Evaluate: British Airways Membership Suites Enterprise Class Boeing 777 (IAD-LHR)

For the primary phase of my Aria Suite Journey to Hong Kong, I flew British Airways’ Boeing 777-200ER enterprise class on the 6hr35min in a single day flight from Washington (IAD) to London (LHR).

British Airways will need to have one of many world’s most improved enterprise class merchandise, because the airline has rolled out its new Membership Suites enterprise class on many plane varieties, together with Heathrow-based 777s.

All issues thought of, I had a really nice flight. British Airways’ Membership Suites are snug and personal, the facilities are fairly good, the meals and leisure have been first rate, and the service was pleasant {and professional}. Whereas the product doesn’t have a “wow” issue, I’d say that these days this is without doubt one of the higher methods to cross the Atlantic, on steadiness.

How I booked my British Airways enterprise class ticket

I redeemed miles for my British Airways enterprise class ticket, and it was really half of a bigger itinerary, because it additionally included my Cathay Pacific Aria Suite enterprise class flight to Hong Kong. Particularly, I booked the next in enterprise class for 115,000 Cathay Pacific Asia Miles plus $351.17 in taxes & charges:

2/04 BA216 Washington to London departing 6:00PM arriving 6:15AM (+1 day)
2/05 CX250 London to Hong Kong departing 5:50PM arriving 2:35PM (+1 day)

Cathay Pacific’s Asia Miles program isn’t normally amongst my favorites, although I’ve to say, I discovered this to be fairly a very good deal. Not solely is it good that this system helps you to route from the US to Hong Kong through Europe, however service imposed surcharges on British Airways are additionally a lot decrease than they’d be by different applications.

Cathay Pacific is switch companions with some main transferable factors currencies, because it companions with Amex Membership Rewards, Capital One, and Citi ThankYou.

British Airways enterprise class lounge & boarding

Within the earlier installment, I reviewed the British Airways Lounge Washington Dulles, which is surprisingly glorious. My flight was departing from gate B44, only a quick stroll from the lounge.

Ready for me was G-VIIK, the 27-year-old 777 that may be flying me to London (the world’s first 777 entered service 29 years in the past, so this was one of many OGs). As an aviation geek who loves taking footage of planes at airports, it bugs me how gates on the terminal have an arrivals hallway behind the primary set of glass, so you’ll be able to by no means actually get a very good shot.

Boarding was scheduled for five:20PM, 40 minutes earlier than departure. Positive sufficient, that’s precisely when boarding began. The gate was properly organized, with every group having a distinct place to queue.

I used to be in a position to make use of the Group 1 boarding space, on account of my oneworld Emerald standing, as that’s in any other case reserved for firstclass.

British Airways 777 enterprise class cabin & seats

I boarded by the second set of doorways, the place I used to be greeted by the chipper crew, and pointed proper and down the primary aisle, towards my seat. British Airways plane usually have enormous enterprise class cabins, on condition that London is a premium market, and has the world’s most costly slots.

So whereas a few of British Airways’ 777-300ERs have a staggering 76 enterprise class seats, I used to be on a 777-200ER with “solely” 49 enterprise class seats. Enterprise class on the airplane I used to be flying was damaged up into two zones — there have been 13 enterprise class seats between the primary and second set of doorways (behind the primary class cabin, which has eight seats), plus 36 enterprise class seats behind the second set of doorways.

British Airways’ Membership Suites are based mostly on the Collins Aerospace Tremendous Diamond platform, which is without doubt one of the hottest lengthy haul enterprise class seats. It is a reverse herringbone product, so seats are in a 1-2-1 configuration. I’ve gotta say, I assumed the cabin seemed fairly snazzy, particularly when you think about the airplane’s age.  

These touring with a companion might want to assign a pair of heart seats, in order that the flight can (kind of) be loved collectively. Finally reverse herringbone seats aren’t ultimate for these touring with a companion as a result of angle, however it’s nonetheless higher than nothing.

If you find yourself in one of many heart seats and are touring alone, fear not, as a result of there’s a privateness defend between seats that may be prolonged.

In the meantime for these touring alone (and even simply those that have a tough time deciding whether or not they want their journey companion or a wing view), the window seats are the place to take a seat. The good factor about reverse herringbone seats is that there’s not a lot variance between seats, so most passengers are getting the identical expertise, roughly. That’s fairly a distinction to merchandise like Lufthansa Allegris.

