British Airways A380 Business Class Review
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 มิ.ย. 2024
- In this video, I fly with British Airways aboard their Airbus A380 in the Club World cabin from Dubai (DXB) through to London Heathrow (LHR).
Although a product on the way out, there's much still to love about this now very dated seat design. Sitting on the upper deck of the 380 affords lots of additonal storage courtesy of the side storage binds alongside a huge amount of privacy. That said, BA are still struggeling delivering that consistent premium cabin experience with the food really letting them down on this occasion.
On the internet package front, the costs can scale up depending on length of use, this can typically be around £15 for the higher end option for the full flight.
Overall a decent experience back to Heathrow, especially accounting for the age of this seats design. Is this good enough in 2023, I'll let you discuss in the comments...
To check out the newer Club Suites on a recent flight about the 777, check that out just here:
• British Airways 777 NE...
Chapters:
00:00 Intro & Dubai airport overview
00:40 Check-in
00:54 British Airways lounge tour DXB
01:35 Boarding
02:00 Seat review & tour
04:19 Pre-flight service
04:50 Pushback & takeoff
05:40 Bathroom tour
05:57 Pre-dinner drinks & exploring the suite
07:18 Dinner service
07:45 Bed review
08:30 Entertainment review
09:32 Breakfast service
09:52 Ammenity kit review
10:21 Gorgeous landing & final thoughts
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I loved getting to fly on a BA A380 on the upper deck in business long haul LHR to IAD. The seats were just sad. No aisle access if you're in windows. I've flown twice both no access. On the 777 had seat 13, had aisle access. No amount of storage makes up for climbing over a strangers legs.
The seat was comfy, sitting and sleeping though. I do really love the White Company bedding, very plush and cosy.😊
Yeah a fair reflection I think, it’s an ageing design and interior for sure. I’ve always loved the privacy aspect of it when seated by a window, especially when flying aboard the 747 upper deck.
Agreed on the white company front, it’s a fantastic collaboration!
You’re spot on about 53k, I was sat there coming back from Washington Dulles just before covid, good seat. I’m a big fan of the old club world, love the yin-yang layout but for nostalgia upstairs on the 747 was my favourite.
Yeah, it’s a super spot isn’t it. It’s funny just how many people really like the older Club world layout. I think for travelling in pairs it’s ideal also.
With you all the way on the 747 nostalgia!
As a couple I've now also just booked 53k and adjoining. I do miss the upper deck of the 747 too.
I just flew round-trip on the A380 from Chicago to London in seat 53k as well. I had to pay an extra $175 each way ($350 total) to pick that seat, but with the aisles having no privacy, that extra money was well worth it to have one of the window seats with direct aisle access. The cubby holes were a nice touch (though a bit dirty), and I was able to get great sleep on the overnight flight from Chicago to London.
I did end up skipping meal service (dinner and breakfast) on the overnight leg from Chicago to London to maximize sleep time, and had a nice meal in the BA Arrivals Lounge at Terminal 5 in Heathrow for brunch.
On the way back, I had a 3:35 PM fight that was delayed by 3.5 hours, and didn't leave until 7:05 PM. Luckily, because I had business class seats, I had lounge access. I decided to go to the Terminal 5B Lounge on my London - Chicago flight, as I read that it was much quieter than the T5A lounges, and the information boards after security showed that as well. That was a great decision - even the staff there said the T5A lounges were 10x busier than the T5B lounge! I had a great lunch there around 1:30 PM, relaxed, and eventually headed to the gate around 5:15 PM for a flight that was supposed to leave at 6:15 PM (but was further delayed by 45 minutes).
I did take advantage of the on-board catering and had a very similar menu to your outbound flight from London to Dubai. The timing ended up being great, as I was finally hungry again when the appetizers arrived at 8:45 PM! I ordered the smoked tomato and coriander soup as an appetizer (along with the bread service and salad included), and had the braised beef cheeks as a main course. For dessert, I went for the cheese plate, as I already had a very rich mint chocolate cake in the lounge for lunch. Everything was delicious, and the braised beef cheeks were definitely the highlight!
