With multiple multi-channel reviews made at TPG, this time we go back to our roots and revisit our first viral hit: consider four classes on the same British Airways flight.
The original video was published on May 16, 2019 and has garnered 184 million impressions and 7.7 million views. It also started our journey with nearly 400,000 subscribers and 71 million views on The Points Guy UK YouTube channel.
We’re up one British Airways Boeing 777 again, but this time a refurbished 777-200 with British Airways’ latest business class product, Club Suite. This is a significant upgrade to the product we showcased in our last video. We flew this plane from Terminal 5 at Heathrow Airport (LHR) in London to Dulles International Airport (IAD) outside Washington, DC
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Watch the full video below:
Here is a breakdown of our personal experience on BA’s 777-200:
First place – Ben Smithson
Chair: 1 thousand.
We paid: 68,000 Avios plus $499.
I find this to be an upgraded experience compared to British Airways business class. It is generally much better than I expected. The food – presentation, variety and taste – is a real treat. I would be happy to serve this in a five-star hotel in London.
The Concorde Room’s terrace is an airy, light-filled space, ideal for enjoying a glass of vintage Champagne while escaping the crowds at the station below.
The seat, however, needs a sliding door to provide the privacy it lacks. Some BA first class seats now have doors, and business class on this flight have doors. The entertainment screen on the lights is old, bulky and the resolution is quite low. Also, back to the ground, although the terrace is beautiful, the indoor dining stalls in the Concorde Room are quite dark and gloomy.
Suite Club – Liam Spencer
Chair: 15K.
we pay: 50,000 Avios plus $499.
This is one of the most spacious business class seats I’ve flown. Fully closed doors allow complete privacy and are the real star of the product.
From starters and main courses to afternoon tea, all the food was delicious. I chose the chicken tikka masala for lunch after being recommended by the flight attendant and it proved to be the best curry I’ve ever eaten on a plane.
The Club Suite Cabin feels incredibly fresh, modern and clean. The product is a few years old but still shows no signs of aging.
However, some improvements can be made. The Club Suite bed could be more comfortable and wider. The bedding itself is perfectly fine but the legroom is quite narrow.
Additionally, my business class ticket gave me access to British Airways business class lounges at Heathrow T5. It’s not a bad place to relax before your flight, but falls short of other business class lounges at Heathrow in terms of comfort, design and dining options.
World Traveler Plus – Nicky Kelvin
Chair: 23A.
we pay: 26,000 Avios plus $357.
Terminal 5 has its own check-in queue for premium economy class, which is relatively rare among airlines flying premium economy products and queues are very short.
On board, the seats are spacious and comfortable, and the smaller cabin offers a more private feel. Food and amenities are also real upgrades from economy class and closer to what is offered in business class. The food is served on real crockery and is very tasty. The meal is large enough to satisfy any craving.
Unfortunately, there is no lounge access and the ground experience is the same as for economy class – except for a separate check-in route. Although the seat is very comfortable for a day flight and can be reclined appropriately, I would still find it difficult to sleep in this seat during an overnight flight.
World Traveler – Maren Gimnes
Chair: 37A.
We paid: 13,000 Avios plus $265.55.
I really enjoyed the friendly crew and the quick and efficient service. I find a lot of leg room and I like the color and design of the chair.
The plush blanket was a lot bigger than what I’m used to on long-haul economy class flights and I was amazed by how many snacks we had between meals. It’s nice to have a bottle of your own wine instead of just a glass.
However, all is not perfect. There is a lot of space between the seat and the fuselage making it uncomfortable to lean against the windows, although this is a problem that all pairs of seats in the last few rows of this plane suffer. The main course had good vegetables, but the meat was very dry. Lastly, headphones are of poor quality and you’re better off bringing your own for in-flight entertainment.
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