British Airways plans to extend its new Club World business class 'sleep experience' to Singapore and Sydney in the next few months. with an upgraded menu to follow around the middle of the year.
The two-pronged push is part of an A$700m overhaul to the airline's business class service prior to the debut of an all-new Club World seat in 2019.
The bedding upgrade will see new products from upmarket British homewares retailer The White Company rolled out onto the daily BA15 flight from London starting May 24, and Sydney’s London-via-Singapore BA16 from May 26.
This includes a plush oversized pillow in white cotton pillowcase, with one side designed for “day” use and the other for more comforting “night” use.
There's also a supportive cushion for daytime use that provides lumbar support while you work or watch videos; a soft woven blanket with satin trim; and a custom-made duvet and padded mattress cover to provide an extra layer of comfort and improve quality of sleep.
By December 2018 or January 2019, business class passengers on both the Singapore and Sydney flights should also be enjoying British Airways' revised Club World meal service.
Designed by high-end European catering firm Do&Co, this features a freshly prepared starter, dessert or cheese board from a new display trolley, with the chosen main course served individually by cabin crew.
Both the meal service and bedding were launched in late 2017 flights between London and New York and have since been rolled out to a series of destinations in North America and Asia including Boston, Washington, Newark, Chicago, Montreal, Toronto and Hong Kong.
Read: British Airways shows off new bedding and food service
And as the countdown to next year's launch of its Airbus A350 jets featuring the 2019 Club World seat, British Airways has also begun a subtle Club World upgrade on its Boeing 777 fleet.
The changes bring both the seats and the cabin closer to what you'd see in BA's Boeing 787 business class, including crisp grey and white seat shells, new cushions and LED 'mood' lighting.
Read: First photos of British Airways' Club World business class refresh
30 Aug 2013
Total posts 444
Why does it take so long to change a blanket and pillow?!?
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
24 Jan 2013
Total posts 30
cos there english lol
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Aug 2016
Total posts 59
lipstick on a pig
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 339
You took the words right out of my mouth 👄😂😂
31 May 2017
Total posts 3
Best comment on this thread!!!! So true!!!!
17 Mar 2017
Total posts 14
I'm really hoping that the pathetic and largely pointless refresh to the 777 club world cabin will only apply to the Gatwick fleet, and that the Heathrow fleet will get the new 2019 club world seat (whatever that may be) when they go in for their refit.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
10 Mar 2018
Total posts 1
BA can undertake all the Club World seat, meal & sleep service upgrades it wants, it simply cannot compete with other airline’s Business class product. Essentially, it’s the TERRIBLE 2 x 4 x 2 [8 seats across the cabin] configuration it continues to use, even in its newest aircraft. Rear and forward facing seats means that wherever you sit in this configuration, you stare directly at the Pax in the adjoining seat. There is a [small] privacy screen between the seats. However, if seated in an aisle seat, when the screen is used, you cannot see outside the aircraft. Their cabin configuration is totally overcrowded and constrictive. This [so-called] business class cannot compare. Even Emirates will drop its 'dreaded' Business Class middle seat on their B777. I simply cannot understand how BA can compete in this market.
11 May 2018
Total posts 12
Sooo true, will never fly BA under this configuration.
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
24 Jan 2013
Total posts 30
because the british seemingly arent aware of what else is available , its mind boggling look at CA A350 for example and BA fares arent cheap.....
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Aug 2012
Total posts 214
Those aisle seats look the most public business class sleeping accommodation of any airline. I would not even consider it!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1387
The trolley looks good in the photo, but when your the pax sitting much lower??
07 Jan 2011
Total posts 48
It's about eye height. The photo was taken at an angle capture more of the tray.
15 Sep 2012
Total posts 93
How many people have banged their left knee on the jutting out bit containining tv? Looks like you would have to twist and contort just to sit down! Seems a bit claustrophobic!!!!!
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 612
I’m not a small person and have never had an issue getting in or out of the Club World seat nor have I felt claustrophobic in the window seat. I don’t have any problem sitting backwards either. That said BA’s seat and product is certainly getting a bit long in the tooth so a change would be wlecome.
07 Jan 2014
Total posts 42
The new service is not being catered by DO&CO but continues to be by Gate Gourmet. DO&CO is only available on the LHR-JFK route (which was also the case before the service changes).
13 Sep 2016
Total posts 56
My understanding is that new meal service elements such as the trolley, dessert platter etc was 'designed' by DO&CO as it says in the article, however the 'operational' catering side of things is different.
