BA CLUB WORLD

[bargainqueen]

I've been looking at flights for next April.

After a really uncomfortable flight a couple of trips ago in Virgin Premium Economy we have upgraded to travel First or Upper Class I think they call it.

The prices currently are quite high so have been looking at BA website. Currently the website has availability at a reasonable price but I'm unclear as to what seats you actually get on the MCO flight.

Can anyone tell me how they compare to Virgin. It's been a long time since we've travelled with BA, I think the seats are in a row across the middle so I imagine you are quite close to the other passengers. I'm looking for something which you can easily get out of without having to limbo out of because the seat in front is in the reclining position (as you do in Premium Economy).

[Susan J]

Can't beat Virgin First class for me, but I can understand you looking at BA -there is a site,I think its called [name edited], [can't put the actual link as it will be blanked- but you can see what to do] that gives the layout and good and bad seats to book.

[Lynnes]

There is plenty of room in Club World on BA. The seats extend into a bed and no one reclines on you. Some of the seats face backwards though

[zanderbuchan]

Seats are in 2 cabins, 4 rows in front cabin, 3 in rear I think. Configuration is 2 4 2 with adjacent 2's at sides front and rear facing. In the centre seats of 4, the aisle seats are forward facing, with both the centre ones rear facings.
The seats go fully flat and are pretty comfy, they are well spaced out so definitely no need to limbo. They also have footstools and I have noticed is that if you are in certain seats you do have to step over footstool of anyone who has put it up.
The aircraft on the orlando/tampa runs were all upgraded last year so interiors are pretty smart.

[Katys Grandad]

No airline offers First Class to Orlando - despite what Virgin might want people to think. BA have First Class on the Miami route and it blows anything Virgin have out of the water but, of course, it's much more money.

BA operate a 777 to Orlando with a 2-4-2 configuration in Club and there's no Upper Deck. It's quite unusual because the window seats all face backwards with the adjacent aisle seats facing forward. In the centre section the aisle seats face forward with the 2 middles facing back.

If the prices for Virgin's Upper Class and BA Club are the same, I'd go for Virgin although there's not much in it. If I was on a BA 747 I'd take Club in the Upper Deck but, again, they only fly the Miami route.

Note that BA's new seating selection policy means that even though you might be paying well over £1,000 for your ticket, you won't be able to select your seats at booking unless you're prepared to part with an additional £120 each for the return trip.[msnmad]

[FraserLynn]

Virgin UC over BA club world for me, if you are in a middle seat in Club, it is still a struggle to get out of the seat whereas the virgin layout means that every seat is an aisle seat and you get the in flight bar which makes a nice change from sitting in the seat for the whole flight.

The only problem though is that neither of these companies offer the full experience from Gatwick, you have to choose a Heathrow route if you want up to date seats, better lounges etc.

[bargainqueen]

Thanks for all the replies, we have flown Virgin UC for the last 3 trips. If it was only a small difference in ticket prices then we would definately book Virgin again but it is a big difference.

Will have to see what the others think about the change of carriers.

I did look at flying First with BA, £7K each ticket...Have to check my lottery tickets...LOL

I did read about the charge for booking a seat and also the baggage charges. We'll be ok going out as our cases will be fairly empty but on the return journey we will have to pay for OH golf clubs. Be interesting to see how easy it is to do this. I use EasyJet frequently and with them you have to pay for your luggage both ways unless you do two separate bookings for outward and inward journey.

[Katys Grandad]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:Originally posted by bargainqueen
Thanks for all the replies, we have flown Virgin UC for the last 3 trips. If it was only a small difference in ticket prices then we would definately book Virgin again but it is a big difference.

I did look at flying First with BA, £7K each ticket...Have to check my lottery tickets...LOL

[/quote]

If you're not already a member, join the Executive Club (free), buy the Club ticket and next time upgrade it to First with the miles from the original trip.

[zanderbuchan]

I have not flown Virgin UC, so can't give you a direct comparison, but for what it's worth..............
I do travel a lot on business and in the last last 6 months have flown, BA, KLM, Air France, Delta, United and Singapore, in my opinion and experience, the only one that beats BA is Singapore.

[bargainqueen]

<blockquote id="quote" class="ffs">quote:If you're not already a member, join the Executive Club (free), buy the Club ticket and next time upgrade it to First with the miles from the original trip.[/quote]

If we decide to book then I will join.