I did had the pre-landing "snack" as well, and opted for the caprese quiche, which was tasty as well. In between, I visited the galley area for some complimentary snacks and beverages, as I as intent on staying awake during the return to avoid jet leg. I only napped for 30 minutes around 10:15 PM London time (4:15 PM Chicago time), and stayed awake the rest of the flight. The reading light was nice for that purpose as well, as the rest of the cabin was dark for people who were sleeping.
I noticed that the seats being sold for that flight in 2024 are the new Club Suites in business class, which definitely add more privacy for the aisles, but don't give you as much leg room while sleeping with new cubby holes. Still, the older Club World seats are beginning to show their age, and I look forward to trying the Club Suites the next time I fly business class to the UK!
Amazing overview! Completely agree, the window seats are always worthwhile. With silver status or above you can select these at the time of booking free of charge thank goodness as you found out, it’s not cheap!
Club suites coming for sure, looking forward to it!
Safe travels ✈️
Great video.
Thank you!
This is a very nice video! And hey, you're having wine again. 😆🍾🥂
Thanks so much! Wine indeed, all for the greater good of the review of course 😜
Nice vid Rich
Thanks very much mate!
I Cant Wait British Airways Install New Seats In The A380 Have 1-2-1 Seating In Business Class.Great Trip Report
It’ll be really good to see that, no doubt it’s on the way, their A380’s are very young…
Highly unlikely that’ll happen I suspect, as soon as the 777-9 deliveries start the a380 phase out will probably begin.
@@andrewmorton3177 If the current pace of A380 retirements around the world continues you’re probably not wrong. Bonkers how short many of these birds with fly for with some due for retirement after just 10 years…
I sincerely hope the 380s will be around for many years to come they are extremely popular with passengers and with the issues Boeing have with the upgraded 777 they have at least another 5 years minimum
@@r12004rewy Yeah, they’re for sure a passenger favourite. BA’s recent commitment to upgrade their A380 fleet will keep them in the skies a good long time yet. Excited to see how the brand new first class debuting onboard will look also…
Happy 1st birthday Dreamer . You’ve produced some great videos in the last year! What can we look forward to in the year ahead I wonder? Keep them coming please ❤
Thanks very much! Lots more coming from BA and no doubt others to come this summer!
The easy way how to steal money from passengers
BA need to step up , they are or becoming more a low cost carrier provider with premium costs
It feels the case much of the time…
Been confirmed they are going to be fitting the new First and CW seats to these. Can't come soon enough!
Amen to that! Was great to hear the news, would look forward to jumping onboard as soon as possible. New first class plans aboard the 380 sound interesting also!
BA certainly need to up their game in business it seems very hit and miss and dependant on route flown, the 380s are in definite upgrade in first and business.
Would agree on both fronts, let’s see how they look post refit!
Dubai is awesome
Sure is!
I Hope that I can fly on British Airways A 380 one day, I like a Lot to watch your vídeos in Brasil 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷
It’s a super experience aboard the A380 for sure - it’ll be even better onboard the BA fleet once they’ve had their refurb which is due soon!
That’s great to hear! 😃
Latest from Skytrax about BA who rate all the airlines:
"British Airways is Certified as a 4-Star Airline for its airport and onboard product and staff service. With some product and service now at 3-Star Rating levels, the BA rating for 2024 is under review."
“British Airways is still installing new Club World seats but many aircraft still have the older, poorer seat. First class service and product fails to match most airlines in this category. For short-haul, British Airways is at a low-cost standard in Economy, and Club Europe standards are very haphazard. Despite claims about trying to return to it’s former premium days, service standards are poor and the product is quite cheap.”
Thanks for the video. Any news on their upgrading their A380 to club suites?
You’re very welcome! Haven’t heard anything my side beyond the initial confirmation they’ll go ahead with it. BA will also deploy their brand new First aboard the 380 so might be waiting on the finalisation of that also perhaps…
@@Travelsbydreamer Yeah. Thought so too. But have seen the first TR on YT shorts with A380 with club suites on it.
