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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4/10

"I will never book them again"

(Australia)

I flew SYD-LHR return trip having recently had surgery on my left leg. Outbound I stood up for 7 hours from SYD-SIN as cabin crew decided my leg was sticking out too far and there was insufficient room to get my leg under the seat. On the return my seat offered better leg room but despite many empty seats BA allocated two large men next to me. I had to have my carry on case to keep my leg elevated which meant the two men were trapped in their seats. BA didn't ask to see my Dr's letter to understand what I was going through. The staff did their very best to avoid all eye contact with passengers (presumably in case we asked for something!). My headset socket didn't work but the staff just blamed the previous crew. I could write about the state of the toilets but I'd rather forget what I saw. Suffice to say I drank nothing on the flight to ensure a bathroom visit was not required. My experience with BA has left me quite certain I will never book them again.
Seat TypeEconomy Class
Aircraft TypeBoeing 777
Seat Layout3x3x3
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Viewing Tv Screen 12345
yes
1/10

"a very poor product and BA should be ashamed"

(United Kingdom)

Flying from London to Mauritius and back. On way out footrest not working - broken and reported to crew who did nothing. Reported to BA on arrival. Return to LGW 2 weeks later same run down aircraft seat not fixed and in addition my wife's was broken as well this time. Reported to crew again and an engineer did a temporary fix before take-off. It soon broke again! Didn't have dinner it was 1am but breakfast was the worst I have been presented with in over 40 years of frequent flying a grey/green omelette and undercooked sausage - I did not eat it. It was an old WT+ cabin and even if they had been properly working the seats are not good. Food same as Economy drinks from plastic and paper cups. It really is a very poor product and BA should be ashamed of it. I would not travel with BA long haul in this cabin ever again as it offers poor value for money and great discomfort. Save up to go Club if at all possible or choose another airline on the same route whose Premium Economy lives up to what it claims.
Seat TypePremium Economy
Aircraft TypeBoeing 777-200
Seat Layout2x4x2
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Viewing Tv Screen 12345
no
2/10

"Beware of seats 25A/B on the new layout in the A319"

(United Kingdom)

Beware of seats 25A/B on the new layout in the A319. They are placed where one of the toilets used to be. There is no window and it feels cramped and claustrophobic. You are also adjacent to the door of the one remaining toilet so expect smells and long queues next to you for most of the flight.
Seat TypeEconomy Class
Aircraft TypeA319
Seat Layout3x3
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Viewing Tv Screen 12345
no
3/10

"BA have decided to cram people in on this new plane"

(United Kingdom)

I flew from Hong Kong to London. After a code share on an old Cathay Pacific plane I was looking forward to flying on one of the new A380s. I was quickly disappointed however. BA have decided to cram people in on this new plane. The legroom and general seat comfort was very poor. I only fly BA as I travel a lot with work and use BA for EU flights but I won't fly long haul with them again. It's disgraceful the tiny amount of room they give while continually saying "enjoy your flight". It is a matter of endurance not enjoyment.
Seat TypeEconomy Class
Aircraft TypeA380
Seat Layout2x4x2
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Viewing Tv Screen 12345
no
2/10

"Leg room and recline marginal"

(Canada)

Just returned from London into Vancouver. Seats are not comfortable. You could get jammed into a wretched four in a row middle seat. Leg room and recline marginal. Food horrific. Service average. Scratchy blanket. TV screen kept freezing and acting up. Just economy with a little bit more leg room and given the lack of comfort not worth it. I will never book this again and will not fly British Airways again - part of it is just a feeling of the crew not caring very much. Not very pleasant either being sandwiched between business class and first class which had lovely cabins service and reclining seats. Felt like a lower class citizen with the red rope across the curtains to first class. The food was horrific. No priority boarding. Last bags to be let off in Vancouver.
Seat TypePremium Economy
Aircraft TypeBoeing 747-400
Seat Layout2x4x2
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Viewing Tv Screen 12345
no
1/10

"Felt very claustrophobic and couldn't sit comfortably"

(United Kingdom)

London to Bangkok 12 hour flight. Seat in front was in full recline position for 10 of those hours. Couldn't see the tv screen in front of me as too close with the recline position of person in front. Felt very claustrophobic and couldn't sit comfortably as no leg room - sat at an angle and now very stiff. Endurance test!
Seat TypeEconomy Class
Aircraft TypeBoeing 777
Seat Layout3x3x3
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Viewing Tv Screen 12345
no
3/10

"this trip was by some margin the worst I have experienced"

(United Kingdom)

I have travelled long haul premium economy with a number of other airlines and have not used BA service for long haul before. However this trip was by some margin the worst I have experienced on long haul. I fear BA's hype about investment in premium economy seats is ill founded and after some 24 hours in the same seat broken by stop for refuel in Singapore I came into Heathrow sore from the seat. The service was satisfactory and when I became ill on one leg of the flight staff couldn't have been more helpful. But the seat discomfort was such that I would only choose BA for long haul as a last resort.
Seat TypePremium Economy
Aircraft TypeBoeing 777
Seat Layout2x4x2
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Viewing Tv Screen 12345
no
2/10

British Airways customer review

(United Kingdom)

Flew with my daughter from London Heathrow to Dubai on Valentines Day. This is a terrible product offered from BA. Have flown Virgin Premium Economy which knocks the socks off this BA product? Seats are incredibly uncomfortable - both recline and leg rest allow no comfortable position. There is no sense of a premium product. Bitterly regret booking BA for this trip and dreading return flight. Considered upgrading to Club but would cost an additional £2900 pp! again.
Seat TypePremium Economy
Aircraft TypeBOEING 747-400
Seat Layout2x4x2
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Viewing Tv Screen 12345
no
1/10

British Airways customer review

(United Kingdom)

Flew from LHR to BKK return with British Airways. Do this trip regularly with Thai and I will be going with them on my next trip. I only used BA as they were offering relatively cheap flights on offer but this turned out to be a major faux pas. BA were frankly awful and I wouldn't consider flying with them again.
Seat TypeEconomy Class
Aircraft TypeBOEING 747-400
Seat Layout2x3x2
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Viewing Tv Screen 12345
no
1/10

British Airways customer review

(Italy)

Terrible seat configuration on BA A380 economy upper deck. Seat space is cramped and arm rest can't be fully up. It hanged at an angle which is dangerous and inconvenience when u are travelling with a child.
Seat TypeEconomy Class
Aircraft TypeAIRBUS A380
Seat Layout2x4x2
Seat Legroom 12345
Seat Recline 12345
Seat Width 12345
Aisle Space 12345
Viewing Tv Screen 12345
no

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