I assigned myself seat 17A, the window seat on the left facet within the final row of the cabin (my normal choice). Actually, for those who’ve executed one Tremendous Diamond seat, you’ve mainly executed all of them. The one variance is whether or not there’s a door (a reasonably new pattern for this product), and a few of the minor particulars of the finishes.

I feel British Airways’ Membership Suites enterprise class is a comparatively elegant product, as I just like the darkish colours and the seat stitching.

So far as seat options go, there’s an enclosed storage compartment instantly subsequent to the seat, the place you’ll be able to place headphones, or different small objects (although it’s not very deep). There’s additionally a mirror that pops out for those who open the compartment.

Then in entrance of which are two extra compartments that may be opened — the one on the left is only a shallow spot to put issues (like a telephone or passport), whereas the appropriate one is a bit deeper, and in addition has the leisure controller and charging ports.

Charging ports are restricted to AC energy shops and USB-A shops. There are not any USB-C shops or wi-fi charging. That is an clearly an space the place know-how has advanced shortly.

There’s a panel beneath this space, the place you’ll be able to management the seat’s recline. There are both three pre-selected choices subsequent to the display, or you’ll be able to customise particular features on the display itself.

The tray desk folds out from beneath the leisure monitor. When saved, it’s folded over in half, so while you prolong it, you’ll wish to flip it over.

One of many house saving methods used with these seats is that there’s a footwell you place your toes into when reclined, which is to the facet of the seat in entrance. It is a first rate dimension on the 777, so I didn’t discover it to be too restrictive.

There’s additionally a small uncovered storage space subsequent to the footwell.

Final however not least, there’s the factor that differentiates this Tremendous Diamond seat from most others — a door! The suite has a door that’s unlocked throughout the flight, and which might manually be opened or closed, because it slides fairly simply.

The very last thing price mentioning is that sadly British Airways doesn’t have particular person air nozzles on its 777s. Fortuitously, I discover that British Airways doesn’t normally hold its cabins too heat, so it’s not that unhealthy.

All-in-all, I’d say this can be a well-rounded enterprise class laborious product. I like reverse herringbone seats, and it’s good to see a door on the Tremendous Diamond platform. Whereas there are extra leading edge enterprise class merchandise on the market, that is strong for a European service, particularly given how widespread the rollout is at this level.

British Airways enterprise class facilities

So far as British Airways enterprise class facilities go, bedding was already ready at every seat upon boarding. British Airways companions with The White Firm for its bedding, with a considerable pillow, a comfortable blanket, and a mattress sheet (I wouldn’t actually it a pad, because it’s fairly skinny).

The bedding is kind of good, although I obtained the sense that this bedding had been by plenty of washes, because it was type of scratchy and felt worn.

Amenity kits have been additionally at seats upon boarding. Very similar to the bedding, these are in partnership with The White Firm. The amenity package contained a dental package, earplugs, socks, eyeshades, lip balm, moisturizer, and a twig.

Headphones have been additionally obtainable — I discovered the sound high quality to only be okay, and in addition didn’t discover them to be very snug. There’s not any bluetooth audio on these jets.

Shortly after boarding, the crew handed by the cabin at hand out the menus for the flight, explaining that they’d be by quickly to take orders.

Lastly, pre-departure drinks have been served, with the selection of champagne or orange juice. I selected the previous. I admire that it was served in correct glassware, although the pour wasn’t precisely beneficiant.

British Airways 777 enterprise class leisure & Wi-Fi

British Airways’ 777 enterprise class presents audio and video on demand, through the 18.5″ seat again monitor. Right here’s the factor — you’re going to have a really totally different expertise based mostly on which 777 variant you’re flying. I imagine many of the 777-300ERs have a extra fashionable inflight leisure system, whereas many of the 777-200ERs have a way more outdated system.

It’s not that the choice as such is unhealthy, however quite simply that the system is tremendous clunky and sluggish to reply. Once you select on the display or controller, it most likely takes a few second till the system responds. It’s only a very outdated expertise, for a cabin that in any other case feels fairly fashionable.

So far as the leisure choice goes, there was a big number of motion pictures, TV exhibits, music, video games, and extra. You shouldn’t have any issues staying entertained with this technique, although there are undoubtedly some airways with extra intensive leisure.

