BA club class

[thebullettrain]

I am flying to Chicago on a 777 and returning via New York on a 747. Both flights are with BA and in Club Class.

I've not used BA's Club Class before and have realised that it has a particular seat arrangement with window seats facing the opposite way given the seat configuration to accommodate the bed style seats. For my Chicago leg it appears the window seats are all reserved: does anyone have any suggestions as to which other seats are optimal? I.e aisle or inner centre?

For the return leg I'm looking at the upper deck of the 747. Again, any comments on the upper deck would be appreciated. At the moment I have a window seat.

Generally, what's the view on BA's Club Class?

[Big Al.]

Regardless of where you are you can exit from at least one side so you will not be constricted.

[Ultraviolet]

Not sure if this is any help:

www.seatguru.com

Cheers,

UV

[ViperDave]

Are you on your own or with someone you want to sleep with? the centre two seats can be rather cozy as you are both facing the same way (backwards) and there is minimal divider between them, there is then dividers between the seats and the aisle seats so you can shut yourselves off in you own little area if you want, can be a bit uncomfortable though if you are a big hairy bloke sitting next to a stranger who is also a big hairy bloke and your not into big hairy blokes. Also if you do decide to get friendly with you seat mate bear in mind the glass dividers may look opaque horizontally but are clear as glass looking down into the seat from standing in the aisle.

As for the best seat in the house, apart from window, aisle or double bed they are all similar, if you are in a backwards facing one at the back of the cabin you wont have to climb over anyone to get out, Likewise a forward facing at the front wont have anyone climbing over you. on the upper deck of the 747 62 and 64 K are considered the best, i prefer 62K though as i don't like being in the last row of the cabin for fear of not getting my meal choice. Both have lots of leg room and direct aisle access, 62K does have the FA's opposite for take off and landing. 62A and 64A are the next best as both also have direct exits, but are a little less private, not overly so IMHO.

also while 64 A and K are considered optimal by some 64B and J are not due to the toilet, same could probably be said of 60B and J as there is another lav at the front

As far as the 777 is concerned, I'm assuming its a 4 class aircraft so you will be in the big dorm, I'd try as far to the front as possible as club is pretty far back and getting over the wing and therefore far too close to the engine noise.

Edited by ViperDave on Friday 15th March 20:25

[LotusOmega375D]

Upstairs window(s) on 747 is ideal. Peaceful, great views and loads of lockers to shove stuff in.

Flying alone on 777 I would aim for an individual seat rather than a centre pair, unless it's not a full cabin. That's because I'm antisocial. Also away from bogs of course.

Enjoy the flights. For me 747 upstairs is the best Club Seating on BA. Away from the riff-raff.

[WhereamI]

Being on the aisle can be weird, I remember being in the centre and having my food given to me through the divider over the person in the aisle seat. OK for me but seemed weird.

[V8LM]

I usually try and sit near a window, but that has the disadvantage of having to step over the feet of the person sitting diagonally opposite. I also try and sit in A not K, as I (try to) sleep on my right hand side and this is easier in seat A than K.

Upstairs on the 747 is best.

[LotusOmega375D]

I was reading that the BA A380 will have something like 98 Club seats and 12 First. So even with your privileges you and your luggage could still be 100th on/off the plane! I imagine that some of the Business lounges could get a bit busy with up to 98 passengers on a single flight. Anyone have experience with Business on A380s from other airlines?

[Kudos]

ViperDave said:

Are you on your own or with someone you want to sleep with?

Edited by ViperDave on Friday 15th March 20:25

A bit personal shirley? What if his wife reads this?

[ViperDave]

Kudos said:

ViperDave said:

Are you on your own or with someone you want to sleep with?

Edited by ViperDave on Friday 15th March 20:25

A bit personal shirley? What if his wife reads this?

I take it you have never sat in the centre seats of BA Club world.

[WhereamI]

LotusOmega375D said:

I was reading that the BA A380 will have something like 98 Club seats and 12 First. So even with your privileges you and your luggage could still be 100th on/off the plane! I imagine that some of the Business lounges could get a bit busy with up to 98 passengers on a single flight. Anyone have experience with Business on A380s from other airlines?

Exactly the problems you point out, I avoid 380s if I can, better for the folk in economy but worse for those in first and business

[audidoody]

I prefer the window seats. With the divide up it's like having your own (v.small) bedroom.

