Flying business class with British Airways on their iconic Airbus A380 is an experience that promises excellent levels of comfort, but how does it measure up to today’s premium travel standards? Having flown British Airways A380 Business Class several times over the past decade, we felt it was time for an updated review. In this post, we’ll cover everything from the Heathrow lounge experience to onboard service, dining, entertainment, and the overall comfort of Club World. Whether you’re planning your next transatlantic trip or simply curious about the Club World experience, read on to discover if this product still delivers.
In this review:
Flight Details
Flight No: BA193
From/To: London (LHR) to Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)
Departure time: 10:40 (departed 12:07)
Ticket Class: Business
Flight time: 8 hours 59 mins
Frequent Flyer Points: 9,503
Status Points: 140
Aircraft: G-XLEE
Aircraft type: Airbus 380-800
Number of classes: 4
Number of seats in flying class: 97
Seat: 51K
Position: left hand side of the upper deck, 1 row from the front
Airport Experience
Flying from London Heathrow’s Terminal 5, I started the day at the Galleries North Lounge, which offers brighter, more natural light compared to its South counterpart and avoids the warmth often felt there. The lounge is predominantly self-service, with a hot and cold buffet adjusted to the time of day. As I visited mid-morning, breakfast items were on offer, including tea, coffee, fresh juices, and self-service alcoholic beverages. Champagne, however, needed to be requested from the staff.
My flight departed from the C gates, which involved a journey via the B satellite terminal. After enjoying a few drinks in the lounge, I decided to stop at the B lounge to meet with some friends before heading to the gate together. A quick note: trains from the B to C gates can take 10-15 minutes and are less frequent than you might expect, so plan ahead. We almost missed the final boarding call – a close shave I wouldn’t recommend repeating!
Boarding & Welcome
Boarding was a breeze thanks to our timing; arriving during the final call meant no queues. The Airbus A380 was connected to two jet bridges, and we entered via the right-hand bridge, which led directly to the upper deck where our Club World seats were located.
The cabin crew greeted us warmly, checked our boarding passes, and directed us to our seats in the forward business class cabin. After stowing our bags in the spacious overhead bins, we bid each other farewell and then I was promptly offered a pre-departure drink – a choice between champagne and orange juice.
Seat
The business class seats on British Airways’ A380 feature the older Club World layout in a 2-4-2 configuration. This design alternates forward- and rear-facing seats, which some passengers find disorienting.
The dense layout means not all seats have direct aisle access. Window passengers and those in the middle of the cabin need to climb over a neighbour to reach the aisle.
Window seats have the benefit of 1.5 – 2 windows, making them bright and airy during daytime flights. It can get chiller near the window, especially on overnight flights, so bring a jumper or sweatshirt just in case.
Storage options were limited to a small shoe drawer at floor level, although window seats on the upper deck benefit from spacious storage lockers beneath the windows. Overhead bins above the upper deck’s window seats seemed smaller than those in the centre and downstairs, making them less suited for larger cabin bags.
The lie-flat beds are very comfortable and come with excellent bedding from The White Company – a pillow and blanket.
One disappointment was the stability of the tray tables, which sagged noticeably during turbulence, leaving us holding our drinks to avoid spills.
Both USB-A ports and international mains sockets were provided for charging devices.
What’s the Best Seat on British Airways A380 Business Class?
For maximum comfort, we recommend 56A and B or any seat in rows 51, 52, and 57. These are quieter and offer unrestricted window views. Avoid row 50 and 53 seats, which are near the galleys, and 56F, J, and K, as they are by the washrooms and experience heavy foot traffic.
Overall, the forward upper deck cabin remains the best choice for privacy and tranquillity. Window seats like 52A and 52K are the stars, combining storage with great views and a very low aircraft noise.
If you’re interested in the other cabins, read our review of the A380 First class experience.
Onboard Experience
The A380, with its 469-passenger capacity, feels like a flying cruise liner. The premium cabins are located in the front sections of both decks, with First Class on the lower deck and Business Class spread across both levels. We appreciated the relative calm of the forward Club World cabin on the upper deck.
This section benefits from two generously sized washrooms – much larger than those at the rear of the cabin. They were stocked with White Company hand soap and moisturiser.
However, the aircraft itself is beginning to show its age, with cabins that are over a decade old. Rumours of a refresh to the business cabin were circulating, but no updates had been announced at the time of writing. However, BA announced a refresh to the A380 First cabin, so business class might not be far behind.
Each passenger received a White Company amenity kit, containing essentials like an eye mask, ear plugs, and a toothbrush in a stylish zip-up pouch.
Food & Drink
Shortly after take-off, drinks were served, followed by a generous meal service about an hour into the flight.
The salmon starter was enormous – perhaps too much for some – and accompanied by a creamy dressing that could easily be adjusted to taste. The Chilean unoaked Chardonnay paired beautifully with it.
For the main course, I opted for lamb leg with dauphinoise potatoes and peas. While the texture leaned towards the mushy side, it was hearty and fitting for the season. As you see in the photos, it wasn’t Instagram-worthy presentation.
Dessert was a very tasty chocolate orange mousse with gingerbread crumble.
Afternoon tea before landing included sandwiches and a scone – a light and satisfying end to the flight.
While the cabin crew were proactive with wine top-ups during the meal service, water refills were inconsistent, and the crew seemed to disappear behind the curtain for much of the flight.
In-flight Entertainment
The inflight entertainment (IFE) system on the A380 was serviceable but dated. A hinged touch-screen display folded away during take-off and landing, meaning no access to content during those periods. The selection of films and shows included over a dozen recent releases alongside classics, box-sets, and natural history documentaries. While functional, the screen’s responsiveness felt sluggish, reflecting the age of the system.
The provided noise-cancelling headphones were adequate, though not as comfortable as bringing your own. Limited Wi-Fi was available for purchase but was not particularly reliable.
Overall, enough to keep most people occupied, although a less than premium audio visual experience.
BG1 Verdict
The British Airways A380 remains a pleasant way to cross the Atlantic, with its quiet upper deck and comfortable lie-flat seats. However, the Club World cabin shows its age, with a lack of privacy and outdated features that fall behind competitors. While it’s an enjoyable experience at a discounted price, it doesn’t justify premium rates. We’ll book it when we see a sale or upgrade deal.
BG1 Tip
Plan your lounge visit carefully if departing from Terminal 5. While the B satellite terminal offers an extra, quieter lounge stop, the journey to the C gates can take longer than expected. For an stress-free boarding experience, allow an extra 30 minutes for your B gates “stop-over”, or just head directly to the C gates after your time in Galleries North or South.
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