In fact my favourite a part of any inflight leisure is the map characteristic, in order that’s what I had on for more often than not I used to be awake. You undoubtedly understand how outdated the system relies on the map characteristic, as that’s additionally sluggish to answer inputs.

I ended up watching an episode of “Superb Accommodations: Life Past the Foyer,” concerning the InterContinental Shanghai Wonderland. I’m nearly tempted to remain on the property.

British Airways presents Wi-Fi on all of its 777, so it’s simple to remain linked. I wasn’t in firstclass, however these passengers do obtain free Wi-Fi. Free messaging can be obtainable for all members of British Airways’ loyalty program, in order that’s good.

Past that, there are streaming packages with no information caps. You’ll be able to both purchase a one hour go for £4.99, a 4 hour go for £11.99, or a full flight go for £17.99.

I’d say that pricing is honest, and I discovered speeds to be first rate as nicely.

When you ask me, the Wi-Fi is unquestionably the stronger characteristic than the seat again leisure, however for those who’re on a airplane with one of many extra fashionable inflight leisure techniques, it’s a distinct story.

British Airways 777 departure from Washington

Boarding wrapped up by 5:45PM, simply 25 minutes after it began. The flight was fairly empty, with 20 unoccupied seats in enterprise class, and I used to be the one individual seated within the final three rows of the cabin.

Across the identical time that boarding completed up, the primary officer made his welcome aboard announcement, informing us of our anticipated flight time of 6hr15min, which was sooner than normal. He additionally defined that as a result of our flight time was so fast, we’d have to attend on the gate till round 6:10PM, or else we’d land too early.

At the least we have been handled to a phenomenal sundown whereas we waited. As you’ll be able to see, I used to be seated proper close to the center of the wing. Whereas I normally want an engine or unobstructed view, there’s additionally one thing actually cool about seeing the “flex” of the 777 wing, plus the flaps at work.

Whereas we waited for our anticipated departure time, the crew got here across the cabin to introduce themselves and take meal orders. Positive sufficient, at 6:10PM we began our pushback, and at that time the protection video was screened. 5 minutes after that, we began our taxi.

We had a roughly 15 minute taxi, and at 6:30PM we made it to runway 1R, the place we have been instantly cleared for takeoff. We had a clean climb out, and the seatbelt signal was turned off after 5 minutes.

British Airways enterprise class dinner service

On this flight, dinner was served after takeoff, and breakfast was served earlier than touchdown. You could find the British Airways enterprise class menu beneath.

You could find the British Airways drink checklist beneath.

Inflight service started round 10 minutes after takeoff, at which level heat towels have been distributed.

The primary spherical of drinks was served roughly 25 minutes after takeoff. I made a decision to order a glass of bubbles. Nonetheless, quite than the Castelnau champagne, I made a decision to strive the Wiston glowing wine. It’s cute how British Airways serves English glowing wine alongside champagne, and I figured it was price giving a strive. I’ve gotta say, it was higher than I used to be anticipating.

This was served with a package deal of salted rosemary snack combine, with cashews, almonds, and chickpeas.

The primary course was introduced round 40 minutes after takeoff. There have been three selections — salmon, salad, or soup, and I chosen the balik salmon with pink potato salad, Asian slaw, and Louis sauce. This was served with a small however flavorful facet salad, with roasted peppers, artichoke, and toasted pumpkin seeds, plus a bread roll.

To drink, I had a glass of the South African white wine, plus some glowing water.

It ended up taking a surprisingly very long time to get my primary course, although then the flight attendant defined why — there was apparently a difficulty with one of many enterprise class ovens, in order that they needed to put together some meals within the firstclass oven. My primary course ended up being served round 75 minutes after takeoff.

There have been three selections, and I ordered the pan seared grouper fillet with steamed black rice, kale, roasted yellow beetroot, and herb cream sauce. The primary was… okay? It was truthfully fairly overcooked, the sauce was a bit overpowering, and clearly the casserole dishes aren’t precisely probably the most superb presentation.

With many airways these days plating enterprise class meals, it’s a bit disappointing that British Airways nonetheless makes use of casserole dishes, the place the complete dishes are served as they’re catered, after being positioned within the oven. I suppose it’s not too stunning, although, given the large enterprise class cabins the airline has, plus the concentrate on effectivity. In spite of everything, plating meals takes time.