[Olf]

LotusOmega375D said:

Upstairs window(s) on 747 is ideal. Peaceful, great views and loads of lockers to shove stuff in.

Flying alone on 777 I would aim for an individual seat rather than a centre pair, unless it's not a full cabin. That's because I'm antisocial. Also away from bogs of course.

Enjoy the flights. For me 747 upstairs is the best Club Seating on BA. Away from the riff-raff.

Absolutely spot on. Also get your bag in the right place - scuttle down the stairs like your arse is on fire and you can be in customs q before First passengers.

[Extra 300 Driver]

The flight to ORD is a day flight, so I would suggest an aisle seat. It can be a bit strange looking someone straight in the face next to you whilst the deviders are down, but they soon get put up.

Coming home I would recomment 64A or K. They're on the upper deck, so nice an quiet and they also are window seats which allow acess directly to the aisle. If its a night flight, eat in the lounge and get straight to sleep. Being in 64k is like having your own private jet. I love it, more than BA First. I even take a small, lightweight, sleeping bag - best nights sleep. Take some ear plugs too.

[NorthEast]

LotusOmega375D said:

I was reading that the BA A380 will have something like 98 Club seats and 12 First. So even with your privileges you and your luggage could still be 100th on/off the plane! I imagine that some of the Business lounges could get a bit busy with up to 98 passengers on a single flight. Anyone have experience with Business on A380s from other airlines?

Flew Air France Paris-Tokyo on a 380 Biz class, no problem getting on/off, lounges seemed to cope ok, can't comment re luggage as only carry on bag.

[jogon]

Aisle seat on the BA 777 to ORD about 2 weeks ago, no climbing over anyone, if you need the loo or snack/drinks bar, unlike a window or middle seat.

Champagne was flowing, starter was smoke salmon, main was choice of a fish dish but I went for fillet steak. Selection of three red's or white wine. Port and cheese for pud. Can't quite remember if we got anything else as I nodded off, on the flattish bed, after a couple of extra glasses of port.

As for t5 for ord you use a different part of t5, shuttle takes you, the duty free is not very good once over there but the lounge is a lot quieter than the main one.

Good job your flying back from NY as ORD's international terminal is diar, mcd's or some crappy bar are your only options.

[WhereamI]

jogon said:

Aisle seat on the BA 777 to ORD about 2 weeks ago, no climbing over anyone, if you need the loo or snack/drinks bar, unlike a window or middle seat.

Which is one of the reasons why BA is so out of date, you either have to sit in the aisle (and I mean in, there is nothing between you and the aisle) and have the people in the middle being served over you and climbing over you to get in and out, or you have to do the climbing trick if you want to get in and out.

Compared to the US airlines BA is still OK but try flying one like Etihad and you realise it doesn't need to be like that.

[Extra 300 Driver]

WhereamI said:

Which is one of the reasons why BA is so out of date, you either have to sit in the aisle (and I mean in, there is nothing between you and the aisle) and have the people in the middle being served over you and climbing over you to get in and out, or you have to do the climbing trick if you want to get in and out.

Compared to the US airlines BA is still OK but try flying one like Etihad and you realise it doesn't need to be like that.

I'd fly BA over any US carrier, but SQ, EK or EY over BA.

[WhereamI]

Extra 300 Driver said:

WhereamI said:

Which is one of the reasons why BA is so out of date, you either have to sit in the aisle (and I mean in, there is nothing between you and the aisle) and have the people in the middle being served over you and climbing over you to get in and out, or you have to do the climbing trick if you want to get in and out.

Compared to the US airlines BA is still OK but try flying one like Etihad and you realise it doesn't need to be like that.

I'd fly BA over any US carrier, but SQ, EK or EY over BA.

Yes it makes a big difference whether you go East or West. Flying East long haul from the UK gives you access to some airlines that are a hell of a lot better and cheaper than going West.

[dazerc]

I've been on BA Club World a few times. At first I didn't like that all the window seats faced backwards but I soon got used to it. You will need to climb over someone's legs if they are sleeping unless you pick a good seat on seat guru.

I have flown with Singapore Airlines on a A380 and the whole of the upper deck is business class, everyone has a isle seat as it is a 1 2 1 configuration. the seats are massive.

I haven't found any problems with the business lounges. Even at Heathrow terminal 5 where everyone is flying BA there from the planes at all 231 gates are trying to get in the couple of BA lounges there is still seats available as the lounge is massive.