Some flights stick with you long after you've landed. Maybe it's an incredible seat, standout service, a memorable meal, or sometimes a spectacular failure that becomes a story you'll tell for years. Then there are flights like this one.
After flying British Airways' newest business class “Club Suites” home from London a few months back, I found myself struggling to form a strong opinion. Not because anything went wrong … but because almost nothing stood out. Club Suites remain a solid business class seat – and a massive improvement over British Airways' older business class cabins – though mine was starting to show its age in places. Service was efficient … without being particularly memorable. Same goes for meals.
There were a few minor disappointments along the way. The amenity kit felt sparse, and the Wi-Fi never worked during my flight. Thankfully, the entertainment system picked up some of the slack, and the seat was downright comfortable – both upright and in bed mode.
In the end, British Airways got the fundamentals right and delivered a comfortable trip across the pond … it just didn't leave me with a lasting impression. From booking and lounges to dining, service, and the onboard experience, here's a closer look at flying British Airways Club Suites on the Boeing 787-10.
How to Book British Airways Biz Class
When it comes to booking British Airways' business class, you've got two options: Pay up – at least most of the time (more on that in a bit) – or turn to your stash of points and miles.
Let's start with some of the different options to use points and miles, since that's what most of you are here for – this site is called Thrifty Traveler, after all. BA's membership in the Oneworld alliance means you can transfer credit card points to any number of partner airlines (and British Airways itself) to book these seats … but some programs are much better than the rest.
Here are your best bets:
- Book direct with British Airways from 88,000 points each way: British Airways partners with just about every bank and transferable points currency under the sun. If you've got a travel rewards card from American Express, Bilt, Capital One, Chase, or Wells Fargo, your points can be transferred directly to British Airways at a 1:1 ratio … sometimes with a 20% or 30% transfer bonus. Meanwhile, you can transfer Citi ThankYou points and newcomer Rove Miles to Qatar Airway, then kicked over to BA to book. Just beware of higher fees with this option.
- Book with Cathay Pacific Asia Miles from 63,000 miles each way: You can transfer points from American Express, Bilt, Capital One, Citi, Rove, and Wells Fargo straight to Cathay Pacific. All transfers are 1:1, except for American Express, which reduced the ratio to a subpar 5:4 (1,000 Amex points = 800 Asia miles) earlier this year.
- Book with Japan Airlines Mileage Bank from 42,000 miles each way: JAL miles transfer in from both Bilt and Rove at a 1:1 ratio, and Capital One at 4:3. Since launching a partnership with JAL last fall, we've seen Capital One offer a pair of 30% transfer bonuses to JAL that bring it to nearly 1:1 … so be on the lookout for another one of those if you've got a stash of Capital One miles.
The big kicker with booking British Airways business class flights to (or from) London is always the taxes and fees. When using British Airways Avios – or even American AAdvantage miles or Alaska Atmos Rewards (both are also an option) – you'll get hit with a minimum of $500 in cash charges on top of your points and miles … and even more when departing the U.K.
If awards are available through Japan Airlines, that's is the absolute best option thanks to a combination of low mileage rates and (more) reasonable surcharges: Just 42,000 JAL Mileage Bank miles and $219 in taxes and fees are all you need for the nonstop flight from Chicago to London.
The deal gets even better if you're booking roundtrip. Rather than paying double the cost of a one-way, JAL combines the total distance of both legs and lumps them into a single mileage band on the award chart. This drops the roundtrip cost to just 80,000 miles total, saving a respectable 4,000 miles in the process.
Of course, the taxes and fees are much higher at $900 roundtrip – but that's to be expected any time you include a flight departing the U.K – regardless of the airline.
But as great a deal as that is, I didn't use JAL Mileage Bank to book my flight. Instead, I booked a cash fare, all thanks to Thrifty Traveler Premium flight deal alert.
For a couple of hours last fall, Alaska Airlines put roundtrip business class flights to London – flying partners like British Airways and American Airlines – on sale for just $1,200 or so. This was likely a mistake fare … and thankfully, they wound up honoring it.
In my case, I ended up flying American Airlines to London and British Airways home (all in business class) for a little over $1,500 out of pocket. Considering roundtrips like this normally cost $6,000 or more, it was a heckuva deal.
At Thrifty Traveler, we don't accept freebies. We use our own points, miles, or cash to pay for every single flight or hotel you see reviewed here – including this one.
Checking In, Lounge Access & Boarding
I arrived at London-Heathrow's (LHR) Terminal 5 a little more than two hours before my scheduled departure time and found the British Airways Club World (business class) check-in area mostly deserted. After a brief pitstop at the desk for a passport check, I had my boarding pass in hand and was on my way to security.
