British Airways Business Class: A Review

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British Airways’ (BA) long haul business class is a tale of two halves, because it has two products in the market at the moment. Traditionally, its business class product has been referred to as Club World, but is currently being upgraded and rebranded to Club Suites. Initially BA had planned to finish the upgrade by 2025 but due to COVID this is more likely to be 2030 now. It means some planes have the old and some have the new.

In my opinion the old product is one of the worst products in the market, and the new product is one of the best so it’s really pot luck as to what you get. More planes have Club World than the new Club Suites so statistically speaking you’re more likely to get the worse experience.

I’ve reviewed both below so you can see the difference. I have flown multiple routes in BA business class, but this review uses photos from London Heathrow to/from San Jose, Costa Rica and London Heathrow to/from Hong Kong.


  • Club World – 5/10
  • Club Suites – 8/10

Whichever option you’ve got, your airport experience will be the same. All BA flights route via London and BA has hubs in both Gatwick and Heathrow airports. I always fly out of Heathrow, and flying business means you get access to the Club World lounge. The lounges are always pretty busy but the food and drink available for free is really great quality. They normally have a choice of hot meals, an extensive salad bar and alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks. They also have biscuit jars so that’s me sorted. Also on offer are showers and toilet facilities which are clean and well appointed.

Heathrow South Lounge entrance

Returning to London from other airports, BA has lounges in Geneva, Milan Linate, Rome Fiumicino (Europe), Boston, Chicago O’Hare, Newark, New York JFK, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Washington Dulles (USA), Cape Town, Johannesburg (Africa), Dubai and Singapore (Asia).

BA is also part of the One World Alliance, alongside Alaska Airlines, Fiji Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Royal Jordanian, American Airlines, Finnair, Oman Air, Royal Air Maroc, Iberia, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qatar Airways and SriLankan. This means if there’s no BA lounge in the country you’re departing from, you will be able to use these lounges instead.

On the way home from Hong Kong for example, I was able to use the Cathay Pacific business class lounge which was very similar with what it offered to the BA lounges.

BA lounge score: 7/10


This is where the two business class options are miles apart. Let’s start with Club World, the older product. There are 7 seats in a row in Club World – set up 2, 3, 2 – with the seats alternating backwards and forwards facing. It’s the weirdest layout ever because if you’re by the window you literally have to climb over the person in the aisle on the row behind you to get out, and if you’re in the aisle you have the other person’s food passed over you all flight. I hate it when that person is asleep and you’re trying to step over them, very awkward.

Business class section on Club World

The Club World seats are also old and worn, they’re quite short. I’m 5’6 and can only just lie fully down so my 6’3 husband has no chance. The TV screens are also poor as they are just pull out ones, not touch screen and quite glitchy. The footrest is also stand alone and you have to pull it down.

The Club Suites on the other hand are wonderful. The layout is much better with only 4 seats in a row, simply 1-2-1, meaning loads more space, privacy and no awkward climbing as all open directly on to an aisle. All suites are forward facing. The suites are also contained with privacy screens (rather than just a plastic roll up screen as per the old product). The TV is built in so is much more seamless, and is all touch screen. There are lots of compartments for storage and the bed is longer. I honestly felt like I was in true luxury.

The new Club Suites

All products are The White Company. You are provided with a blanket and sheet for the seat, plus a toiletry bag including an eye mask, flannel, toothbrush & toothpaste, moisturiser, hand cream and lip balm.

White Company products

You can tell what you’re going to get when you pick your seat based on the plane layout – just hope you see that lovely 1-2-1 layout.

Club World Cabin Score: 3/10

Club Suites Cabin Score: 9/10


I don’t love any airplane food really, but BA’s is decent. On arrival, it’s a drink (orange juice or champagne) and a snack. There’s then a menu offering one or two meals depending on flight time.

Three main course dishes usually include beef, lamb, fish or poultry, and pasta. Dessert features a sweet option or a fine fruit and cheese plate. Classic afternoon tea is available on select long-haul flights, and destination-inspired dishes will reflect the flavours of the regions, such as herb-grilled mahi-mahi fish on Caribbean routes, and noodles on my Hong Kong route.

