BA Business Class

Chrisca50

I'm flying long haul in a couple of weeks on business class with BA.  They layout of the seats we have chosen are window seats with one facing one way and the other next to it facing the other way (the only way I can explain the plan). People have said that when you make your seat into a bed the only way to get to the aisle if you have a window seat is to have to climb over the legs of the person next to you.  Does anyone know if this is correct.  Sounds crazy to design seating like that if this is true!

MeteredOut

Yes. that is correct for older planes, other than a few cabin's where the seat is at the end of the cabin. It's not as bad as it sounds, and less so if the person you are stepping over is the person you are travelling with. However, if you are not steady on your feet, it could be an issue. 

Have you chosen 2 seats at the either window side, or 2 from the 4 in the middle (layout depends on aircraft)? There are sites where you can see your aircraft type (the BA Manage My Booking should tell you) and will tell you about the different cabins/seat layouts.

eg, https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/British_Airways/British_Airways_Boeing_777_300.php?flightno=287&date=

Doshwaster

That layout is what you get on the flights with the old style Club World seats. These were revolutionary when first introduced as they were the first lie-flat business class product but they are very dated now and have been overtaken by the competition.

These old seats are gradually being replaced by the new Club World Suite which are better (but still lagging behind the best in the skies) and give direct aisle access to everyone but the rollout has been slow and is dependant on route and type of plane.

A summary of which services have the old and new seats

https://www.headforpoints.com/2022/07/06/guide-to-british-airways-club-suite/

Chrisca50

Thanks for that @MeteredOut  Yes I have the window seat and DH is next to me.  We'll be OK flying out during the day but the return is overnight so we might have to swap seats then as my legs are shorter than his!!

DullGreyGuy

Chrisca50 said:

Thanks for that @MeteredOut  Yes I have the window seat and DH is next to me.  We'll be OK flying out during the day but the return is overnight so we might have to swap seats then as my legs are shorter than his!!

It's the seat behind that the window seat will have to step over but you'll see it clear on your flight out. 

Chrisca50

@Doshwaster Thanks for that link.  Hopefully our one will have been updated too then.

DullGreyGuy

Chrisca50 said:

@Doshwaster Thanks for that link.  Hopefully our one will have been updated too then.

It's not until the end of 2026 that all Heathrow BA long haul planes will have the new Club World Suites, it's a very slow process! For flights not from LHR the timeline is even longer.

Its not hard to find out which type of Club World you are likely to get, for a start if you look at the select your seats option (you don't have to go through and pay/change the selection) if its the old Club World then the seats are straight, face in opposite directions and normally in a 2-4-2 pattern whereas the new Club World Suites are angled away from each other, all face diagonally forward and normally on a 1-2-1 pattern across the aircraft

Ultimately there can be a late change of aircraft but that will also through out your seating reservations. 

Chrisca50

We've definitely got the old ones then.  Saved up to splash out on a lovely holiday and upgrade to business class which we've never flown before to find that they can't even design cabins that you can get up from your seat and reach the aisle without having to climb over someone to go to the loo.  Madness grrrrrr

Doshwaster

Chrisca50 said:

We've definitely got the old ones then.  Saved up to splash out on a lovely holiday and upgrade to business class which we've never flown before to find that they can't even design cabins that you can get up from your seat and reach the aisle without having to climb over someone to go to the loo.  Madness grrrrrr

Don't let it put you off too much. If you've never flown in long haul business then it's still a massive step-up from cattle class at the back and the quality of the service will be the same regardless of the old-style seat.

skycatcher

We went from LHR to Tokyo (13 hrs going and 14 on the return) in this cabin layout but booked the seats at the end of the cabin so there was no climbing over anybody! It maybe a bit dated but you'll still enjoy the overall experience and be both slept really well on the return leg.

phatbear

Ive used BA business a few times, and have return flights to HKG with them at the end of the month and if it wasnt for usage of upgrade vouchers and avios points i wouldnt use them.

Their business seating is way behind airlines like virgin, their lounges are poor and even onboard is lacking, the fact you cant even select your meal prior to flying, unless its for dietary reasons is pretty poor.

On our upcoming flights they want £80 per person per leg just to choose our seats in advance and like you we have the old lay out have to hurdle over people to exit our seats, this of course only becomes a problem if the person is using their footrest.

That being said i would still take it over economy and premium economy but it does naff you off when you pay so much and the layout is so poor.