CLASS WARS

How British Airway’s cabin classes really compare… from a long wait for food to wine tasting luxury

Surprisingly, economy didn't fare badly compared to the more premium options

HAVE you ever wondered how much of a difference there is between flying in economy, premium economy, business and first class?

Four travel experts decided to put that question to the test by road testing different cabins on the same flight to give their verdicts.

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Four travellers reviews the four classes on a British Airways flight

The four experts are the team behind the .

They tested a flight from London to Abu Dhabi, taking approximately seven hours.

Each expert carried a camera with them on board, and reviewed everything from the food and drink to amenities, service and entertainment.

They then scored each section out of 100.

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Read on to find out how the cabins fared.

Economy - from £293 return

Economy passengers get a basic pillow and blanket
He also said the food was fine although took a long time to be served
He was lucky enough to have three seats although he would normally be forced to sleep seated upright
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Jean Arnas, UK head of video at The Points Guy, flew economy and rated the experience 74 out of 100.

He explained how the experience was fine, as he was lucky enough to have a whole row free next to him and so was able to lie down for some rest.

However, there were no luxuries in economy.

Compared to the other cabins, there was no amenity kit - he's provided with just a pillow, blanket, BA magazine and headphones.

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The seats don't fully recline and it took a long time for the food to arrive.

He also said the service wasn't great, with the call button rarely acknowledged.

Premium Economy - from £321 return

Premium economy passengers get a much nicer pillow and blanket
He also praised the meals, as well as the snack options
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General manager Christian Kramer, who was in Premium Economy, or World Traveller Plus as it's known on BA, gave the experience 81 out of 100.

The main difference between the two economy classes was an additional seven inches of recline on the seats, as well as a better in-flight entertainment screen.

He said it was also good when it came to food options, which included an ice cream and pizza for snacks, and he was given a nicer pillow and blanket.

But Christian admitted the experience was much better as he was lucky enough to have the seat next to him free.

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Business Class - from £1,598 return

Business class passengers are given a The White Company amenities kit
The meals were also a good with a wine accompaniment although was slightly under-cooked
He also admitted the bed wasn't the easiest to put together

Dan Ross, TPG's content editor, flew Business Class, also known as Club World.

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The cabin had seats that could fully recline - folding down into a flat bed - as well as in-flight WiFi and a number of charging points.

There was also a White Company amenities kit, featuring toothpaste, toothbrush, socks, ear plugs, Elemis amenities, and some heavy duty headphones.

But despite the perks, he gave the experience just 77 out of 100.

The food options weren't perfect, according to Dan, as the rice was slightly uncooked.

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He also claimed it was difficult to make up the beds, although was really comfortable when he was able to lie down and sleep.

First Class - from £2,300 return

First Class offers pyjamas as well as a luxury Liberty amenities kit
Wine tasting is also available after boarding
Crew are happy to make up the bed which includes a fully reclining chair and duvet
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The best score, perhaps unsurprisingly, went to First Class, which Nicky Kelvin, head of UK content reviewed. He gave the experience 85 out of 100.

In First Class, the Liberty amenities bag included the toothbrush, toothpaste and socks, as well as a razor, shave gel, eye mask, brush and comb, ear plugs, lip balm, moisturiser, deodorant stick and a pen. Pyjamas and headphones were also given.

He praised the fact that he was able to do a wine tasting, as well as being asked when he would like to eat his three course meal, which included a mezze starter, neck of lamb main course and a pudding with a cheese selection.

When it came to time to get some rest, the crew helped to make up his bed.

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However, he said it wasn't the best first class seat on the market.

He also explained how the priority suitcase tags didn't result in his checked bag coming out any quicker.

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Passengers who can't quite stretch to first class prices can do a number of things to make their economy flight more comfortable.

For example, choosing an exit row seat will give more leg room, while a window seat means no interruptions by passengers needing the bathroom.

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Travelling solo also means more chance of an upgrade, or at least finding a better seat.

 

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