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British Airways World Traveller Plus Review: Is it Worth It? 2024

By: Author Amanda OBrien

Posted on Last updated: 16/02/2024

In 2017 I flew premium economy with Qantas Sydney to Hong Kong return. It was a fantastic experience.

In fact, it was so good it made me question if I could really justify the extra amount to fly business class if it wasn’t an Australia – Europe/US flight.

So when was looking at flying from London to New York – and then Los Angeles to London return – I thought I would give British Airways World Traveller Plus a shot. Which I did back in 2018 and I recently flew with British Airways World Traveller Plus post-Covid in 2022.

I’m going to kick off with an update from 2022 when I flew from Portland to London Heathrow with British Airways in premium economy. My older review involved flying out of London Heathrow so it has quite a bit of information on checking in at Heathrow etc.

⇒ Click here for Prices and Deals on British Airways

  • British Airways World Traveller Plus 2022 update

Table of Contents

British Airways World Traveller Plus Review (2017): Online Check-In

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After a long break flying with British Airways in World Traveller Plus I signed up again to try them out in July of 2022. I was flying from London to Washington DC , and then home to London out of Portland. I received an offer that was too good to refuse to upgrade to business class on the flight from Heathrow to Washington DC. This review update covers the Portland to London Heathrow leg in premium economy.

britishairways premium economy seat

I somehow managed to end up on British Airways’s first (not sure if this is the first ever flight but it was certainly the first for a while) direct flight out of Portland to Heathrow. Everyone was in a great mood and there was even cake and sandwiches at the boarding gate for everyone!

britishairways premium economy cabin

As such, we had a very nice new 787 that I believe was a Dreamliner. Few things make me happier than realizing that I am on a relatively new plane as it always means a huge improvement in the premium economy experience.

britishairways premium economy individual seat

When I mentioned to the crew that Virgin Atlantic offers its premium economy passengers prosecco the attendant even went and got me a glass of champagne from business class! As I said, all were in a joyous mood.

britishairways premium economy wing

To be honest, not a lot has changed since the last time I flew World Traveller Plus with British Airways. The 787 I was on had only three rows of premium economy seats. I quite liked this as it normally means faster service and I feel more of a sense of space when the area is smaller. The seat layout was 2-3-2.

britishairways premium economy screen

I had booked in my window seat when I booked the flight as I always do on overnight flights (I find it worth it to pay a bit extra at booking to achieve this).

One thing that has improved is the quality of the headphones in premium economy which are now noise cancelling. Also, the quality of the food on offer has improved. I enjoyed a very nice steak.

britishairways premium economy meal

The Dreamliner 787 also has new touch-operated window screens and better cabin pressurization. If you are able to choose your flight and can see the different planes available, I suggest checking to find the Dreamliner 787 option for world traveller plus as it is definitely a step above premium economy on some of BA’s other planes.

british airways premium economy window adjustment

Unfortunately, things with British Airways World Traveler plus did not get off to a good start. Two days before my flight I went on to the British Airways app and was able to reserve one of the aisles British Airways Premium Economy seats – great.

The next day, when I went to actually check in online I was told that my passport number was wrong and that I wasn’t able to check in.

I then had issues with my uber so only arrived at the airport 90 minutes before my British Airways flight.

british airways world traveller plus seats

I went and used the check-in machine for my premium economy British Airways flight and my seat had changed to a window – which was good news for me. Then I went to the desk for bag drop.

When the attendant is on the phone for some time when all you do is drop your bag, it is not a good sign. I was told by the attendant that I had been “sneaky” taking the window seat.

I was quite annoyed by this and asked how could I be sneaky when the app had done this for me. I was then told that they had overbooked business class and that seat had been meant for someone who was being downgraded to premium economy on British Airways – which meant they now wanted to move me to British Airways economy class.

I was so annoyed. It really makes me furious when airlines do this. Or should I say when British Airways do this as they are the only airline that has tried to bump me from flights several times due to overbooking.

In what other industry would an organization take your money ahead of time and then when you turned up to experience that service be told that you couldn’t as they had overbooked – and that apparently this was fine?

world traveller plus amenities kit and headphones

It is a major problem as a solo traveler as we are at the top of the list when it comes to who gets bumped first when it comes to air travel.

A British Airways staff member once told me that the safest people were those also flying with British Airways from a connecting airport eg Manchester to London and then on to say NY, followed by groups, followed by families and then by couples.

Only the male solo traveler is worse off than the female solo traveler. My annoyance was greater as I had injured my ankle in Nepal earlier that year and absolutely could not have sat in an economy seat for several hours without problems.

Luckily I had a letter from my doctor with me (I had it in case my ankle got worse and I needed medical treatment) so I was able to produce this and say I had to stay in British Air premium economy.

I ended up in British Airways Economy Plus but not without quite a bit of undue stress and frustration. This experience alone has been enough to really put me off flying with British Airways.

I do find it outrageous that you can be potentially bumped like this – and that the staff always seem to act like this is of no consequence and why are you getting upset? OK rant over!

british airways world traveller plus in flight features list

Anyway, the flight was then at Gate A10 at Terminal 5, which means a very long bus trip. I thought we were driving to New York.

BA World Traveller Plus also means no lounge access and no priority seating.

The British Airways World Traveller Plus 777 plane was a little old and compared to Qantas it felt a lot less spacious. The seat layout was 4 in the middle and 2 on each side.

I was on the side thank goodness. I would have been very unhappy to have paid for premium economy and to have had one of the extreme middle seats.

I often wonder who ends up in these seats – are they the people that don’t make sure they do early online check-in? Or maybe they are more tolerant than me.

british airways premium economy headphones

British Airways Premium Economy 747 has good quality headphones which were nice. The British Airways premium economy product also does have a very good in-flight entertainment system.

The British Airways Premium Economy in-flight amenity kit was not bad – socks, eye mask, earplugs, toothbrush and a pen. Great idea to have a pen as everyone needs one on a flight.

There is a lot of legroom and the seats are comfortable on the British Airways 787 Premium Economy flight. I was also pleased to see that there were 2 USB ports in the seat ahead and then 2 power points between the seats.

The food was a big positive for this World Traveller plus review 777 writer. It did feel like an upgrade from economy. We were also offered a lovely glass of sparkling wine before take-off.

british airways world traveller plus main meal

One of my favourite features of British Airways premium economy 777 is that they have a very useful brochure which explains all the features and benefits of the world traveler plus seat – this is such a good idea.

Every premium economy and business class seat is different and you don’t want to miss out when good features can be used.

There was also a good-sized storage locker next to the window which was handy – another reason trying to get the window seat is one of my top tips.

british airways premium economy storage locker for window seats

In March 2018 British Airways made major upgrades to its World Traveller and British Airways Premium Economy 777 cabins at Gatwick on their Boeing 777s.

Both cabins have had their entertainment screens increased by 50% in size. I’m looking forward to checking out the new six-way headrest.

Interestingly these new planes will feature a considerable increase in the number of World Traveller Plus seats – coming from a reduction in Club World. Premium Economy is on the rise.

So what about the rest of the fleet? World Traveller Plus is a major improvement on World Traveller, which doesn’t offer the best seats. Also, there are few opportunities to upgrade within World Traveller – apart from the exit rows.

If you have a long flight or an overnight flight I think the upgrade cost is absolutely worth it.

Theoretically, being in BA World Traveller Plus means it is easier/more likely that you can be upgraded to Club World. BA does offer paid opportunities for upgrades but not all the time – and not necessarily at the best prices.

The best way to check if this is an option for your flight is to visit the Manage My Booking page. The price generally varies between 400 and 700 GBPs.

For frequent flyers, Avios points are a good option for upgrading – or combining Avios points with payment. It is not normally the best use of Avios to upgrade (they tend to be their most effective for less-visited longer trips in economy class in my experience) but it is a good option.

Finally, if you are a frequent flyer and flying World Traveller Plus there is a greater opportunity for an upgrade. This will most likely happen when World Traveller Plus has been booked out and business class has seats.

uniformed army officers in london

Overall, the seat itself is the key difference between world traveller and world traveller plus on British Airways.

On Qantas and other airlines, there does feel like there is more of a difference between the two cabins – particularly when it comes to service.

I was flying with British Airways when they were having extensive problems as an airline so it could not have been fun to be working for them at that time.

However, I am paying the extra and in my view, I do expect a slightly better service. I would hesitate to take British Airways Premium Economy again – mostly driven by nearly being downgraded to economy.

I don’t want to have to worry about this when I am headed to Heathrow. I, of course, would fly with them if there was a good enough deal, but they have certainly moved down my list after this experience.

Here is BA’s full rundown on their premium economy offer and The Telegraph’s Comparisons of Premium Economy Offers including British Airways Premium Economy Reviews

⇒ Prices and Deals on British Airways

britishairways premium economy seat

World traveller plus on British Airways is premium economy. This is a class between economy and business class.

seats and corridor at british airways business class lounge heathrow terminal 5

No, you do not get lounge access with a British Airways World Traveller Plus ticket.

BA World Traveller Plus Review

Yes, World Traveller Plus travelers on British Airways get priority boarding and check-in.

back of the seat with screen and usb ports british airways world traveller plus

No, World Traveller Plus customers on British Airways do not get to use the fast track queue for security.

britishairways premium economy individual seat

The seats in British Airways World Traveller Plus generally have a 38 inch pitch and are 18.5 inches wide. The seats are 1 inch wider than economy and the pitch is 7 inches greater than economy.

I use Skyscanner for all my flights – from economy through to business – click here to Check out SkyScanner 

Artist Residence is located in Pimlico which is fabulously central. It is in a gorgeous 5 store regency building and has a cute bar.

⇒ Read reviews on TripAdvisor ⇒ Book Now

The Portobello Hotel is located in one of London’s best known and cutest neighbourhoods Notting Hill. This is also the hotel where Kate Moss and Johnny Depp filled up the bath with champagne.

Notting Hill London Portobello Hotel bedroom with wallpaper

The hotel is located on a quiet street but is a great location.

the tower of london seen from the thames

The Great Northern Hotel is ridiculously close to Kings Cross and St Pancras stations which is incredibly convenient. The hotel dates back to 1854 but has had a major refurb so it feels fresh and modern.

The Hoxton hotel is in the heart of East London in Shoreditch and is a perfect base for exploration. The rooms aren’t huge but the location makes up for it – as does the great value for London with rooms starting at £99 a night.

Regent Street in London with red buses

I covered the cost of my flights on British Airways Premium Economy. This post on British Airways world traveller plus contains affiliate links. That means if you click on them and end up making a purchase on that website I will receive a small commission. I wanted to make sure you were aware of this.

READ NEXT: American Airlines PREMIUM ECONOMY REVIEW

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My review of British Airways World Traveller Plus

Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.

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Journeying John

Sunday 5th of March 2023

Glad your food was ok and an upgrade but I have to reportthe reverse, bith in and oit of India, there was no choice and what was actually served was worse than mkat carriers economy meals. As for BA's IT systems and contempt for customers who habe paid for a service they don't recieve. Your experience is far from unique and I wonder if you would ever have got any form of compensation had you not had the ankle injury. BA or the UK brand of IAG are #BestAvoided today.

Amanda OBrien

Wednesday 15th of March 2023

I doubt it on the compensation front John! Luckily BA seems to be getting better but I am still nervous about being kicked off flights when I am travelling solo

Jean-Pierre

Tuesday 21st of February 2023

Interesting you had problems with entering your passport information when checking-in. This has happened twice to me using the BA website. The two occasions have been years apart so BA have not fixed their website.

I eventually found a telephone number to call for website support and after about 40 minutes the agent was able to get my passport info to take. It was very frustrating, especially after paying for the upgrade to World Traveler Plus, the taking more money part of their website works very well.

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British Airways World Traveller Plus Review [2023]

world traveller british airways review

After a rocky flight across the pond, I decided to do a British Airways World Traveller Plus Review. Is it worth the cost? Read on.

There are few things that make me happier while travelling than getting an upgrade on a long flight. That is what happened in this British Airways World Traveller Plus review…and I’m not sure why. I have theories and will share them in a post soon, but for now, know that this British Airways World Traveller Plus review is by no means sponsored but did make this guy one happy flier.

That said, let’s find out if Is BA World Traveller Plus worth it.

Table of Contents

BA World Traveller Plus Review Summary

British Airways World Traveller Plus is a premium economy class that offers extra legroom, a wider seat, and other amenities. The cabin features a 2-3-2 seating configuration, personal in-flight entertainment screens, and a complimentary amenity kit.

The food and service are generally regarded as good, and passengers can also enjoy priority boarding and additional baggage allowance. However, the seats may not recline as much as some passengers would like, and the cost may be relatively high compared to other premium economy offerings.

Overall, British Airways World Traveller Plus is a solid option for those looking for a more comfortable travel experience without breaking the bank.

What Is The Difference Between British Airways Premium Economy & Business Class?

Economy Plus should really be thought of as “Business Class M inus .” For the most part, the service is the same minus the lay flatbeds. From what I saw while boarding and exiting the British Airways 747-400 on a recent trip to Europe, the Business Class seats are not that spread out and looked crowded…at least more so than flying Swiss Air or EgyptAir . Curious, and as I always do, on my return trip I spoke with the agent at the customer service desk. “How much for an upgrade to Business Class?” I said with a smile. To my horror, the agent said it would be over $7,000!