Business class passengers get access to fast-track security at London-Heathrow – and with just a dozen (or so) passengers ahead of me in line, I was through in no time.
After clearing security, my first order of business was finding the lounge. British Airways operates a staggering eight different lounges at Heathrow – but despite finding the BA Galleries North Club Lounge right outside of security, I made my way to the Galleries T5B Club Lounge as it was closer to my gate.
A quick word of caution: Terminal 5 is positively massive, so if you do stop at a different lounge or do some shopping, be sure to allow plenty of time to get to your gate. Depending on where in the terminal your flight departs from, you may need to take a tram, do a fair amount of walking, or both.
While there are certainly nicer business class lounges in the world – even at LHR, for that matter – I found the Galleries T5B Club Lounge to be the perfect place to relax and get some work done before my flight. What it lacks in over-the-top amenities and style, it more than makes up for with a solid food and drink selection, space, and most importantly: peace and quiet.
I don't know if I just got lucky and caught it at the right time or what, but it was striking how quiet the lounge was throughout my visit. To be clear: The lounge wasn't empty, but the number of different seating areas and general size of the lounge meant I never had more than one or two people within earshot of me.
I was there mid-morning, which meant breakfast was still being served. There were plenty of options to choose from, including a variety of pastries, fresh fruit, waffles, avocado toast, potatoes, bacon, sausage, and of course, beans – this is Britain, after all.
Most items were self-serve, but the eggs and breakfast sandwiches were prepared fresh to order by an attendant working the station.
There was also a nice coffee bar with a pair of coffee machines (offering a variety of options) using beans from London's own Union Hand-Roasted Coffee.
There were also a pair of self-serve bars with coolers full of soft drinks and juices, as well as plenty of different types of liquor, wine, and beer. The build-your-own cocktail station had everything you'd need to make a proper Old Fashioned, Bloody Mary, or whatever else your heart desires.
Aside from all the food and drinks, there were tons of seating options throughout the lounge, including sofas and armchairs, an oval-shaped bar near the dining room, high-top tables, and more.
There's also a high-top bar area with individual plug-ins at every seat, which would be a good place to get some work done before hopping on a flight.
As far as amenities go, the Galleries T5B Club Lounge has a dedicated kids' room with video games, toys, and books. There are plenty of individual bathroom stalls in the lounge (though they're quite sterile-looking), and shower suites can be reserved upon request. There's also luggage storage near the front entrance, so you don't have to tote your carry-on and other bags around with you.
All in all, I found this lounge to be quite nice and the perfect way to start my travel day. Again, it's not going to “wow” you with over-the-top grandeur – but, in my opinion, it delivered on what matters most.
After leaving the lounge, I made my way over to gate B38 about five minutes before our scheduled boarding time. While I was waiting, the crew arrived and boarded the plane first, so pre-boarding didn't start for another 15 minutes or so.
When things finally got moving, the boarding process was quite orderly, despite a bit of a backup on the jetbridge. As one of the first people on the plane, I was greeted rather matter-of-factly by the flight attendants waiting at the door and escorted into the empty (rear) business class cabin.
Business Class Cabin
The business class cabin isn't super flashy – with dark seats and gray tones throughout – but despite BA rolling these seats out six-plus years ago, they're holding up surprisingly well.
British Airways business class on the Boeing 787-10 consists of 12 rows of suites (48 in total), spread across two separate cabins. Both cabins are arranged in a 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone configuration, with all seats facing away from the aisle.
Additionally, there are two rows of first class seats at the very front of the plane for the really fancy folks.
The bulkhead seats in both cabins (generally) offer the most space and privacy, with a slightly bigger footwell and no one seated in front of you. But the tradeoff is that you're located near the galley and lavatories. I was seated in one of those bulkhead seats (12A) on the left side of the plane, and since it was a daytime flight, the extra commotion didn't bother me in the slightest.
Seats next to the windows are a solid option for solo travelers, like myself.
If you're traveling with a companion, sitting in the middle two seats will probably be your best option. There's a small partition that can be slid open – or closed, if you wind up next to a stranger – but unlike some newer seats where the entire wall drops down, having much of a conversation in these seats would be kind of tough.
Since all of BA's business class suites are more or less identical, no matter which one you pick, I'm not sure there's a “bad seat” on the entire plane.
There are a total of three lavatories for business class passengers – all in the mid-galley, between the two business class cabins. Aside from The White Company-branded soap and moisturizer, they looked exactly as you'd expect. If you plan to change into comfier clothes before going to sleep, I'd try for the (slightly) bigger lavatory in the middle of the plane.
