British Airways Review – Seats, Amenities, Customer Service, Baggage Fees & More

Key Takeaways

• British Airways flies to 200 destinations across 80 countries with a fleet of over 260 aircraft.
• The airline’s first class product features a spacious suite with a 6-foot lie-flat bed and a duvet, pillow, and Temperley London loungewear.
• Frequent flyers benefit from the Executive Club, where Avios points can be earned and redeemed for flights with British Airways and partner airlines.

British Airways flies from 16 U.K. airports and is a long-standing airline, having celebrated its 100th birthday in 2019.

If you’re looking to take advantage of British Airways’ expansive route network, then everything you need to know about this international carrier, from baggage fees to inflight amenities, is detailed below.

Basic Info

Airline: British Airways

Alliance: Oneworld

Category: United Kingdom’s flag carrier and international airline

Frequent Flyer Program: British Airways’ Executive Club

Tagline: “To fly. To serve.”

About/Mission Statement: “We are fully committed to helping each and every one of our customers enjoy the best possible experience, wherever you might be travelling.”

Fleet: 261

Main Hub: London Heathrow Airport (LHR)

Destinations: 200 destinations across 80 countries

Frequent Flyer Program

British Airways’ Executive Club rewards members with Avios points when flying with the airline itself and with Oneworld alliance partner airlines.

The more you fly, the more Avios you earn; Avios can be redeemed for reward flights and will also go towards your membership tier status. This gives members additional benefits such as free seat selection, priority boarding, access to lounges, and bonus point earnings.

Apart from flying, there are also other ways of earning Avios, including shopping, chauffeur services, hotel bookings, and financial management.

It’s even possible to pool multiple reward accounts into a household account with family members, and by signing up, you can claim Avios on any flights 3 months prior to membership.

Hot Tip: Once you’ve started earning Avios, check out our article on the best ways to redeem British Airways Avios for max value.

Ticketing Options

British Airways (BA) has a selection of fare options, whether you’re traveling on a short-haul flight or long-haul flight. The different fare options are:

Short-Haul Flights (European Flights)

British Airways offers an economy and business class on its short-haul flights.

Euro Traveller (Short-Haul Economy Class)

When flying Euro Traveller, you will have the choice of 3 fare types. The benefits for each fare type are:

• Basic: Preselected seat and carry-on luggage only; no changes or refunds.
• Plus: Seat selection (opened 48 hours before departure), checked and carry-on baggage, and free changes on departure day
• Plus Flex: Seat selection at any time, checked and carry-on baggage, and free changes or cancellations at any time (up to 1 hour before departure and fare differences may apply)

Club Europe (Short-Haul Business Class)

When flying Club Europe, you receive the following benefits:

• Access to British Airways’ departure lounges
• Priority boarding
• Priority check-in desks
• More baggage allowance compared to Euro Traveller
• Earn more Avios for Executive Club membership

Long-Haul Flights

British Airways offers 4 cabin classes when flying on a BA long-haul flight:

World Traveller (Long-Haul Economy Class)

When flying World Traveller, you have the choice of 2 fare types. The benefits for each fare type are:

• Basic: Preselected seat and carry-on luggage only; no changes or refunds
• Standard: Seat selection (opened 24 hours before departure), carry-on and checked baggage, board earlier than Basic fare passengers, and changes allowed, but for a fee

World Traveller Plus (Long-Haul Premium Economy)

When flying World Traveller Plus, you receive the following benefits:

• 2 checked bags, plus standard carry-on allowance
• Seat selection (opened 24 hours before departure)

Club World (Long-Haul Business Class)

When flying Club World, you receive:

• 2 checked bags, plus standard carry-on allowance
• Access to British Airways’ departure lounges
• Priority boarding
• Priority check-in desks
• Seat selection (opened 24 hours before departure)

First (Long-Haul Premier Class)

• 3 checked bags, plus standard carry-on allowance
• Seat selection when booking
• Priority check-in desks
• Access to British Airways’ departure lounges
• Complimentary spa treatments at departure lounges (Terminal 5 Heathrow and Terminal 7 JFK)
• Dedicated customer service phone line
• Priority boarding

Baggage and Other Fees/Add-Ons

Baggage Fees

British Airways’ baggage policy is pretty straightforward for checked-bag allowance. However, its excess baggage policy is less straightforward, with costs dependent on where you’re flying to and from.

Carry-On Allowance

Passengers can bring a personal item and 1 standard carry-on piece for free.

• Size Restrictions:
  • Personal item: 16 x 12 x 6 inches (40 x 30 x 15 cm)
  • Standard carry-on: 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 45 x 25 cm)
• Weight: Up to 50 pounds (23 kg) per item

Lap Infant Carry-On Policy

1 cabin bag is permitted for infant necessities required during the flight.

• Size Restrictions: 22 x 18 x 10 inches (56 x 45 x 25 cm)
• Weight: Up to 50 pounds (23 kg)

Stroller Check Policy

One collapsible stroller per child can be checked at the gate for free. If the stroller meets the maximum dimensions of 46 x 15 x 15 inches (117 x 38 x 38 cm) when collapsed, then the stroller can be checked at the gate and collected from the arrival gate immediately after disembarking.

