British Airways

Seat Reviews


4 star Skytrax Rating
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Viewing TV 12345
Customer rating from 195 reviews
4/10
4 star Skytrax Rating
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7/10

"uncomfortable after couple of hours"

(United Kingdom)

Tenerife to Gatwick on A320. Managed to secure exit row seats in refurbished cabin. These are the best seats in the plane now that there is no difference in seat pitch between Club and Economy. However they become really uncomfortable after a couple of hours, so this flight is an endurance test for the back. The quid pro quo on the extra legroom is that these seats do not recline (the other rows do have some recline but not much) which makes the discomfort more acute. Good seat width too even with three blokes in row - cabin on A320 seems wider than B737. Good cabin service of drinks with nibbles; fairly substantial snack box (egg mayo roll, chicken wrap, cheese and biscuits, chocolate mousse); and further drinks runs. Very competitive price at peak time, so pretty good overall.
Seat TypeEconomy Class
Aircraft TypeA320
Seat Layout3x3
Date FlownJanuary 2016
Type Of TravellerCouple Leisure
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Viewing Tv Screen 12345
Seat Storage 12345
yes
5/10

"I don't see the benefit"

(United Kingdom)

Moderately old Boeing 777, tired decor but functioning screen, which was a nice surprise. Decor flecked with some sort of particulate matter which had not been cleaned off. Also, the leather-effect polyvinyl on the seat back appeared to have been attacked with a box cutter, which was disturbing. Seat jack socket for headphones was intermittent; for sound in both ears, you had to hold it in with a certain amount of pressure. Premium Economy seats don't recline much; barely any more than Economy. Flat and hard, which leaves your bottom numb after a while. Additionally, and this is relevant to the cabin layout, there are no toilets in P Economy, which means you have to go through the curtains into Economy and every glares at you, thinking your a Biz Class customer coming to use the Economy toilets. So, not much cop really. 5 out of 10, as I don't see the benefit over regular Economy.
Seat TypePremium Economy
Aircraft TypeBoeing 777
Seat Layout2x4x2
Date FlownNovember 2015
Type Of TravellerBusiness
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Viewing Tv Screen 12345
Seat Storage 12345
no
3/10

"damage anyone's back"

(United Kingdom)

British Airways Boeing 777-200ER with old screens, remotes barely work, seats flat and very uncomfortable. 8 to 9hrs sitting in these seats would damage anyone's back. Interior trim and general look of cabin is very old and dated.
Seat TypeEconomy Class
Aircraft TypeBoeing 777-200ER
Seat Layout3x3x3
Date FlownNovember 2015
Type Of TravellerCouple Leisure
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Viewing Tv Screen 12345
Power Supply 12345
Seat Storage 12345
no
5/10

"efficient but unfriendly"

(Australia)

Booked exit row seats 12D/12E. Seat and the flight were good. BA internet service prior to flight very poor. Could not find anywhere to order a gluten free meal. Could only download one of two boarding passes for the flight. Flight was on time but we had to wait for more than 30 minutes for our luggage to arrive at the carousel. Crew efficient but unfriendly.
Seat TypeEconomy Class
Aircraft TypeA320
Seat Layout3x3
Date FlownNovember 2015
Type Of TravellerCouple Leisure
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Seat Storage 12345
no
3/10

"Premium Economy very uncomfortable"

(Germany)

The old British Airways Premium Economy seats. Front row and very uncomfortable. Double the price of Y class and yet terrible and old seats. IFE was the size of my palm. Cold service and food was Y class trash. Cabin staff didn't care and you had to use the bathroom in Y. My first time flying British Airways and I hated it for long haul. Its 2015 and NO electrical outlets!!!
Seat TypePremium Economy
Aircraft TypeBoeing 777-200
Seat Layout2x4x2
Date FlownNovember 2015
Type Of TravellerBusiness
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Viewing Tv Screen 12345
Seat Storage 12345
no
7/10

"seat width is ok"

(United Kingdom)

Sat upstairs in Premium Economy - 66F (I think). Not a window seat. Seat width is ok and has enough legroom even when person in front fully-reclined their seat. There is no IFE control box under the seat in-front (there is under 66E). Managed to get about 4hrs sleep on my long-haul flight which is pretty good. The IFE screen is reasonably big and there are 2-USB ports you can use. Quite happy to sit in that seat again.
Seat TypePremium Economy
Aircraft TypeA380
Seat Layout2x3x2
Date FlownOctober 2015
Type Of TravellerSolo Leisure
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Viewing Tv Screen 12345
Seat Storage 12345
yes
1/10

"closer to being a Ryanair clone"

(Sweden)

British Airways have taken a step closer to being a Ryanair clone. Now they charge you (even their loyalty card holders!) if you are travelling without a checked in bag & want to change the terrible seat they have assigned you. And British Airways are doing it in a very sly way, in my opinion. I have flown 3 times with them during the last month. Each time with a colleague. And on every occasion the seats have been assigned to us at the very rear of the plane, and every time without a window seat. They've done this despite plenty of free seats being available in the mid & front of the plane. There is only 1 reason - they do it specifically to force you to pay for a seat change. Have a look at the seat map from todays flight that I have attached. Despite there being numerous free seats around, they've put us at the back of the plane and on both sides of an aisle so we cant even talk together comfortably. And I was checking in only a few minutes after the online check in opened - so there was no lack of available seats. There are some other airlines also charge for seat selection, but normally they are low cost carriers. British Airways charges premium fees for its seats and is a national carrier. This is pure greed. If you don't take a checked in bag, you are saving BA money. So why should they punish you in return? They save time/money on loading the plane - on staff at the check in desk - on downtime at the gate - on risk due to terror hype - on paying to replace lost baggage and belongings and on fuel due to less weight etc. They should reduce the ticket price, not increase it! I urge you to give BA a miss until they change this policy. There are plenty of other airlines who value their frequent flyers.
Seat TypeEconomy Class
Aircraft TypeA320
Seat Layout3x3
Date FlownOctober 2015
Type Of TravellerBusiness
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Seat Storage 12345
no
9/10

