Article: Why Airlines Love European Business Class

[MEL_Traveller]

And I've seen similar on BA LHR-FRA for example, and equally seen BA flights with only 1 or 2 rows.

It's ultimately great flexibility for the airlines which can mean more profitability (or alternatively as above) much cheaper J class premiums versus Y.

The max number of club europe is 12 rows on the 320s, and 14 on the 321s. For the E jets it’s row 11. Can be a huge workload to serve a full meal, bar and tea+coffee on what’s essentially a 20-25 min service window.

As you say, the advantage is that club europe can be really cheap. Just £115 on my upcoming trip from LGW to AMS. The benefit being the SCs.

 

[PERLHR]

The max number of club europe is 12 rows on the 320s, and 14 on the 321s. For the E jets it’s row 11. Can be a huge workload to serve a full meal, bar and tea+coffee on what’s essentially a 20-25 min service window.

As you say, the advantage is that club europe can be really cheap. Just £115 on my upcoming trip from LGW to AMS. The benefit being the SCs.

Main benefit is the full AVIOS provision of 40 Tier Points each way on those cheapo business class fares. Used many times for even day trips to Geneva, Paris, Brussels, Verona, Amsterdam, Glasgow, Frankfurt. Indeed, happy days....always loved saying just popping to X for lunch or dinner. Changed days now in Perth!!

 

[p--and--t]

Its a bit of a shock when you jump off a CX J flight HKG-LHR and then transfer to a BA "Eu-J" LHR-FCO and then you find the middle seat is not blocked off.

The Purser says the flight is oversold and they have put someone between my partner and I in the middle seat (basically "suck it up mate").

The breakfast was quite good, that's about the best I can say about the experience.

 

[PERLHR]

Its a bit of a shock when you jump off a CX J flight HKG-LHR and then transfer to a BA "Eu-J" LHR-FCO and then you find the middle seat is not blocked off.

The Purser says the flight is oversold and they have put someone between my partner and I in the middle seat (basically "suck it up mate").

The breakfast was quite good, that's about the best I can say about the experience.

It's unusual. Sometimes happens if there has been cancelled flights and weather delays. Even then not that often. Additionally if you are a member of the BAEC simply write to them explaining the experience (not just having a moan) and they should provide a fair few AVIOS for the trouble.

 

[MelbFlyer]

I've had 2 experiences in Euro "business" class -

1. HEL > CDG on AY - I had a 2.5hr layover in Helsinki after getting off a AY A350 from HKG in business. Obviously the difference was massive - from being in one of the widest business class seats available (due to the no-recline function) to regular economy seats despite being in "business". As the flight to Paris was short I didn't mind. Food was actually decent onboard.

2. BCN to LHR on BA - Again, as it was a short flight I didn't mind, I also got an exit row seat as well so lots of legroom compared to the above flight and regular economy seating. Food was also decent too.

The only real perks are lounge access and priority check-in / boarding.

If you manage to get an AY flight from LHR to HEL on the A350, then you're in luck for Euro "business" class.

I only booked these seats as they were part of a business OWA and thus using points / was capped). Probably wouldn't pay cash outright for them (then again, I don't know the next time I'll go to Europe anyway - probably never again or in a few decades time if ever).

Intra-eastern Asia business class on the other hand - ie. CI or CX on their widebodies - you'll get the full business class experience on selected aircraft - ie. 777s or some A330s. I've got 2 flights in business coming up on the aforementioned airlines, looking forward to them (even if only 2-2.5hrs!)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The thing with paying cash is that the fares can often be very reasonable, especially with the likes of BA. And then you get a swag of SCs! £115 vs £61 in economy. Or £225 return for a day trip London to Venice in club!

If you don’t have status and therefore lounge access or priority chicken, the surcharge becomes very reasonable.

 

[PERLHR]

Not forgetting that if you fly out of T3 on shorthaul BA in Y with status or with a paid.upgrade you get access to not only the BA T3 lounge, but also the QF, and CX and AA. Additionally having been in Australia now for a wee while I miss the BA breakfasts at T5 compared to what QF business offer and certainly miles better than QF Club or whatever it's called. Also free flowing bubbles no matter the time of day and not this "not until noon nonsense". So for the price of many BA upgrades it's definitely worth it. And again the tier points are an added bonus. Shame VA don't offer full status credits for "bid upgrades". Chances are more people would actually pay more! I miss BA...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I miss BA until I get back on one of their ying-yang planes! Love the seat, ultra comfortable. Like the food and service. But so awkward during meal service and the short periods you have to interact with your neighbour!

 

[SYD]

I miss BA until I get back on one of their ying-yang planes! Love the seat, ultra comfortable. Like the food and service. But so awkward during meal service and the short periods you have to interact with your neighbour!

But good if travelling with someone!

 

[PERLHR]

But good if travelling with someone!

I met my now wife on a BA flight some 15 years ago now ...

 

[MelbFlyer]

ying-yang planes! Love the seat, ultra comfortable. Like the food and service. But so awkward during meal service and the short periods you have to interact with your neighbour!

I honestly have no idea how this business class layout was approved.

Same goes for Emirates' horrible 2-3-2 config on the 777s and Air NZs "foot-fetish" layout.

 

[PERLHR]

I honestly have no idea how this business class layout was approved.

We need to remember that back in the early 00s it was BA that pioneered the "truly" flatbed and that they wanted to also ensure that they could remain high competitive by having as many flat beds in the cabin as possible ..hence ying yang. Ofcourse time has moved on and tastes changed. BA are are in the process of refurb. Desite all the moans they have always managed to pretty much fill their business cabins without much issue.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

We need to remember that back in the early 00s it was BA that pioneered the "truly" flatbed and that they wanted to also ensure that they could remain high competitive by having as many flat beds in the cabin as possible ..hence ying yang. Ofcourse time has moved on and tastes changed. BA are are in the process of refurb. Desite all the moans they have always managed to pretty much fill their business cabins without much issue.

Yes, up to 96 of them on some of the high-J 747s plying LHR-JFK IIRC.

 

[jase05]

The thing with paying cash is that the fares can often be very reasonable, especially with the likes of BA. And then you get a swag of SCs! £115 vs £61 in economy. Or £225 return for a day trip London to Venice in club!

If you don’t have status and therefore lounge access or priority chicken, the surcharge becomes very reasonable.

Yeah, I’ve got 6 paid J flights coming up with them soon and now a fan of the Euro J product but could be worse as I have J flights with SK and don’t even get a blocked seat