Trip Report – British Airways Club World 777-200 JFK-LHR Review …still not a fan!

I’ve never been a huge fan of BA’s Club World business class cabin configuration and this flight didn’t change that opinion. This is the first entry in a nine part trip report from my travels to the south of France.

• British Airways Terraces Lounge JFK
• British Airways Club World (Business) JFK-LHR B777-200
• British Airways Galleries Club Lounge LHR Terminal 5A
• British Airways Club Europe (Business) LHR-NCE A319
• Marriott’s AC Hotel Ambassadeur Antibes- Juan les Pins, France
• Le Méridien Nice
• Nice (NCE) Airport Lounge, Not All that Nice…
• Iberia NCE-MAD CRJ1000 Air Nostrum (Iberia Regional) Business Class
• Iberia Velázquez VIP Lounge – Madrid Terminal 4S
• Iberia “New Business Class” MAD-JFK  A330-300

My last BA 777 Club World flight was a last minute switch from AA in order to get home a bit earlier. I got stuck in the middle row and was facing towards the back of the plane. This time I had a “window seat” and faced forward, though the person facing backward in my row was actually a lot closer to the window (you can see her leg and newspaper in the first picture). The privacy screen between the seats is stowed for take-off and everyone seemed to put theirs up as soon as we were in the air. While you can no longer see your seatmate, you’re still on top of them and can hear their breathing (snoring and coughing in this case). I’d much rather a 1-2-1 flat-bed layout with a bit more privacy. Note that I did not redeem Avios for this flight, it was part of a business trip covered by my employer.

Outlet as well as a storage area…

Elemis amenity kit with shave gel, lip balm, moisturizer, socks, razor, and toothbrush were passed out.

The IFE is not active while on the ground but we were given water for this early morning daytime flight to London. Besides my dislike for the privacy screen, I also don’t like the footrest/bed contraption. Again, I’d much prefer the 1-2-1 business layout with an area to extend my feet when not in the lie-flat position. This configuration just seemed uncomfortable and I could never get the seat to align perfectly with the footrest.

Noise canceling headphones (very similar to Delta’s), an old school remote, and a decent TV. The movie library including new releases was actually very good, though the TVs themselves felt a bit dated.

Breakfast options included a traditional British breakfast, vanilla porridge, an omelette, or ham. I went with the omelette and vanilla porridge (flight attendants asked if you wanted more than one).

The seat was truly flat, but as mentioned above the foot rest is not connected to the seat and I sort of felt like I was stretching for it throughout the flight. A full size pillow and blanket were provided as well.

Mid-flight snacks were stocked in the galley and there was a nice selection – sandwiches, yogurt, candy, fruit, and chips. Much nicer than Iberia’s mid-flight selections.

We were given a small lunch prior to landing. There was one meat choice and one vegan option, I went with the meat which included a small piece of steak, asparagus, and shrimp. Service throughout the flight was good, nothing spectacular but attentive and present.

Highlights – Mid-flight snacks and vanilla porridge? I found the seat to be uncomfortable and I continue to dislike the Club World configuration. As it is, I would never use Avios for a flight to/via LHR due to the outrageous taxes and fees and Club World makes the prospect of a future redemption even less likely. I did use Avios on the return for Iberia fligths.

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Related – Why the British Airways Card Still Makes Sense – Got it & the Bonus Again!

Also see, Trip Report British Airways JNB-LIV & Crossing the Border Zambia to Zimbabwe