"Legroom was not the best"

(United Kingdom)

Very comfortable seat on one of British Airways newest A380. Legroom was not the best but adequate for the 11 hour flight to SFO from LHR with 31 inch seat pitch and the slimmed design. Recline was very good, I was able to nap comfortably for 4 hours as it was only a day flight. Could do with more power supply as the seat only had X1 USB port to charge my phone and iPad interchangeably. I would fly long haul with BA again.
Seat TypeEconomy Class
Aircraft TypeA380
Seat Layout3x4x3
Date FlownSeptember 2015
Type Of TravellerSolo Leisure
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Viewing Tv Screen 12345
Power Supply 12345
Seat Storage 12345
yes
5/10

British Airways customer review

(United Kingdom)

British Airways old and outdated product on their Boeing 747-400 with the outdated and unreliable IFE. Seat pitch of 31 inches. Moveable headrest with supporting head wings. Seat itself is comfortable with good back support but it gets very uncomfortable when the person I front of you reclines their seat reducing your legroom. Seat width was bearable. Although I would fly with BA again, I would avoid their B747-400 on long haul flights.
Seat TypeEconomy Class
Aircraft TypeBoeing 747-400
Seat Layout3x4x3
Date FlownSeptember 2015
Type Of TravellerSolo Leisure
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Viewing Tv Screen 12345
Power Supply 12345
Seat Storage 12345
yes
7/10

"small cramped seat"

(United Kingdom)

Small cramped seat (9F) though the seats look new. Magazines were half torn but up to date. Cleanliness was good and position within the aircraft was towards the front. Shame we choose the seats in front of the exit row as we had no recline whatsoever. It is very hard to access the aisle though luckily I didn't need to go to the toilet. Even though it is not the best aircraft seat, BA is my preferred choice if flying within Europe.
Seat TypeEconomy Class
Aircraft TypeA319
Seat Layout3x3
Date FlownOctober 2015
Type Of TravellerFamily Leisure
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Seat Storage 12345
yes

British Airways Photos

British Airways is the flag carrier of the United Kingdom, with its main hub being at London Heathrow Airport where it operates from Terminal 5 and Terminal 3. The airline also has substantial operations from Gatwick Airport. British Airways is a member of Onweworld alliance, and part of International Airlines Group (IAG).

FIRST CLASS

British Airways offers First Class on many long haul routes operated by widebody aircraft (Boeing 747-400, Boeing 777, Boeing 787 and the A380). Most aircraft have 14 flat-bed seats in First Class, and 8 seats on the Boeing 787-9.

flat_seatsFlat bed seat / suite
power_iconIn-seat &/or USB power
No WiFiOnboard WiFi
AVODAudio / video on demand
DiningOn demand dining
WinesFine wines & beverage service
SleepingPillows & duvet / blanket
PyjamasPyjamas / Sleepsuit
AmenitiesAmenity kit

BUSINESS CLASS

Branded as Club World for long haul and Club Europe for short haul services, British Airways was one of the pioneers of flat bed seats in long haul business class. The product is overdue an upgrade, with the seat layout on a Boeing 777 being 8-across in contrast to the more standard 4-across layout. British Airways Club Europe cabin uses a standard Economy class seat, with the middle of each 3-across section left empty. British Airways charges business class customers to reserve seats for both long haul and short haul flights..

LONG HAUL
flat_seatsFlat bed seat
power_iconIn-seat &/or USB power
No WiFiOnboard WiFi
AVODAudio / video on demand
On demand dining
SleepingPillows & duvet / blanket
PyjamasPyjamas / Sleepsuit
AmenitiesAmenity kit

SHORT HAUL
Seat pitchSeat pitch : 31 ins
Seat widthSeat width : 17 ins
In-seat &/or USB power
No WiFiOnboard WiFi
Inflight entertainment
DiningComplimentary meal / snack

PREMIUM ECONOMY

British Airways offers a premium economy cabin on their long haul / widebody aircraft, branded as World Traveller Plus. With the exception of the larger seat, the onboard service and product varies little to the standard long haul Economy class.

Seat pitchSeat pitch : 38 ins
Seat widthSeat width : 18.5 ins
No WiFiOnboard WiFi
power_iconUSB power
AVODAudio / video on demand
DiningComplimentary meal
WinesComplimentary beverages & wines
SleepingPillow / blanket

ECONOMY CLASS

British Airways has been reducing economy class standards recently and now charge for all food and beverages on short haul services. Further cuts are expected to their long haul product standards. The cabins are branded as World Traveller for long haul, and EuroTraveller for short haul.

LONG HAUL
Seat pitchSeat pitch : 31 ins
Seat widthSeat width : 17.5 ins
No WiFiOnboard WiFi
power_iconUSB power
AVODAudio / video on demand
DiningComplimentary meal
WinesComplimentary beverages & wines
SleepingPillow / blanket

SHORT HAUL
Seat pitchSeat pitch : 29-30 ins
Seat widthSeat width : 17 ins
In-seat &/or USB power
No WiFiOnboard WiFi
Inflight entertainment
Complimentary meal / beverages