Passengers are always looking out for the best deals based on what I refer to as the 3Cs – Comfort, Cost and Customer Service. Getting a good deal in terms of cost may come as a trade-off of comfort or customer care. Still it is possible to get the best deals with all 3Cs, and this can be facilitated by access to the right travel information.
For regular transatlantic commuters, British Airways is a name that is synonymous to the big international carriers with expansive networks globally. This review is on British Airways with a view to providing you information on its flights, fare options, boarding etc.
Areas to cover in this review:
- About British Airways
- British Airways Fare Options
- Size Restrictions on Passengers Carry-on
- Seat Selection on British Airways
- Refreshments Onboard
- British Airways In-flight Amenities
- Conclusion
About British Airways
British Airways is an international carrier offering short and long-haul services to over 200 destinations in 80 countries. It is the flag carrier airline of the United Kingdom and has been in commercial operations since 1919. British Airways remains the largest commercial operator of Boeing 747.
British Airways carries around 145,000 customers to their destinations daily, offering flexible fares and points for regular fliers. British Airways Executive Club is the airline’s loyalty scheme that awards members with Avios which can be spent on flights, car hire and hotel accommodations.
British Airways Fare Options
British Airways has a wide range of fare options for short-haul and long-haul flights. The fare options that are available include:
- Short-haul Economy Class
- Euro-Traveller
The Euro-Traveller fare option has three different fare types from which travellers can make their choices. Each option comes with its own benefits and these are:
- Basic Option – This option offers pre-selected seats and carry-on luggage only for passengers. There are no changes or refunds on this option if selected.
- Plus Option – This option offers seat selection which is opened 48 hours before the time of departure. Also, checked and carry-on baggage is a benefit for Plus. Travellers are allowed free changes on departure days.
- Plus Flex Option- This option allows for seat selection at any time, and also checked and carry-on baggage. Travellers are allowed free changes or cancellations at any time up to an hour before departure.
Short-haul Business Class
Club Europe
Flying Club Europe on British Airways offers the following benefits:
- Priority check-in desks
- Access to British Airways departure lounge
- Priority boarding
- More baggage allowance than Euro-Traveler
- Ability to earn more Avios for Executive Club Membership
Long-haul Flights
There are four available cabin classes when flying British Airways on a long-haul flight
I. World Traveler (long-haul economy class)
There are two available fare types for those who choose to travel British Airways World Traveler. The fare types each have their benefits listed below:
- Basic – Travelers who select this fare type have pre-selected seats and carry-on luggage only. There are no changes or refunds for this option.
- Standard – This fare type allows for seat selection which is opened 24 hours before departure and a carry-on and checked baggage. Travelers on Standard fare board earlier than their Basic counterparts, with changes allowed though for a fee.
II. World Traveler Plus (long-haul premium economy)
Passengers on the World Traveller Plus enjoy the following benefit:
World Traveler Plus passengers have two checked bags plus standard carry-on allowance. Seat selection on this fare type is opened 24 hours before departure.
III. Club World (long-haul business class)
Club World travelers receive the following:
- Travelers have two checked bags plus standard carry-on allowance
- Access to British Airways departure lounges
- Priority boarding
- Priority check-in desks
- Access to seat selection 24 hours before departure
IV. First (long-haul premier class)
This cabin class offers passengers the following benefits:
- Passengers are provided with three checked bags plus standard carry-on allowance
- Access to seat selection when booking is made
- This First class fare option offers complimentary spa treatment at departure lounges
- Access to British Airways departure lounges
- Priority check-in desks
- Benefit of priority boarding, British Airways Baggage allowance and other add-ons
- Passengers also enjoy a dedicated customer service phone line
Travelers are allowed to bring in one personal item and a standard carry-on piece for a fee.
Size Restrictions on Passengers Carry-on
- Size restrictions on personal item – 40cm x 30cm x 15cm (16 x 12 x 6 inches)
- Restrictions on Standard carry-on is 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10 inches)
- Weight is up to 23kg (51lb)/ item
Lap Infant Carry-on Policy
British Airways permits one cabin bag for infant necessities in a flight
Size restrictions for infant carry-on
- Size – 56cm x 45cm x 25cm (22 x 18 x 10 inches)
- Weight of up to 23kg (51lb)
Stroller Check Policy
If a stroller meets with the maximum dimensions of 117cm x 38cm x 38cm when it is collapsed, it means that the stroller can be checked at the gate for free and collected from the arrival gate immediately upon disembarking.
Any stroller that exceeds the maximum restrictions will have to be collected at the baggage carousel.
Checked Baggage Allowance
The size restrictions are 90cm x 75cm x 43cm (35.5 x 29.5 x 16 inches)
Weight is up to 23kg (51lb) for Euro Traveler while for World Traveler Plus, weight is up to 32kg (70lb) for Club World, Club Europe and First Class fares.
The exact number of permitted checked bags is dependent on the fare class you’re flying:
For passengers who are flying Basic Economy Euro Traveler and World Traveler Plus, just the carry-on baggage is allowed. While Standard Euro Traveler and World Traveler have one bag included.
World Traveler Plus has two bags included while Club Europe and Club World have two bags included.
First class has 3 bags included.
Additional Excess Baggage Fees
Fees for excess baggage are dependent on departure airport, destination, cabin class and where the fees are paid. The starting amount for excess baggage fee is however $46.
Other Fees and Add-ons
These fees are applicable depending on the fare option selected by passengers.
