British Airways B747 Business Class (Club Class) Review 2019
A recent work trip to Chicago enabled me to research some of the family friendly airport facilities British Airways has at London Heathrow Airport in Terminal 5 and at the same time review the British Airways B747 business class product.
Here’s my review of my flight from London Heathrow to Chicago on the B747 in Club Class.
London Heathrow – Chicago Club Class seat 19A
Arrival and BA Lounge.
Check-in was very smooth at LHR. For business class passengers ,there is a dedicated Club Class check to the far right hand side of the main check in area.
Lounge wise, there are two options if you are travelling with BA – the South lounge and the North Lounge. I popped into both and at a glance, the South lounge seemed slightly bigger.
The main area has the usual newspapers, tea, coffee, juices, a range of alcoholic drinks. Plenty of breakfast options were available – with traditional seating options as well as a large communal table. Seating has charging areas and the lounge WiFi password is changed monthly.
Within the Club lounges (business class) North (A gates) and South (B gates) there is a small play area equipped with play station, TV, and some lovely wooden toys by My 1st Years Toys in the Club lounges include: a wooden ride-along airplane, a play kitchen, some pull along toys, wooden bricks, fine motors skills activities. Child sized chairs and tables are available too. For older children there is a TV and PS4.
Boarding on BA
The seats already had the blankets, pillows, uni-sex kitbags and headsets placed on the seat. Bottled water too was provided too. British Airways have fairly recently teamed with The White Company to provide linens.
This has been an upgrade to the previous blankets I tried on a British Airways B777 in Club Class a couple of years ago. It’s not just a blanket which is provided but a seat quilted cotton cover shaped to the main part of the seat, a lightweight grey blanket and a heavier cotton blanket.
Crew came around offering hot towels, champagne, juice, and water as I settled into my seat.
The kits bags are now made by The White Company and come in a black leather pouch. Inside are a soft grey eyeshade and socks, a pen, ear plugs, and White Company relax spray, moisturiser and lip balm.
B747 Club Class Seat on the B747-400
The seat configuration is 2-4-2 and this B747-400 has 4 classes; economy, premium economy, Club and First. In Club, the seat currently faces each other. If you are flying solo then there is a divider so you can avoid a strangers look for the duration of a flight.
The seat can adjust and recline to various positions and the footstool unlatched for further comfort. For ease, there is a single button to press if you’d like a flatbed or to sit upright for landing.
There was WiFi available on this flight for a fee and the socket charging point is located by your feet, next to a small drawer. However, there is a USB charging punt right next to the remote control in a more convenient location.
The TV is both touchscreen and remote control – with over 100 movies and channels to choose from. Like most nowadays it’s AVOD. For kids, there is a dedicated section called Skyflyers for kids under 12.
The TV channel shows Cartoon Network and CBeebies for younger tots. A further feature that I really liked was the Skyflyers music and stories. The screen tilts so makes for easy viewing whichever position your seat is in. I used the British Airways noise canceling-headsets and found they were more than adequate to watch the latest releases.
Food in Club Class
After take off, drink orders were taken and swiftly arrived along with some snacks.
Lunch choices ranged from Scottish smoked Salmon, a buffalo and tomato gazpacho, or a seasonal salad for a starter, and fillet of British beef, prawn green Thai curry or spinach and ricotta tortellini. I opted for the salmon and prawn curry – both were delicious.
For dessert I opted for the cheese board, although a black cherry frangipane, a raspberry cremeux and chocolate and salted caramel mille-feuille was also on offer.
A great feature about Club is the Club Kitchen. It’s essentially a mini buffet area in the galley. Treats include salads, sandwiches, cakes, fruit, artisan biscuits, chocolate etc. If like me, you don’t like bothering the crew- then it’s perfect to grab a snack and stretch your legs. P.S They have Cadbury’s buttons!
Before landing afternoon tea was served. I chose the selection of sandwiches with scones (and yes proper clotted cream was served) The alternative option was a tapas plate.
You can choose a meal in the Manage My Booking section before you depart, as can guests in First and World Traveller Plus.
The friendly and efficient crew came around several times offering a drink in between meals and also came laden with an ice-cream and chocolate buttons too. It was as if they read my mind! Chocolate buttons are not just for kids!
Overview
Overall, I think the seat is well worth it for a long haul treat. My flight was over 7 hours and it is always nice to have the option to be horizontal. However, as it was day flight, I made the most of working and writing up a previous press trip to Puy Du Fou.
I thought the product was a definite improvement on the B777 Club Class a year ago. The new White Company products had an extra luxury feeling, and the food was excellent out of Heathrow. Of course the new seat is being gradually rolled out so I look forward to hearing about that.
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