Strollers that exceed these dimensions will need to be collected at the baggage carousel.

Passengers traveling with a child may also bring an additional item, such as a car seat or travel cot. Infants under 2 are permitted to bring 1 piece of checked luggage with the same size and weight restrictions as the ticketed adult’s bag. This does not apply to passengers traveling on a Basic Economy fare.

Checked Baggage Allowance

• Size Restrictions: 35.5 x 29.5 x 16 inches (90 x 75 x 43 cm)
• Weight:
  • Up to 50 pounds (23 kg) for Euro Traveller and World Traveller Plus
  • Up to 70 pounds (32 kg) for Club World, Club Europe, and First Class fares

The number of checked bags that is permitted is based on the fare class you’re flying:

• Basic Economy Euro Traveller, and World Traveller: 0 bags included; carry-on baggage only
• Standard Euro Traveller and World Traveller: 1 bag included*
• World Traveller Plus: 2 bags included
• Club Europe and Club World: 2 bags included
• First: 3 bags included

*2 checked bags included for economy flights to/from Ghana, Kenya, Japan, and Nigeria, connecting between India and U.S./Bermuda/Canada, and connecting from Saudi Arabia to U.S./Bermuda/Canada

Additional/Excess Baggage Fees

Excess baggage fees start at $46, depending on the departure airport, destination, cabin class, and where the fee is paid.

Other Fees and Add-Ons

Booking With Call Center: $13

• Free for British Airways Executive Club Gold Members booking a reward flight

Booking at Airport Ticket Office: $25

Change Fee: Free (online); $25 (phone); $35 (at an airport ticket office). A ticket change fee may also be charged depending on your fare type. This ranges from $0 to $275 and will be displayed at the time of booking. Any fare differences would also be payable.

Change Fee for Reward Flight Bookings: $55 (free for British Airways Executive Club Gold Priority members)

Same-Day Change: Free for domestic short-haul flights; fees for international tickets depends on route and fare class. Same-day changes can be made up to 1 hour before departure. Unfortunately, same-day changes are not permitted if you have a flight connection or are traveling on a long-haul flight.

Cancellation: Free (online); $25 (phone); $35 (at an airport ticket office); $55 for reward flight cancellations (free for British Airways Executive Club Gold Priority bookings)

Seat Selection

• Euro Traveller and World Traveller:
  • Standard Seats: short-haul flights starting at $11, long-haul flights starting at $30
  • Twin Seats: starting at $45
  • Exit Row Seats: starting at $75
• World Traveller Plus:
  • Standard Seats: starting at $27
  • Exit Row Seats: starting at $75
• Club Europe and Club World:
  • Club Europe: starting at $21
  • Club World: starting at $93

Unaccompanied Minor: Accompanied service was discontinued, so adult fare would be charged for minors, 14 years-of-age or over, who will be traveling alone.

Transporting a Pet: Pets are not permitted to be transported in a carry-on.

Refreshments Onboard

Note: Buy on board, prepay, and preorder services are temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Where meals are included in your ticket, these are served in an enclosed box to reduce interaction between passengers and cabin crew.

For short-haul flights, food and beverages can be purchased on board. Sweet and savory snacks, fresh food, soft drinks, and alcoholic drinks are available to purchase either with a credit card or even with Avios points:

• Fresh food: starting at £3.90 (~$5.23)
• Snacks: starting at £1.15 (~$1.54)
• Soft drinks: starting at £1.50 (~$2.01)
• Beer: starting at £4.45 (~$5.96)
• Wine: starting at £4.60 (~$6.16)
• Spirits: starting at £4.50 (~$6.03)

For long-haul flights departing London Heathrow, a complimentary meal is provided. You can also opt to upgrade your meal to BA’s exclusive online menu. There are 6 meals to choose from, ranging in price from £15 to £18 (~$20.10 to ~$24.12).

Avoid Paying Baggage and Excess Fees by Using These Credit Cards

Many travel rewards cards, like The Platinum Card^® from American Express and Chase Sapphire Reserve^® come with an annual airline credit that can be used to offset baggage fees.

Cardholders of the British Airways Visa Signature^® Card also have 2 ways to offset their baggage fees:

• Pay for the taxes, fees, and carrier charges for your reward flight using Avios
• Receive a statement credit of up to $200 — 3 times per year, up to $600 — when you book a reward flight using Avios and pay the taxes, fees, and charges on your card

Inflight Inclusions, Amenities, and Seat Specs

Euro Traveller (Short-Haul Economy)

Amenities Include:

• Leather seating designed for maximum space
• Adjustable headrests
• Complimentary newspapers (where available)
• In-seat power
• Activity packs for children (for flights over 2 hours)

World Traveller (Long-Haul Economy)

Amenities Include:

• Ergonomically-designed seating with lumbar support and a movable headrest
• Cushion and blanket provided
• Eye mask, socks, and toothbrush provided upon request
• Personal in-seat entertainment monitor; available entertainment includes recent films, games, and music
• Meal plus a light snack and beverages

World Traveller Plus (Long-Haul Premium Economy)