Fees for booking through call centre are $25 while it is free for all British Airways Executive Club Gold memberships who are booking reward flights. For passengers who are booking at the Airport Ticket office the fee is $35.
Change Fee
Change fee is free when requested online and $25 through phone. The fee charged for change at any ticket office is $35 which could also be charged based on the passenger’s fare type. This fee ranges from $0 to $275 and is usually displayed at the time of booking.
British Airways Executive Club Gold Members is are free while other passengers have a change fee for reward flight bookings at $55.
Short-haul domestic flight passengers have the benefit of same day change being free, while fees for their international counterparts are dependent on the route and the fare class. Passengers have up to one hour before departure to make same day changes.
However same day changes are not available for passengers who already have their flight connection or are travelling on a long-haul flight.
Cancellation online attracts a fee of $10 while the fee is $25 if done through phone. The fee is $35 when done at an airport ticket office and $55 for reward flight cancellations. Cancellation is free for British Airways Executive Club Gold Members.
Seat Selection on British Airways
The fees for seat selection vary depending on flight type (short or long-haul), the fare types and whether passengers are members of British Executive Club Gold or not.
The fees are as follows:
Euro Traveler and World Traveler
For Euro Traveler and World Traveler who are on Standard seats, the fee is $11 for short-haul flights while long-haul flights start from $30. Seat selection for twin seats starts from $45 and exit row seats start at $75.
World Traveler Plus
For World Traveler Plus passengers who are on standard seats, seat selection starts from $27 and exit row seats start from $75 also.
Club Europe and Club World
Seat selection for Club Europe starts at $21 while Club World starts at $93.
Refreshments Onboard
Arrangement for onboard refreshments has some distinction depending on whether you are on a short-haul or long-haul flight.
Food and beverages can be purchased onboard by passengers on short-haul. British Airways has a partnership with Marks and Spencer as their food and beverage partner for passengers on flights from London Heathrow or London Gatwick.
Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages can be purchased with a credit card or Avios points. Also available for purchase on the short-haul flights are snacks and fresh food.
Prices of Food and Beverages:
- Prices for snacks start at 1.15 GBP
- Starting price for fresh food is 3.90 GBP
- Soft drinks starting at 1.50 GBP
- Wine price starts at 4.60 GBP
- Prices for spirits start at 4.50 GBP
- Starting price for beer is 4.45 GBP
Passengers on long-haul flights departing London Heathrow receive a complimentary meal with an option to upgrade the meal to British Airways’ executive online menu. This menu offers 6 different meals for passengers to choose from with prices ranging from 15 GBP to 18 GBP.
British Airways In-flight Amenities
British Airways in-flight amenities available to passengers depend on fare option and type. These are the amenities enjoyed by the different kinds of passengers.
- These amenities are available to Euro Traveler passengers on short-haul economy flights, British Airways Euro Traveler and British Airways Euro Traveler passengers, which include:
- The leather seating is designed to provide maximum space for passengers
- Whenever available complimentary newspapers are offered
- Available activity packs for children on flights that are longer than 2 hours
- Adjustable headrests for resting comfort
Amenities available to World Traveler (long-haul economy) passengers, British Airways Economy, and British Airways World Traveler passengers include:
- The seats are ergonomically designed with lumbar support and moveable headrests for passengers’ comfort.
- Passengers are provided with cushions and blankets and upon request they are given eye masks, socks and toothbrush.
- Passengers get meals plus light snacks to go with them.
- Flight entertainment is displayed on personal in-seat monitors, with movies, games and music available for passengers
Amenities available to World Traveler Plus (long-haul premium economy) passengers and British Airways World Traveler Plus passengers include:
- More space for legroom and wider seats than that of World Traveller
- Much smaller cabin leading to dedicated cabin crew for passengers
- Passengers are provided meals with option to choose from 2 Business Class menu dishes
- Flight entertainment is displayed on personal in-seat monitors, with movies, games and music available for passengers.
- There are soft and alcoholic drinks available
- Provision of some basic amenities like blanket and cushion, eye mask, socks and toothbrush is provided
Amenities available to Club Europe (short-haul business class) and British Airways Club Europe passengers include:
- Priority boarding
- Leather seat and adjustable headrest both for maximum space and comfortable headrest for passengers
- Passengers are served complimentary newspapers if available
- Fresh meals and beverages with dedicated cabin crew.
Amenities available to British Airways Club World passengers include:
- Six foot flat lumbar-supported bed with movable headrest with bedding kit
- Power outlet
- On-demand entertainment which can be viewed on a 10.4″ monitor
- A 3 course meal with snacks made from the Club Kitchen
- Amenities available to British Airways First Class passengers include:
- Spacious suite with six foot flat bed with bedding kits
- Enhanced dining for meals
- On-demand entertainment which can be viewed on a 15″ monitor
- Extensive drink menu includes award-winning wines and tea depending on time.
- Power outlet
Conclusion
British Airways is one out of many carriers to choose from when making transatlantic trips. Some of these other carriers offer more attractive prices especially for economy, but you can bank on British Airways premium services over them.
Competition on short-haul routes is stiffer with other airlines providing low-cost alternatives and benefits for passengers. Be sure that these lower priced alternatives do not bear hidden charges that eventually escalate their costs.
British Airways is one of those international carriers that fit perfectly into our 3Cs model for the best deals. That is comfort, cost and customer care.
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