Revamped British Airways Club World Offering Leaves Room for Improvement
British Airways has unveiled its new Club World Suites business class on the Singapore to London route, offering improved seat comfort for tall passengers with direct aisle access, fully flat beds, and extra legroom especially at bulkhead seats.
Improved Seat Comfort for Tall Passengers
The new Club World Suites provide a more spacious feel with privacy screens and multiple storage compartments, allowing tall travelers to spread out more comfortably than previous designs. The suites offer direct aisle access and convert into a fully flat bed, providing a comfortable sleeping experience for tall passengers. Extra legroom is provided in the bulkhead seats due to the foot recess being in the bulkhead, which is valuable for passengers just under 2 meters tall.
However, the comfort has some drawbacks. The bed provided is relatively firm as British Airways did not offer a proper, full-sized seat topper. This may reduce sleep quality for taller passengers used to softer bedding. The seat comfort is also criticized as inferior compared to competitors and previous expectations, described as outdated and uncomfortable by some reviewers, with issues like broken footrests and screens during their flight.
Space for Tall Passengers
The new Club World Suites offer a more spacious layout with privacy screens and multiple storage compartments, making it easier for tall passengers to spread out and store their belongings. The foot recess in the bulkhead provides extra legroom, which is valuable for passengers just under 2 meters tall. However, there is limited leg and knee space for side sleepers in the new Club World Suites, which may affect the comfort of some passengers.
Service Quality
Regarding service quality, the new Club World Suites experience generally lacks the premium polish expected at this level. Crew members are polite and efficient but the service is described as clinical with no personalized touches, no name recognition, and a lack of attentiveness—important factors that impact the comfort and overall experience, especially for tall passengers who may require extra consideration. While food and drink quality is good, this brisk and minimal service quality detracts from the luxury feeling.
Overall Experience
In summary, while British Airways' Club World Suites improve on space and layout benefiting tall passengers, the seat comfort and service quality still fall short of premium business class standards. The firm mattress and inadequate bedding topper, as well as the lack of personalized service, may disappoint those seeking both physical comfort and attentive service on long-haul flights.
A comfort pack containing an eye mask, earplugs, socks, and hand and body lotion is provided, which may help improve the overall experience for passengers.
Despite the issues, the author would fly British Airways Club World again, but it would not be their first choice based on this experience. The author's luggage, tagged as Priority First Class, took over 40 minutes to arrive, and the welcome drinks service before take-off was hurried and stressful. The 777-300ER aircraft is noisy compared to newer aircraft like the A380, A350, or 787, with loud engines and air-conditioning that may affect the overall experience.
| Aspect | Pros | Cons | |------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Seat Comfort | Direct aisle access; fully flat bed; bulkhead seats with extra legroom; good storage space | Firm mattress with inadequate bedding topper; some seat malfunctions reported | | Space for Tall Passengers | Foot recess in bulkhead gives extra legroom; roomy layout with privacy screens | Lack of full-sized seat toppers and pyjamas may affect sleep comfort | | Service Quality | Polite, efficient crew; good food quality | Service lacks warmth, personalization, and attentiveness—feels clinical and impersonal |
References
[1] British Airways (2022) Club World Suites Review
[2] The Points Guy (2022) British Airways 777-300ER Review: Club World Suites
[3] Business Traveller (2022) British Airways Club World Suites review: a mixed bag in the sky
[4] Skytrax (2022) British Airways Club World Suites
The new Club World Suites by British Airways offer improved space and comfort for tall passengers on their Singapore to London route, with features likedirect aisle access, fully flat beds, and extra legroom at bulkhead seats. However, the firm mattress and inadequate bedding topper may reduce sleep quality for some passengers.
The industry is closely watching the financial impact of the new Club World Suites on the airline, as the seats are priced higher to reflect the improved comfort and amenities. The rollout of these new suites is part of broader goals set by the airline to compete more effectively in the transportation and travel industries.
Aviation experts have discussed the potential lifestyle benefits that could stem from the Club World Suites, such as improved productivity during long-haul flights due to better sleep and more comfortable travel conditions for both work and leisure travelers. The introduction of these suites by British Airways follows a trend in the industry of prioritizing comfort and luxury to attract discerning travelers and drive growth in the aviation sector.