Paying an additional $7,000 at check-in seems incredibly dumb. An extra $390 for premium economy on a 9 1/2 hour flight, not so much. Thankfully, I didn’t have to do either and got an upgrade for free.

With that in mind, here is my British Airways World Traveller Plus review and why I think it offers some serious value.

world traveller british airways review

Route: London to Vancouver Aircraft: 747-400 Seat: 35B Highlights : Entertainment and High Tea Low lights:  Meals

How to Upgrade to BA World Traveller Plus

To upgrade to BA World Traveller Plus, you can do so in a few ways:

  • During booking: When booking your flight, you can choose to upgrade to World Traveller Plus during the booking process. You will see the option to upgrade if it is available for your flight.
  • Online: If you have already booked your flight, you can check to see if an upgrade is available through the Manage My Booking section of the British Airways website.
  • At the airport: You may also be able to upgrade to World Traveller Plus at the airport on the day of your flight, subject to availability.

Keep in mind that upgrading typically comes at an additional cost, so you should weigh the benefits against the extra expense to determine if BA World Traveller Plus is worth it for you.

British Airways World Traveller Plus Review – Seats

World Traveller Plus Review - British Airways Take on Premium Economy

British Airways website boasts wider seats and more legroom in Premium Economy which, although true, is by no means spacious. There is ample legroom, decent recline, and a footrest for stretching out. 

Note: seats are  2×4×2 on the BA 747–400 so ensure to book seats A/B or H/J for maximum comfort!

World Traveller Plus Review - British Airways Take on Premium Economy

British Airways World Traveller Plus Review – Service

Essentially, the meal service, amenities, and entertainment system are the same as Business Class. Seats include USB power and standard outlets (Europe and UK style). Where British Airways Economy Plus really differs from Economy Class is the seats and entertainment system.

  READ MORE:     Turkish Air Business Class Review

World Traveller Plus Review - British Airways Take on Premium Economy

The amenities bag on this World Traveller Plus review was standard but lacking compared to those I found on Swissair , EgyptAir , and  Turkish Airlines.  Inside you will find earplugs, socks, a toothbrush and paste, a pen, and an eye mask.

Also inside you will find premium headphones, a nice touch, however, I prefer to stick to my favourite travel companion – the Bose-QuietComfort-25.

World Traveller Plus Review - British Airways Take on Premium Economy

One negative on this World Traveller Plus review was the dinner tray. Mine sagged heavily in the middle which made eating and writing a bit awkward. A minor annoyance in the end but an annoyance nonetheless.

BA World Traveller Plus Review –  Food & Drink

World Traveller Plus Review - British Airways Take on Premium Economy

Meals in Premium Economy are similar to what is served in Business Class except that they are not presented as nicely…or so I hope. Beyond the sloppy presentation, the food was just OK. I had an overcooked piece of beef with salty gravy and a neon salad.

The highlight of the meal service aboard this British Airways flight was the highest High Tea I have ever had. Well played BA.

World Traveller Plus Review - British Airways Take on Premium Economy

World Traveller Plus Review –  Entertainment

The entertainment system is a huge upgrade over those found in Economy. The screen is much larger, brighter, and more responsive than those found in coach. My screen on the flight to Europe in Economy was so bad I could not get through a single movie. No worries, I made up for it in World Traveller Plus.

   READ MORE:  Norwegian Airlines Premium Economy Review

World Traveller Plus Review - British Airways Take on Premium Economy

So, is British Airways World Traveller Plus Worth it?

World Traveller Plus Review - British Airways Take on Premium Economy

Given my experience in Economy ( and recent reports of bedbugs! ), I believe an upgrade to British Airways World Traveller Plus is worth it for the extra pounds, especially if you are flying long distances. If you are looking to just sleep and can do so in cramped spaces then there’s not much for you in an upgrade.

As mentioned, I was upgraded but feel that BA World Traveller Plus is worth it for the extra comfort, meals, and space.

If you want to enjoy business-class services and amenities at a fraction of the cost (minus the lay flatbed) then the upgrade to British Airways World Travel Plus is highly recommended.

   READ MORE:  WestJet Premium Economy Review

What say you? Thoughts on this  British Airways W orld Traveller Plus Review ? Let’s hear it!

World Traveller Plus Review - British Airways Take on Premium Economy

For more luxury travel reviews from business class and beyond see HERE .

So how does British Airways World Traveller Plus rank?

Shaun Robertson

How I Booked 9 Business Class Flights for $325

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British Airways Premium Economy World Traveller Plus Review

Review of British Airways Premium Economy

world traveller british airways review

British Airways was one of the first airlines to introduce a Premium Economy cabin on its long-haul aircraft - branded as World Traveller Plus . As such, many of its cabins are showing their age, but still serve their purpose well by offering extra space, better meals and more personalised service. The airline is retrofitting these cabins and upgrading the hard product, but this will take time, so in the interim be prepared for a mix of old and new.

The United Kingdom’s largest airline takes pride in offering reliable and friendly service while carrying the British flag to far corners of the globe.

British Airways is a founding member of the oneworld alliance, which means fliers can earn and redeem Avios points on its many partners. Conversely, members of other alliance member airlines can earn and redeem their miles with British Airways.

Airport experience

All British Airways flights pass through London with primary hubs at London Heathrow and London Gatwick airports (and a smaller operation at London City). London airports are known for stringent and sometimes overzealous security procedures, which can be frustrating for passengers adding extra time to the journey. Unfriendly airport security agents are enough to convince some travellers to fly another airline when booking international travel.

World Traveller Plus passengers can access individual check-in desks and a greater baggage allowance – two bags for the hold plus a cabin bag and laptop bag onboard. They do not enjoy lounge access once airside, though. Still, top oneworld elite status cardholders can use the lounges on eligible international itineraries no matter what cabin they are flying. These lounges include open bars offering cocktails, soft drinks, wine, and beer, service desks for assistance with tickets, a wide selection of magazines and newspapers, workstations with computers and free Wi-Fi, and buffets with warm and cold food selections.

Priority boarding is part of the Premium Economy experience.

Airline review Airport experience - British Airways - 0

Cabin & Seat

British Airways fly a combination of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with World Traveller Plus available on each long-haul aircraft. The Airbus A380 World Traveller Plus cabin is found on the Upper Deck behind the Club World cabin in a 2-4-2 configuration over nine rows, while the Airbus A350 has seven rows in a 2-4-2 configuration. The Boeing 777 fleet varies between three and six rows in a 2-4-2 design, while the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft differs between four and six rows and is always in a 2-3-2 configuration.

Even the original iteration of the Premium Economy seat has plenty of space. It varies depending on the plane, but expect a wider seat – typically 18.5 inches (47 centimetres), more leg room with a pitch of 38 inches (97 centimetres), including a foot and leg rest, lumbar support, a recline of around 8 inches (20 centimetres), a small side table and headrest with adjustable wings for better resting positions. Unfortunately, many seats have equipment for the entertainment system that impedes your legroom, which makes it challenging to store carry-on bags or wiggle your feet around during the flight.

World Traveller Plus occupies a more intimate cabin of no more than nine rows with a dedicated lavatory and curtains separating it from economy and Business Class. There are middle seats, which are worth avoiding unless travelling with a companion.

Bulkhead rows prevent someone from reclining their seat into your space, but it does mean that carry-on luggage must be stowed overhead for takeoff and landing. These seats also have television monitors that fold out from the armrest, and they cannot be used on the ground or during takeoff and landing for safety reasons. Four bassinet points are available on the front cabin bulkhead, with another two at the rear of the Airbus A380s.

Not all tickets are eligible for advance seat selection, although those purchasing flexible fares and travellers with oneworld alliance elite status can choose a seat for free in advance. Others must wait until check-in to assign a seat.

Waiting at each seat on boarding is a thick pillow and wrapped blanket, and power and USB  and power outlets are available for each passenger. 

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes images, videos, and seat maps for most airlines and aircraft Search results also include details such as seat pitch, width and recline. This way, you can see the seat and cabin configuration of the flight in which you are interested before making your choice .

Airline review Cabin & Seat - British Airways - 4

British Airways offers a lovely inflight service on fine china and metal cutlery. World Traveller Plus passengers are served some of the same entrees as those seated in Business Class, representing a significant upgrade from economy meal service.

Delivered on a single tray with real drink glasses (instead of plastic), most flights have two meals, including a hot meal after takeoff.

They include a salad and appetiser plus warm bread. Two main course dishes are protein or vegetarian, and the plated dessert offers a sweet finish. Flight attendants can provide snacks and drinks between meals, and passengers can visit a snacking station for self-service.

Before landing, a second meal is served depending on the time of day, which can consist of a hot or cold dish based on the length of the flight.

More than a dozen special meals are available for Premium Economy passengers, including Halal, Kosher and vegetarian options.

Airline review Cuisine - British Airways - 5

After takeoff, flight attendants offer glasses of sparkling wine before rolling out the beverage carts with a variety of complimentary drinks including beer, wine (two white and two red options) and cocktails. Coffee from London’s Union Coffee and an array of Twinings teas round off the menu.

Before the main meal, an aperitif service comes with mixed nuts and a choice of beverage.

Airline review Beverages - British Airways - 1

Flight attendants are friendly, but have a lot of passengers to serve compared to Business Class. Expect the typical British-reserved service delivery you might find in a hotel or restaurant in the United Kingdom. Many passengers find that the crew adapts to the conversation and informality level of each person throughout the flight. Show them that you like to chat, and they will chat. Show British formality, and they will return the respect.

On flights where a foreign language is spoken at the destination, expect that someone on the crew will be ready to converse in that native tongue. British Airways also has overseas-based cabin crew on many flights; Indian flights, for example, often have crew based in India, which helps with cultural service details.

Airline review Service - British Airways - 1

Entertainment

The seatback screen is adjustable so that if the person in front of you reclines, you can tilt it for better viewing. Noise-reducing headsets complement the solid selection of  entertainment programming , including the latest Hollywood movies, television programs, box sets, a global music collection, audiobooks and games. Screens respond to the touch but can also be adjusted via remote control.

Wi-Fi is available on most of British Airways' long-haul fleet, with  prices available  for hourly service or sometimes for a package to cover the flight. A cheaper offering that covers messaging or texting is also an excellent option for staying connected with loved ones.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on Wi-Fi and inflight entertainment .

Airline review Entertainment - British Airways - 6

Amenities & Facilities

Small amenity kits feature essential products – eye mask, ear plugs, toothpaste and toothbrush, lip balm, flight socks and pen, and a wrapped blanket and pillow are a fluffier upgrade to what is available in the economy cabin. Credit to the airline for making the small stylish amenities bag from recycled plastic.

On long-haul flights, families with infants can pre-reserve a bassinet to use. Children can also enjoy everything from cartoon and youth-themed shows to special toys and gifts to keep them busy.

Airline review Amenities & Facilities - British Airways - 3

Short & Medium Haul

British Airways’ short and medium-haul flights do not sell Premium Economy seating, but if the aircraft is flying a shorter route, these are excellent seats worth paying extra to enjoy the extra space that they afford. Most of the long-haul amenities (like hot meals, free drinks and noise-reducing headphones) are not available though. Buy-on-board service in economy class is standard on shorter European flights, which means the only benefit of paying for this seat on those flights is the extra space.

Airline review Short- & Medium-haul - British Airways - 0

Sustainability

The airline is investing in the most fuel-efficient planes and focuses on reducing emissions both inflight and on the ground. Recycling programs in its lounges and inflight are another eco-friendly measure.

British Airways aims for net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and the carrier invests in  carbon-neutral projects  in many of the destinations it serves. On its flights, it has switched to bamboo alternatives instead of plastic stirrers, reduced plastic use for amenity kits and headsets, and serves water bottles made from recycled materials. The airline sends less than one per cent of non-catering waste to landfills. BA's new uniforms are made from more than 90 per cent sustainable fabrics from recycled polyester and only use manufacturers of the 'Better Cotton' initiative. The old uniforms will be donated to charities, recycled into children's toys or contributed to the airline's museum.

The airline also collects loose change from passengers on its long-haul flights to support the non-profit organisation Flying Start. It supports less-fortunate children around the world. British Airways is also the first airline to build a waste-to-fuel plant converting everyday consumer waste to sustainable fuel.

A partnership with the Born Free Foundation has the airline advocating against the captivity of wild animals. British Airways Holidays helps to create a safe sanctuary space for rescued wild animals.

The flight search on BusinessClass.com includes information on CO2 emissions for each flight. Our quality algorithms also give a higher score to flights operated by the most modern and environmentally friendly aircraft.

Airline review Sustainability - British Airways - 3

What We Love

  • Footrests and adjustable headrests to make it easier to sleep
  • Business class-quality meals serving British products
  • A nice selection of mid-flight snacks as well as an open bar throughout the flight

Read the BusinessClass.com review of British Airways Club World Read the BusinessClass.com review of British Airways First Class

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Flight Review: British Airways World Traveller Economy Class from London to Houston

world traveller british airways review

Departure Airport

Boarding is from gate A18. There is a short delay but this is well communicated by the gate staff. Various stages of priority boarding are applied. This begins with First Class and Emerald / Gold card holders, followed by Club World and Sapphire / Silver and finally Ruby / Bronze. After this, general boarding begins and there is no zonal approach for this. There is no priority boarding for families, elderly etc. The gate service is quite polite and efficient and despite the delay boarding is complete on-time.

