Nick Morrish/Rachel Hosie/Business Insider
I travelled in both British Airway's brand new business class Club Suites, and its short-haul alternative.
- British Airways' business class offering was described in $4 as being like "Ryanair but with free food," but is this really true?
- It's safe to say the experience differs wildly depending on whether you're flying long or short-haul.
- I realized this when I experienced the new long-haul business class service followed by the short-haul the next day on a British Airways press trip.
- Is it really worth paying to fly business class on a two-hour flight? Here's how the long- and short-haul services differ.
- $4.
Things haven't been plain sailing for $4 of late.
Despite the airline celebrating its centenary this year (complete with a visit from Her Majesty), becoming the third carrier to use ginormous A350 planes, and unveiling swanky $4, it's had to weather some storms.
Read more: $4
If $4 and $4 weren't enough, BA's business class offering has just been slated in a study by consumer group $4.
Which? described the airline's business class service as akin to "Ryanair but with free food," although it's unclear whether the long-haul or short-haul service was reviewed. Ryanair is a famously low-cost UK airline where customers have to pay for a number of add-ons - food included.
The airline's business class or "Club" offering varies wildly depending on whether you're traveling short-haul within Europe (Club Europe) or long-haul (Club World).
This was hammered home to me particularly clearly when I had the privilege of flying on a British Airways press trip to Madrid as a taster flight to launch BA's new Club World seat, and then a flight back in a standard Club Europe seat.
Here's how the two compare.