When geopolitics rewrites your routing options, you take what you can get. With the Iran conflict making Gulf connections either unavailable or slightly questionable, and direct flights eye-wateringly expensive in business class, we needed something quickly. Finding anything vaguely reasonably priced that flew direct wasn’t easy. In the end, BA33 in World Traveller Plus was the best option I could find, a straightforward run from London to Kuala Lumpur.
This British Airways Premium Economy review covers 13 and a half hours on a Boeing 787-9. It’s a cabin BA has positioned as the middle ground since 2000. The fare, though, crept uncomfortably close to what you’d normally expect to pay for business class on Etihad Airways or Qatar Airways. Malaysia Airlines doesn’t offer premium economy, and business class options elsewhere were extortionate, so BA was effectively the only realistic choice. Flying through the Middle East is unpredictable, so you’ll have to take the risk.
Which leaves a simple question, did I feel ripped off paying a premium on top of an already inflated fare?
In this review
Flight Details
Flight No: BA33
From/To: London (LHR) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL)
Departure time: 21:30
Ticket Class: Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus)
Flight time: 13 hours 25 mins
Aircraft type: Boeing 787-9
Number of classes: 4 (First, Club World, World Traveller Plus, World Traveller)
Seat: 18J (Window, right-hand side)
Configuration: 2-3-2
Airport Experience
Terminal 5 was surprisingly calm, likely a mix of timing and the post-Easter lull. Security was a non-event, straight through with no queue, and the British Airways Galleries North Lounge was quieter than usual.
I asked at the gate about upgrades and got a firm no, the flight was completely full. Fair enough. In hindsight, I should have asked about switching into a bulkhead seat instead, a missed opportunity worth remembering for next time.
As a Club member with status, we get access to the lounge. I’ll covered the lounge in more detail separately, but in short, it does the job. Plenty of space, somewhere to sit and something to eat.
Boarding & Welcome
Boarding was from bus gate A10, which normally triggers a groan, but this was one of the more civilised bus gate operations I’ve been through. No shoving, no crowding, no confusion. On the first bus and among the first to board, I had time to settle in properly. A crew member said “welcome back” at the door — a small detail that registers when you’re a returning BA flyer.
A welcome drink followed quickly, sparkling wine, water, or orange juice. The sparkling won.
Seat
BA’s World Traveller Plus seat on the 787-9 had a soft refresh, but the hardware is starting to show its age. Still, it’s comfortable enough, with decent legroom for someone around 5’8.
Seat 18J sits on the right-hand side of the 2-3-2 layout, and the space is noticeable. The 38-inch pitch and 18.5-inch width land in a sweet spot, clearly better than economy without pretending to be anything more. There’s a leg rest, adjustable headrest, and a small cocktail table built into the armrest. All practical, nothing flashy.
A couple nearby asked to swap so they could sit together. That moved me to 18J, the window, which was quietly a win. I said yes, slightly aware I might regret it mid-flight when nature calls.
Which is the best seat on BA Premium Economy?
If you can, aim for the bulkhead row. You get noticeably more legroom and no one reclining into you, which on a 13-hour overnight flight makes a bigger difference than you’d think. Just be aware you’ll lose under-seat storage during take-off and landing, and you’re closer to the bassinets if there’s a baby onboard, aviation roulette at its finest. See the seating plan on AeroLOPA.
Onboard Experience
Let’s start with the toilets, because they deserve a mention. These might genuinely be some of the smallest lavatories in the sky, and they’re shared across both economy and premium economy. At peak times, it shows. At the seat, you’ll find the usual setup: pillow, blanket, headphones, and a small amenity kit. Inside the kit, eye mask and socks, nothing groundbreaking, but useful enough for an overnight flight.
Wi-Fi was… odd. In theory, Club members get free messaging, but only if it actually connects. On this flight, it didn’t. I considered paying for full access, then thought better of it when even basic messaging refused to cooperate. Noise-cancelling headphones are provided, but they’re fairly average. If you care about sound quality, bring your own.
Quick practical note, the USB ports are old-school USB-A only. If you’re travelling with USB-C cables only, you’ll need an adapter. There are AC power sockets, so it’s not a complete disaster, but it’s one of those small things that’s easy to get caught out by.
Service overall was good. Not overly polished, occasionally a bit stop-start, but friendly and well-intentioned throughout. A hot towel before landing was a nice way to finish, one of those small touches that still makes a difference after a long flight.
Food & Drink
Drinks were served roughly 30 minutes after take-off, which for a 21:30 departure is exactly what you want. A Bloody Mary arrived promptly, and the crew immediately asked if I’d like wine with dinner. A small bottle of red appeared. Efficient, though it felt a bit transactional.
After that brisk start, the service stalled. Plates sat on trays for a good 30 minutes after I’d finished eating. By the time dinner was fully cleared, three hours had passed since departure. On a night flight, that’s too long.
The lamb main was tender, well-seasoned, and properly tasty. The dessert was solid too. I’d go as far as saying the food outperformed some BA Club World meals I’ve had, which is either a compliment to World Traveller Plus catering or a criticism of business class. A request for mint tea sent the crew member to the business class galley to make it — a kind and unexpected effort. Breakfast arrived about 90 minutes before landing: a full English with a fruit cup. It was good.
In-flight Entertainment
The IFE system works, but it moves like it’s running on dial-up. Loading times between menus were noticeably sluggish, and the whole interface feels overdue a rebuild. Once past the waiting, the film and TV selection is adequate without being remarkable. There’s enough to fill a 13-hour flight if you’re not overly particular.
Arrival
Landing at Kuala Lumpur was straightforward. We arrived at the satellite terminal at KLIA1, which means a short aerotrain ride to the main terminal building. From there, the transfer took only a few minutes — the train was waiting when I reached the platform. Still, the real test of any arrival is immigration, and KUL passed it easily: efficient, fast, no fuss. After 13 hours in the air, that’s exactly what you want.
BG1 Verdict
World Traveller Plus occupies a sensible middle ground, and on this flight it delivered decent comfort, good food, and generally attentive service.
But back to the question, did I feel ripped off?
Honestly… a bit, yes. Not because the product is bad. It isn’t. It does exactly what it says on the tin. But I paid a fare that wasn’t far off business class pricing on Gulf carriers, and when that gap narrows, the value starts to fall apart.
You’re not paying for luxury here, you’re paying for a bit more space and a better night’s sleep. The problem is, at this price, you start expecting more than that. Would I book it again at the same price? Reluctantly, if options were limited. At a more typical fare, it’s an easy recommendation for overnight long-haul. It was comfortable enough.
BG1 Tip
Bring a USB-A cable or a USB-C to USB-A adapter. The seat-back charging ports on BA’s 787-9 are USB-A only. There are AC power sockets too, but having the right cable saves the hassle. And always ask at check-in or the gate about moving to the bulkhead row.
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