Airplane & Cabin flown

Boeing 747-400 in Economy Class was at approximately 70% capacity. This aircraft is the renovated cabin with new seats and IFE.

world traveller british airways review

Baggage Allowance

According to www.britishairways.com the free checked baggage allowance for a World Traveller standard fare is 1 bag (max. 23kg / 51lb per bag). Onboard, customers can take 1 handbag / laptop bag (max. 23kg / 51lb and up to 40x30x15cm / 16x12x6in) plus 1 additional cabin bag (max. 23kg / 51lb and up to 56x45x25cm / 22x18x10in).

The Economy Class Seat

The Economy Class seat has a 32-inch seat pitch and the living space feels comfortable without the forward seat reclined. The width is good and comfortable and there is also an adjustable headrest. The seat has a 9-inch PTV (widescreen) and integrated USB socket – there is no 110v socket for larger devices. The seat condition is satisfactory – the covers are clean with strong colours (e.g. not faded), there are some marks on the armrest and when I try to adjust the headrest it comes clean off the bracket – which is a surprise.

world traveller british airways review

Cabin & Toilets

The cabin is clean on boarding. The seat covers are well presented, as are the carpets and these appear to have been renewed. The overhead bins and other cabin panels have not and as such not as presentable. There are 4 washrooms for the Economy Class cabin at the rear of the aircraft – these are clean on boarding but again, have older fixtures and fittings but are well presented.

The flight pushed back about 25-minutes late and departed 45-minutes behind schedule however, the captain mentioned that we should arrive with just a short delay into Houston.

Food & Drink

About 30-minutes after departure 2 carts enter the cabin – 1 per aisle and a bar service is offered. This offers a full range of beverages including beer, wine and spirits – as well as soft drinks, water and juices. I was intrigued by BAs recently introduced “Book the Cook” style service for Economy Class passengers and ordered the “Taste of Britain” option prior to the flight for 16 GBP. This is marketed as an upgraded dining experience and offers 6 options – Gourmet, Taste of Britain, Healthy, Asian, English Breakfast and Vegetarian meal trays. Having tried and been impressed by the service on BA’s sister airline Aer Lingus, I was keen to see how it matched-up. Unfortunately, despite reconfirming with BA customer service prior to the flight, the meal is not loaded.

world traveller british airways review

I reported this to the cabin crew and they are quick to offer a meal from Club World. Whilst it was not what I ordered it was an obvious upgrade from the standard Economy Class fayre. Being fortunate enough to travel in Business Class on many trips, I was surprised by what British Airways is passing off as a long-haul premium catering nowadays. It tasted fine, but in my opinion, the presentation and quantity of food is pretty basic by business class standards of 2017.

world traveller british airways review

For the second “meal” I was back to the standard Economy Class offer, and this is an afternoon tea snack box, which is quite nicely presented in a faux picnic hamper and miniature gingham rug. It contains half a coronation chicken sandwich and scone with jam and clotted cream – again, the quality of food is good but I cannot help but feel this is the bare minimum food for a 10-hour flight, particularly as BA has cut the free galley snacks. However, one can purchase a cinema priced bag of sweets from the cabin staff.

Entertainment

This Boeing 747-400 offers personal AVOD IFE at each seat with a 9-inch screen. The programming selection is extensive – not only in terms of Hollywood / British movies but there are also a vast range of foreign language options. TV programming is also wide ranging with a number of boxset options of the most popular US / TV series. Headsets are the in-ear type and given complimentary.

world traveller british airways review

Pillows and blankets are available on each seat prior to boarding and the quality is meeting a satisfactory standard – there is no comfort pack (eye mask etc). There is standard pipe soap in the washroom.

world traveller british airways review

Staff Service

I was quite happy with the staff service overall, and the crew were quite cheerful and polite. They respond very quickly to my missing meal order and said they had reported the issue. In fairness, I was refunded without having to chase up customer service, which I was surprised about. Outside of the main services they did tend to stick to the galley, so for any additional drinks you had to fetch them yourself. As the flight wasn’t too busy this was fine as it was easy to move in and out of my window seat. It was an above average experience in terms of the crew interaction, but it was just a shame there wasn’t a bit more of it.

Arrival Service

Upon arrival into Houston, there is the usual throng of ground staff with wheelchairs that are an inevitable presence for any US arrival nowadays. Once past this, it was a short walk to immigration which took about 20-minutes – bags have started to arrive as I reach baggage claim and my own luggage comes out less than 5-minutes after this.

Overall, the missing meal order aside, the flight experience wasn’t bad. The staff dealt with this issue well. They were very apologetic and as it turned out, their internal reporting system meant that I didn’t have to again deal with the BA call centre, which I found the experience to be consistently poor leading up to this trip.

I like the Heathrow Terminal 5 experience – it is nearly always efficient for departure which is my main concern.

In terms of the aircraft, I am a fan of the Boeing 747-400 and it is always a treat (albeit quite rare) to come across one nowadays. It is nice that the seats and IFE have been upgraded but there are certainly areas where the aircraft is showing its age.

Having travelled with many of the transatlantic majors in the last 12 months, British Airways Economy Class catering is pretty average in terms of the quantity and quality is fine. For those that partake, it is nice that one can still get a decent gin and tonic without being charged extra, but it remains to be seen if BA will remove this perk in the future!

In terms of value for money, I just fail to see it any more with the fares that British Airways charge. They have almost cut back to the bare essentials in Economy Class and aside from the IFE / bar product, everything is average or below. The fare was north of 750GBP return from a travel agent. From BA, it was more than 1000GBP. This was not, by any means a last-minute reservation (6 weeks in advance). I didn’t get my original afternoon flight (on the newer Boeing 787) as it was cancelled and I was moved to a less sociable early morning departure. For this I received a standard copy / paste non-apology from BA stating they had fulfilled their T&Cs – despite the inconvenience to me. It was a disappointingly poor, non caring response.

Ranked as a 4-Star Airline, the continuing cuts to British Airways business and economy class product standards makes their rating look unsustainable. The BA staff service is about the only saving grace at this time, but morale seems to be dropping there as well.

This flight report is based on fully paid tickets, not airline discounted or complimentary tickets.

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British Airways World Traveller Plus Review: Premium Economy A380

  • FIRST POSTED: 14th October 2013 | LAST UPDATED: 23rd June 2023
  • 8 minute read

A review of British Airways World Traveller Plus – BA Premium Economy on the A380

It has been a good number of years since I last tried  British Airways premium economy (or BA World Traveller Plus), on a long haul journey. I pretty much do everything I can in order to fly in Business Class (Club World), or even First  (but possibly just a couple of times a year), but this time it wasn’t meant to be (or planned).

Nonetheless, I was quite excited (or kept telling myself ‘it was OK’) – for one single reason: I was to fly in the new A380 for the first time (BA was quite late to the game). ( I have since flown it countless times in Business Class, and you can read my review here ).

Here’s how my Los Angeles – London Heathrow in BA Premium Economy flight went.

british airways world traveller plus premium economy

British Airways Premium Economy Review: At the Airport

All flights from LAX depart from the Tom Bradley International Terminal. As a British Airways Gold Executive Club card holder (OneWorld Emerald), I get to check-in at any First counter, which is a lovely perk , irrespective of the class I fly.

There was one passenger being served and as soon as he was done, we were next. Wait time: 3 minutes. Check-in was efficient and the lady who helped us was lovely.

We used the fast-track lane at the terminal, which is a little bit of a joke as it only fast tracks you to the TSA agent checking your boarding pass and passport.

You then merge with everyone else. Sadly, out of 6 lanes, only 2 were open – and I promise you, there must have been more than 20 agents manning them (or just walking around).

The BA Lounge

British Airways passengers use the OneWorld lounge which is located close to the security area. There are two lounges to use: Business (for Business Class, OneWorld Sapphire and BA Silver cardholders) and First (for First, OneWorld Emerald and BA Gold cardholders).

We went into the latter for obvious reasons and got ‘the bonus’: a bit of celeb spotting. I never see anyone in my life (seriously), except on this lounge – and worry not, I behaved impeccably (it was so hard – think: cool band, lead singer, absolutely gorgeous and tall).

This lounge is quite nice (obviously not like BA’s lounges back at Heathrow ) and the food selection was decent, for US standards – we had beef, pasta, vegetables, real cheese (wow) and some yummy cookies.

The drinks selection was rather weird, but still with good wine but no champagne (only sparkling wine) and no ‘normal gin’ (only Bombay Dry). The restroom facilities were very good and the wi-fi was also working well – however, not enough power sockets, which made everyone move sofas in order to find some.

The magazine selection was poor but the newspapers were quite good – both US and UK.

The BA Premium Economy Flight Experience

The British Airways World Traveller Plus seat

Boarding the A380

We boarded the plane using the fast-track lane and took the escalators up to the 1st floor of the plane, where the World Traveller Plus (or Premium Economy) cabin is located.

The A380 has two floors and you board directly to your designated area, so it is no different from a normal sized plane. Once on board, we were greeted by name ‘Welcome back, Mr. and Mrs. O’Reilly’, which is a nice touch if the crew member can spot your frequent flyer status.

When we sat down, we were offered a glass of champagne or water, which surprised me – but obviously I didn’t say no. I believe it was sparkling wine, and a very nice touch in this cabin – on the outbound flight the options were orange juice or water.

BA Premium economy pre departure drink

Amenities offered by BA Premium Economy

On our seats, we found a pillow (loved the colour: it was grey!), a blanket and noise cancelling headphones. Weirdly, we did not have the little overnight amenity bag, which usually contains socks, eye-mask, ear plugs, toothbrush and paste and, guess what, a pen.

I have only gotten a pen when I travelled on this cabin, years ago (and quite a few times since it has been introduced), which I find very handy. I actually asked the crew where this was, later on the flight, to be told that they weren’t loaded by the ground staff, which I found quite strange.

I was asked if I needed anything, which she would get from another cabin and I requested a pair of Club earplugs (the best in the world, which I use on a daily basis and my friends kindly save them for me on their BA Club World flights). It wasn’t a problem and the crew member was able to get them for me.

BA Premium Economy Drinks service

Prior to dinner, we had drinks and yours truly went for a G&T. I was also given the choice to select the wine for dinner, and it was quite a moment when I asked which were the wine choices, which were ‘red or white’.

I did smile (and thought it was a rather silly question as obviously I wasn’t in Club or First). I chose the red option.

BA Premium Economy drinks

BA World Traveller Plus In-flight dining

Things seemed promising when we were given a printed menu (I thought it was a really nice touch and wasn’t expecting it). But sadly, this was the most disappointing part of the flight (and interestingly, not so bad on the outbound flight to San Diego).

There were some really good service elements – like a cloth napkin, proper cutlery, proper glasses and your own water bottle – but the way the meal was presented, with the foil covers, could seriously be improved. But in hindsight, it could have been for a reason.

I wasn’t expecting foie gras or anything like that, but I was expecting a decent meal. The fillet wasn’t bad at all (if you removed the crust), and the rest was so bland, it was a real shame. Desert was as plastic as it looked. I tell you what, I was glad I ate dinner at the lounge.

world traveller plus dining

During the flight, the crew was very present (I was awake for most of it, by choice, worry not) and I didn’t go hungry, in case you were wondering! I loved the ice cream and the chocolates which were passed around the cabin. I may have even gone back for seconds. I missed my Club Kitchen but thought that these little touches were very good.

Breakfast sadly wasn’t much better – it did look OK, but the croissant was so hard, we just gave up. I must say that on the outbound flight we had lovely scones with jam and clotted cream. I would have loved those (even if at the wrong time of the day).

BA Premium Economy world traveller plus breakfast

BA Premium Economy In-flight entertainment

This is where I went to town. I must fly with BA over 20 times per year every year and actually think the IFE selection is usually very good.

Whoever picks them does a very good job (note: thank you for Veep. I can’t watch it in the UK but every month I can catch up onboard) and on this new plane, it was almost ridiculous. Very good choices indeed and I watched 4 films and all the Veep episodes (sense the obsession).

The screen was much larger than on previous planes and the sound quality is very good – you gotta love new planes. The inflight map was also much more informative than previously and I must confess I am curious with the ‘chat room’ options available – will people really take part in them? I gave it a go but I was on my own… next time!

British Airways World Traveller Plus IFE system

The British Airways Premium Economy seat

wasn’t bad at all. The pitch is significantly wider and larger than economy and the new seats are comfortable – the headrests are way better than before. What I think could be improved? There is very little leg support – only a teeny tiny footrest which doesn’t do the job on a 12h journey at all. I know I am comparing this to a fully flat-bed, and it may not be fair, but this is where I felt most uncomfortable. The first rows have different versions and they looked slightly better.

British airways premium economy (World Traveller Plus) seat

I loved the personal storage area by the window, perfect for any items you will need during the flight (so you don’t have to get up and disturb others), and also for any duty free shopping.

Final thoughts on BA’s Premium Economy  experience

Although I obviously prefer Club World (who doesn’t), I think premium economy is a very clever product, which is being extended to many other airlines as we all know.

I was pleased to see many service elements which really put it halfway between standard economy and business class – a smaller cabin (now larger on the A380, usually 4 rows only) which means a bit of peace and quiet, the printed menu, a bit of bubbles, a proper napkin and cutlery and the personal storage space.

British airways premium economy meal

Service was very good – I can’t fault it in any way. Everyone smiled and tried to be helpful when needed. We felt welcomed and nothing was too much trouble – everything I expect from BA on any cabin, and I got it.