Beef option

But what I love about BA business is its Club Kitchen concept which provides sweet and savoury snack options which guests can just go and get themselves. A refrigerator features cans of drink, sandwiches, fresh fruit, and sometimes even ice cream in a separate freezer section that passengers can help themselves to midflight, and those biscuit jars are back – the dream!

Food & Drink Score: 6/10


Flight attendants are formal yet friendly. It is the typical British-reserved service delivery you might find in a hotel or restaurant in England. I definitely noticed flight attendants switching their style depending on who they were talking to. Where a passenger was chatty, they were chatty back, and where they weren’t, they just got on with serving. I prefer not to chat so they didn’t really talk to me which was totally fine.

A new uniform has also been introduced, which I really liked. And a new inflight safety video has also been recorded which I thought was a massive upgrade on the previous version.

Talking of videos, the entertainment selection on flights is amazing. There are new releases of films, loads of TV boxsets and lots of games. I love a good mid air game of Boggle – ha!

Service Score: 7/10


Whichever business class option you get on your flight, prices are the same. Whenever I fly business, I am usually using my Avios points, which I collect during the year. I collect Avios pretty easily – via spend on Amex credit cards, on short haul BA flights, the weekly shop and as much other shopping as possible via the BA shopping portal, all hotel bookings via Booking.com, plus my husband’s work travel adds a chunk. Every year we earn an average of 400,000 Avios from the above.

Here are the points cost vs outright £ value of the two BA business class flights I’ve flown in the last 12 months and reviewed above.

  • London Heathrow return to Costa Rica – I got an amazing deal here and paid £300 plus 75,000 Avios per person. Cash price would have been £3,700 per person. I’ve never seen such a good deal before or since this.
  • London Heathrow return to Hong Kong – I paid £450 plus 140,000 Avios for myself. Cash price would have been £3,300.

It’s worth noting you can also book partner airline flights using Avios, my favourite of which is Qatar Airways. This is more expensive and always needs a change in Doha. I’ll be reviewing QA soon.

  • London Heathrow to Male, Maldives – I paid £650 plus 212,000 Avios per person back in 2019. Cash equivalent would have been £6,800 per person.
  • London Heathrow return to Phuket (upcoming this year) – I paid £500 plus 192,500 Avios per person. Cash equivalent is currently £4,330 per person.

As you can see BA is a cheaper business class option, both in cash value and points. I’ve seen other people talk about crazy Avios deals getting business/first class flights for 25,000 points but I’ve never seen such a deal!

Price score: 8/10


What do you think? Would you like to fly BA Business Class? If you’re interested, you can also compare it to my review of Qatar Airways Business Class Review. Stay safe and happy travelling!

46 responses to “British Airways Business Class: A Review”

  1. I’m a sucker for first-class and business-class flight seat reviews, and I loved reading yours! I’ve yet to travel on business or first class, but this looks to be the dream! Looks like BA was a solid experience with good amenities and food along the way, especially for the long-haul flights!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So glad you enjoyed it Rebecca, I love saving my points up each year and treating myself 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  2. You’ve given an extensive and thorough review of BA upper class service Hannah! Your photos are really helpful in showing the difference between the old and new. We’ve taken many flights on BA in all classes, and something usually goes wrong; lost luggage; mistaken seat assignments, even in first class, so we try to avoid them. However, our options were limited on an upcoming trip, so we’re booked in first class on a BA international flight soon, and hope we have a better experience than previous BA flights. Our experience with other airlines like Qantas, Icelandic, EasyJet, Finnair, American have all been great; fingers crossed that BA will come through this time.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks so much – you’re right, BA have really gone down hill. We have also suffered lots of delays and lost luggage over the past few years. I really hope your upcoming trip runs smoothly 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Sadly, they have. Maybe someday they’ll improve.

