British Airways Reviews and Ratings

What to expect from British Airways

• Ticket purchasing

  The British Airways app and official website make purchasing British Airways tickets a typically straightforward task.

  The British Airways website:

  • Intuitive on mobile and computer, making it easy to use.
  • Transparent pricing.
  • Multiple purchasing methods available to buy tickets.
  • Secure, meaning it’s safe to buy from.
  • Detailed flight information.
  • Multiple booking options.
  • Reserve seats (great if you want that extra leg room).
  • Purchase checked luggage.

  The British Airways app:

  • Intuitive, so it’s easy to use.
  • Transparent pricing.
  • Book with cash or miles.
  • Secure, so you know paying is safe.
  • Reserve seats.
  • Purchase checked luggage.

  You may get a lot of notifications if you use the British Airways app, but you can always block these in your phone’s notification settings.

  Over the phone:

  Purchasing British Airways tickets over the phone is possible. But it isn’t recommended unless you need support from a member of staff as there is an additional booking fee.

• Check in, airport experience & boarding

  Check in with the British Airways app, website or with the help of BA staff.

  The check in process with British Airways can be done 24 hours before the flight departure. This is shorter than some airlines such as AirFrance which allows passengers to start checking in 30 hours before the flight.

  Easily check in and get your boarding passes by selecting your booking through the British Airways app, or the website on either your mobile or computer. You can also check in at the airport with the help of British Airways staff.

  

  In case you lose signal, if you are using the app or website to check in and don’t have a physical version of your boarding passes, take a screenshot.

  It may also be worth bringing a portable charger for your phone in the case of delays and low battery.

  When to arrive, security & lounges

  When to arrive & security

  Generally, you should aim to arrive at the airport 2 hours before for domestic flights, and 3 hours before for international flights. You may want to arrive earlier at airports known for slower security or being spaced out.

  Most British Airways flights and connecting transatlantic BA flights go through London Heathrow Airport.

  If you are travelling First, Club World, or Club Europe from Heathrow, you can use the dedicated Fast Track Security lanes, which means you can arrive around 30 minuets later.

  Lounges

  Some airports have British Airways lounges, Heathrow has 3:

  1. Concorde Room (First Class passengers)
  2. Galleries lounge (Club World, World Traveller Plus, and Gold Executive Club members)
  3. Club Lounge (Club World, World Traveller Plus, Silver Executive Club, or Bronze Executive Club with a complementary upgrade)

  The lounges feature complementary food and drinks such as hot food and snacks including vegetarian/plant based options, speciality coffees and champagne (although what’s on offer will vary depending on the lounge).

  The amenities of the lounges vary from cinema rooms, children’s spaces, and special seats designed for power naps.

  The Club Lounge has a quiet area to work and showers. The Club Lounge also offers comfortable seats near power outlets and USB charging ports.

  For more information on British Airways lounges, head to: britishairways.com/content/information/lounges

  Boarding

  British Airways typically boards using aero bridges that provide a walkway from the terminal to the aeroplane. Although they may need to use shuttle busses at some airports.

  There can be up to 9 boarding groups. Typically these are:

  1. Passengers with disabilities, families with small children, executive Club Gold members
  2. Executive Club Silver members
  3. Executive Club Bronze members, Premium Economy passengers
  4. Economy Class passengers

  

  Choosing a seat towards the back of the aeroplane may help you board quicker as an economy passenger.

• British Airways service, seat classes, food & drink

  British Airways on-board service is known for being high-quality regardless of your seat class. The flight attendants are professional, polite, and walk the cabin ready to help you.

  For its overall service quality, British Airways has been awarded 4 stars by independent ratings organisation Skytrax.

  The interiors are typically comfortable, stylish, well lit, and with large overhead bins for carry-on luggage.

  The higher the price point, typically the quieter your journey will be as there are fewer people around you.

  Economy Class (Euro Traveller & World Traveller)

  Euro Traveller (economy for Europe)

  Seat type	Contoured
  In-seat power	Some aeroplanes
  Entertainment
  Seat width	43cm-45cm
  Approximate seat pitch	73.7cm-78.7cm
  Adjustable head rest
  Lumbar support
  Recline

  Complementary food & drink:

  • Snack
  • Water

  Paid for food and drink options are available on board.

  World Traveller (economy for the rest of world)

  Seat type	Ergonomic
  In-seat power
  Entertainment	Flat screen and headphones
  Seat width	43cm-45cm
  Approximate seat pitch	78.7cm
  Adjustable head rest
  Lumbar support
  Recline

  World Traveller seats come with a cushion and blanket.

  Complementary food & drink:

  • Starter, main, and desert
  • Choice of hot and cold drinks
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Mid-flight snacks (longer flights)
  • Second meal (longer flights)

  

  If you're looking for extra legroom in Economy Class, you can book an exit-row seat.