The only downfall was the food, which I have to say it was way better on the flight from London to San Diego. The plane looked fab – even the loos were much more spacious.

British Airways World Traveller Plus or Premium Economy can cost as little as £150 (each way, £300 return) more than an economy seat from Europe to the USA – for that money, it is outstanding value, you do get what you pay for (and an extra piece of luggage, which is handy).

But supply and demand change prices, as we all know, and seats can sell for more than £3,000 return. So if you usually travel in economy and fancy a treat, I would say do give premium economy a try – I did this 15 years ago and never went back.

If the business class cabins are shockingly expensive (as sometimes it happens – on my flight to San Diego, the difference between Premium Economy and Business was £4,500 more, quite abnormal, but hey full plane, supply and demand!), you will surely survive a long haul flight on this cabin. ( or try one of my tricks for better business class fares! ).

Until the next flight (but hopefully not in British Airways premium economy!)

Pin for later

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PS. To read my review of BA ‘s First and Club cabins, just click here . See all airline reviews .

world traveller british airways review

The best airport lounge in the world… does it exist?

  • FIRST POSTED: 17th September 2013 | LAST UPDATED: 18th January 2021

The BA Club World seat before it turns into a flat bed

Flight Review: British Airways Club World (BA Business Class) – London to New York

  • FIRST POSTED: 17th March 2014 | LAST UPDATED: 9th June 2021

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British Airways World Traveller Plus Review (BA PHL-LHR-PHL)

World Traveller Plus British Airways

I’ve been very spoiled over the years flying Club World (business class) on British Airways from Philadelphia to London return for work in my prior job.  Now that has ended, I’ve had to pay my own way to London (yes, I know cue the sad tiny violins) and have done it in a variety of ways to stay in Business Class, keep my status and earn Avios.  Examples include my $856 Business Class ticket hack  on American Airlines  via Manchester (BA codeshare), enrolling in AARP (I’m not that old – there’s is no age requirement) and jumping on the recent BA business/first class three day flash sale.  For my two days in London trip over Memorial Day weekend just to get my Silver elite status back, I couldn’t afford the $5k business class fare so was able to fly in World Traveller Plus and still qualify for status based on the tier points earned for the flights.

British Airways is one of a few international carriers to offer a four class cabin – First Class, Club World (Business Class), World Traveller Plus (Coach Plus) and World Traveller (Coach).  World Traveller always sounds so posh but in reality, coach is still coach (BA flies in a 3-3-3 configuration in coach). In the past when I’ve flown World Traveller Plus, my status allowed me to score the bulkhead row which is the key to survival with extra legroom.  I also had British Airways Philadelphia Lounge access as well as BA LHR T5 Lounge access due to status, however, flying World Traveller Plus does not afford lounge access without status. The downside in the cabin is that you are a curtain away from business class and at times, you want to sneak in as it’s just there.

World Traveller Plus view of Club World British Airways

BA PHL to LHR World Traveller Plus Cabin on the 777

The cabin is organized 2-4-2 with five rows accommodating 40 passengers with curtains closed to Club World in front and World Traveller in back.  When you first arrive at your seat in the cabin it seems private with such a small group.  The seat has a pillow, blanket and headsets.  There is an in seat charger as well as two USB ports in the seatback in front of you, below the entertainment screen.  Once you are seated, you can feel the different with the extra legroom and the open side of the seat (the middle armrest is hard seat with the remote, shared table and other functions set in).

World Traveller Plus Cabin British Airways

World Traveller Plus does not have its own bathroom like Club World or First Class.  You need to go to the back of the cabin, pull back the curtain and it’s right there in front of the World Traveller (Coach) section along with a cabin stuffed with people all trying to survive the overnight flight.  If you want to stretch your legs then walk to the back of the lane where I was surprised to see the new configuration bathrooms on either side of the plane in a long rectangle space with the crew kitchen galley in between.  The bathroom was long and could fit three people in it which is good if you have kids or need extra room.

British Airways World Traveller Plus seats

For the overnight flight from Philadelphia, I chose the last row in the cabin, window seat hoping to rest (not a change since I rarely sleep on planes) and while the legroom is lovely when seated, it disappears when the couple in front of me pushed their seats back as far as they could which practically pinned me in.  Thankfully no one sat next to me so I was able to angle my body to slide out of the row to go to the bathroom (I call it ninja yoga).  Once the seats were back it was hard to watch a movie as the screen was a bit close for me.

World Traveller Plus BA

On the way home from London, BA changed my last row seat aisle to a middle section aisle bulkhead and I was pretty happy for that change.  To make it even better, the only empty seats in the World Traveller Plus section were both beside me as I was in the 2-4-2 configuration.  The woman on the aisle on the other side was also pleased by our seat lottery as we both used the tables of our empty seats to store our trays, drinks, food. The seat was only inches from business class where I saw children enjoying flat beds (yes, jealous) but I also had my individual in-flight entertainment (IFE) system at my armrest unlike others in the cabin with seatback screens.

World Traveller Plus Bulkhead row British Airways

The Service

The flight attendant played a cruel joke on me after I asked “is the seat next to me still empty?” He said there were less than ten seats open on the flight.  Before takeoff, he came by after I got sorted and said “Ma’am, we need to move a woman and her crying baby into this seat” and then laughed at my facial expression (obviously my poker face was cracking as it neared 11 pm).  I replied “if that was the case, you’d hear me cry until you moved me forward to business or first class”

The service is cordial and runs on the same serving clock as coach unlike the individual attentive multi-coursed service in Business or First.

The Food in World Traveller Plus

While normally, I’d order my special meal on British Airways (low calorie which practically ensures chicken and veg) and bring my own food as backup, this time hoping that full flights would bump me up a class, I decided to forgo my special meal as I’d read that they won’t upgrade you if they loaded a special meal (not sure if this is true or not).  Unfortunately, World Traveller Plus doesn’t get the variety of choice like you do upfront (Business and First Class usually have a menu with at least three entrée choices). I did get a printed menu with the food being served.  For the overnight flight to London, I skipped the food  (beef or pasta) and drinks as it was near 11:30 pm when they started service and I had indulged in Chickie’s & Pete’s (a Philly local favorite) at the airport.

PHL-LHR DInner Menu World Traveller Plus BA

On the flight home, the meal (starter, entrée, dessert) was served in one shot on one tray. I chose the chicken over the pasta in cream sauce.  Surprisingly the chicken was pretty good, not Chicken Shop amazing, but for airplane food good. The wine was also served as either red or white and in a little bottle.  No worries, I paired the red with the chocolate pot and did ok (I did miss the anytime Club Kitchen with the extra chocolates, desserts, wine refills, etc.).

World Traveller Plus British Airways lunch

British Airways In Flight Entertainment (IFE)

For the World Traveller Plus and Coach section, the IFE screen is in the seat back in front of you.  For those in the bulkhead rows, the unit is in the armrest and needs to be brought out and serves as a personal IFE you can adjust. The choices of movies, television, radio, British Favorites, etc. was quiet extensive and BA lets you watch until they land.

World Traveller Plus IFE British Airways

A new feature of the British Airways app lists all the IFE choices available on your flight before you fly.  So you can decide to sleep, read, listen or watch a program ahead of time. That’s good planning and a helpful feature in my opinion plus saves me renting a Netflix film if I can watch on the plane.

Overall – World Traveller Plus PHL-LHR-PHL

World Traveller Plus is a good choice on British Airways to give you just a bit more privacy and legroom on the flights.  It’s a definite improvement over U.S. Airlines coach options and just a tad better than BA’s World Traveller.  There is extra leg room and if you are a couple you can choose the two seats on either side of the plane with no one between.  No more worries about the middle seat issue and hoping you get the whole row (the older couple in front of me held hands the entire flight it was really cute).  The cabin is smaller and more private at only five rows.

World Traveller Plus British Airways

With my AARP card, I was able to discount the World Traveller Plus fare by $150 and then I used my BA Chase credit card for 10% off the base fare essentially stacking the discounts. Is it worth the extra to pay more than coach?  Yes, I think it gives you just a bit more sanity.  Is it worth the savings over Club World (Business Class)?  On the way home from London in the bulkhead row, I survived fine and could see the value of saving the business class fare (or points redemption).  The overnight flight is where I missed having a flat bed and the club kitchen for snacks. But the cost of business is generally $4k+ (unless you get a sale at $2,500+). So for a points award, you may want to do one way redemptions to mix up the cabin classes.

British Airways World Traveller Plus view from wing

How to Save Money on your British Airways Flight

  • Book at least 45 days ahead
  • Join AARP for online discounts with British Airways (must log into AARP to click through to BA)
  • Open a Chase British Airways Visa card (50,000 bonus + 3x BA Spend) to get 10% off online bookings
  • Follow British Airways Facebook page (learn about the discounts asap)
  • Follow British Airways Twitter account (a bit harder to see the sales unless you go to their page)
  • Read the Blogs for fare alerts – One Mile at a Time, The Points Guy, Travel is Free

Thames view of London Eye

Examples of Fares from Philadelphia to London (August 24-31)*

$1,025 Coach (World Traveller)

$1,281 Coach Plus (World Traveller Plus)

$4,015 Business Class (Club World)

$5,015 First Class

*before applying AARP and BA Chase Visa discounts

London Tower Bridge

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One thought on “ British Airways World Traveller Plus Review (BA PHL-LHR-PHL) ”

Always a good read, thanks for the tips I’ll consider world traveler plus next time I fly long haul with BA.

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Mickey From The UK

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‘a galaxy away from business’: british airways premium.

You may not be able to lie flat, but this service presents an economical way to fly in more comfort than cattle class.

British Airways World Traveller Plus.

Flight Number BA15 Boeing 777-300ER

Schedule Departing London 9.35pm, arriving Singapore 6.45pm, Sydney 7am

Seat number 30E World Traveller Plus (premium economy)

Scheduled flight time 13 hours (first leg); 7hrs 45 minutes (second leg). Delayed almost 90 minutes on takeoff due to technical fault and then concussed passenger after being hit in the head by carry-on luggage.

How other airlines shape up

world traveller british airways review

Sitting in the front row of British Airways’ premium economy cabin on the first leg, I have a great view of business class, which only serves to remind me what I’m missing. The jump from a 1-2-1 layout to 2-4-2 feels enormous, particularly in the middle row, but once the curtain closes and the flight takes off, my envy eases. The relatively new seats are roomy and comfortable, and as I find out on the second leg, there is a decent distance (96.5cm) between my seat and the one in front. Seat width is a generous 47cm and the sturdy footrest is a welcome change from those silly net slings some airlines have. In full recline, there’s no sense of someone lying in your lap, and the crew make sure all seats are upright for meal service. A decent blanket and small pillow are provided, along with a natty red, white and blue amenity kit containing toothbrush and paste, eye mask, lip balm and pen. Good quality noise-cancelling headphones take the comfort level up another notch, and there’s a pleasant camaraderie among passengers you rarely find further up the pointy end.

World Traveller Plus passengers can take a cabin “handbag” of up to 23kg and carry-on case up to the same weight (with the caveat it may be required to go in the hold), plus a check-in bag of up to 23kg.

Technologyy

Inflight wi-fi is available to all passengers at a cost; it’s complimentary for those in First Class. Pricing starts at $9 an hour, and climbs to $42 for the entire flight. It’s probably not bad value for the 13-hour hop from London to Singapore but the idea of cracking out the laptop in World Traveller Plus is not appealing, even with the extra elbow room.

Juice or water is offered pre-flight. After takeoff on the Singapore to Sydney leg, passengers are invited to select something a little fancier from a menu of three cocktails and a selection of beer and wine. On London-Singapore, it’s straight into the dinner service with a choice of two mains, a braised British beef or chicken with roast tomato tagliatelle. Each meal comes with an entree of quinoa salad, bread roll and a panna cotta style dessert, all artfully arranged on a single tray. Add wine and water and everyone is happy, at least in my row; the food is fresh, tasty and hot. After a long nap and a brief stop in Singapore, it’s time for meal No. 2 and on this occasion there’s a run on the chicken, leaving only a seafood curry by the time the crew reach my row. It would have been my choice regardless but for anyone with seafood allergies it could be problematic. A pre-landing breakfast snack of a savoury toastie is quickly devoured along with drinkable coffee, a rarity in any part of the aircraft.

Entertainment

There’s an egalitarian approach to in-flight entertainment, which is the same in every cabin category, even though the screen size may differ. In World Traveller Plus, the screen is 27cm, a full 20cm smaller than in Club World (business) but still perfectly watchable. Selections are broad, with an extensive range of foreign films, TV box sets and new releases to while away the hours. Since I travelled, British Airways has added Paramount+ to its IFE, including the entire Star Trek series, and other popular programs such as Yellowstone and iCarly. Music lovers will also find plenty of listening material, with the likes of Adele and the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Cabin crew really can make or break a flight, and on this occasion the cheery demeanour of the flight attendants lifts the experience well above the ordinary. Not even grumblings from some passengers when directed to stow blankets before takeoff fazes the World Traveller Plus crew who explain such items can be an impediment to free movement in an emergency. A fresh team on the Singapore-Sydney leg is just as pleasant; it feels like business class service. A shout-out too to the flight crew, who on both legs make a point of keeping passengers informed about minor tech issues and a streak of turbulence.

