INSIDE AIR TRAVEL
British Airways Club World
It may have been out a few years now, in fact first introduced in March 2000, but British Airways' Club World 'flat bed', claimed to be the first of its type, is still setting standards in "J" class that are hard to beat. Whilst the much heralded revamp is nearly with us, it is still two years away before the whole of the BA fleet gets the new version, that is all 57 jumbos and 43 triple sevens and the ten Boeing 767s. If your flight later this year, or even next, is the old product, do not worry. There is nothing wrong with it.
The current Club World was never perfect but it is very good. It is backed up by keen cabin crew, most of whom can remember when BA was 'the world's favorite airline'. One would hope that the footstools are done away with or made more useful with the new product. The latest sound suppression headphones are needed. It's not that the aircraft are noisy, but others are better equipped in this area. For now, however, Club World is really comfortable with staggered seating and benefiting in the 747 bubble deck from the huge window boxes which allow passengers with that accommodation to tuck away their bags and traveling items without any trouble and still have plenty of useable space. Use ba.com to book your seat as soon as the reservation is made. This upper area is very popular. Also use the service once again to print out your boarding card and if necessary change your location on the aircraft. The system is excellent and can also be used at the terminal kiosks which are becomes the norm at all airports.
Club World has set a standard that has been copied throughout the industry. The neat under seat shoe box is a clever and efficient solution to the storage problem and the TVs, whilst clearly not as good as the latest digital product, still offer a selection. One suspects that the IFE (in-flight entertainment) will be outstanding and that BA, a participant in the original Boeing Connexion Internet trial, will go for that excellent product. The present seats have enough width although those rated at 6ft plus say that a bit more legroom should be provided next time around. BA's menu has always been highly rated and whilst not offering quite the variation of some, is still fine. The bar and wine selection is really very good and shows up even some of its OneWorld partners who might learn something by swapping cabin crew for a short period. You can travel as a couple and sit facing one another, or bring up the partition and settle in your own little world. Sadly previous travelers have spoilt it for those with laptops by failing to give back the power cables offered. Now BA charges for the little units that hook in to the aircraft electrical systems. At £70 they are not cheap.
For those coming into London from New York BA offers Kennedy &endash; Heathrow with a single long daylight flight and no less than six evening services, roughly one per hour from 1800. Here the trick is to use the Pavilion Lounge for a preflight meal, take a drink as soon as the safety light goes off and then sleep the night through. You can then take advantage of the BA in-flight continental breakfast, or use the Arrivals Lounge, landside after customs. This is a hidden gem, somewhere in the bowels of T4, where (recorded) birds chatter whilst you shower before breakfast. (At least they used to &endash; someone seems to have lost the tape). A complimentary pressing service is provided. Have a shower in your private locker and put your suit or other item into a special unit on the door, press a button and ten minutes later it is returned beautifully serviced. Truly excellent and available for all premier class long haul passengers up to 1400 hours. Then it is upstairs for a proper breakfast, courtesy of the airline, plus the morning papers.
The present main Pavilion Lounge at Terminal 4 is probably something passengers are stuck with until the move to T5 in 2008. The problem is that it has to suffice for both long haul and domestic/European routes. There is an alternative double deck lounge by Gate 1 which additionally offers a limited hot menu.
The A380 may be the greatest adventure since sliced bread but the sheer intimacy of the 747 upper deck is difficult to better. Passengers are looked after by two crew and a cabin services director who earns his keep. A decent sized galley does help the staff with food preparation, something forgotten about by some airlines.
The biggest problem for British Airways is making sure that the new Club World is not as good as first class, which it clearly is not - but by how much? You do not get certain items that other carriers offer as standard. Typically hot towels, condiments rather than salt and pepper sachets, warm nuts in dishes as against packet cashews. First class gains in elitism, much more space and a finer diner element. One answer might be to re-brand it to say 'Concorde Class', something no other carrier (other than Air France) might offer. OK it is only a name change but it does suggest exclusivity. BA still has a Concorde Lounge at Heathrow. http://www.ba.com
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