23 Mar 2012
Total posts 99
Experienced the " product refresh " from LHR to JFK last month." Lipstick on a Pig " sums it up perfectly . The improvements were simply a yawn and had absolutely no impact on the lackluster service that consistently plagues the airline . A new duvet does not camouflage the reality.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 365
I have never read a positive post about BA club world, ever, is it really that poor?
24 Oct 2010
Total posts 2547
Personally, I don't reckon it's that bad. Not great-amazing-wow, either, but BA is aware of this and that's why they are working on a new and much-overdue Club World seat. Sure, it's not as good as a modern 1-2-1 business class - and not just about the layout but lack of 'personal space' around the seat (compared to modern seat designs with shelves and cubbyholes and what-not). I'm not a fan of the mixed forward/backward seating. The issue then may come down to pricing - if BA's Club World pricing was a lot cheaper than those more modern alternatives perhaps it'd suffer less by comparison. That said, every time I've flown BA Club World I've still managed to enjoy the flight, and to me that counts for something!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 365
Ok thanks David. The amount of negative feedback about Club seems to be more than any other premium airline, damming in some reviews, I just couldn’t imagine it being that bad.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Dec 2012
Total posts 16
Believe me, a dog kennel below would be more comfortable.............flying backwards at 40k feet squashed into one of these spaces with staff that are just the industry standard worst..............BA need to do something and a quilt just does not cut it.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Jul 2013
Total posts 208
I fly BA between JFK and LHR about 6-8 times a year in a combination of Business and First, and while the hard product and cabin service is not on par with other premium carriers (eg SQ, EY, CX, etc.) the overall experience is not bad. There are some J seats which are simply much better than others (eg the rear-facing seats ahead of the Emergency Exit on the upper deck of the B747 are sublime for their privacy and access to the storage bins built into the side wall under the windows). The service is good, polite and efficient if lacking in warmth, but to be honest, on most flights I'm not looking for much more because I either want to be left alone to sleep or work. The new bedding does make the sleep experience a little more comfortable and if the flight is not full you can ask for an extra set to really plump up your bed, something the Cabin Crew have had no problems doing.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 471
BA Club World is perfectly fine, and I prefer it to the Qantas Skybeds (though not the new Qantas J suites on the A330 and B787). I've found service in J and F to be on a par with Qantas - but as always, it depends on the actual crew. And I can always find food that I like on BA - something I sometimes struggle with on QF.
17 Mar 2017
Total posts 14
I agree with some of the more positive replies you've had regarding club world. The product isn't competitive with a lot of other major carriers latest product, although it does guarantee a full 180 degree flat bed on every long haul aircraft, which a lot of other airlines do not.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2014
Total posts 112
Yes, it is.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Feb 2014
Total posts 452
Hard product still sucks.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
19 Jul 2014
Total posts 28
I certainly agree, Lip Stick on a very tired PIG.
18 Mar 2016
Total posts 24
I would never choose BA Business while they have that crazy back to front type seating.
03 May 2013
Total posts 660
BA a NEW seat with pyjamas would be an enhancement. Wouldn't fly BA in J for free...esp on a noisy 777 all that way from Sydney. The first service is even worse than Qantas 'first'.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Mar 2014
Total posts 132
No its not. QF first service is excellent and BA first service is also excellent.
BA Gold
01 Apr 2012
Total posts 174
Just a minor point - the mini cushion has already had the chop from the bedding pack.
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 612
I tend to agree somewhat. The offerings of Qantas and BA in the grand scheme of things are pretty good and to me reflect the culture of the countries that they call home.
20 Jun 2012
Total posts 7
first world problems, lol! If a competitor is available for the same $ use them, if you're on business and someone is booking for you, ask nice for a flight on an ME3 carrier or someone else. If you're "forced to endure" the "horror" of BA make the best of it. Leave the negative energy for something worth it, you know, like freaking out when there is a weather or mechanical delay and the airline doesn't have an extra plane and crew sitting around for just such an occasion (insert eye roll here)
25 Feb 2012
Total posts 78
Why would you give a coffin an upgrade
25 Nov 2016
Total posts 44
I flew the rear facing window seat, 10A both ways, to and from Tel Aviv. Due to overwhelming negative comments, I had very low expectations. However, both legs actually turned out to be enjoyable and sleeping friendly - the 30% full cabin also helped. Crew were more than friendly, and efficient. Honestly, nothing piggy about it - as long as it is lie-flat and there is no need to share personal space with a complete stranger, I won’t complain. The real pigs are EBL and EBG with shared space, tilted Skybed I and (apparent) less friendly J services.
23 Aug 2011
Total posts 65
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 612
Re BA's premium economy seats, your experience to me highlights one of the issues with premium economy which is different airlines have different interpretations of what it is all about which in turn makes it hard to genuinely compare them.