On the ground

Lounge access is not a normal inclusion for World Traveller Plus passengers but I score a pass to the Galleries Club Lounge at British Airways’ Heathrow terminal (5). My expectations are perhaps too high. The club lounge has seen better days, even in the dim light of the evening. Food offerings are underwhelming, although my salad and pesto pasta taste better than they look. A self-serve beverage area is in dire need of a tidy-up. On the plus side, there is plenty of space, and flight announcements are clear without being deafening. Downstairs is a Concorde Room and Galleries First Lounge for passengers travelling further up the aircraft along with eligible loyalty club and Oneworld members.

In the know

British Airways flies daily London to Sydney via Singapore and return and has a solid on-time performance, despite the often challenging circumstances of Heathrow and Changi. Boarding begins around 9pm local time for the 9.35pm takeoff, and arrives into Sydney between 7am and 7.30am after a solid 23 hours of travel.

The verdict

The World Traveller Plus cabin is a great asset to British Airways, providing a perfectly comfortable way to fly the long distance from London to Sydney. It is definitely a step up from economy with two fewer seats per row, even if it feels like a galaxy away from British Airways’ Club World business class. The difference is reflected in the fare, at roughly half the price of business yet more than twice that of an economy seat. Return flights in March were priced at about $2000 in economy on sale, $5000 in premium economy, and $10,000 to $11,000 in business (return Sydney-London).

Robyn Ironside was a guest of British Airways.

britishairways.com

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British Airways Reviews and Flights

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world traveller british airways review

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Live and Let's Fly

Review: British Airways 747-400 World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy)

I have to admit, i really enjoyed world traveller plus (premium economy) on british airways. on a daytime flight, it is a nice hybrid between economy and business class..

My day began in Istanbul with a business class flight to London. After a six hour layover, I was anxious to board my nonstop flight home to Los Angeles. I booked using Avios, at a cost of 49,500 Avios and $269.61 for both segments. The LHR-LAX segment was 32,500 Avios alone, though I had taken advantage of a 40% transfer bonus from American Express Membership Rewards, effectively brining the price to about 23,000 AMEX points.

My flight departed from Heathrow Terminal 5 and I was elated to find that my aircraft featured the classic BOAC livery. Boarding began late, but I finagled my way toward the front of the boarding queue so I could have a few moments to take pictures onboard before the cabin filled up.

an airplane at an airport

British Airways 269 London (LHR) – Los Angeles (LAX) Tuesday, October 01 Depart: 04:15 PM Arrive: 07:20 PM Duration: 11hr, 05min Aircraft: Boeing 747-400 Seat: 36G (“World Traveller Plus” Premium Economy Class)

Onboard, I was warmly welcomed by the purser and directed to my seat. Two flight attendants waiting in the cabin also greeted me. The crew turned out to be remarkable on this flight.

British Airways World Traveller Plus Seating

The premium economy cabin featured three rows of eights seats across in a 2-4-2 configuration. Legroom is 38 inches and seat width is 18.5 inches, 1.5 inches more than economy and 1.5 inches less than “Club World” business class. The seats have footrests. In the first row (34) they extend form the seat itself. In rows 35-36, they fold down from the seat in front. I don’t care for these type of footrests and did not use mine.

a row of seats in an airplane

Seat recline was adjustable via manual buttons below the armrest. An IFE remote control was also present there. Power ports were located in-between seats. Even in row 36 the seats fully recline.

a seat with buttons and a seat belt

BA’s 747s feature the older World Traveller Plus seats, cloth-covered and a bit better padded than the new(er) seats found on the 787 and A350. I found the seat well-padded and frankly very comfortable for the journey. I ended up snoozing for several hours and while it simply cannot compare to a lie-flat, I found it immensely better than economy class, which I’ve also reviewed here .

a seat with a white towel on it

British Airways recently updated its soft product in World Traveller Plus. One of the upgrades was better bedding and pillows. Indeed, the blanket was better than what some airlines offer in business class and the pillow was plush and nicely sized.

a blue and red pillow on a plane

Being an older 747, overhead bin space is limited, as the compartments are not meant for larger rollerboard bags.

a close up of a sign

British Airways World Traveller Plus IFE + Wi-Fi

Last time I flew the BA 747 was in first class and the IFE was woefully outdated. Since then, BA has updated its IFE to a new system with a higher resolution and instant response via touchscreen. A modern IFE system makes the flight so much more enjoyable and I enjoyed a couple movies including Anna and 100 Dinge (things), a thought-provoking German movie about consumption. Games, audio, and TV programming was also available as well as a moving flight map.

a screen shot of a device

I was not expecting wi-fi, but it was also available and worked well. Pricing was not exactly cheap, but the signal was strong enough for me to have (discreet) phone calls over FaceTime audio and stay on top of email.

a screenshot of an airplane

Noise-cancelling headphones were acceptable, though not excellent. They appear to be the same ones that BA uses in business class and are a big upgrade over the disposable ones in economy class.

a black headphones on a white surface

British Airways World Traveller Plus Dining

Sparkling wine (a £ 6.00 bottle of  Prospero Brut  available at Tesco )  was offered prior to takeoff in glasses.

a bottle of champagne and a glass on a tray in an airplane

Shortly after takeoff, menus were distributed. Today’s selection included three choices:

  • Braised British beef
  • Prawn Thai green curry
  • Autumn pumpkin and parsnip hotpot

a white and blue folded card

Meal service began with drinks, a bag of pretzels, and a hot towel. One of the flight attendants recommended I try the red wine, remarking that it was “actually very good”. Since I planned to order the beef option, I took him up on his offer. The Vina Albali Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 sells for about £4 .00/bottle, but I found it to be perfectly acceptable.

a white towel on a arm rest

Meals are now served on porcelain, though arrived wrapped in foil.

food on a tray on an airplane

The plate contained a beet salad, crackers and cheese, cake, and a warm bread roll.

As always seems to be the case on British Airways, the main course looked like a cafeteria-style dish, but tasted good. The beef was tender and the vegetables flavored nicely by the chasseur sauce.

a tray of food on a tray

I awoke from my nap just in time for ice cream service, served about halfway through the flight. The Magnum ice cream bar may not have been healthy, but it hit the spot.

a chocolate bar on a tray

About an hour later, a snackbox was served. It included a potato chips, popcorn, and a Twix chocolate bar.

a box on a table

Finally, about 90 minutes before landing a pre-arrival dinner was offered. The choices were chicken tikka masala or conchiglie pasta with mushrooms and sweet red peppers. I opted for the pasta and found it even tastier than teh first meal. It was served with bread and a packaged banana loaf.

food on a tray on a plane

I was (pleasantly) surprised by the amount of food offered onboard British Airways in World Traveller Plus. You won’t go hungry in this cabin.

British Airways Premium Economy Amenity Kit

A stylish amenity kit was distributed before takeoff which included:

  • Toothbrush + toothpaste

a blue and white fabric pouch

British Airways Premium Economy Lavatory

The lavatory was a bit grimy and certainly showing its age, but stayed clean for the duration of the flight. No extra amenities were offered.

a toilet and sink in a bathroom

British Airways World Traveller Plus Service

Lastly, a warm shoutout to the crew onboard. The crew was lovely; very professional and yet very friendly. They were attentive too, with frequent checks on the cabin and proactive offers for beverage refills. This was not a “mixed fleet” crew as most had more than 15-20 years of experience as a BA flight attendant.

A particular shoutout to Gail, who worked my side of the aisle and could not have been friendlier. I appreciate that this crew took time to engage with the guests onboard: it was clear they were not just going through the motions. A good-natured crew makes any flight a better flight.

When I boarded, I found my tray table was broken. Gail took it very seriously and immediately found a maintenance worker who was fixing a seat cushion in economy class. It took just a few moments for him to tighten up the screws and solve the issue.

an open seat on a seat

We landed at LAX ahead of schedule and I was soon in my car heading home. I’ve now flown British Airways in all four cabins (first, business, premium economy, and economy) and quite honestly have had pleasant experiences across the board. I will not hesitate to fly British Airways again or recommend it to others. The high award fees in premium cabins are a huge disincentive to fly on BA when redeeming miles, but expect a good flight if you do end up on BA.

> Read More: Lufthansa Premium Economy Review > Read More: United Premium Economy Review

About Author

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Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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13 comments.

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“the signal was strong enough for me to have (discreet) phone calls over FaceTime audio”

I can promise you, that unless the cabin was empty, they were not discreet and probably annoyed at least someone.

I just don’t understand the need.

' src=

Completely agree. They also usually say that voice calls are prohibited. It’s a shame to hear the flight attendants aren’t enforcing this.

' src=

The decay of social etiquette continues.

' src=

Matthew, I am waiting for you to do a one month challenge in eating only the more exotic dishes served on planes. You are funny with your predictable ordering of meat or pasta. Next time go Chicken Tikka Masala!

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Especially after encouraging airlines to add more Indian dishes!

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Sorry, but my journey from Denver to London in a 23 year old 747 was an utter nightmare! Grubby, shoddy and poorly delivered premium service. I wish I’d flown in economy and not been robbed and insulted by the worst flight in my life.

Voice calls are not permitted on board. Frankly this is disappointing coming from someone who has posted before about passenger shaming.

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That only works if someone else is supposed to be shamed lol

It would be interesting to have you fly more premium economy and/or at least rank the ones you have flown so far.

' src=

Wow! After several years of headline making horror stories (for example, inedible meals, cuts to meal service, urine soaked seat cushions & multiple incidents of passengers arriving at their destination bitten by bedbugs) and many bloggers bemoaning BA’s slide towards another era where “BA” was short for “Bloody Awful” (as it was back in the day before Lord King & Sir Colin Marshall reshaped into the self-proclaimed, but well deserved slogan, as the “World’s Favourite Airline” in the late 1980s & into the ‘90s), it’s nice to see BA once again offering a quality product that’s more like its award winning era as the “World’s Favourite Airline” than when its service was so awful most derisively referred to it as “Bloody Awful”!

Here’s hoping this “upgraded & improved” version of BA is with us for the long-haul! 🙂

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The older Premium Economy seats on BA were wider, and there were individual reading lights, which I loved. I’ve been fly6this class for about 10-12 years, and I have found that the seats are getting smaller and closer. It’s not nearly as good of a deal as it used to be.

Great review!

Two “addendums” (if you will):

1.) Assuming you were aboard BA’s “Super High ‘J’” 747-400 (based on the photos seen in your post above), I’m pretty sure the configuration for WTP cabin varies slightly from the “three rows of eight seats across in a 2-4-2 configuration” (for a total of 24 seats in WTP/PE class) as follows:

a.) four rows for the “A/B” left side window/aisle pair and the center four “D/E/F/G” grouped seats

– and –

b.) three rows of seats for “J/K” right side window/aisle pair

– For a total of 30 seat in WTP/PE;

2.) With your seat, 36G, adjacent/across the aisle from a lavatory, and directly in front of a galley separating WTP from the Main Cabin, were there any negatives being in close proximity to either the loo or the galley?

Just wondering?

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Personally, I can’t see the appeal of 2-4-2 seating in Club World over 3-4-3 in regular economy class. There’s no way I’d be forking out extra cash and risk running being sested in the two middle seats at the centre of the Club World cabin. It would feel just like World Traveller, regardless of the “enhanced” soft product…

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British Airways aircraft is parked at the gate.

A tale of two classes: British Airways World Traveller and WTP

By fintan horan-stear →.

Cartoon of passengers, flight attendant and pilots onboard an aircraft

Unfortunately, on a recent roundtrip between London Heathrow and Newark, New Jersey, starting with LHR-EWR in World Traveller economy class, these flashes of PaxEx brilliance were overshadowed by appalling service on the outbound across the Atlantic. 

Having already checked in online, I arrived at Heathrow’s Terminal 5 and went straight to the self-service bag drop system, which worked flawlessly. There were no queues. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for security, which took 35 minutes to get through. 

Luggage is placed in the airport's automated bag drop.

The automated bag drop was simple to use. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

Once through security, I waited in a paid access lounge for my gate to be called. When the announcement finally came, roughly 20 minutes late, I was pleasantly surprised to see that my flight would be leaving from the A gates closest to the terminal. That is until I learned I was simply headed to a bus gate. I waited patiently at the cramped gate lounge as the stream of premium passengers trickled past and into the bus.

Fifteen minutes before our scheduled departure, my group was called, and we made our way to the vehicle. Unfortunately, once we arrived at our Boeing 777, boarding was a scrum. During the process, a crew member chided passengers for their bag arrangements in a rude and passive-aggressive manner.

British Airways 777 is parked at the airport gate for boarding.

The 777 is a mainstay of BA’s fleet, but it’s still surprising to see BA use remote stands for them. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

Inside, I took a hot second to inspect my World Traveller economy class seat, part of a seat pair near the back of the aircraft. Though the seat is older, and perhaps past its prime — as evidenced by the small inflight entertainment screen — it has a lot of personal space and in fact, I found it to be quite comfortable.

A blanket, pillow, and disposable headphones of poor quality awaited me. The seat has no individual air gasper, as is often the case these days aboard widebodies.

British Airways economy class seat with an amenity kit, blue blanket and white pillow on top of the seat bottom, waiting for the passenger.

The seat was a solid product, but it is in need of a refresh on British Airways. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

I went to the lavatory to freshen up before takeoff, and, shockingly, the bathrooms were filthy. We hadn’t even left at this point. 

The sink in the British Airways 777 lavatory is speckled grey. The floor is already wet, and there is paper hanging out of the garbage bin.