Amenities include:

• More legroom and wider seats than World Traveller
• Lumbar support, footrest, and adjustable headrest
• Smaller cabin with dedicated cabin crew
• Cushion, blanket, and an amenity kit with an eye mask, socks, and toothbrush provided
• In-seat power
• Personal in-seat entertainment monitor; available entertainment includes recent films, games, and music
• Noise-canceling headphones
• Meals, including the option to choose from 2 dishes from the business class menu.
• Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages are available

Club Europe (Short-Haul Business Class)

Amenities Include:

• Priority boarding
• Leather seating designed for maximum space
• Adjustable headrests
• Complimentary newspapers (where available)
• Dedicated cabin crew
• Fresh food meals and beverages

Club World (Long-Haul Business Class)

Amenities Include:

• 6-foot lie-flat bed with lumbar support and a movable headrest
• Power outlet
• Bedding and amenity kit designed by The White Company (on selected flights)
• 10.4-inch screens with on-demand entertainment (17-inch screens in the new Club Suites)
• Noise-canceling headphones
• 3-course meals and snacks from the Club Kitchen

Club World London City (LCY-JFK Business Class)

Amenities Include:

• 32 seats that transform into a 6-foot lie-flat bed
• U.S., U.K., and EU power outlets
• Bedding and amenity kit designed by The White Company
• iPad for entertainment
• OnAir connectivity service for internet, voice calls, and messaging (international roaming agreement required and billing will be through your provider)
• Gourmet dining plus snacks available at request
• Amenity kit with products from The White Company

First 

Amenities Include:

• Spacious suite with 6-foot lie-flat bed with a quilted mattress
• Duvet, pillow, and Temperley London loungewear
• 7-piece Elemis skin and body care collection
• Power outlet
• 15-inch monitor with on-demand entertainment
• Noise-canceling headphones
• Enhanced dining from an à la carte menu (both courses and selection items available)
• Refreshment menu includes award-winning wines and afternoon tea, depending on the flight time

Hot Tip: Ready to redeem Avios and enhance your inflight experience? See our guide on how to upgrade to business or first class on British Airways flights!

Seat Specs

British Airways has a fleet of over 260 planes made up of 12 aircraft types, making BA’s fleet one of the most modern fleets in the world. The fleet of Boeing 747, known as “The Queen of the Skies,” was retired in July 2020.

We’ve included seating specs below for some of its most common planes, but you can view the full fleet here.

British Airways Customer Satisfaction

British Airways’ customer satisfaction has sadly tailed off in recent years, with stiff competition from low-cost carriers for its short-haul routes and competitively-priced Middle East airlines for long-haul flights.

Historically hailed as the “World’s Favorite Airline,” this doesn’t appear to be the case anymore, with customers taking to social media to voice their disappointment. These complaints are widespread and varied, covering lost baggage, poor customer service, decreased value, delays, and refund issues. Passengers have also voiced that BA seems to be unresponsive to comments on its social media channels, which simply causes more frustration.

Customers were not pleased with the 2017 changes to stop offering free food on short-haul flights. However, BA has formed a partnership with the much-loved British retailer, Marks & Spencer, to try to offset the displeasure of paying for food by offering such a reputable brand for purchase.

There is some good news on the horizon! BA is working through several aircraft refurbishments, and with the retirement of the older Boeing 747s, it looks like it is taking note of customer complaints about tired and outdated aircraft.

Most Common Complaints

No official statistics can be found on the U.K.’s Civil Aviation Authority website.

Consumer Rankings, Ratings, Etc.

Skytrax Ranking: 4 of 5 Star Airline

Skytrax Customer Rating: 5 of 10

Tripadvisor Airline Review Rating: 3.5 of 5 (averaged from over 54,000 reviews)

Kayak Customer Rating: 7.3 of 10 (averaged from over 22,000 reviews)

AirHelp.com Overall Rating: 7.54 of 10 (quality of amenities, on-time performance, and claim processing)

Safety and Performance

British Airways has a 7 of 7 safety record, as awarded by AirlineRatings.com. This rating takes into account whether the airline has an IATA Operational Safety Audit Certification, in addition to government and crash records combined with information from the world’s aviation governing body.

Charity Partnership

In 2010, British Airways partnered with Comic Relief to establish the Flying Start program that collects unwanted currency from customers and donates it to many Comic Relief projects around the world. To date, the project has raised over £24 million (~$32 million).

BA also donates to disaster relief projects and flies volunteers and aid workers to relief locations on chartered flights.

Final Thoughts

With its extensive route offering, preferred time slots at major airports, and professionalism, BA is still many passenger’s choice of airline. Greater competition across its route network has kept BA’s prices from soaring sky-high, with ongoing price wars between BA and Virgin Atlantic, in particular on transatlantic routes.

Now also heavily competing with low-cost carriers in the European market, BA has taken a risk changing up its business model when it had such an established reputation, and although it is striving to regain that respect, it’s not changing quickly enough for customers.

Even with the customer dissatisfaction, we acknowledge that BA offers great routes internationally, including its popular London-JFK route among business travelers, with many additional connecting short-haul flights to all major European cities.