Flying business class on a British Airways A380 across the Atlantic offers a classic airline experience with a lie-flat seat on a double-decker super-jumbo. On a recent flight from London Heathrow to Miami, I discovered that the cabin configuration has a surprising twist.
The Club World cabin is arranged in a 2-3-2 yin-yang formation, with adjacent seats facing each other like train carriages. While most seats have direct aisle access, the middle seat in the centre requires stepping over a neighbour's legs to exit. Some seats, including mine, face backwards, and a gap in the seat walls means close proximity to your neighbour's face. However, a divider can be raised to create a cocooned space.
Despite the quirky layout, the seat itself is magnificent. My window berth on the upper deck (51A) was supremely comfortable, with a plush pillow and impressive legroom. In lie-flat mode, the seat measures six feet long and 20 inches wide, compared to 18.5 inches in premium economy. Storage is vast, with two large compartments beside the seat and an overhead bin. A shoulder light with a sliding dimmer switch adds a nice touch.
Before boarding, I visited the Galleries Club South lounge at Heathrow's Terminal 5, which offered a generous buffet and panoramic airfield views. Boarding was efficient, with a staff member enforcing group order. The A380 itself is a sight to behold, and three BA super-jumbos were lined up at the gate.
British Airways is retrofitting its A380s with new privacy-door Club Suites, but the older seats on this flight provided a comfortable journey. At $3,500, the experience is competitive on the popular London-Miami route, where BA is the only carrier operating the A380.