        Liked by 1 person

  3. How interesting to see the differences between the two. We recently started getting access to the lounge at the airport and it has made all the difference in the travel experience for us. Now to fly business class and check out how much more comfortable of a flight that would be…great review Hannah 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It makes such a difference doesn’t it – I wouldn’t pay the £ value, but when it’s on points it feels like such a nice reward to be able to treat ourselves 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  4. Very interesting Hannah, I’ve flown the old style BA Business Class but not experienced the newer Club Suites. We also use our Amex Cards as much as we can to buy things and then turn them into Avios points. Since BA axed flights from our nearest airport we have been travelling KLM more. I can’t understand why BA axed the three services a day into Heathrow as they were always busy both for passengers commuting to London and for onward connections.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I don’t know why BA did that – they have axed so many direct routes across the world post COVID so we are finding it harder to find flights with them. Thankfully, you can use their points on Qatar Airlines as well which gives good access to Asia with just a change in Doha. I’ve heard good things about KLM!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. I’m with you on your thoughts on the old layout, that literally makes no sense! It’s a bummer when you spend all that money/points on an upgraded seat but still aren’t comfortable. The new club suites cabin looks like a good upgrade!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yeah it was really weird – especially as you rarely know the person given you don’t think to book seats in different rows! I love the new upgrade though so just keeping my fingers crossed for more of those on planes going forwards 🙂

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  6. I’ve never travelled anything but economy so this is a level of luxury I can only dream of. Honestly, even the crappier of the two looks amazing haha! But I suppose it’s all about perspective and I can definitely see how the newer version is an upgrade over the old one. Looks like a much more comfortable way to travel!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh yeah, even the worse of the two is still really amazing to travel on. I love saving up my points all year and then treating us on our long haul holiday of the year 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  7. I’ve flown both business and first internationally, but as a regular user of economy, I’m up for even bad business class on a long haul flight. I can see the differences, though, and agree that the strange configuration would be weird and annoying. Sounds like they’ve gotten wind of that, too.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I agree totally, it makes such a difference to travel long distance comfortably (and without a stranger dribbling on your shoulder) 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      1. We’ve managed Premium Economy to/from Australia this summer. It’s no business class, but I’ll take what I can get. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. That will still make a very, very long flight much more bearable!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. It will, and we got seats in the front row of that section, so even better!

        Liked by 1 person

  8. We’ve never flown business class before. We’ve thought about treating ourselves to see what the experience is like, but I’m afraid that it’ll just make it harder to go back to economy class. The seating for Club World sounds awful.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh yeah, once we did it for the first time, there was no going back. But I find with points and a good deal, it’s definitely affordable. I wouldn’t pay outright, and I’m lucky my husband gets so many points via work travel.

      Liked by 1 person

  9. Not being international travelers, Mike and I would feel so spoiled by BA’s luxuries! Maybe someday we will get to experience one of the great lounges and a luxury flight. The food looks pretty good too.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. i have never use this, but thanks sharing and great to know

    Liked by 1 person

  11. I’ve only ever flown business/first class on short-haul flights and would love to experience it on a long-haul flight one day. I have an Avios account, but rarely collect points on it. I think I need to up my Avios points collecting game!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Ahh it’s so nice to have on a long haul flight to be able to sleep and be comfortable, especially if it’s an overnight flight. We collect Avios on everything via the shopping portal – it racks up quickly 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Looks marvelous, and definitely the way to go! Thanks for sharing another aspect of your adventures, Hannah 🙂 Have a wonderful week ahead!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Phil – always love using my points to travel much more comfortably on a long haul flight 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  13. A very thoroughly done review, Hannah. Looks like there’s no shortage of motives for BA to upgrade and reimagine their old business class model. Saving points really pays off greatly, the savings are quite impressive! Thanks for sharing your experiences.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Leighton – yes I love being able to use my points to make such big savings and travel long haul much more comfortably 🙂 Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. Never seen such a lovely and thorough review before. Food looks tempting. Really hope your message reaches them and they can do some constructive changes.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So glad you enjoyed it, thank you for reading 🙂

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  15. […] is where Qatar stands apart from the likes of British Airways. The business class Q Suite Cabin is truly […]

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  16. Anonymous

    I realise that the ying-yang club world design was not everyone’s cup of tea. However apart from having to step over another passenger’s legs unless you got one of the end of cabin rows I always enjoyed the rear facing seats and the light grey interior. I find the new club suites cabin with the deep blue seating rather dark and the high rectangular design somewhat claustrophobic. Agreed there is more space and much better storage but I find the bed when fully reclined has a central cross ridge. Result I don’t sleep so well as I did in the club world suites. Perhaps they will ‘bed in’ with more use.
    Innes Stephen

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Stephen – I agree actually that the cabin is darker, but I just couldn’t get over climbing across a stranger’s legs when they were asleep!! If you get an end row though I agree, sleep was easy and the seats very comfy. I hope you manage to adjust to the new layout and colours with a few more flights. Thanks again for taking the time to comment – have a great Sunday.

