‘Glass of Bubbly Madame?’ my eyes dart up to the smiling British Airways Club World attendant and I accept with a casual ‘Why ever not!’, it may be 9am in London but I’m headed to Costa Rica and it’s 2am there 😉Â
Just today I landed back into the U.K. after an amazing week spent discovering the tropical wonder of Latin America’s Costa Rica. After a 10 hour overnight flight, expectations may be that I’m in a rush to get straight home to bed and catch up on some much needed sleep, it’s often exactly what we all need after a long haul flight however in my case, I’m feeling pretty darn refreshed!
Thanks to the kind and generous hospitality of British Airways I feel like I’ve just spent a night in luxury boutique hotel, albeit 35,000 feet in the air! I was lucky enough to fly in the Club World cabin of British Airways, the highest class of seating on our plane. It was my first time flying long haul in the Club World cabin and from the moment I stepped on board, I felt like a princess.
The Seats
The cabin is designed so that each and every seat in the Club World section at the front of the plane feels like a single room. The seats are wide and convert fully into a horizontal bed with the push of a button. The screens pop out towards your seat and are adjustable to ensure perfect viewing regardless of the lighting then beneath the TV there’s a pull-out tray table that can be easily tucked away and/or pulled towards you. The seat’s side panel is open for take off which is great if you’re travelling with a partner as you’ll sit face to face when you fly but there is also a dividing screen to pull up if you don’t know the person sitting opposite you. I pre-selected a window seat for both legs of my journey and I would highly recommend you doing the same, as well as the (not one but three!) windows to gaze out of, when the dividing screen is lifted you feel like you are the only person on the plane, it’s bliss!
Under the tray table and TV is a small pull out draw which was perfect for stashing all your plane essentials, it’s really roomy, I was able to put my laptop, cameras and a cosmetics bag in there easily.
The Meal Service
As soon as you take off a menu is handed to you by the friendly attendants and you are able to chose between two three course meals. My vegetarian option was already pre-ordered but for those with more food options being able to chose on the day is a real luxury.
Meals are served on crockery with real cutlery and glassware. You are offered choice from the bread basket with your your meals and the service is similar to that of a plush restaurant. The cabin attendants take away your starter and deliver your next course as soon as your cutlery is placed down. Drink choices are plenty and there’s also ample snacks and beverages available in the cabin for you to help yourself to in-between meals.
The Bed
Whether you’re travelling in the morning, afternoon or evening on a long haul flight it’s always desirable to catch a few winks in transit! Sleeping on the plane is a good idea when you want to maximise your trip abroad but it’s not always an easy task when sat side by side strangers at a 90 degree angle. For me, the absolute best bit about flying in the premium Club World cabin is the reclining seat that fully slides down into a bed. The seat in front has an adjustable foot rest which slides into the chair, fully connecting to the seat and placed ready when you step on board is a large thick blanket and comfy pillow, making a sky high snooze all the more inviting!
The Perks of Premium
As well as travelling in the swanky club world cabin and enjoying the luxury of the service on board you’re also able to enjoy the British Airways Club Lounges at airports where one is available. Here you can enjoy complimentary food, drinks and wifi as well as having the option to board the plane at the very last minute.
The club world baggage drop-off areas in airports are usually separated from the economy section so you are able to breeze through queues when checking in and boarding the plane. Your on board luggage is tagged to ensure they are the first bags to leave the plane, making your door to door travels faster and smoother from the start.
The luggage allowance is also bigger, in the Club World cabin you are able to take 2 bags that weigh a maximum of 32kgs, very handy if you are travelling for a while!
How you can Fly Club World
There’s no denying that when it comes to flying in the business and/or upper class sections of all airlines the price is considerably higher than if you book a standard, economy ticket. If you have the means, there’s little persuasion needed to upgrade your seat and enjoy the luxury at the front of the plane but if the pennies aren’t free flowing there is still a way to enjoy the indulgence of British Airway’s Club World.
Like many airlines BA is a member of an alliance in which you are able to earn points every time you fly. This particular program is called One World and for me, out of all the miles clubs One World is my personal favourite! The alliance is built up of 15 different airlines including Qatar Airways, Qantas and Malaysian Airlines. The registering process for the Executive Club is easy and quick and once a member, you log each of your flights online, accumulating points every time you take off and land. These tier points, collected over time create a colour status for you whenever you travel with a One World airline. The class system is separated to Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald, the more you fly the more tier points you collect. As you work your way through the colours your perks of travel increase and if you are able to log enough points to reach the higher levels you are granted access to lounges and offered trade-in upgrades for miles.
So if you aren’t able to physically pay for your flight upgrade then let your miles and tier points do all the work 😉 Curtesy of all your previous travels!
There’s nothing quite like arriving fresh and ready to go! We’re executive club members and it’s pretty much the main reason why we travel long haul so much!
Oh that’s so great to hear! Me too, I honestly think it’s the best Miles program there is.
I loved reading this Sabrina, I have always wondered what really goes on in first class 😉 Loved watching your snapchat on the flight, it looked like you had such a great time. I need to join the One World program then and collect these valuable points! M x
Oh I’m really pleased to hear that Meghan , thanks for keeping up with my snapchat! 😀 x