The crew did a good job keeping the lavatories clean throughout the flight, and despite a nearly full business class cabin, there was never much of a wait to get in.
British Airways Club Suites
After flying a dozen or so different lie-flat business class seats over the years, British Airways Club Suites felt pretty ho-hum.
Don't get me wrong: I'm thankful to have a bed in the sky every day of the week and twice on Sundays, but aside from the closing door (which isn't a necessity for me, personally), there's just not a lot about these seats that stand out. Good or bad.
The color scheme – or lack thereof – does little to make these seats pop. I'm all for minimalist design, but aside from a few metal trim pieces and a little woodgrain, there's just a whole lot of charcoal grey everywhere you look. I really think these seats would benefit from a little more color, even if it's just in the accent pillow or headrest.
Of course, design aspects and color schemes are matters of preference, and none of these gripes affected my comfort one bit. The seat was both well-padded and spacious, and that's what matters most.
Looking at the seats from the rear, it's easy to see just how much room there is, with plenty of table space to set your belongings on.
The headrest featured a little sheet with BA's logo stitched into it. Just to the side of the headrest was a personal reading lamp that turned on automatically when pushed out.
Beneath the window was a spacious side table with two different storage compartments. This space was perfect for setting my laptop, headphones, and other items I wanted quick(ish) access to while in flight.
Opening the small door above the table reveals a storage compartment containing the amenity kit, a bottle of water, and a small mirror.
Pressing down on the doors in the side console opens up two relatively sizable storage compartments. I stored my passport and a few other small items there during the flight.
In one of the two side-console storage compartments was a wired controller that retracts to operate the in-flight entertainment system without reaching forward to use the touchscreen. On some aircraft, these seem to have trouble responding, and you're better off just using the screen itself – but that wasn't an issue for me. Here you'll also find both an AC outlet and a USB-A port (but not the more widely used USB-C) to stay charged throughout the flight
The fixed controller near the armrest adjusted the seat, allowing you to recline and convert it into a fully lie-flat bed.
The aisle armrest could easily be raised for added comfort when sitting, and lowered for a larger sleeping surface when it was time to get some rest.
Above the armrest is the handle to close the suite door. While I don't typically make much of having a door, they do add a decent amount of privacy when closed.
Having enough legroom wasn't an issue in these bulkhead seats. The footwells have plenty of space and are finished with a nice leather ottoman at the far end.
The tray table was plenty big and easily extended out from under the TV and slid closer to the seat, making it usable whether you're sitting upright or reclined.
I thought the seats were quite comfortable in all positions, but especially when converted to a bed. My back had plenty of support – without being too firm – and my arms were never cramped with the armrest dropping down to provide more space.
One thing I didn't like about these seats (and British Airways is far from alone here) is that there are no individual air nozzles. This might seem like a silly detail, but I run warm on planes, and having my own airflow makes a big difference in my overall comfort. Instead, the overhead compartment contains just a single, sad-looking light … and that didn't even work.
Overall, I thought British Airways Club Suites were a very comfortable ride. While I'm not a huge fan of some of the airline's design choices, the seats themselves are nice, and the closing door provides a fair amount of privacy for those who want it.
Dining & Service
Food & Drink
Shortly after settling into my seat, I was welcomed aboard by the flight attendant working my aisle, who offered me a hot towel and the choice of champagne or orange juice. Bubbles, for me, please!
British Airways poured a respectable Castelnau Reserve Brut on the ground for its pre-departure beverages, which was complemented by Roebuck Reserve Brut in-flight.
My flight pushed back on time, but a lengthy taxi meant there was quite a delay in service between leaving the gate and flight attendants coming around to take drink orders and meal selections. This wasn't a big deal, but it did feel longer than usual, and if I'd needed a bottle of water or help with something, the hour-plus wait could have gotten uncomfortable.
Service began with a drink – I went with a tasty Citrus Burts mocktail – and a bag of salted rosemary snack mix. If I'm being critical, I think the bag of snack mix is a cheap touch for business class passengers paying a premium to sit up front. Many of British Airways' competitors serve warm nuts in a proper dish – and whether you think that's actually better or worse, it certainly feels more premium than what BA offered here.
For my starter, I chose the charred cauliflower with roasted baby artichoke, truffle cream, and shaved parmesan cheese. It came with a side of whole-grain bread and a Mediterranean salad with romesco sauce and feta cheese.
I don't know if the charred cauliflower was supposed to be served cold – I assumed that “charred” meant it would be warm – but it caught me a bit off-guard. From a flavor perspective, it was all fine – certainly not the worst bite I've had on a plane – but there also wasn't anything about this course that was truly memorable.