As soon as my primary was cleared, I used to be provided the selection of dessert or cheese. I selected the dessert, which was a pumpkin cheesecake with salted caramel and whipped cream. It was small however tasty.

The meal was completely edible, however nothing particular. I’d be aware that British Airways has DO & CO catering when departing London, which is usually glorious (or no less than was, the final time I flew the airline in enterprise class out of Heathrow). In the meantime from outstations, different caterers are sometimes used, and the standard simply isn’t nearly as good.

British Airways 777 enterprise class toilets

After the meal, I made a decision to take a look at the toilets. British Airways has three toilets in its 777 enterprise class cabin, all positioned on the heart galley, by the second set of doorways. There are two toilets that may be accessed from the left aisle, and one from the appropriate aisle.

That is additionally an space the place the airplane exhibits its age a bit, because the toilets don’t really feel as new as the remainder of the airplane. The bathroom on the very proper was on the compact facet, and fairly fundamental.

In the meantime the middle one was fairly a bit bigger.

All toilets have been stocked with merchandise from The White Firm, which is a pleasant contact.

British Airways 777 enterprise class mattress

As soon as again at my seat, it was time to get some relaxation. I’d have a protracted day forward of me in London, previous to taking one more redeye to Hong Kong. So I reclined my seat and obtained cozy. The sleeping floor was snug, so I used to be a cheerful camper, particularly with the door closed. It additionally helped that there was nobody else seated close to me, since there was no difficulty with noise, mild, and so forth.

I fell asleep with a bit over 5.5 hours remaining to London…

…and I awakened roughly an hour from London, to the flight attendant doing his finest to wake me up. I had requested to be woken up for breakfast, and normally I’m such a light-weight sleeper that this isn’t even wanted, however on this case it was.

British Airways enterprise class breakfast

Upon waking up, the flight attendant instantly introduced me with the breakfast tray. There have been no selections for breakfast, however as an alternative, everybody was provided the identical factor. The primary course was a streaky bacon and cheddar on a grilled ciabatta. It was served with chia and strawberry pudding with apple, coconut, and blackberry compote, plus a banana muffin. I had a cup of espresso to drink.

Admittedly I’m biased, however I feel it will be good if the airline had a non-pork possibility for breakfast, since that excludes two main religions, plus folks like me, who similar to pigs. I did benefit from the chia and strawberry pudding, although.

British Airways enterprise class service

I name issues as I see them, and prior to now I’ve generally been vital of service on British Airways. However that’s not as a result of I’ve an axe to grind, however quite as a result of I simply had legitimately unhealthy service on some flights. 😉

So I used to be delighted to search out that the crew on this flight was glorious throughout the board. They have been all genuinely pleasant {and professional}. Service was additionally properly personalised, due to the service’s service movement. There was one flight attendant assigned to my part, and he was glorious.

He continually checked on passengers, cleared plates as folks completed their meals, provided drink refills, and extra. Let me simply give one instance of his consideration to element. It took a very long time for my primary to reach (which he was very communicative about), so when he lastly introduced me the primary, he additionally swapped out my bread, in order that it will be heat.

Enormous kudos to the crew, as a result of you’ll be able to’t actually hope for an entire lot extra.

British Airways 777 arrival in London

At round 5:15AM London time, the primary officer was again on the PA to announce that we’d quickly be commencing our descent. He defined that we’d be touchdown in round 40 minutes, however would even be holding for a bit.

Positive sufficient, we started our descent shortly thereafter, and at 5:30AM, the seatbelt signal was turned on. The strategy ended up taking a bit longer than anticipated, and we touched down on runway 27R at Heathrow at 6:05AM.

From there, we had a ten minute taxi to our arrival gate at Terminal 5, the place we pulled in at 6:15AM, precisely on schedule.

Backside line

I had a really nice flight in British Airways’ 777 Membership Suites enterprise class. Whereas not leading edge, British Airways’ enterprise class laborious product is above common, particularly by European requirements, and an enormous improve over the service’s previous seating association.

On this flight, I notably loved the nice service, the nice facilities, and the Wi-Fi. In the meantime I’d say the meals was first rate however not superb (it’s higher out of London, with the DO&CO catering), whereas the leisure system was clunky, however had a wide variety of choices (that’s much less of a difficulty on newer planes).

What’s your tackle British Airways’ 777 enterprise class?