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  17. Anonymous

    Once you travel business won’t go economy long haul ever again. To me the worst seat is virgin a 330. Faces inwards. Other than seat prefer Virgin upper class vs club world.

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Anonymous

    Hi Hannah, l am glad to have come across your blog, l put in the question “is it worth booking club on a day time flight to Tokyo leaving Heathrow 9 am” and got your review, which is great learning, I booked a flight to Tokyo in premium, as normally BA offers upgrades at a lesser cost (which l have for the outbound) while return is still at £1600 additional pp . Not sure if Amex Companion vouchers are usable to upgrade??. You told us of a difference club Suites makes and l will certainly be checking seat configuration to decide.
    Thank you

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Anonymous

    BA club suite is alright. Although, I don’t fine it comfortable when seat lie flat to bed. It is narrow to even turn while sleeping. When I fly with Qatar Qsuite in my fast years, I have realised that there are much better hard and soft product other OW airline could provide for my journey. BA is great when travel intra Europe, but definitely not long haul for me.

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  20. Anonymous

    Hi… just upgraded to business for flights to and from LHR.. it’s 1-2-1 configuration. For a couple, do the two middle seats make more sense, or the seats across the aisle from each other? I haven’t seen them in person yet and can still change. Do the middle ones have a sliding wall or something so we can chat? Thanks!!

    Like

    1. Hi, that’s amazing and I’m sooo pleased you got that lovely 121 cabin, perfect! Yes the middle two make sense for a couple and there’s a screen you can have lowered for the flight so you can chat etc. Have an amazing flight! 😊

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  21. […] 1-Expat Business2-British Airways Business Class […]

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  22. Anonymous

    This is a great review; so complete. And you were spot on with the configuration being so weird with the Club World 2/3/2 layout. It was so awkward to have to step over the passenger behind us to get out. And my husband who is 6’2” could not stretch out, which is why we paid the extra money for business class. We had a much better experience on our next flight on United where we had more room and no need to step over anyone. That being said, we booked BA for our flight next week because the times and connections worked best for us. I pray we are lucky enough to get the Club Suites this time around. Thanks again for the review.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much for your kind words and I’m glad you found the review helpful and informative. I really hope you get the 1/2/1 layout for your flight next week 🙂

      Like

  23. Anonymous

    I feel it is totally ANTI-CUSTOMER when I paid $10,000 for Business Class and they want additional $300+ to preselect seats. It is our 68 anniversary and prefer to sit with my wife for 18 hours! I will never fly British Air again. Gougers!

    Like

  24. Anonymous

    hi everyone I’ve booked 2 x business class seats to fly direct to Bangkok and I had

    400920 avios point but they said they were only worth £1,724.00 is this correct,I keep getting fobbed of on the help line with no explanation

    Like

    1. Hi, a business class flight to Bangkok using Avios should be 110,000 Avios + £300 (ish). I think you must have selected a peak time flight, or one that isn’t in the Avios offer (are you booking for a departure in the next month)? I’d say that is way too many Avios to pay for just a £1,724 discount. I’d try selecting different dates to see if you can get a better deal.

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  25. Anonymous

    This was a good review and good photos, I’m planning a Business Class trip (paying $$) next summer, USA to Gatwick. I’m traveling alone, and it says Club World; the seating arrangement agrees with your description. I reserved a window seat, it looks like I should change my seat to 4A (last row) so I won’t be climbing over my neighbor for the midnight toilet break. Thanks for the advice.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So glad you found the review helpful, and 4A sounds a really good choice! Hope you enjoy your flight.

      Like

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About the author

Hi! My name is Hannah, I’m a travel blogger from the UK who fits travel around a full time (and full on) job. In this blog I share my adventures around the world and hopefully help you to find some inspiration for destinations, things to do or places to stay. Thanks for stopping by – stay safe and happy travelling.

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