BA Club Suites

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

I thought the intention was for the vast majority of BA planes to have the new Business Club Suites installed by the end of 2023.
Is there an updated list of aircraft / destinations and timetable for the updates? We booked a trip to Turks & Caicos some time ago, hoping that the plan would be updated by now.
On the BA app, the aircraft type is not currently shown.
Thanks

[Audis5b9]

It looks like that route is a 777 route..

Take a look at the FlyerTalk forums, they have a thread on the BA fleet here: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-ex...

[JDiz]

you can tell from the seating plans, 1-2-1 is the new suites, we had them going out last year ,but old returning.

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

Looks like it’s a ‘no’ on the Club Suites., based on what I can see on the Seat guru seat maps.

[Flachmatuch]

Whilst BA's Club Suite is supposedly very good, their rollout of it is glacially slow, which IMO doesn't reflect well on them in comparison with other airlines. As Audis5b9 says, there's an informative thread on the FlyerTalk forums (see also https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-ex... but as far as I know BA aren't particularly transparent about their plans for the CS rollout.

In a nutshell - A350 and 787-10 are all CS. Heathrow 777-200s and all bar 3 or so 777-300s are done. 787-8 is apparently next, then maybe 787-9. A380, who knows?? (seems odd to leave their flagship plane so late in the process)

And this all applies to LHR only, AFAIK Gatwick 777s will never have CS.

Edited by Flachmatuch on Monday 15th January 21:16

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

Flachmatuch said:

Whilst BA's Club Suite is supposedly very good, their rollout of it is glacially slow, which IMO doesn't reflect well on them in comparison with other airlines. As Audis5b9 says, there's an informative thread on the FlyerTalk forums (see also https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-ex... but as far as I know BA aren't particularly transparent about their plans for the CS rollout.

In a nutshell - A350 and 787-10 are all CS. Heathrow 777-200s and all bar 3 or so 777-300s are done. 787-8 is apparently next, then maybe 787-9. A380, who knows?? (seems odd to leave their flagship plane so late in the process)

And this all applies to LHR only, AFAIK Gatwick 777s will never have CS.

I thought the 777s were being done first, so I guess we’re a bit unlucky to be in one of only 3 777s still in the old format. Unless they can sort it out in the next couple of weeks

[djc206]

Flachmatuch said:

Whilst BA's Club Suite is supposedly very good, their rollout of it is glacially slow, which IMO doesn't reflect well on them in comparison with other airlines. As Audis5b9 says, there's an informative thread on the FlyerTalk forums (see also https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-ex... but as far as I know BA aren't particularly transparent about their plans for the CS rollout.

In a nutshell - A350 and 787-10 are all CS. Heathrow 777-200s and all bar 3 or so 777-300s are done. 787-8 is apparently next, then maybe 787-9. A380, who knows?? (seems odd to leave their flagship plane so late in the process)

And this all applies to LHR only, AFAIK Gatwick 777s will never have CS.

Edited by Flachmatuch on Monday 15th January 21:16

Not all Heathrow 777-200’s have been done. As a rule if you’re flying from T3 with BA on a 777-200 you’re in the old seats. Atlanta, Nassau and onward destinations incl Georgetown and Providenciales, Bahrain. All T3 all old school club.

The rollout has been sloooowwww

[djc206]

Sport_Turismo_GTS said:

Looks like it’s a ‘no’ on the Club Suites., based on what I can see on the Seat guru seat maps.

Seat guru hasn’t been updated in years. Aerolopa is about as good as it gets for seat maps now.

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

djc206 said:

Not all Heathrow 777-200’s have been done. As a rule if you’re flying from T3 with BA on a 777-200 you’re in the old seats. Atlanta, Nassau and onward destinations incl Georgetown and Providenciales, Bahrain. All T3 all old school club.

The rollout has been sloooowwww

Thank you for the bad news!

[Flachmatuch]

Sorry yes, it appears some 777-200s at LHR are still old Club World, e.g. G-VIIV, VIIW and VIIY which seem to crop up on the Nassau flight.