  But this may come at a fee and carries responsibilities for safety that other passengers don’t have.

  World Traveller Plus (premium economy)

  Seat type	Ergonomic
  In-seat power
  Entertainment	Personal entertainment system & noise cancelling headphones
  Seat width	46cm
  Approximate seat pitch	96.5cm
  Adjustable head rest
  Lumbar support
  Recline

  Premium Economy Class British Airways seats also come with a cushion, blanket, and foot rest. They are only available on long-haul flights.

  Complementary food & drink:

  • Starter, main, and desert
  • Choice of hot and cold drinks
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Choice of snacks

  Business Class (Club Europe & Club World)

  Club Europe (business class for Europe)

  Seat type	Contoured
  In-seat power	Most aeroplanes
  Entertainment
  Seat width	45cm
  Approximate seat pitch	76.2cm
  Adjustable head rest
  Lumbar support
  Recline

  The middle seat is always kept free for more personal space in Club Europe seats.

  Complementary food & drink:

  • Full in-flight meal/s
  • Range of hot and cold drinks
  • Alcoholic drinks

  Club World (business class for the rest of the world)

  Seat type	Convertible to flat bed with bedding (182.9cm-185.4cm)
  In-seat power
  Entertainment	Personal entertainment system & noise cancelling headphones
  Seat width	48cm-52cm
  Adjustable head rest
  Lumbar support
  Recline

  Complementary food & drink:

  • Starter, main, and cheese
  • Choice of hot and cold drinks
  • Alcoholic drinks
  • Choice of snacks

  First Class

  Seat type	Convertible to flat bed with bedding (185cm-200cm)
  In-seat power
  Entertainment	15” screen with ports for your devices & noise cancelling headphones
  Seat width	55cm
  Adjustable head rest
  Lumbar support
  Recline

  First class seats are described as ‘suites’ and come with free WiFi. They are only available on long-haul flights.

  Complementary food & drink:

  • A la carte ‘Dine Anytime’ menu
  • Range of hot and cold drinks
  • Alcoholic drinks including champagne
  • Choice of snacks

  

  Legroom and seat dimensions for each seat class can vary. Information about booking spare seats can be found on the British Airways website:

  britishairways.com/content/information/seating/reserving-your-seat

  Further information about seat types can be found on the British Airways website:

  britishairways.com/content/information/travel-classes

• Support & disruptions

  Support

  Although British Airways flight attendants are usually perceived well, opinions on the quality of British Airways customer service differ.

  If you do want to talk to a British Airways representative, (for example to speak to them about ticket changes), then it is best to phone them on the following numbers.

  New or existing bookings UK

  +44 (0) 344 493 0787 (All days, 7am - 8pm) +49 (0) 421 2215 7897 (Monday - Friday 9am - 6pm)

  New or existing bookings North America

  1-800-247-9297 (Every day (EST) 7:00am - 11:00pm)

  Luggage help

  1-800-828-8144

  Executive Club Member Services

  UK: +44 (0) 344 493 0747
  North America: 1 800 452 1201

  Special assistance

  UK : +49 (0) 421 2215 7897 (Monday-Friday 9am-6pm)

  North America: 1 800 828 8140

  Group bookings

  0421 224 79847 Monday - Friday: 10:00-12:00 CET (except public holidays)

  Only for urgent queries on bookings with travel dates, payment or ticketing deadlines within the next 72 hours.

  Disruptions/inconveniences

  A cancellation, delay, or if you are not allowed to fly (denied boarding) are disruptions covered under UK legislation UK261.

  As long as the reason for your disruption wasn’t beyond British Airways’ control (extraordinary circumstances) and the disruption is deemed severe enough, you could be entitled to £220-£520 in compensation.

  Use our free and instant claim checker to find out if you are entitled to compensation.

  You may be entitled to overnight accommodation, and transport to this accommodation for longer delays.

  Food and drink, or a way to access this should also be provided by British Airways if your delay is over:

  • 2 hours - short-haul flight of under 1500km
  • 3 hours - medium-haul flight of 1500km – 3500km
  • 4 hours - long-haul flight over 3500km

  Additionally, you may be able to get a refund or alternate flight (rerouted) for:

  • Denied boarding
  • Cancellation within 14 days of departure
  • Delay to your destination is likely to be over 5 hours

• Safety

  British Airways flies Boeing 747s, 777s, 787 Dreamliners, and Airbus A320s, A350s, among others.

  Since it first launched in 1974, British Airways has maintained a world-class safety record, experiencing only one fatal accident on September 10, 1976.

  Despite some of the aeroplanes being over 13 years old, they are maintained well and considered very safe.