Next up was the main course. I chose for the mushroom and spinach-stuffed chicken breast with roasted potatoes, carrots, and broccoli, all served with a chicken velouté (sauce).
I thought British Airways did a really good job with this entree. Airplane chicken is often way too dry for my liking – saved only by a sauce … if I'm lucky – but that wasn't the case here. The chicken was both moist and flavorful (thanks to the stuffing), and the vegetables were all crisp and well-seasoned.
A glass of Goldwater Reserve Sauvignon Blanc paired well and made for a pretty tasty meal.
For dessert, I went with the artisanal cheese plate, served with crackers, dried apricots, caramelized apples, and onion chutney. Nothing blew my socks off here – but to be fair, I really didn't need any more food at this point anyway, so it could have just been my lack of appetite.
About an hour and a half before landing, the crew began a traditional afternoon tea service for the pre-arrival meal. In addition to a choice of several different types of tea (or coffee, in my case), this meal consisted of three small finger sandwiches, a couple of sweets, and a scone served with clotted cream and jam.
Maybe it's because I'm not British, but this meal just completely missed the mark in my book. The smoked salmon with cream cheese sandwich was the only one of the bunch that I enjoyed, but it hardly filled me up. Of course, I was quick to devour the chocolate éclair and lemon tart – and the scone was fine – but again, I'd wouldn't consider this a “meal.”
Don't get me wrong: I was far from famished, so this isn't some huge tragedy. But this is a nine-hour flight, and only serving what I'd consider a snack seems like a mistake.
Again, I understand that afternoon tea is a British staple – and I'm happy to see BA lean into this – I just wish there had been something else (more substantial) offered alongside it. Then again, British Airways isn't alone in serving a skimpy second meal on these transatlantic routes.
Here's the full food menu and drink choices from my flight. Click the image and zoom in to see it better.
Service
Overall, the service on my flight was quite good. The crew was always willing to help when needed, and no one ever went missing for long. But I can't say that it was ever very warm and friendly – more matter-of-fact than anything. Though that's likely more of a cultural difference than the crew not being genuinely welcoming to passengers.
And despite how hard they worked (I was checked on plenty), service was slow throughout the flight. Meal service seemed to take forever to start and lasted nearly two hours, leaving me (and every other passenger) with empty dishes waiting to be cleared. Had I been trying to fall asleep right away on a red-eye flight, this would have been a bigger issue.
Amenities
When it comes to British Airways' business class amenity kit, there's not much to get excited about here.
BA partners with London-based The White Company to put these kits together, and while the faux-leather bag itself looks nice enough, it's not terribly big, and the contents are nothing special.
It comes stocked with a pair of socks, earplugs, an eye mask, a dental kit, and a couple of moisturizers and lip balms. That's all pretty standard for business class amenity kits, so maybe I'm being too critical here, but I really would like to see BA at least offer slippers to go along with it.
Bedding included a mattress pad, duvet, and pillow – all of which are also The White Company-branded. All of these combined to make the bed really comfortable, in my opinion.
BA also offers over-the-ear headphones to all business class passengers, but they weren't very high-quality. If you have your own headphones along, you'll probably be much better off sticking with those.
In-Flight Entertainment & Wi-Fi
British Airways' Club Suites come with an 18.5-inch LCD monitor, full of current movies and TV shows – including some original British programming. I didn't spend much time watching shows (I'm more of a moving map kind of guy), but there seemed to be plenty of content to keep me entertained if I'd wanted to.
One thing I noticed while using the in-flight entertainment was that each show began with a commercial for Holafly – an eSIM service similar to Airalo, which I generally use when traveling. Unfortunately, it didn't include any discount codes or ways to save on the service – just another way for British Airways to make a buck with some in-flight marketing.
Wi-Fi was offered on my flight, but unfortunately, I can't tell you how reliable or fast it was because it never worked. Messaging is free for anyone with a British Airways Club account, while general web browsing and streaming packages come with an added cost of approximately $7 to $25 dollars, depending on how long you want to stay connected.
British Airways began installing Starlink Wi-Fi on some aircraft earlier this year, but that initiative was paused this summer after equipping only five aircraft. If (and when) that rolls out more broadly, it should be a vast improvement for travelers.
Bottom Line
In the end, British Airways delivered exactly what it promised: a lie-flat seat across the Atlantic and a perfectly pleasant journey home.
But for an airline of British Airways' stature, there wasn't much that felt special about the trip.
On the plus side, the seat was downright comfortable in all positions, the closing door provides a fair amount of privacy, and the food was (mostly) good. But the sparse amenity kit, inoperable Wi-Fi, and slow service won't have me racing back to fly BA any time soon.