Sport_Turismo_GTS, if you go to Flightradar24 and put in your flight number (BA253?) it'll tell you which plane has operated that flight for the last week or so, and then what's scheduled for the next 2/3 days. Some have been the aforementioned Club World planes, others (G-RAES or G-VIIC for example) are Club Suite (see also https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-ex... It really does look like you could get either!

[djc206]

Sport_Turismo_GTS said:

Thank you for the bad news!

Fingers crossed for you.

I’ve always slept well on the old seat, bit odd staring at a stranger but they’re less funny about you having the divided up than they used to be. Could be worse….

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

Flachmatuch said:

Sorry yes, it appears some 777-200s at LHR are still old Club World, e.g. G-VIIV, VIIW and VIIY which seem to crop up on the Nassau flight.

Sport_Turismo_GTS, if you go to Flightradar24 and put in your flight number (BA253?) it'll tell you which plane has operated that flight for the last week or so, and then what's scheduled for the next 2/3 days. Some have been the aforementioned Club World planes, others (G-RAES or G-VIIC for example) are Club Suite (see also https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-ex... It really does look like you could get either!

Yes, that is correct, BA253 outbound and BA252 coming home.

Looking at the last 7 days on Flightradar24, it looks as though the London -> Nassau -> Providenciales flights have all been G-VIIY. The London -> Nassau -> Georgetown flights have been the G-VIIC or G-RAES planes.

Likewise on the return flight:
Providenciales -> Nassau -> London flights have all been G-VIIY. The Georgetown -> Nassau -> London flights have been the G-VIIC or G-RAES planes, with the occasional G-VIIW aircraft.

So it looks as though we’re going to be out of luck!

Edited by Sport_Turismo_GTS on Monday 15th January 22:22

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

djc206 said:

Fingers crossed for you.

I’ve always slept well on the old seat, bit odd staring at a stranger but they’re less funny about you having the divided up than they used to be. Could be worse….

Thanks - I guess I’ll be looking at my wife! Or, more likely, reading or sleeping!

[peter tdci]

Sport_Turismo_GTS said:

Yes, that is correct, BA253 outbound and BA252 coming home.

Looking at the last 7 days on Flightradar24, it looks as though the London -> Nassau -> Providenciales flights have all been G-VIIY. The London -> Nassau -> Georgetown flights have been the G-VIIC or G-RAES planes.

Likewise on the return flight:
Providenciales -> Nassau -> London flights have all been G-VIIY. The Georgetown -> Nassau -> London flights have been the G-VIIC or G-RAES planes, with the occasional G-VIIW aircraft.

So it looks as though we’re going to be out of luck!

Edited by Sport_Turismo_GTS on Monday 15th January 22:22

You can also see some current* info 'from the horse's mouth' i.e BA.

If you look at the BA website or their app, you should be able to find your bookings by logging in as a BAEC member or with your booking references and surname,

Go to 'manage my booking' and find the option for selecting or changing seats. Go into this (you can always come out without changing anything) and go into select or change. You should then see a seatmap of available or reserved seats. The layout of the map will show if it's CWS (1-2-1) or CW.

There's another website, ExpertFlyer.com which lets you search for flight availability for many airlines/routes/dates. This can also show you the seatmap but, as it gets its info from BA, it should be the same as the BA web/app as above.

• I did say current, because equipment can always change and then you get the dreaded email - 'your seats have been changed'!

Edited by peter tdci on Monday 15th January 23:56

Edited by peter tdci on Monday 15th January 23:57

[Matt p]

Sport_Turismo_GTS said:

Yes, that is correct, BA253 outbound and BA252 coming home.

Looking at the last 7 days on Flightradar24, it looks as though the London -> Nassau -> Providenciales flights have all been G-VIIY. The London -> Nassau -> Georgetown flights have been the G-VIIC or G-RAES planes.