One can only assume the delay in boarding meant a short turnaround. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

Once we were in the air, I decided to peruse the IFE selection, which had a variety of blockbusters and UK original series. I settled on Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade , and the 1989-era picture quality of the film suited the ancient IFE screen perfectly. Alas, the Wi-Fi and USB power port in the seat did not work.

Indiana Jones is playing on the in-seat IFE on the British Airways 777 flight.

Whilst the selection was a bit limited, I was grateful for the classics on British Airways. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

Despite some tired fixtures, the seat itself was good enough. Even when the seat in front of me was fully reclined, I had enough legroom, and as a 6’4 (193cm)-sized person, I fitted in the space. Having said that, the pan of my seat continuously slid forward throughout the flight, causing my legs to ache from keeping them tense. 

The author's legs in relation to the seatback in front of him. He has roughly two inches of extra space before meeting the seatback with his knees. He is quite a tall person.

Legroom was sufficient, with clear space even for a tall person. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

One hour into the flight, the drink service began, with BA serving World Traveller Plus premium economy passengers first before moving onto World Traveller economy. I had sparkling water and white wine. The Chilean Sauvignon Blanc was soft and fruity. I also snagged a sparkling Italian wine that was too sweet. The two crew members serving the drinks were friendly. 

Two hours into the flight, the meal began. Special meals were hand-delivered first. My Asian vegetarian meal consisted of a buckwheat salad starter, Daal curry, cheese and crackers, and mango parfait, which were all tasty and satisfying. However, my enjoyment was dampened when a crew member, who had arrived to assist with meals, scolded the passenger beside me for having his headphones in and not clocking that he had missed the meal. 

It was not an isolated incident, as I overhead flight attendants grumble audibly about passengers during the flight — presumably they assumed the passengers couldn’t hear them because of the headphones, ironically enough.

A nice meal is displayed on the aircraft tray table being served on a British Airways flight.

The meal was the highlight of the BA flight. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

Following the meal service, I tried to remain in the background as much as possible to avoid raising the ire of the crew. 

The IFE was buggy and slow, so I spent the rest of the flight watching Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and questioning my life choices.

A scene in the movie Temple of Doom is playing on the seatback IFE.

I certainly identified with the heroine of The Temple of Doom on this flight. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

Ninety minutes before landing, a snack service arrived, including an Indian-flavored vegetarian Wellington that was not bad. 

A man is holding up a Indian-flavored vegetarian Wellington in economy class with British Airways.

I was grateful that British Airways could offer a hot snack equal to the meat version on board. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

As we prepared to land at Newark, I felt downtrodden by the abject rudeness of the crew. I hoped that, on my return flight to London in World Traveller Plus premium economy, the experience would improve.

Rotation

The ground experience at Newark was a pleasant surprise. Checkin was faultless, with no queues and friendly staff.

Security was also a breeze; advanced scanners meant no decanting of items out of my bag. And I had some time to relax before boarding.  

After amusing myself at the terminal, I arrived at the gate 45 minutes before departure. The mood was calm, and boarding began 20 minutes later. I took my seat just five minutes before we were due to leave.

The aircraft was a three-year-old Boeing 787-10, and I was excited to be on board a relatively new and modern aircraft. World Traveller Plus premium economy is located in a sub-cabin behind the cavernous Club World space, with 35 seats across five rows. The seats are wide and comfortable with a large IFE screen, seat controls in the armrest, power ports, and a cocktail table.

Premium Economy class seats have a blue blanket, blue pillow and amenity kit.

The cabin is conservative but quite airy. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

I was grateful for the noise-cancelling headset and an amenity kit. And the legroom was impressive, with both legrests and footrests provided for extra comfort.

A man's knees are shown close to the seat in front of him in premium economy.

The seat provided ample legroom for this 6’4 (193cm) journalist. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

Before boarding, we were presented with a glass of water or orange juice. As we taxied, I inspected the bedding; the pillow and blanket were beautifully soft with a blue and red herringbone design that felt soothing in the hand without being too heavy.

The amenity kit had a matching design and felt soft and sturdy. It contained the usual flight socks, eye mask, lip balm, pen, and toothbrush.

Grey and white zig-zag stripped bedding is laid out for the passenger on a British Airways flight.

The amenity kit and bedding were frankly wonderful. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

I tried out the IFE on takeoff, which unfortunately didn’t work initially, but, as we turned out of Newark, and with a very loud rendition of the Flower Duet playing in the cabin, the IFE came to life.

If the blasting of BA’s anthem song over the PA didn’t wake people up, the shock of the IFE system sending us to Johannesburg, South Africa might have given passengers a surprise. 

A welcome message is displayed on the in-seat IFE screen, telling passengers they're flying from London to Johannesburg.

Your guess is as good as mine. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

I inspected the IFE offerings: it had a lot of Paramount TV box sets, as well as HBO classics and the usual BBC fare. The system was slow and a bit clunky, but not awful. The quality of the screen was fine, with bright colours, but it lacked sharp definition. I decided on The White Lotus , which was good for escapism. But as before in economy, the Wi-Fi and power outlet did not work.

A movie is playing on the embedded IFE.

Whilst better than BA’s 777 economy class IFE system, it still wasn’t state-of-the-art.  Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

Menus were passed out as we climbed, and then hot towels were distributed. Bizarrely, this was done in total darkness, so even with the reading light on it was a bit of a fumble. Thereafter, a haphazard dinner service began.

A hand is holding up the menu for premium economy dining.

The menu was a premium touch. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

The lights were fortunately raised for the meal service. Though two flight attendants were working the service, they didn’t bring a drink trolley with them, so options were limited. Room temperature wine from the food cart was available.

A hand is holding up a small bottle of white wine.

The wine was frankly unacceptable for premium economy. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

Strangely, no bread was offered, despite there appearing to be a full basket on the cart. I asked for a sparkling wine, which was brought after the meal service; it was the same Italian Frizzante served in economy. 

I had the Asian vegetarian option, which consisted of barley salad, korma curry, and a fruit plate. The salad was fruity and sweet, but not cloying. The curry was warm and the fruit plate was fresh and cool.

A beautiful meal is displayed on the aircraft tray table.

The meal was perfectly fine, but nothing exciting. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

Having finished my dinner, I got ready for sleep. I found the seat to be scratchy but the seat next to me was unoccupied so I put the spare cover over my seat for added comfort. I got a reasonable 3 ½ hours before waking an hour before landing when the breakfast service began.

I was presented with a slimy roasted vegetable inside a wet roll, which was unappetizing. An orange juice and coffee completed the meal.

A horrible looking breakfast sandwich in foil and a coffee sit on the aircraft tray table.

Breakfast was a bit of a low point. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

As we began our descent, I surmised that this was overall a pleasant flight. The hard product offered space to sleep, and the Boeing 787-10 — with new and modern lavs and comfortable cabin pressure — made me feel fresher on landing.

I would have appreciated an operable in-seat power port, and indeed one of those seemingly forbidden bread rolls on the cart. But BA World Traveller Plus delivered a superior experience than the outbound flight in coach, as one might expect.

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Featured image credited to Fintan Horan-Stear

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world traveller british airways review

About Fintan Horan-Stear

world traveller british airways review

Contributing Writer Fintan is a London-based aviation and transport ‘enthusiastic amateur’, writing about trends and developments in the industry with a specific focus on passenger experience and “soft product” elements. His interest in aviation was sparked by the golden age of Pan American and the jet age, and still feels the thrill of adventure on... Read More

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World Traveller

Welcome to World Traveller, our economy cabin on flights beyond Europe. It's packed with all the comfort and benefits you expect from British Airways at an affordable price.

Experience the world

  • A range of fares with no hidden charges
  • Personal flat screen with headphones
  • Family-friendly features
  • Stylish interior cabin
  • Delicious meals and snacks
  • Access to in-seat power

Comfort items

Relax and enjoy the views or settle down to sleep with ergonomically designed seats, little extras and newly crafted comforts based on classic British design.

  • An adjustable headrest, lumbar support and recline
  • Soft cushion and blanket

Delicious meals and bar service

In World Traveller you can enjoy a starter, main and dessert, with a choice of hot, cold and alcoholic drinks. We also offer mid-flight snacks and a second meal on longer flights.

In-flight entertainment

Stay connected to the world below or relax and leave it all behind in our World Traveller cabin.

You'll have headphones and a personal flat screen so you can lose yourself in a blockbuster film or gripping series. Our huge library of new releases includes music, audio books and games, as well as access to Paramount+ with something for everyone to enjoy.

There’s also high-speed Wi-Fi on most aircraft.

Treat yourself to the airport lounge

Sit back and relax before your flight with Lounge Pass, your key to non-British Airways airport lounges across the globe, no matter what airline you are flying with or cabin you are travelling in. Enjoy light refreshments such as alcohol and food, Wi-Fi and a selection of newspapers and magazines while you wait to board, plus Executive Club Members can collect 5 Avios per £1/€1/$1 spent.

Flexible baggage allowance

Baggage allowances.

As well as carry on baggage, World Travellers can store checked bags in the hold.

Some routes and tickets come with an even greater allowance, and extra bags can be added for a fee.

Doorstep baggage pick-up & check-in

Have your baggage collected from your doorstep, securely transported to the airport, and checked-in for your flight, allowing you to travel to the airport baggage-free and head straight to security when you get there. Available for flights departing from Heathrow, Gatwick, Geneva, Zurich and Vienna.

Long-haul fares to suit you

There’s a choice of two economy fares when you fly in World Traveller: Basic and Standard. This extra choice gives you more freedom to select and pay only for the benefits and services you need.

Economy Basic

  • Generous hand baggage allowance (cabin and hand bag)
  • Seat allocated when you check in
  • Option of paying to add a checked bag, choose your seat, or other extras via Manage My Booking

Economy Standard

  • 23kg checked baggage allowance in addition to your hand baggage allowance
  • Choose your seat from 24 hours before you fly

Style upgrade and aircraft variation

The World Traveller experience is getting a make-over. We’re giving our aircraft cabins a stylish new interior and fitting our newest, most enhanced seating, which feature a six-way headrest with adjustable ears for added comfort and movable middle arm rests, which is particularly useful for customers travelling with children.

The new cabin will be rolled out across our fleet starting with the Boeing 777-200 fleet at Gatwick. And while a few cabin design elements may vary by aircraft, you can still expect the same top quality food, drink and warm service by our attentive crew wherever and whenever you fly World Traveller.

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The Guide to Flight Delay Compensation with British Airways

Carissa Rawson

Many or all of the products featured here are from our partners who compensate us. This influences which products we write about and where and how the product appears on a page. However, this does not influence our evaluations. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money .

Table of Contents

British Airways delayed flight compensation

British airways canceled flight compensation, how it works on partner flights, how to apply for ba compensation, check your credit card for trip delay insurance, british airways flight delay compensation recapped.

Flying is stressful enough, even when everything goes according to plan. However, sometimes issues can crop up — no matter how prepared you are. If you’ve been on a British Airways flight and experienced a delay or cancellation, the good news is that you’re likely entitled to some money.

Let’s take a look at British Airways flight delay compensation, how it works and what you’ll need to do to get your funds.

British Airways flight delays can be frustrating experiences, especially if they cause you to miss an onward connection. Depending on the circumstances of your delay and if you want to continue your journey, you may be entitled to reimbursement for your airfare, coverage for meals and lodging or even additional compensation.

Deciding not to travel

If you’ve been delayed for five or more hours on a flight and end up missing your connection, you can choose not to continue traveling. In this case, British Airways will fly you back to your original departure point and refund the parts of your ticket you didn’t fly.

Meal and lodging entitlements

If your flight has been delayed for a significant period of time, you’re entitled to meals and, if necessary, lodging. When this entitlement kicks in depends on the length of your flight:

After two hours’ delay : Flights that are 932 miles or less. 

After three hours’ delay : Flights of 932 miles or more within the European Union and all other flights between 932 miles and 2,174 miles. 

After four hours’ delay : All other flights. 

Compensation entitlements

Due to European Union regulations , you’re entitled to compensation in certain circumstances when your flight has been delayed. The delay must have resulted in you arriving at your destination at least three hours late, plus the delay must have been caused by the airline (rather than, say, weather).

Flights of 932 miles or less : $270 (250 euros).

Flights of more than 932 miles within the EU and all other flights between 932 miles and 2,174 miles : $432 (400 euros).

All other flights : $648 (600 euros).

If your flight ends up rerouted but still has a delay, compensation may be reduced by 50%, but this will depend on how far you’re going and how long of a delay you experience.

» Learn more: Flight delay compensation: What to know

If your British Airways flight ends up completely canceled rather than delayed, you may also be entitled to compensation. This depends on when the cancellation occurred and how much it impacts your trip.

Cancellation occurring more than 14 days before departure

You’re not entitled to any compensation if your flight is canceled more than two weeks in advance.

Cancellation between 13 and seven days before departure

If your flight is canceled and you’re offered rerouting that departs a maximum of two hours before your previously scheduled time, plus arrives within four hours of your original time, you aren’t entitled to compensation.

Cancellation fewer than seven days in advance

If your flight is canceled and you’re offered rerouting that departs a maximum of one hour before your previously scheduled time, plus arrives within two hours of your original time, you aren’t entitled to compensation.

Cancellation compensation

With the exception of the situations above, if British Airways cancels your flight due to a situation within its control, you’re entitled to compensation. The rates are the same as for delayed flights:

Compensation may also be halved if your re-routing gets you to your final destination within a certain timeframe.