If I was lucky enough to be able to afford a seat like this, I'd be pretty disappointed to be honest. I find fact that you have to (potentially) step over someone else to get in and out astonishing. The food looked bang average. Little things like the wobbly table would drive me mad. Absolutely fine in economy, but surely you expect the very best if you've paid for a seat like this. Great video though, Dreamer. Thanks for making it :)
You’re very welcome!
Yeah, I think all your concerns are spot on and largely the drivers behind all the changes in the newer ‘Club Suite’ product which I reviewed last year on the 777. It brings direct aisle access and much better storage alongside a far firmer table!
Food wise, well, that’s an ongoing inconsistency for the airline at present I’d say…
Oh my gosh, this is not great thats for sure! I flew Emerites from NYC to Dubai on an a380 and that was MILES ahead of this. Was considering business class for a flight from Boston to Heathrow, but after seeing this i don't think its worth the cost. Thanks for the review!
You’re very welcome. Well worth checking out their newer club suites to see how that compares. That said, they’re currently being rolled out across the fleet so no guarantees sadly just yet you’ll get it. EK for sure a way ahead!
Hi, what time was this flight? Wondering if im going to get a rubbish sandwich for dinner on my 21.00 flight to Johannesburg or a proper dinner service. Cheers.
Would’ve been the 01:00 roughly departure. Hope they swap in some better options for you!
Last week we flew Club World to San Francisco and back and I found the experience pretty good on the whole. We were in lower deck outbound BA285 and upper deck on the return BA284. Window seat on the upper deck a bit snug. Cabin crew were very good on both flights. Food Ok. I find the foot stool quite odd as it just gets in the way of passengers and cabin crew. My lie flat bed didn’t allow me to lie fully flat as feet were against the seat in front. Would I fly Club with BA again ? Yes. We have flown BA around the world and on the whole are generally satisfied.
That’s really good to hear, glad you had a good flight!
Have you had the chance to check out their latest club suite design just yet? 😃
@@Travelsbydreamer Hi ! No not yet. I did over hear a member of the cabin crew talking to a passenger , she said that all the 380 fleet were being retro fitted out. Whether that’s happening across the entire fleet I’m not sure. As much as we were satisfied with the cabin, parts of it were looking a bit tired. That said; it must be a challenge to keep on top of it all the time bearing in mind the planes are like work horses.
@@stuartkendrick5408 yeah very much up for the refurb soon, they do need it. It’ll be super to see the new seats onboard. It’ll also get the brand new first class too, yet to be revealed 😃
New subscriber here. Have you flown with any Indian airline?
Welcome onboard! No Indian airlines yet but would like to feature on at some stage soon ✈️
Absolutely no to that kind of sitting configuration. We are avoiding that. Finally they changed the seats of their A350. We have a direct flight to LHR.
Nice video. Dreamer.
Thank you! It’s for sure a controversial one! 😅
Soon to be phased out however with the A380 next in line for the refit and from a recent economy trip onboard one, goodness it’s overdue…
I will let you know when we go to Greece next year. Our 2nd choice for now is BA A350 direct to LHR RT (or back with A380 ?) Happy travels.@@Travelsbydreamer
@@tonyo7324 hmm a380 bit of a risk as no idea when they’ll start the rollout of the refurb on then. Hoping someone might weigh in below with some insight on timings but not sure anyone is really in the loop at the moment - haven’t seen anything about it on the BA frequent flyer forums.
any plans on flying avianca in the future?
No immediate plans however, always keen to feature new airlines on the channel so watch this space ✈️
Hi, Thanks for the video! I will be flying to Johannesburg with the a380, I'm willing to chose your seat because 53 K and A are not available. Did seat near to the kitchen and bathrooms annoy you during the flight by noises or smells or something like that?
Thank you!
You’re very welcome! No annoyance noticed my side at all on those fronts so would hope you’d be absolutely fine! Enjoy!
@@Travelsbydreamer I will, Thanks! First time flying backwards, I hope it wont feel strange!