Likewise on the return flight:
Providenciales -> Nassau -> London flights have all been G-VIIY. The Georgetown -> Nassau -> London flights have been the G-VIIC or G-RAES planes, with the occasional G-VIIW aircraft.

So it looks as though we’re going to be out of luck!

Edited by Sport_Turismo_GTS on Monday 15th January 22:22

Quite fond of the old girls to be honest. I’ve not had a rough experience yet. Mainly flown premium economy and will be flying back business class this upcoming Good Friday for the first time. First try in business overnight as I’d love a little shuteye.

[Sport_Turismo_GTS]

peter tdci said:

You can also see some current* info 'from the horse's mouth' i.e BA.

If you look at the BA website or their app, you should be able to find your bookings by logging in as a BAEC member or with your booking references and surname,

Go to 'manage my booking' and find the option for selecting or changing seats. Go into this (you can always come out without changing anything) and go into select or change. You should then see a seatmap of available or reserved seats. The layout of the map will show if it's CWS (1-2-1) or CW.

Yes, this is showing 2-4-2 CW configuration

[theboss]

I flew in the new configuration last week and am doing the same again tonight from Phoenix. I don't usually sleep on planes but I've kept to a UK working schedule whilst in AZ so should be passing out the moment I've sat down and necked some alcohol.

I thought it was very good, but I don't have any experience of the old CW configuration for comparison. The last time I flew long haul I was in First on BA 747 which probably warped my perspective slightly but from what I've seen the new setup as a lot more in common with that, than the old CW.

I have a medical condition that would make economy or PE extremely difficult to endure long-distance, not just for me but fellow passengers. Looking at the old layout I don't think I would do very well in that either, so personally I would be looking for a route on which its all but guaranteed.

[GT03ROB]

theboss said:

I thought it was very good, but I don't have any experience of the old CW configuration for comparison. The last time I flew long haul I was in First on BA 747 which probably warped my perspective slightly but from what I've seen the new setup as a lot more in common with that, than the old CW..

The club suites are a step up from the old club world. I’d definitely agree that the suites are much closer to first than before.

[peter tdci]

GT03ROB said:

The club suites are a step up from the old club world. I’d definitely agree that the suites are much closer to first than before.

In terms of the 'hard' product, I agree. For me, the difference is in the service. On one of the 773 configurations you have 8 First and 76 Club Suites seats - with no 'dine on demand' in Club, you could be waiting ages for your meals, or getting drinks refilled. My last experience in F in a full cabin (14 pax) on an A380 was a demo of how good BA can be.

My unpopular opinion might be that, given the right seat number, the old CW seat isn't too bad! Okay, it has to be a window seat with full aisle access, and it has to be an overnight flight. With all that though, and you are not too bothered about the old IFE screen of lack of power outlets, but can just enjoy a truly lie flat bed without your feet being in a box, it's okay!

[djc206]

peter tdci said:

In terms of the 'hard' product, I agree. For me, the difference is in the service. On one of the 773 configurations you have 8 First and 76 Club Suites seats - with no 'dine on demand' in Club, you could be waiting ages for your meals, or getting drinks refilled. My last experience in F in a full cabin (14 pax) on an A380 was a demo of how good BA can be.

My unpopular opinion might be that, given the right seat number, the old CW seat isn't too bad! Okay, it has to be a window seat with full aisle access, and it has to be an overnight flight. With all that though, and you are not too bothered about the old IFE screen of lack of power outlets, but can just enjoy a truly lie flat bed without your feet being in a box, it's okay!

The Heathrow old club world 772 I flew on last week had a new IFE screen and USB power socket which was a pleasant surprise. I agree with you on the seat, there are only a few that fit the bill on each aircraft unfortunately.

We flew to Chile and back in Nov/Dec on the 789 and chatting to the crew they said they get told quite regularly that people are going to miss the old style. I agree part of it is the trend for business class seats to wedge your feet into a tiny cubby hole so if you’re someone who likes to side sleep and bend your legs the new seats make that more challenging even though the privacy element is vastly improved.