Comments on: British Airways A380 Business Class London to Los Angeles

By: Kawano

Kawano — Wed, 04 Jan 2017 01:58:52 +0000

I have flown A380 business class on Singapore Airlines, Qatar and British Airways. Qatar business class is equivalent to BA first class in my opinion – just compare the layouts. Qatar’s seats are ultra-modern, fully electronic with almost nothing manual, great modern screen. Qatar lounge at Doha is also superb – where else can you get a proper steak dinner and a bottle of wine for free? The only minor issue with Qatar is their meal selection and soul-less crew. Singapore recently upgraded its A380 business class and are very nice but I still think Qatar is better. Singapore obviously has wonderful service and food (part of SE Asia’s culture) that is clear to see on board all their planes in all classes. Their lounges are also great.

The quality of a flag-carrying airline is often representative of that country’s culture. The service on board Asian airlines, even budget airlines, is wonderful as service, hospitality, happiness, good food and a “can do” approach are all deep-seated in Asian culture and locals expect it. Unfortunately with the likes of BA, their service, food and accommodation of passenger requests are not too dissimilar to the average tourist experience to London – expensive, poor value, rude and obnoxious, the net result of which is disappointed or drunk passengers. BA still desperately clings on to its “flag carrier” status in order to justify its fares. It doesn’t work anymore and it’s getting worse.

By: john russell

john russell — Wed, 27 Jul 2016 08:25:55 +0000

Unfortunately I do not like having to climb over passengers to get to the aisle,even though it facilitates BA’s need to cram them in, shoe box style. I admit the staff are excellent and find generally,that if you talk to them at your level and do not treat them as a necessary evil, then most Airline crews will respond. I would suggest the the BA designers take a flight on the Qatar A380 business class to see how it should be done,with one suggestion to Qatar, that they “allow” their staff to act normally and not follow a set format.

By: Rod Wright

Rod Wright — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 07:32:26 +0000

Terminal 5 in my experience, is THE WORST DESIGNED terminal I have ever been in. Wow you need to be fit in order to catch that underground train and then all the walking/elevators etc just to get to the gate? and I have worked in Terminal 3 and 4, so much more “user friendly”

By: Nick Walton

Nick Walton — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 03:26:05 +0000

In reply to Rolfe.Emirates actually has 76 in business and BA has 97 so they really do cram them in

By: the Luxury Travel Expert

the Luxury Travel Expert — Wed, 02 Mar 2016 14:05:36 +0000

In reply to Rolfe.Yes, unfortunately you will have to step over the legs of those passengers seated in 14D and 14G. The only middle seats where you have direct aisle access are 15E & 15F.

By: Rolfe

Rolfe — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 00:02:33 +0000

In reply to fred.Do you know if the 'hurdle' technique is required on 14E and F, which is the row before the bulkhead? Travelling LHR-YVR shortly with my wife and an infant, and just wondering which seats are best. E and F would be good because they're together, but not sure about access to the aisle on row 14.

By: fred

fred — Fri, 23 Oct 2015 07:15:17 +0000

This is a really good trip report. A bit unfair though re BA ‘packing them in’ instead of having a bar when they have far less seats than say Emirates on the A380.

By: Melody

Melody — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 04:43:11 +0000

In reply to Richard.If neither of you get motion sickness, the seats in the middle section of Club world are perfect for couples, especially if you want to have a tiny bit of privacy or conversation (I believe these are seats E and F on the lower deck). The negative of these seats is you have to almost hurdle your way out mid-flight to use the restroom because the people to your left and right will most likely be in lie-flat mode, and their leg rest on those seats block the aisle way. If you are doing your own thing on their flight and watching different movies/sleeping at different times, I recommend the AB or JK seats. Unfortunately, someone will always be flying backwards in any configuration--my biggest gripe about Club World with BA. Have fun! We're flying to London from LAX on 9/18 :-)

By: Richard

Richard — Thu, 03 Sep 2015 21:50:04 +0000

We’ll be leaving in a few weeks taking the BA A380 to London and back in Club World section. Do you have a recommendation as to the best seats for couples?

By: Melody

Melody — Wed, 01 Jul 2015 23:12:18 +0000

In reply to Cosmo.British Airways premium economy class is great, especially on the A380. Their 747 premium economy class is outdated, so would skip that all together. If you make a point to fly on newer planes like the A380, A350 (just hitting the market) or 787 on any airline, you can't go wrong in economy/premium economy.