@@juanantoniojimenezservera Ohh! Yeah honestly, it makes no difference as you never get a feeling of sensation in the cabin like you would in a car/bus etc. Only different just being on take off of course! I actually find the views out towards the wing etc a little better as result 😃
@@Travelsbydreamer Yeah, I found the views of the engine and the wing so cool!!
@@juanantoniojimenezservera yeah, especially on the 380 with the huge wing and dual engine view, don’t get to see much of that these days! Being forward of the engines and especially on the 380, it’s a wonderfully quiet place to be too…
I am from Australia
You bear a strong resemblance to Vince Gilligan.😊
Haha hopefully a slightly younger version 😅
@@Travelsbydreamer Yes, but he’s not an old man.😊
I miss the Boeing 747 talking about it makes me cry oh so many memories sdnjndwjdswhhjswdhhchwhj is what my brain feels like rn lol
I’m with you ever step of the way, believe me! I’m currently over in Seoul, was amazing to see so many of them here ✈️
Why do you say the window seat is “controversial”?
Good question. Some people don’t like it as you have to step over the aisle seat to access it if the aisle seat is in bed mode 👍
BA are Waaaaay behind most carriers when it comes to business class. They are missing lots of clientele going to other carriers (including me), as nobody wants to hurdle somebody else’s legs midflight over the Atlantic, to go to the bathroom! It just doesn’t make sense and the sooner BA realise that, the better.
Yeah, it’s an aged design for sure. Would you switch back to them for the club suites?
@@Travelsbydreamer Not sure? Competition is fierce and there are better carriers these days. I ALWAYS flew BA (including BA001 & 002) but I’ve gone to other carriers, depending on East or West travel.
@@peterdelight513 I think your point of easy vs west is absolutely key. Many stick with BA as they’re so often the ‘best of a bad bunch’ travelling west but you really have to be incredibly loyal to use them to the east in my mind with a raft of world class options on the table…
I’ll be flying the club suites to Tokyo early Feb and very much looking forward to bringing the experience to the channel!
Perso j'évite de payer pour un vol long courrier en classe affaire si il n'y a pas l'accès direct au couloir.....chacun son truc 😊
It’s for sure become the standard in this day and age. It does indeed help
Climbing over passengers at night for the toilet when seat extended to a bed...impossible when passengers legs are up high!! The floor of the toilets was running with urine & smelt so badly.....disgusting!!Especially when in your stocking feet! BA when doing a refurb refigure this ridiculous seating arrangement & add mops & buckets to the store room!!
Sounds rough, mop comment did make me laugh. New config will be better however, club suites layout not ideal in certain circumstances
FLIMSY TABLE NEEDS ATTENTION.
Yeah absolutely. New design it’s much better thankfully
Go Emirates,,simply,,,,ba,,budget airline
Haha overly harsh 😅
Stepping over people is so poor
Cabin and product look very cheap and dated👎👎👎👎
It wasn’t one of their better aircraft or offerings for sure! Had a much better experience onboard the 787 which I shared on Friday ✈️
Are you single? 😊
Sorry you just seem like a nice guy. I travel alot too.
Thanks so much but I’m taken 😊
I’m single, Liz.😅
BA legacy Club World is arguably the worst international business class in the world.
Probably a bit harsh, from the leading airlines yes but there’s a huge tail of less well known airlines it would be well ahead of…
@@Travelsbydreamer Why would anyone fly those lesser known airlines....such as Afghanistan International airlines, Blue Wing of Srinmae, Iran's Aseman, Nepal Airlines, SirLankan Airlines just to name a few. No amount of saving in money can offset the safety of the flight. That said, BA's first class is probably the best business class in the market. The Concorde lounge is also pretty nice which gives an incentive for flying out of Heathrow with BA in first class, on top of the dedicated check-in and security check.
If you think this was an acceptable level of business class from a premium airline, you're in cloud cuckoo land. This cabin style is 20 years old - tacky, cramped and uncomfortable. The entertainment system and the food are equally appalling in comparison to BA's competitors