Note that you’re entitled to a refund of your ticket if you choose not to fly. If your canceled ticket ends up causing you a significant delay, you’re also entitled to meal and lodging benefits.

» Learn more: Flight delayed? Here’s the script I used to get compensation

Note that delay and cancellation compensation isn’t always applicable. If you’re booked on an airline that partners with British Airways, you may not be entitled to the same benefits.

For example, booking an American Airlines flight operating within the United States would not grant you these protections, even if you’ve booked via the British Airways website.

This is because compensation is tied to each country’s legislation. A flight operated wholly within the United States is going to be subject to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s laws rather than those within the United Kingdom or the European Union.

Many travel credit cards offer complimentary travel insurance that’ll reimburse you if your travel is delayed or interrupted.

» Learn more: Your flight was canceled, now what? Make these 8 money moves now

If you’ve experienced a flight delay or cancellation and want to apply for compensation, the process is simple. The easiest method is via British Airways’ online form .

Otherwise, you can mail your claim to British Airways at:

British Airways Customer Relations

EU Compensation Claims

PO Box 1126

United Kingdom

Once you’ve filed your claim, you can check its status online .

» Learn more: How to contact British Airways customer service

Even if British Airways won’t pony up, you may still be able to receive a reimbursement for expenses incurred due to a delay. Many travel cards offer complimentary trip delay insurance, along with other travel benefits like baggage delay and flight cancellation coverage.

Some examples of travel cards with travel insurance benefits include:

Chase Sapphire Preferred Credit Card

on Chase's website

Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card

on American Express' website

Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 12 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per person and $20,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $40,000 per 12-month period.

• Baggage delay: Up to $100 per day for five days.

• Lost luggage: Up to $3,000 per passenger.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per ticket for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip delay: Up to $500 per trip for delays more than 6 hours.

• Trip cancellation: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

• Trip interruption: Up to $10,000 per trip. Maximum benefit of $20,000 per 12-month period.

Terms apply.

Terms apply. Note the following disclaimers for The Platinum Card® from American Express :

Trip delay:

Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply.

Please visit http://americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details.

Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company.

Trip cancellation:

Trip interruption:

Loss luggage:

Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company.

» Learn more: What you need to know about trip delay insurance on Chase credit cards

In many cases, you’re entitled to compensation if your British Airways flight has been delayed or canceled. In addition to this, you’re also entitled to meals and lodging if you’ve been delayed for a significant portion of time.

If you want to file a claim for compensation with British Airways, be sure to check whether your flight falls under any exceptions. If not, you can file your claim for reimbursement online or via mail.

How to maximize your rewards

You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are our picks for the best travel credit cards of 2024 , including those best for:

Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card

No annual fee: Bank of America® Travel Rewards credit card

Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card

Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express

Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

world traveller british airways review

I flew on British Airways' Club Suite from New York to London. It's a huge improvement from the carrier's old and cramped business class seat.

  • British Airways first unveiled its  Club Suite business class cabin in March 2019.
  • The configuration has slowly made its way across the airline's fleet. I recently tried it on a 777.
  • Despite a few small issues, I think the product is a comfortable option for crossing the Atlantic.

Insider Today

British Airways unveiled its "Club Suite" business-class cabin in March 2019 as part of a nearly $9 billion investment in the customer experience.

The product first deployed on British Airways' Airbus A350-1000 planes starting in mid-2019 and quickly earned props for its improvement in space and privacy compared to the old business-class layout.

While the company's Boeing 787-8, Boeing 787-9, and Airbus A380 planes still sport the dated cabin, British Airways has so far fit its Boeing 787-10s and most of its Boeing 777s with the Club Suite as it rolls out the new configuration across its fleet.

And all Heathrow-based long-haul aircraft will be retrofitted with the Club Suite by the end of 2026, the carrier said during the IAG Capital Markets Day late last year. IAG is the parent company of British Airways.

Curious if it lived up to the hype, I flew from London to New York in the improved cabin on a British Airways' Boeing 777-200ER earlier this month, and I think it's an overall great transatlantic-travel option.

I arrived at London's Heathrow Airport at 8:30 a.m., giving myself about three hours before my flight's scheduled 11:20 a.m. departure.

world traveller british airways review

The transatlantic flight departed out of British Airways' Terminal 5 hub.

Business Insider paid a media rate. The price for a similar round trip in April in British Airways' business class is about $3,000, according to its website .

Having checked in online and with only a carry-on in tow, I bypassed the counter and went straight to security.

world traveller british airways review

For business-class travelers checking in luggage, there is a dedicated area for expedited service at Heathrow .

A separate 'FastTrack' line is available to Club World ticketholders, which was significantly shorter than the regular queue.

world traveller british airways review

The security checkpoints in Terminal 5 were not too busy on my travel day, but the regular line was still several dozen people long.

The FastTrack queue, on the other hand, had no one in it and I sped through in less than two minutes .

Right past the expedited security line is one of the several British Airways lounges throughout Terminal 5.

world traveller british airways review

In addition to a dedicated first-class lounge, British Airways has three Club Lounges in Terminal 5's A and B gates.

The two A-gate lounges are commonly busy, so the airline built the B-gate lounge as an option for those flying from the B and C concourses, which are separate from the A gates and can be accessed via a walkway or train .

Because my flight was departing from Gate B34, I went to the B-gate lounge and enjoyed breakfast away from the chaos of the terminal.

world traveller british airways review

Those traveling in the Club World or Club Europe cabins or who have Executive Club Silver loyalty status can access the three Club Lounges .

Boarding started around 10:30 a.m., and I was among the first to board thanks to my business-class ticket.

world traveller british airways review

The first passengers called to board were those who needed pre-boarding assistance, followed by first- and business-class customers .

I was seated in 17A, a window seat in the last row of the Club Suite cabin.

world traveller british airways review

I was originally assigned an aisle seat in the middle of the cabin but moved myself to seat 17A because I like the coziness of the little corner nook .

Stepping onto the Boeing 777-200ER, I immediately saw improvements compared to the old Club World product.

world traveller british airways review

The old Club World business class is still featured on British Airways' Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft, as well as its Airbus A380 planes and a few Boeing 777s, according to its website .

Instead of a cramped cabin with up to eight seats per row, the Club Suite featured fully enclosed pods in a 1x2x1 layout with a window seat on each side, two middle seats, and two walkable aisles.

world traveller british airways review

British Airways' Club Suite is a customized version of the seat maker Collins Aerospace's popular Super Diamond business-class cabin.

The company partnered with British Airways in 2021 to retrofit the airline's Boeing 777s with the Club Suite. Similar Super Diamond designs are on carriers such as Qatar Airways and Canada's WestJet .

This means all passengers have direct aisle access and complete privacy — something not everyone in the old business class got.

world traveller british airways review

Many global airlines are actively retrofitting their business class es with modern seats that offer perks such as privacy and direct aisle access.

Carriers such as Qatar and All Nippon Airways are among those with the best business-class products, while others, such as British Airways and Air India, have been playing catch-up .

Exploring the cozy seat, I was happy to find plenty of legroom and ample storage space.

world traveller british airways review

Storage included two cubbies, a shelf with a mirror, and plenty of tabletop space to hold things such as cups and my Kindle .

On a shelf was a bottle of water and an amenity kit, which came with the basics such as dental items and socks.

world traveller british airways review

The amenity kit came in a soft-shell case and included socks, an eye mask, a toothbrush, toothpaste, lotion, lip balm, and a pen .

A universal power outlet and two USB ports were inside the larger of the two cubbies.

world traveller british airways review

The cubby with the power outlets was deep and could fit bigger items.

The other cubby was shallow by comparison and could only fit narrow things such as a book or a small e-reader (my 10-inch Kindle Fire did not fit ).

A large 18.5-inch television with an accompanying remote, a reading light, and a large tray table were also featured.

world traveller british airways review

Passengers can use either the remote or the touchscreen television to browse entertainment .

But there was one particularly annoying drawback — the in-flight WiFi was broken.

world traveller british airways review

The flight attendants were apologetic about the broken WiFi, but there was simply nothing they could do. But I was happy to get a follow-up email from British Airways after my flight, which explained the culprit was an antenna "due for replacement."

Despite the inconvenience of having no WiFi in business class on a long-haul flight, I appreciate the airline's transparency .

Ignoring the disappointment, I settled into my seat and enjoyed a pre-flight drink as we pushed back and taxied for departure.

world traveller british airways review

I had the option of orange juice or champagne, though I opted to mix the two into a mimosa .

The first meal service started immediately after takeoff, starting with a beer and a snack.

world traveller british airways review

A flight attendant took my drink order before takeoff, and I opted for an IPA from BrewDog.

Passengers could also enjoy other usual business-class beverage options, such as wine, spirits, soda, coffee, and tea .

The main courses followed, which included an appetizer, an entrée, and a dessert.

world traveller british airways review

The cabin crew distributed a menu before takeoff. Starter options included British roast-beef carpaccio, golden beetroot and goat's cheese salad, or zucchini-and-basil soup.

The entrée options were pork loin, butter-chicken curry, or mascarpone mezzaluna. Dessert options included a chocolate bar, almond pudding, fruit, and a cheese plate .

I opted for the roast beef, pork loin, and pudding for my three-course meal, and I thought every dish was good.

world traveller british airways review

The meat was well-cooked, and I liked the presentation with the herbs and sauce on top of the beef appetizer and the custard with the dessert .

The pork loin was my favorite part of the meal, which came with veggies and mashed potatoes.

world traveller british airways review

The pork was filling with a nice juicy flavor, and I thought it paired well with the potatoes .

I think the food on Singapore and All Nippon Airways was better, but British Airways' was still competitive with Condor and American.

world traveller british airways review

I find that five-star airlines such as Singapore and ANA are in a different league when it comes to business class, and I expect the food to be the best of the best.

Still, British Airways' food did not disappoint .

After lunch, I adjusted my seat into lie-flat mode and watched a few movies to pass the time.

world traveller british airways review

The lie-flat bed stretches 79 inches and comes with a giant pillow, a mattress pad, and a soft blanket .

I was happy to find the bed wide enough to lay on my side or stomach, and I had plenty of space to spread my legs all the way out.

world traveller british airways review

I slept for about an hour and didn't wake up feeling cramped or sore thanks to the padding on the seat .

And I loved the sliding door, which completely blocked off my little pod and made the journey perfectly private.

world traveller british airways review

I liked the cocooned feeling of my seat with the bed deployed and the door closed, and I nearly forgot there were about 230 other passengers on board the 777 .

But the provided headphones were basically useless due to loud and constant static. I ended up using my own.

world traveller british airways review

I told the flight attendant, who took the headphones and noted them as damaged.

This wasn't a huge deal because I had an extra set of earbuds, but I still expected a better headset in business class than what British Airways provided .

The second meal service started about an hour and a half before landing, and I was thrilled to see it was afternoon tea.

world traveller british airways review

The menu outlined two sandwich-platter options, the first including prawn and roast-beef sandwiches on brioche, and the second featuring goat's cheese and fig and egg and chive sandwiches on brioche.

Both options included roasted veggies and hummus on white bread, as well as pastries such as cakes and scones .

I loved the little finger sandwiches and sweets.

world traveller british airways review

I like sampler dishes that give me a taste of several different things, so I was very happy with the second meal .

Though I felt well-fed in business class, those feeling peckish between meals can enjoy chips or wine from the Club Kitchen.

world traveller british airways review

The Club Kitchen is next to the galley and features a refrigerator with self-serve bottles of wine, as well as shelves of chips and other snacks and drinks available for the taking .

I spent the last hour of the flight enjoying the entertainment and lie-flat bed before landing in New York at around 1 p.m. local time.

world traveller british airways review

Both my outbound and return flights between New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport and London Heathrow were on time .

Overall, I think the Club Suite experience is easily a competitive product across the Atlantic, and I particularly loved the food and sliding door.

world traveller british airways review

British Airways' Club Suite is a much-needed improvement for its wide-body fleet, especially as competitors such as Virgin Atlantic Airways and Delta Air Lines continue to improve their most premium cabins.

But small product details such as ensuring passengers have access to a working headset and WiFi are particularly important for customer satisfaction.

world traveller british airways review

  • Main content

British Airways reveals revamped short-haul seats and new transatlantic first class timeline

Jordan Waller

British Airways last night shared details of its transformation plan, which costs 7 billion British pounds (around $8.9 billion). It includes new short-haul seats, new lounges and a rollout plan for its revamped long-haul first class.

Announced at the airline's first "In the Skies" showcase event in London, the airline revealed an ambitious modernization outline spanning multiple areas of operation.

Among the more exciting announcements was the airline's plan to roll out new short-haul seats and cabin interiors on its newest Airbus A320neo and A321neos, with eight aircraft set to arrive starting in May.

world traveller british airways review

The redesigned cabins will be fitted with extra-large bins for overhead luggage, and they will also see the return of Club Europe's leather middle seat tray tables.

All Club Europe seats will also be fitted with USB-A and USB-C power (60W) charging ports; the Euro Traveller seats will be fitted with USB-A and USB-C (15W) charging ports.

The airline also confirmed that it expects to roll out a brand-new first-class suite between the United Kingdom and the U.S. at the end of 2025 and early 2026. It will be aboard its refurbished A380 aircraft.

