Review: British Airways, Club World

AME Info recently flew from London Heathrow to Dubai with British Airways (BA) on a Boeing 777 and found the service to be of a very high standard and, most importantly, extremely relaxing. But then BA has had years of practice to get its business class offering spot on.

Getting it right pre-flight

Getting to Heathrow Airport and negotiating your way through to Departures is always something of a bind, even if you checked in hours before online or at one of the self-service check-in kiosks or at the dedicated Club World desk. So, to find one's way to the relative sanctuary of BA's Terraces Lounge is a welcome achievement.

The lounge is large and fairly spacious with an array of seating including some window-facing deck-chair style recliners which, while appearing a little incongruous perhaps, nevertheless offer the chance for a quick nap prior to heading off to your gate. There is a lot of seating available, which is just as well as the lounge can get busy.

Business executives needing to fire off one last email before boarding their flight can hook their laptops up to the WiFi broadband Internet connection available at the Combiz area or, alternatively, they can simply discuss their dealings over a coffee, juice, or something rather stronger, at the wine bar area where snacks such as salads and sandwiches are also close at hand.

The most tempting pre-flight option though has to be the range of complimentary massages and treatments available at the Molton Brown Travel Spa, which can be found at Terminals One and Four at Heathrow. The signature treatment is the 'shiatswe' massage which, rather logically, combines both shiatsu and Swedish techniques.

Comforts in the cabin

But, of course, soon enough you will have to drag yourself away from the facials and reflex therapies to make your way to your aircraft. The Club World cabin offers a two-four-two configuration and, if you have ever travelled Club World before, you will know that the seats face each other. This is ideal, and even fun, if you are travelling with a companion, but for those travelling alone and in need of privacy, no problem, as a handy fan style screen can easily be drawn across to divide you from your neighbour.

Club World offers its renowned flat bed for serious sleepers which can easily be created by adjusting the handy foot stool to its full height to meet your reclined seat. The seat is comfortable and easy to sleep in.

Travellers seeking reams and reams of in-flight entertainment will presently have to settle for the relatively modest offering of 12 audio channels, 18 film and TV channels and a selection of interactive games. But as and when BA's new Club World cabin hits the Dubai route, film buffs, and insomniacs alike, will be able to wile away the hours with a spanking new audio and video-on-demand service, which will offer over 100 movies as well as TV and radio channels.

Culinary delights

AME Info's overnight flight allowed for a leisurely and impressive evening meal. Club World's menu has been devised by a smattering of gourmets, ranging from chefs to food critics, and this seems to have kept standards to a high level.

The rock shrimp and prawn terrine with lemon creme fraiche was light and zesty, while the fillet of beef with morels and mustard sauce, devised by Shaun Hill of the Glasshouse, Worcester, hit the spot, as did the lemon and sultana cheesecake with raspberry coulis.

For those accustomed to snacking in-between meals, BA has this covered too and offers a Club Kitchen service, where you can help yourself to sandwiches and wraps. Club World travellers who enjoy a tipple will, of course, not only enjoy a complimentary glass of champagne on boarding, but they can also partake of a small but well chosen wine list.

All round performer

The true test of a relaxing and enjoyable flight is if the time passes so quickly there is very little staring at your watch or forlorn studying of the in-flight skymap. For AME Info, after a good meal, an enjoyable film and a comfortable rest, breakfast was being served in next to no time and Dubai airport was little more than an hour away.

If British Airways' new Club World cabin provides a step up from its present business class service, then this long-established flyer could well begin calling the tune to some of its younger, much-vaunted Gulf based rivals.

See also:
Regional business jet market ready for takeoff
Free upgrades - business flights on economy fares