British Airways Business Class?

We have flown business class on British Airways many times since American likes to place us there when we use miles. I do hate the high taxes but I consider that I'm getting business class at a discounted price!
Neither my husband nor I sleep well on planes but if one is able to do so, I find it quite comfortable on BA. We aren't large people but it's nice having one's own space and it's very comfortable to be able to lie flat or in other positions of comfort.
I'm no fan of the BA food. Depending on the time of departure from the US, we often don't even eat the evening dinner. It's just usually way too late for us. But the service has always been very good.
Booked again for next May to Paris; BA business class is good enough for us!

I’ve flown BA business class a couple of times some time agp. The food and the service were good, I liked the setup of the seats and the fact that they do lie completely flat, but I found them a bit hard. I didn’t sleep much, but I’m not sure I’ve ever slept well on overnight flights. But for that money, I’d jump at it!

I’ve flown BA business and slept well in the lie flat and had great service.

I don’t like that BA charges for seat selection ahead of check in even for business and it isn’t cheap. But this is a known thing with BA.

BA business class has improved since I last flew it. Most planes went from 8 across seating to four across.

Cabin service was always good and comparable to any US airline flying the same routes.

For what you are paying, it's a great deal. Just be aware, that when you buy the ticket, if you want to choose your seat prior to check in, you will pay extra. Even in business class.

I stopped flying them because of the extra charges such as seat purchase and the overcrowded lounges at LHR.

LOL - I came across that same woman’s video yesterday and watched it all. I’m thinking it’s hard to make her happy no matter what;)

BA business class is lovely. I like the space, the food is good, the seats are comfy.

I would absolutely fly them again. I use Delta more often because BA charges for seat choice in business class and because BA planes don’t have individual climate control and Delta does…a minor thing, but airflow helps me a ton on an airplane.

BA has been renovating their planes, and the new business class configuration is wonderful. On the window sides, the seat compartments are singles, and there's no first class in many of the new configurations. Check out the plane model and see if your proposed planes have been upgraded. The old two- story planes generally have not.
Food is terrific in my book, and there are about a dozen special meals you can pre- order. Service has always been good on our flights.
I also like the lounge access.
Great price, just do it! Safe travels .

On the 787 it was lovely. I think it might vary depending on the plane.

It's an Airbus A350, which I believe is one of the newest planes.

Thanks to all for your help and replies.

In answer to your question regarding why the San Diego woman complains but chooses to fly BA...there are only about 3 nonstops to all of Europe from San Diego and one is to London on BA. KLM just announced in May a nonstop to Amsterdam. It flew through the summer and is now on break for the winter (which of course the winter isn't in San Diego!) And prices to fly nonstop to Europe out of San Diego are astronomical...so we envy all who get to depart out of the midwest and east coast. It's a long, expensive journey! You are talking about $375. Even one way, I'd consider that free.

We usually end up on night flights using British Airways, so we’ve taken to either skipping the dinner or asking for just the cheese plate. The business class ticket usually gives you access to a lounge, whether is a BA lounge or a partner lounge, so we grab food there.

I’m short, so launching my carry-on into the overhead bin in the middle seats on the Airbus is a challenge. Sometimes I’m lucky and some kind person will help, otherwise I have to stand on the seat to get it in. It’s too hard for my husband to go against traffic and come down the other aisle to help. Last flight we both had a window seat (because we chose not to pay for seats ahead) and I can reach those bins. I actually liked that better. We really don’t talk much during the flight, so are OK not being next to each other. Some people don’t like being next to or near the restrooms, but that doesn’t bother us. Keep that in consideration when deciding whether it’s worth it to pay for seat assignments. Our pattern has been to pay going over and take our chances returning.

Nights flights make it easier for us to sleep.

KD: thanks for explaining about San Diego. I am indeed lucky to be within driving distance of at least three airports that feature flights to the UK.

As mentioned above, check the seating plan to see if it's the upgraded business class. We did when we flew May '24, and were happy to discover that it was the new pods. We did not request seats in BC because we felt we wouldn't be talking much. However, I guess they try to seat together a couple flying together. There was a little sliding window between us which we used a couple of times. We both slept some, but the seats were a little hard. It was nice to be able to change position and to sleep better than when upright. I get restless legs and usually have to send a fair amount of time walking and stretching at the back of the plane. It was nice to be able to easily stand up in the pod. We enjoyed the meals.

We used points and were only able to get business class on a partial leg because that's all that was available for BC. We still paid about 900 but, as I recall, we did not have to use many points. I figured it was essentially free to move up to BC for a flight from the west coast. I would jump on a BC flight for only 375---depending on how many points are necessary.

How can you tell if it's the upgraded business class? I'm not sure I understand.

It is 90k points, which I know is a lot.

How can you tell if it's the upgraded business class? I'm not sure I understand.

BA has been rolling out its new Club Suite over the last few years and it looks like it's been fitted on flights to and from PHL. I have to agree, the suite is a big improvement on the previous business class seats and is very similar to the older first class product. I'm 6'3" and have no problem sleeping on the suite beds. I sleep much better than I do in Virgin's Upper Class as I find the beds too small and cramped.

The food flying out of the US is always of a lower quality than that flying from London but that is due to the caterers used. BA uses Do&Co for its catering service from London which is highly regarded amongst airlines and passengers. However I've never had a meal that I'd consider inedible and the wine selection is always good.

Service can be hit and miss. I've had some truly miserable flight attendants and some of the best I've encountered so it's a bit of a mixed bag. I've found the best staff to be on the longer short haul routes within Europe. The younger staff tend to be better in my opinion.

As for seat selection I don't pay as a silver member of the BA Executive Club but if I didn't I wouldn't be bothered about selecting a seat. All the suites have direct aisle access so there's no climbing over your neighbour. I'm not bothered about having a window so the inner aisle is fine for me and if I'm flying with my wife we don't feel the need to have to sit together.

I say go for it and for that price you'd be mad not to.

When using miles to book on American, who then puts us on British Airways, there's never been another charge for seat selection. Once I've completed the booking on AA (and it shows as "ticketed"), I go to the BA website to select my seat. No charge. You do have to create an account on BA if you do not have one but the booked BA flight will show on your account on their website. I've not booked directly on the BA site so perhaps there is some difference with how I always book.

Thank you very much, JC. That's very helpful!

Thanks again to everyone--we have a really good group here!