It was amazing 25 years ago....

[@ibnaqeelaqeel588]

Some misinformation exists, such as if you are born in Israel, you can’t go to Saudi Arabia. Only Israeli passport holders can’t enter due to the lack of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

[@MattsPlanet]

I think Israelis can get a visa these days?

[@fastoez]

i found the little three way bread quite nice, but i do prefer when they used to bring a basket of warm breads for u to choose from, the nut thing grinds my gears and it's not hard to jazz up the table service! Dont get me started on the pointless mattress topper! i mean who the hell is in charge of these things, useless and pointless,

[@MattsPlanet]

I'm with you! I think the bread on that day had been over-warmed so it was dry and crusty...