There was also good news for British Airways Executive Club members who, from April 3, will be able to benefit from free messaging on a single device using the airline's Wi-Fi, regardless of the cabin they travel in. Additionally, the airline has also extended its current double-tier bonus offering with British Airways Holidays until the end of June 2025.

world traveller british airways review

On the ground, BA also plans to open a new lounge at Dubai International Airport (DXB). It'll be the first to feature the airline's new lounge design concept, followed by the opening of a lounge at Miami International Airport (MIA) in 2025. There will also be refreshes of the airline's current lounges at Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS) in Lagos, Nigeria.

It will make investments across the operational side of things with an overhaul of the airline's website and mobile app. This will offer deeper personalization for travelers and a 100 million pound (around $127 million) investment in machine learning, automation and AI. It will drive improvements in areas such as bookings and baggage handling as well as IT infrastructure (which, let's face it, hasn't been the best in recent years ).

In addition to the above, we'll also see a return of British Airways flights from London to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) and Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL). The services will restart in October and November, respectively.

The airline will operate three flights a week between the Thai capital and London Gatwick Airport (LGW) on a 777-200ER. It will offer daily flights between the Malaysian capital city and London's Heathrow Airport (LHR) on a 787-9 aircraft.

"We're on a journey to a better BA for our people and for our customers, underpinned by a transformation programme that will see us invest £7bn over the next two years to revolutionise our business," Sean Doyle, British Airways chairman and CEO, said. "We're going to take delivery of new aircraft, introduce new cabins, elevate our customer care, focus on operational performance and address our environmental impact by reducing our emissions and creating a culture of sustainability."

Bottom line

British Airways is investing 7 billion pounds (around $8.9 billion) across its entire business over the next few years to revamp areas such as inflight cabins to improve on-the-ground services. This is in addition to the return of its routes from London to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, expected to restart later this year.

Related Reading

  • Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a first-time or frequent traveler
  • Best travel credit cards
  • Where to go in 2024: The 16 best places to travel
  • 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
  • 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
  • 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without

InsideHook

British Airways' Challenges Can Tell Us Plenty About the State of Air Travel

F or almost 20 years, British Airways utilized an especially memorable slogan : “The World’s Favourite Airline.” In the years since then, things have changed — and not necessarily for the better. In 2019, The Guardian reported that customers in the U.K. ranked the airline close to the bottom of numerous categories. Three years later, the same survey — conducted by Which? — again gave the airline low marks . Given the airline’s history and onetime popularity, it’s led some observers to wonder where things went wrong.

In a new article for Air Mail, Mark Ellwood chronicled the last 40 or so years of British Airways’ history to see how an airline beloved by business travelers and the royal family (among many others) lost its cachet. Ellwood’s reporting covers a lot of ground, but it’s most memorable in how it illustrates a wider point about how airlines (or most businesses) can alienate customers and sacrifice accumulated goodwill.

Ellwood’s article follows British Airways’ transformation from a company that emphasized customer service under CEO Colin Marshall to what analyst Henry Harteveldt termed “death by several billion cuts.” That included ending free meals in economy class; it also prompted one passenger’s remembrance of being charged for hot water. A spokesperson for the airline clarified that they haven’t charged for hot water in years — but it isn’t hard to see why customers frustrated by the practice would remember that when booking their next flight.

Admittedly, some of the issues British Airways has had to deal with were largely out of its control: the effects of the September 11 attacks on air travel, for instance.

Regional Air Travel Sucks. Why Aren’t There More Luxury Buses?

Other issues cited by Ellwood feel eminently avoidable, from an attempt to undermine rival Virgin Air that resulted in a fine to a penalty assessed by the U.S. Department of Transportation over customer service issues. There’s a point when the search for “efficiency” can transform into something much bleaker — and Ellwood’s portrait of one airline perfectly illustrated this very condition.

More Like This

United airlines ceo predicts a “shakeout” in domestic air travel, one air travel expert weighs in on flight cancellations, what is the future of supersonic air travel, the next big fee in air travel a “drop-off charge” at airports..

This article was featured in the InsideHook newsletter. Sign up now .

The post British Airways’ Challenges Can Tell Us Plenty About the State of Air Travel appeared first on InsideHook .

British Airways

IMAGES

  1. Review: British Airways 747-400 World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy

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  2. Review: BA World Traveller Plus on the refurbished 777

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  3. Review: BA World Traveller Plus on the refurbished 777

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  4. British Airways World Traveller Plus Review

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  5. BRITISH AIRWAYS WORLD TRAVELLER PLUS (PREMIUM ECONOMY CLASS) AIRBUS

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  6. Review: British Airways 747-400 World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy

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COMMENTS

  1. A smooth ride across the Atlantic: A review of British Airways World

    Cardmembers will receive a $100 statement credit per reward flight booking in economy (World Traveller) or premium economy (World Traveller Plus), or an up $200 statement credit for all other reward flight bookings in business (Club World) and First. British Airways has the frustrating policy of charging for seat selection in all cabins except ...

  2. British Airways Economy: Euro Traveller vs. World Traveller

    British Airways offers two economy products — World Traveller and Euro Traveller. Which one you use will depend on the length and type of the flight. Both are similar to what many U.S. carriers ...

  3. British Airways World Traveller Plus Review: Is it Worth It? 2024

    BA World Traveller Plus Review: In-flight amenities. British Airways Premium Economy 747 has good quality headphones which were nice. The British Airways premium economy product also does have a very good in-flight entertainment system. The British Airways Premium Economy in-flight amenity kit was not bad - socks, eye mask, earplugs ...

  4. British Airways World Traveller Plus Review

    BA World Traveller Plus Review Summary. British Airways World Traveller Plus is a premium economy class that offers extra legroom, a wider seat, and other amenities. The cabin features a 2-3-2 seating configuration, personal in-flight entertainment screens, and a complimentary amenity kit.

  5. Review of British Airways Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus)

    8/10. British Airways fly a combination of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, with World Traveller Plus available on each long-haul aircraft. The Airbus A380 World Traveller Plus cabin is found on the Upper Deck behind the Club World cabin in a 2-4-2 configuration over nine rows, while the Airbus A350 has seven rows in a 2-4-2 configuration.

  6. Review: World Traveller Plus premium economy on a British Airways A380

    BA's World Traveller Plus premium economy cabin. World Traveller Plus is on the upper deck of BA's A380s, tucked behind a smallish Club World. It is, all things considered, a fairly small cabin given the size of the aircraft. Seats are arranged in a 2-3-2 config. One of the benefits of being on the upper deck is having the large sidewall ...

  7. Review: BA World Traveller Plus on the refurbished 777

    World Traveller Plus flights between London and New York can be a great use of Avios, with one-way redemptions costing 26,000 Avios per person on off-peak days plus about $400 in fees, taxes and surcharges. We ended up paying the charges using the Platinum Card® from American Express, which earned 5x Membership Rewards points per dollar spent ...

  8. British Airways World Traveller Economy Class Review

    It was a disappointingly poor, non caring response. Ranked as a 4-Star Airline, the continuing cuts to British Airways business and economy class product standards makes their rating look unsustainable. The BA staff service is about the only saving grace at this time, but morale seems to be dropping there as well.

  9. Review: British Airways A380 World Traveller Basic Economy

    In a nutshell: British Airways A380 World Traveller Basic is a fine economy class experience across the Atlantic. The seats are reasonably comfortable, the IFE extensive, the staff friendly, and the food about par for the course. The lack of WiFi, non-adjustable headrest, and below average second meal service are the few mild drawbacks.

  10. British Airways World Traveller Plus Review: Premium Economy A380

    The plane looked fab - even the loos were much more spacious. British Airways World Traveller Plus or Premium Economy can cost as little as £150 (each way, £300 return) more than an economy seat from Europe to the USA - for that money, it is outstanding value, you do get what you pay for (and an extra piece of luggage, which is handy).

  11. Flight review: British Airways B777-300ER World Traveller Plus (Premium

    Check-in. I arrived at London Heathrow Terminal 5 for my 2100 departure on BA27 at 1900 and dropped my bag off at the bag drop desk before going through fast track security, where there was a ...

  12. Flight review: British Airways B787 World Traveller Plus

    British Airways B787-800 Dreamliner carries 214 passengers, being 154 economy seats, 25 World Traveller Plus seats and 35 Club World seats. The WTP premium economy cabin is in a 2-3-2 seating in a ...

  13. British Airways World Traveller Plus Review PHL-LHR-PHL

    The World Traveller Plus Cabin on British Airways - definitely worth the extra $250 ticket price in my opinon. I've been very spoiled over the years flying Club World (business class) on British Airways from Philadelphia to London return for work in my prior job. Now that has ended, I've had to pay my own way to London (yes, I know cue the sad tiny violins) and have done it in a variety ...

  14. British Airways (BA) Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus) Review

    The premium cabin (World Traveller Plus) has a 2-4-2 seat layout configuration. Compared to the economy cabin, which is 3-4-3 as you can see below. The premium seats are spacious and comfortable enough, but they're not as nice and plush as I was expecting. I'm 6"1 and the leg room was good enough. There is indeed a nice new big and bright ...

  15. Review: British Airways World Traveller on a Boeing 777-300ER

    The Boeing 777-300ER is the largest version of this aircraft currently in service. It is used on long haul routes at British Airways such as the services to Singapore and Sydney and World Traveller - Economy Class - is the latest version. Thunderstorms meant my American Airlines flight was almost two hours late into Boston, […]

  16. Review: British Airways World Traveller Plus

    The World Traveller Plus cabin is a great asset to British Airways, providing a perfectly comfortable way to fly the long distance from London to Sydney. It is definitely a step up from economy ...

  17. Flight review: British Airways B777-200ER World Traveller Plus

    THE SEAT. On this B777, the premium economy (known as World Traveller Plus or WTP for short) cabin was four rows (21-24) with a 2-4-2 configuration. For a seatplan, click here. The seat was ...

  18. British Airways Flights and Reviews (with photos)

    British Airways (BA) is the UK flag carrier and the biggest airlines in the country. A founding member of the oneworld alliance, the airline flies to more than 180 destinations, including six cities within the United Kingdom, as well airports across Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, South America and Oceania.

  19. Review: British Airways 747-400 World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy

    British Airways 269London (LHR) - Los Angeles (LAX)Tuesday, October 01Depart: 04:15 PMArrive: 07:20 PMDuration: 11hr, 05minAircraft: Boeing 747-400Seat: 36G ("World Traveller Plus" Premium Economy Class) Onboard, I was warmly welcomed by the purser and directed to my seat. Two flight attendants waiting in the cabin also greeted me.

  20. A tale of two classes: British Airways World Traveller and WTP

    World Traveller Plus premium economy is located in a sub-cabin behind the cavernous Club World space, with 35 seats across five rows. The seats are wide and comfortable with a large IFE screen, seat controls in the armrest, power ports, and a cocktail table. The cabin is conservative but quite airy.

  21. Review: British Airways Boeing 777 World Traveller Plus (London

    The upgrade in the travel experience from World Traveller to World Traveller Plus definitely warrants the extra cost, especially for a flight of this length. There is greater seat pitch, more comfortable seating, larger meals, and an overall better journey. British Airways is an airline that does Premium Economy well.

  22. World Traveller

    World Traveller is British Airways' long-haul economy class cabin, offering a comfortable journey to destinations across the globe at affordable prices. ... In World Traveller you can enjoy a starter, main and dessert, with a choice of hot, cold and alcoholic drinks. We also offer mid-flight snacks and a second meal on longer flights.

  23. Review: British Airways World Traveller Plus

    The World Traveller Plus is really nice - especially the new version found on the Boeing 777-300ER, the Airbus A380 and the Boeing 787s. The previous World Traveller Plus which is still on some aircraft is not great at all. British Airways have announced a big investment into Club World, so hopefully their business class will get better soon!

  24. British Airways Flight Delay Compensation: What to Know

    The Guide to British Airways Economy: Euro Traveller vs. World Traveller by Ramsey Qubein British Airways offers two standard economy products, one for shorter routes and another for long-haul ...

  25. British Airways New Club Suite Business Class

    British Airways unveiled its "Club Suite" business-class cabin in March 2019 as part of a nearly $9 billion investment in the customer experience. The product first deployed on British Airways ...

  26. How To Upgrade To British Airways Business Class For Your Next Flight

    Paid tickets with British Airways can be upgraded by one cabin - so on short-haul flights from Euro Traveller to Club Europe, and on long-haul flights from World Traveller Plus to Club World.

  27. British Airways reveals new short-haul seats and timeline for new

    British Airways last night shared details of its transformation plan, which costs 7 billion British pounds (around $8.9 billion). It includes new short-haul seats, new lounges and a rollout plan for its revamped long-haul first class. Announced at the airline's first "In the Skies" showcase event in London, the airline revealed an ambitious modernization outline spanning multiple areas of ...

  28. British Airways returns to Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok

    In Bangkok, lounge-worthy passengers will find Oneworld partner lounges from Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines and Qatar Airways (the later restricted to business and first class flyers).. As for Kuala Lumpur, flights will be daily straight out the gate as of November 10, with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner from Heathrow fitted featuring a four-class layout with eight first class suites, followed by ...

  29. British Airways' Business Class Seats: What To Expect Onboard

    Recent years have seen British Airways begin to overhaul its Club World offering with the introduction of a brand-new product known as the Club Suite. The most notable change this new seat has ...

  30. British Airways' Challenges Can Tell Us Plenty About the State of ...

    F or almost 20 years, British Airways utilized an especially memorable slogan: "The World's Favourite Airline."In the years since then, things have changed — and not necessarily for the better