BA brings new business class bedding to Sydney

Why does it take so long to change a blanket and pillow?!?

lipstick on a pig

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.

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.

Those aisle seats look the most public business class sleeping accommodation of any airline. I would not even consider it!

The trolley looks good in the photo, but when your the pax sitting much lower??

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!!!!!

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).

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.

I have never read a positive post about BA club world, ever, is it really that poor?

Hard product still sucks.

I certainly agree, Lip Stick on a very tired PIG.

I would never choose BA Business while they have that crazy back to front type seating.

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'.

Just a minor point - the mini cushion has already had the chop from the bedding pack.

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)

Why would you give a coffin an upgrade

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.

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

Pig on a lipstick?

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.

Flying BA16/15 to LHR next month (not by choice), so this will be an improvement.

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.

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.

@ 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.

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.

You have to be really desperate to fly BA now or in the future.

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.

Opinions will vary and that's what makes the world go around.

Quite right Eminere, What a position to be in only ‘BA’. I feel for you if you are.

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.

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 seems to have brought the new Club dining concept forward.

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.