04 May 2015
Total posts 271
So, in other words, they're still flying a crap and uncompetitive seat to Australia, but just hiding it underneath a fancy new blanket for when you're trying to sleep (of course, until the person near you wants to get up and bumps you awake when trying to reach the aisle): but hey, at least the pillow is big.
#priorities
28 Dec 2016
Total posts 70
Pig on a lipstick?
QFF
19 Sep 2013
Total posts 185
Flew BA Toronto to London last year and was pleasantly surprised. Had a great night's sleep. Main issue for me was lack of suitable small item storage space, the only available spot being a small drawer which was hidden under the bed when the bed was setup. Not as bad as folks may believe.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 471
Yes, storage can be an issue in the old Club World seats, unless you are in one of the window seats with a storage locker on B747 and A380. I much prefer the BA J seats over the Qantas Skybeds. And the food on BA is generally better.
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 612
Flying BA16/15 to LHR next month (not by choice), so this will be an improvement.
QF
26 Apr 2012
Total posts 2
I will never fly BA long haul business class whilst they continue to have the appalling 2-4-2 cramped configuration. It is a far inferior product to their competition. The revamps are really only patching up the problem, not solving it. They need to start from scratch.
24 Apr 2018
Total posts 9
I have flown J on BA many times, and almost all the other OW carriers too. It's not the best out there, but a window seat, facing backwards is (for me) a great sleep, and very private. That said, the configuration, 8 across is well past it's sell by date. Some pillows and a blanket and improved food is just an attempt to stem the tide of people choosing other carriers, especially when as others have noted, BA in J is not exactly a bargain. New seats installed fleet wide is a very long way off.
BA Gold
01 Apr 2012
Total posts 174
@ Chriscollard - you are completely right. Rolling out a new seat to 150 plus long haul aircraft can not be done in a small amount of time. Changing the food and bedding can be done in a far shorter period of time hence you are correct when you say that (for now) it is 'patching up' the problem.
31 Jul 2012
Total posts 21
For all the whining above and comparison to QF, it’s worth noting that BA have a consistent, fully flat product across their entire long haul fleet. QF have 3: angled sky coffin mk1, flat sky coffin mk2 which now droops to be closer to mk1, and the amazing new suites - which you can’t fly on any of their ultra long haul flights except for PER-LHR. I have had good and bad experiences in BA J, but also on QF J. It is all around the crew on the day. While we would all probably prefer to fly QF suites long haul to Europe with their superior meal and cabin service (until recent cost cutting with cafe breakfasts etc), it just isn’t an option yet.
24 Apr 2018
Total posts 13
Its definitely good to have some level of certainty as to what you'll be getting. Like, stuff can always go wrong and there's a risk that the CX 773 you have lined up to fly on will get swapped for a DC10 (or whatever) at the last minute, its really not that likely and a risk most rational people are prepared to eat and will understand if it happens.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Jun 2015
Total posts 17
You have to be really desperate to fly BA now or in the future.
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 612
That is a matter of opinion really. Plenty are clearly happy enough with them to continue to fly them.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1260
Plenty of people don't have much of a choice to fly BA, whether they are happy about it or not There are many UK companies with corporate travel contracts with BA, and if you live in London your best (and sometimes only) option if you value non-stop connectivity over all else is BA.
05 Jan 2018
Total posts 47
Or if you fly SYD-SIN regularly, they generally have the cheapest PE, oops J fares and company policy insists on cheapest. So you get stuck on BA.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
19 Jul 2014
Total posts 28
Sorry don't care how much lipstick they put on that Pig, after my last four long haul experiences, I'll give them a big miss, never to darken their doorway again, except in emergencies maybe.
BA Gold
01 Apr 2012
Total posts 174
Opinions will vary and that's what makes the world go around.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
19 Jul 2014
Total posts 28
Quite right Eminere, What a position to be in only ‘BA’. I feel for you if you are.
07 Jan 2011
Total posts 48
If you're flying on the A380 try seats 50 A or K on the upper deck. Very private, side bins for storage, and easy access to 2 huge bathrooms in the front of the cabin. I slept 8 hours in 50K on a recent flight.
16 Nov 2011
Total posts 612
Flew BA16 earlier and the week and all I can say is the new bedding is at best a waste of time and a total PIA.
BA Gold
01 Apr 2012
Total posts 174
BA seems to have brought the new Club dining concept forward.
BA Gold
01 Apr 2012
Total posts 174
AJW - the packaging and where it is placed was part of the marketing agreement with the White Company. I'd hedge a bet that BA gets an extremely good deal in exchange for the White Company branding being visible when passengers board the aircraft.
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