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Airline: British Airways
Flight Number: BA174
Route: JFK-LHR
Class: Club Suite (Business Class)
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Registration: G-STBP
Delivered: December 2020
Flight Duration: 6 Hours 10 Minutes
Distance: 3,451 Miles
Overall Impression:
In 2019, British Airways introduced the revolutionary Club Suite business class product featuring upgraded Collins Super Diamond Reverse Herringbone seats with sliding doors. This remarkable upgrade addressed the demand for enhanced comfort and privacy. Compared to the outdated Club World seats, the Club Suite seats are light years ahead, offering much better comfort and privacy. The excellent crew provided friendly and proactive service, while the topnotch and scrumptious catering out of New York further elevated the experience. British Airways has finally upped their game in business class travel with the Club Suite, promising a more comfortable transatlantic product that is up to par with their competitors.
What I liked:
The new plane smell – The airframe Reg: G -STBP that we used for this flight was one of British Airways’ newest Boeing 777-300ERs, boasting new fixtures and a remarkably clean interior.
The Seats – The seats in British Airways’ new Club Suite product provide a significant improvement over their existing Club World offering. Passengers can enjoy enhanced comfort with the ability to convert the seats into full-flat beds, ensuring a restful sleep on transatlantic flights. The seats also offer ample personal and storage space, direct aisle access, and the added privacy of sliding doors. These features combine to create a more relaxing travel experience in business class.
The Service – The service from the crew on this flight was incredibly friendly and welcoming. The flight attendants went above and beyond to ensure a positive and enjoyable in-flight experience. The meal service was efficient but never hurried, allowing passengers to savor their meals at a relaxed pace. We felt well taken care of with thoughtful gestures like pre-departure beverages and hot towels after takeoff. The attentive crew consistently offered beverage refills and actively periodically walked through the cabin, making sure every passenger’s needs were met throughout the flight.
The Food – The inflight meals offered on the flight from JFK was truly exceptional. The catering exceeded our expectations with its high-quality, freshness, and delicious flavors. The burrata starter during dinner service was outstanding, while the ricotta cannelloni dish provided a satisfying and flavorful choice. My companion opted for the seafood starter and braised ox cheek, both of which he thoroughly enjoyed. The toffee tart and sweet crepe desserts were indulgent and served as a delightful ending to the dinner service. However, the surprising highlight was the pre-arrival meal. The bacon, egg, and cheese panini that I ordered and the egg, cheese, and tomato breakfast croissant that my companion had were both excellent. Both sandwiches tasted freshly made and were a delectable way to end the flight.
The SoHo Lounge at JFK – Due to our Oneworld Emerald Status, we were granted access to the recently opened SoHo Lounge at JFK. This lounge, alongside its counterparts Chelsea and Greenwich, is part of the joint transatlantic venture between American Airlines and British Airways. While we haven’t had the chance to visit the Chelsea Lounge (reserved for First Class passengers), we approached the SoHo Lounge with a hint of skepticism. However, we were pleasantly surprised. The lounge boasts an expansive space, making it easy to find seating and tables for dining. We appreciated the option of both a buffet and a casual à la carte menu, which provided a decent selection for those looking for a substantial pre-flight meal. Additionally, the lounge offers a full bar, a relaxation area, and showers. Overall, the SoHo Lounge really exceed our initial expectations.
What I didn’t like:
No personal air nozzles – Regrettably, British Airways did not equip their 777 aircraft with personal air nozzles, which was quite disappointing. This omission made it challenging to maintain a comfortable temperature during the flight, especially considering BA’s tendency to keep their cabins relatively warm.
It’s OK, I guess…
The Amenities – While British Airways does not provide pajamas or slippers for business class passengers, I found the black mini leather pouch by The White Company London to be a nice touch. The bedding provided was decent, complete with a thin mattress pad to enhance comfort when converting the seat into a bed. The lavatories were clean and well-stocked with toiletries.
The IFE – The Club Suite IFE is very good. The screen is bright and crisp and the interface on both the IFE remote and touchscreen are both responsive. The media content could be a little bit better, but the amount of movies, shows, music, and games should be enough to keep one occupied throughout the flight.
Bottom Line:
In summary, British Airways’ Club Suite business class product offers a significant upgrade over their previous Club World seats. The seats are exceptionally comfortable, featuring a full-flat bed and direct aisle access. The addition of sliding doors provides enhanced privacy. The friendly service from the mixed fleet crew creates a welcoming atmosphere, with efficient yet unrushed meal service. The catering out of JFK impresses with its high-quality and delicious offerings. Access to the SoHo Lounge at JFK adds another level of comfort and convenience, with a spacious environment, dining options, and amenities. Although personal air nozzles are missing on the 777s, the overall experience, including the bedding and lavatories, is still commendable. Despite some minor limitations, British Airways’ Club Suite product delivers a comfortable and enjoyable product on this route.
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