I messed up. Royally. My husband and I we were on our way to the preview journey of Cunard’s Queen Anne, packed and eager. Standing at the British Airways check-in counter, it turned out my plus-one didn’t have a reservation. No seat. Nothing. (I may have not pushed an important button when finalizing the trip. Details.)
I was deciding whether or not to panic when BA agent Anne-Marie went to work searching for our best option. Rather than this being the unmitigated disaster you wake up sweating from, it was a courteous, professional, and soothing exchange. Bless you, Anne-Marie of British Airways.
Not only did we buy a reasonable seat in Economy, this saviour later called up to the lounge to let us know about Premium Economy availability.
I should disclose that I had been provided with the privilege of test driving business class. What can I say?
The British flag carrier calls it Club World with some routes, such as YYZ-LHR, offering Club Suites where a sliding door provides added privacy so no one can watch me drool as I drift off into lie-flat slumberland.
Unlike newly launched airlines, the challenge for legacy carriers is to maintain their historic position in the market and keep staff motivated over many decades. The rush of ‘hey, let’s launch an airline!’, which can be exhilarating for newly minted crews, can’t be relied on to maintain service standards. The result is moderated expectations from people like myself who’ve been flying for … well, never mind.
To my surprise, flight attendants ranged from all nationalities, ages and backgrounds. The international feel was welcome. Most importantly, all were attentive, caring, and professional.
With rising costs, airline meals are shrinking. Not so for my Club World dinner. Between the meal-sized smoked salmon appetizer and the perfectly cooked turbot, I was beyond sated. (Still managed to eat a full breakfast before landing.)
What is the British Airways Club World offer and is it worth it? It’s should be noted not all BA flights offering the Club World class have the Club Suites, with the sliding door feature but Toronto service on the A350 does.
Besides the coveted privacy and obvious appeal of the lie-flat sleep experience, the service provided by Club World starts before you step on the metal. Exclusive Club World check in desks are available at most airports, along with Fast Track security and Priority Boarding. But you don’t want to board too quickly; you’ll want to take advantage of one of the 20 lounges (or over 140 partner lounges) to refresh and refill yourself first. In addition to their generous food offerings, from full meals to light bites, newly added plant based dishes are a feature for many, as are the kid spaces at some airports. There are plenty of drink options to toast your upcoming trip as well.
Once onboard, you’ll experience varied global cuisine, extensive wine, beer and cocktail options and an almost overwhelming selection of entertainment options on your flatscreen, which you can enjoy with noise cancelling headphones. Not to mention champagne before take-off. Some airlines wait to be airborne for real champagne while thirsty media folk patiently wait. And you need champagne if you’re on your way to meet a queen.
Luxury level bedtime amenity kits get you ready for sleep, or work the night away with Hi-Speed Wifi, which is free for Executive Club members, and available for a nominal fee for all. Make sure to check out the specific benefits of a Club World ticket (varies depending on airport, availability, etc.) before you recommend it your clients. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
As for my experience, I found the service level and meal quality truly exceptional. Pip! Pip!
For more information visit: Club World | Travel classes | British Airways
Note: a special thank you to the legendary Mike Miguel who is a one man BA band here in Canada.
