Redesigned British Airways Club World cabin leaves room for improvement
On June 20, 2025, a passenger embarked on BA12, British Airways' flight from Singapore to London, to experience the airline's new Club World Suites. The journey, however, presented a mix of advantages and disadvantages.
The Club Suite, located at seat 8A, boasts direct aisle access, multiple storage compartments, and a fully flat bed extending over 6 feet, benefiting tall passengers like the traveller in question. The reverse herringbone design is a significant upgrade from the previous business class seats, offering enhanced privacy with individual suite doors.
The suite's design caters well to tall side sleepers, with a seat design that includes a foot recess in the bulkhead, providing extra legroom. However, the seat layout has limited leg and knee space for side sleepers, which is a slight drawback compared to the previous Club World seating.
The bed, while offering sufficient length, was relatively firm due to the lack of a full-sized mattress topper. The supplied semi-fitted, lightly padded rectangle moved around during the night, reducing comfort for side sleepers who often need more cushioning. This firmness and lack of padding may have contributed to a sleep quality that was worse than a previous experience on a British Airways A380.
The service on board was transactional, with requests feeling like an imposition. The crew's interactions were rushed and did not excel in customer service. For instance, the flight attendant serving the passenger sighed when asked for a cup of tea. The meal service was also scaled back, with a supper meal served instead of a full dinner, and no option for a Full Breakfast sans bacon and sausage. No second drinks or top-ups were offered during the service.
Despite these drawbacks, the Club World Suite offers WiFi with a good speed, and the cabin is equipped with luxury items such as pillows, blankets, water, and comfort packs from 'The White Company'. The suite also converts into a fully flat bed, offering a restful environment despite its firmness.
In conclusion, while the Club World Suite improves space and privacy and accommodates tall passengers well in length, the firmness of the bed and lack of padding may be a downside for tall side sleepers seeking plush comfort. The transactional service and limited meal options further detract from the overall experience.
The airline news about British Airways' new Club World Suites received mixed reviews from industry experts and travelers, highlighting the transit sector's ongoing efforts to enhance lifestyle and aviation experiences; yet, the hardness of the bed and insufficient cushioning in the seating for side sleepers were points of criticism. Financially, the airline should reconsider investing in superior bedding options and improving meal services to meet growing passenger expectations in the transportation industry.
