World Traveller + revamp

HGLTsuperstar

Had an email from BA executive club saying that World Traveller Plus is having a (much-needed) revamp. One time i used it, to Toronto, made VA Premium Economy look first class. So if/when anyone tries the new service, can you let us what it's like and what's the difference from before.
Cheers

Dave_Z

It's only on their new 777-300ER at the moment. There are another 5 of those planes to come, but only 1 in service currently. I'd expect a lengthy roll out across the rest of the [very large] long haul fleet. From what i've seen, it still lags some way behind VS premium economy. Also, VS have separate check in desks for premium economy along with a slightly better onboard service than normal economy.

Doshwaster

Dave_Z wrote: »

It's only on their new 777-300ER at the moment. There are another 5 of those planes to come, but only 1 in service currently. I'd expect a lengthy roll out across the rest of the [very large] long haul fleet. From what i've seen, it still lags some way behind VS premium economy. Also, VS have separate check in desks for premium economy along with a slightly better onboard service than normal economy.

This refresh is welcome. I fly WTP quite a lot (travel policy doesn't allow business class but I can usually get into WTP as the difference from WT is often reasonable). I find the seats to be adequate for a 7 hour transatlantic flight but BA could really do with improving the service up a couple of notches from the standard economy levels that you currently get (you just get served first) plus a newspaper. I fly back from BOS a few weeks ago and the food was barely edible.

The best thing about WTP is that it is a small cabin and often oversold so you have a fairly good chance of an upgrade to Club World.

Separate check-in doesn't bother me as I get that anyway being a Silver card member

malkie76

The refresh brings the hard-product in line with the current ClubWorld and First products - I believe the new materials offer greater legroom without actually loving the seats further apart (but they do have additional recline compare to the old product)

Critical differences are a bigger IFE screen, and the ability to plug your own media device (and charge it) - something which VS don't offer.

I genuinely don't see any genuine measurable difference between long haul carriers in economy or economy plus - differentiation occurs at the business and first class levels. I struggle to understand how people can argue that there is any big difference between VS and BA in their economy or economy plus products.

Doshwaster

malkie76 wrote: »

I struggle to understand how people can argue that there is any big difference between VS and BA in their economy or economy plus products.

I don't think there is a "big" difference but if the service offering is worth around £100-150 more per sector (compared to a full price Economy ticket) then there is a market for it. Any more than that and I'd rather save the money and go back to Economy.

malkie76

Sorry, I was meaning that there are no really huge differences between BA and VS, rather than between economy and economy plus. There are significant differences between BA and VS, but not in their economy and economy plus products! (Hope that makes more sense now!)

There is a difference between economy and economy plus - the additional legroom can be a real life saver for taller travellers. There's also the point that the economy plus tickets bought to upgrade to business are an absolute steal.

stoneman

malkie76 wrote: »

The refresh brings the hard-product in line with the current ClubWorld and First products - I believe the new materials offer greater legroom without actually loving the seats further apart (but they do have additional recline compare to the old product)

Critical differences are a bigger IFE screen, and the ability to plug your own media device (and charge it) - something which VS don't offer.

I genuinely don't see any genuine measurable difference between long haul carriers in economy or economy plus - differentiation occurs at the business and first class levels. I struggle to understand how people can argue that there is any big difference between VS and BA in their economy or economy plus products.

But there is a big difference. VS PE and WTP are like chalk and cheese. I have flown both and even the old style VS fleet based at LGW is miles ahead of BA. The only reason I would ever buy a WTP ticket is to use it as a spring board to CW with MPM:D

malkie76

Can you distill your 'chalk and cheese' comment into something measurable?

It's also worth remembering that WTP with BA can get you lounge access (under certain circumstances) whereas PE with VS doesn't!

Doshwaster

malkie76 wrote: »

Sorry, I was meaning that there are no really huge differences between BA and VS, rather than between economy and economy plus. There are significant differences between BA and VS, but not in their economy and economy plus products! (Hope that makes more sense now!)

There is a difference between economy and economy plus - the additional legroom can be a real life saver for taller travellers. There's also the point that the economy plus tickets bought to upgrade to business are an absolute steal.

Ah - I'm with you now. I haven't flown VS Econ+ so cannot comment on it.

Yes, the WTP to CW miles upgrades are one of the best things about the BA Exec Club. I was looking at a couple of redemption flights recently and it was cheaper to book WTP and use miles to upgrade to CW than to book WT and use the same number of miles to upgrade to WTP! Just a shame that on some routes there is so little redemption availability.

I have a few long haul business trips coming up but we aren't allowed to book CW no matter what the distance - but WTP + miles will get me the flat bed and limitless champagne!

stoneman

malkie76 wrote: »

Can you distill your 'chalk and cheese' comment into something measurable?

It's also worth remembering that WTP with BA can get you lounge access (under certain circumstances) whereas PE with VS doesn't!

OK, the seats are more comfortable, fact. The leg rest in WTP is a joke, just a bar at the foot (VS is a cushion half the way up the leg) The meals are the same as in Y with BA (and pretty inedible at that) with plastic cutlery, where as VS there is a better choice, it is on proper china and GLASS. If you travel from LGW with VS you get to sit in the bubble which is more private. Dedicated check in, staff are more attentive IMO (but then I might have been unfortunate with the CC on my BA flight), and better drinks service, that is enough to be going on with. You have me with the club access with WTP, would like to know about that. PE can get you club access in "certain circumstances" as well, like being a gold card holder or getting guested in. And then we would come to the difference in clubhouses, you don't really want to be going down that route do you?

Doshwaster

malkie76 wrote: »

Can you distill your 'chalk and cheese' comment into something measurable?

It's also worth remembering that WTP with BA can get you lounge access (under certain circumstances) whereas PE with VS doesn't!

I'm not aware of what those "circumstances" are apart from if you are a Silver or Gold cardholder - but as a "status" passenger you would get lounge access of the cheapest cattle seat anyway. WTP doesn't even give you priority boarding (without a status card)