Flying short-haul in Europe rarely gets aviation fans excited, but my recent trip to Berlin gave me the chance to review the new BA A320neo economy seats. British Airways has gradually rolled these slimline Recaro seats across its new neo aircraft, promising a fresher cabin and better efficiency, though passengers have been less convinced about comfort. I was curious to see how they held up on an average European hop from Heathrow.
In this review:
Flight Details
Flight No: BA988
From/To: London Heathrow (LHR) to Berlin Brandenburg (BER)
Departure time: 19:05
Ticket Class: Euro Traveller
Flight time: 1 hours 45 minutes
Frequent Flyer Points: 977 Avios
Status Points: 184 Tier Points
Aircraft reg: G-TTNW
Aircraft type: Airbus A320neo
Number of classes: 2 (Euro Traveller, Club Europe)
Number of seats in flying class: 180
Seat: 9D
Position: Aisle
Airport Experience
London Heathrow felt almost post-apocalyptic on New Year’s Day evening. Check-in was deserted and the First Wing was equally quiet, meaning I was through security in minutes without even needing to remove liquids or laptops. The BA lounge was calm, though the hot buffet food looked more like it had been abandoned than replenished – kept at that awkward temperature where it was neither hot nor safe. A shame, given BA tries to pitch its ground service as a step up from low-cost carriers, even when flying in Euro Traveller with the new BA A320neo new economy seats.
Boarding & Welcome
Boarding was a mess. The gate staff didn’t appear to know when to start, while the crew on board were calling people down, leading to confusion. We eventually left the stand about 20 minutes late. The saving grace? The aircraft itself. At just seven months old, G-TTNW was fitted with BA’s brand new short-haul cabin, complete with BA A320neo new economy seats.
Seat
The BA A320neo new economy seats were introduced in 2024 with the arrival of new A320s to their fleet, and designed to be lighter, slimmer, and more efficient than the older Pinnacle seats. They certainly look modern and stylish, but comfort is debatable.
On this flight, one seat had a life jacket lying on the floor underneath, and others failed to return fully upright. For a cabin not even a year old, it made me wonder what it will look like in five years’ time.
That said, there are thoughtful touches. The menu card slot is now integrated into the headrest, leaving more space in the main pocket for personal items. Even better, every seat now comes with a 60w USB-C port (enough to power a MacBook Pro) alongside a standard USB-B, puts BA slightly ahead of its European rivals.
Which is the best seat on the BA A320neo new economy seats configuration?
Rows 1–6 benefit from being in Club Europe when the curtain is drawn, but if you’re in Euro Traveller then rows just behind the divider – particularly row 7 – offer quick boarding and exit without the business class price. Exit rows (11 and 12) provide extra legroom, though they come with fixed armrests and you can’t have any bags under seats. Avoid the last two rows (29 and 30), where the recline is limited and you’re close to both toilets and galley bustle.
See the seating plan on AeroLOPA.
Onboard Experience
The BA A320neo new economy seats sit in a cabin that felt bright and modern. The LED lighting was set to a warm tone and there was even a stylish ceiling light above the forward galley – a small but noticeable design detail. Airflow and temperature were comfortable throughout the flight.
There were two washrooms at the rear of the aircraft for us by Euro Traveller (Economy) passengers, whereas Club Europe passengers had use of a single washroom at the front.
Take-off was a little bumpy but the cruise was smooth until arrival into Berlin, where gusty winds made for a rough landing. We touched down five minutes late, but BA redeemed itself by getting the doors open quickly. I was on the train into Berlin less than 15 minutes later.
Food & Drink
Euro Traveller catering on short European hops has been scaled back over the years. On this service, every passenger received a small bottle of water and a gingerbread snack.
After that, the crew came through with a trolley for those wanting to buy food and drinks from the Speedbird Café menu. Everything is subject to availability, especially the perishable sandwiches where it’s 50/50 odds that they’re available on late afternoon and evening flights. The BA A320neo new economy seats and cabin might be modern, but the food concept is on a par with Easyjet and Ryanair.
In-flight Entertainment
Short-haul flights don’t come with seatback screens, and this flight was no exception. BA instead relies on its Wi-Fi portal for streaming and browsing, but just before departure we were told the Wi-Fi system was out of service for the whole flight. That left the inflight magazine and whatever you’d preloaded on your phone. The BA A320neo new economy seats don’t change that reality – they’re functional, not luxurious.
BG1 Verdict
This flight was a mixed bag. Heathrow was a breeze and the aircraft felt brand new, but BA’s ground service and organisation let things down. The BA A320neo new economy seats look smart, add better charging ports, and give the impression of more space with higher seatback pockets, but they’re still slimline and not great for anything beyond a couple of hours.
BG1 Tip
Pick an exit row (11 or 12) for a decent balance of space and speed. Bring your own food if you’re hungry, and preload entertainment onto your device – the Wi-Fi isn’t guaranteed.
Why not follow follow us on TikTok and Instagram.
Leave a Reply