Flight Review - Premium Economy BRITISH AIRWAYS London to Miami
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- Опубликовано: 2 июн 2024
- Welcome to a review of my flight from London to Miami on British Airways in Premium Economy. This was initially a first class flight to Bermuda, but as I played BA's cancellation lottery over the last year I ended up with a premium economy flight to Miami. As this was a redemption flight utilising my two-for-one voucher from American Express, I couldn't carry the first class booking over as I was dependent on avios availability for my seat.
3 separate delays resulted in a 2 hour and 10 minute delay to our take-off, but once we were in the air the hard and soft products were quite pleasant, as I explain in the video!
Writing this, I realise I didn't say anything about the crew. And that's because they were very unmemorable. They did pass through the cabin on several occasions with a tray of water and juices, but otherwise there was minimal interaction outside of the meal service.
I used the Verifly app to validate my documentation. I was hesitant, as the online reviews and general reputation of the app is appalling, but I thought I should try it out for myself to report my own opinion to you, dear viewer. And I thought it was brilliant - you need to be precise, and it helps to have all of the documentation to hand when you start the process, but I had fully verified myself and my mother in less than 10 minutes and the check-in process was greatly streamlined as I didn't need to show any documentation at the airport - just the green tick in the verifly app, which is also show in BA's systems. Very good and highly recommended, based on my experience, out to Miami and back to Heathrow.
Next week I will report on my Club class flight back from Miami on BA's A380. I can preview that experience in one word - abysmal.
Testing company used - qured.com
Validation App - verifly.com
⭐ #flightreview #britishairways #MattsPlanet ⭐
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⏰ Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
1:00 - London Heathrow
2:49 - In flight experience
5:50 - Current documentation requirements
10:27 - Landing and Miami
Great Video!
Thanks!
Thank you so much for their video, my mom and I are flying premium Econ on British airways next year to London and seeing the inside of plane is nice
You're welcome Nina - have a great trip!
Another great review Matt. Hope you and your mum had a great time. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Oliver. We had a blast! Thanks for the support
Thanks for the video Matt, it was super helpful. Keep up the good work.!!
You are very welcome!
Yay - the intro has returned! Oh, and the video was great too 😀! I definitely fancy giving PE a try at some point - it's been 17 years since we last tried it with BA, and found it great back then. Agree it would be perfectly fine for a day flight, so it was really great to see your experience on the Miami flight (although it sounds like your return had it's issues - ill keep an eye out for that video).
Thanks GLA - do I know your real name? PE is decent if the premium over economy is reasonable. I'm building up the return flight a bit in true RUclips style, but it was awful so I don't think the video will disappoint!
Excellent job Matt as always ! Looking forward to seeing your A380 video as I'll be flying one of them with BA from LHR to LAX soon though I'll be in the upper deck economy cabin
Thanks Matthew. Won't spoil next week's video but my issues weren't with the plane!
Great video mate, love the commentary and vibe!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it.
Very interesting indeed! Lots of information about the COVID tests, photo, time of the exam , etc. very very useful . Thank you!
No worries Claudio. Always a challenge with that sort of video that the rules will quickly change and invalidate the whole thing...
Another great video :) your commentary jokes always make me laugh... great mix of humour and info
Thanks Oliver - glad you enjoyed it. And remember - swab yourself, not your dog!
I think you've just helped me decide ... thanks for the review !
Gosh - you're welcome! What did you decide????
Great video! Love your commentary Matt, put a smile on my face. I’m doing LHR-MIA on the BA A380 later this year (upper deck economy though!)
Upper deck economy is really not too bad - if you can get a window you'll have storage aplenty!
@@MattsPlanet oh aye, I’ve got a window 😁
Very nice report, Matt ✈👍 Sure you enjoyed the flight. Cheers from Matt 😊
Thanks Matt! It was all a bit annoying, but I did quite enjoy it!
Thanks again for an informative and light-hearted review. I have done both the Atlantic and Pacific more times than I can remember, in all 4 classes. My body has too many miles for me to go any way other than at least business these days.
Thanks Ken. I'm with you, provided the budget allows it... Otherwise its probably 3 trips in PE for every one trip in business which is more of a balanced equation!
Great video Matt, I think I recognise one of the cabin crew members from the TV series "A very British airline"
Wow - a celeb!
Finally, we get to see the conclusion of this booking saga. I remember how excited you were initially in planning this trip having gotten F flights booked at a very reasonable price, only for schedule changes, the US not lifting its travel ban and other operational issues ultimately land you in PY. Whilst the outcome was far from ideal, it's great to see you get out there flying internationally again (and trying a new BA product!). My experience has been roughly the same as yours (aside from the downgrade bit) with me having to cancel or get Air Canada to rebook my award tickets back to Canada and with the dates constantly slipping due to the evolving border situation here in Australia. Here's to hoping I can finally manage to fly back to Canada in business class on AC at the end of June!
As it stands right now I've got a number of Australian domestic trips booked in the coming months: Adelaide, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Launceston, Hobart, Darwin and Lord Howe Island. Most importantly I've got a number of long haul "domestic," flights to Honolulu and Canada booked in May/June. Honestly, this is the most travel I've had in a 6 month period in some time and a lot to look forward too. (US and Canada are considered domestic to me since at least pre-COVID there was no immigration process, a simple finger print/iris scan in either country and I'm let through thanks to Nexus). That being said, United recently got in touch to tell me that they're extending my Premier Gold status to 2023 given the travel restrictions that were in place in Australia this year. Next year the big question will be: can I maintain QF Gold and UA Premier Gold status? The status credits (aka tier points to use BA's terminology) for QF for the first 6 months will net me 290 out of a required 600 to extend status to Nov 2023. Not a bad start, I reckon! United poses a bigger challenge due to their complicated PQP system. I'm banking on a flight to TPE for a conference on NH and a UA flight back home for December 2022 to somehow get me to the 6000 PQP required to maintain Gold. Then again, maybe I'm looking at it wrong and should consolidate with QF. Thoughts?
Good to be moving again! Slightly alarming that things may be seizing up again with this new variant - I have a quick trip planned in early Jan which I don't think will be possible now so its quite depressing to be back in cancellation mode rather than booking mode... A bit envious of the Lord Howe Island trip...
Maintaining one top status is tough - two is really tough, even in normal times. I've never invested the time to understand the whole PQP thing but from your other comment it sounds like there can be a strong business case for getting status to get those superb economy seats... I'm planning my 2021 recap video this week so have been lowering my 2022 expectations in favour of a really strong 2023...
Nice review Matt... Enjoying the teasers about next week's vid... I'm going for dodgy food which you could only get over by sleeping longer...
Thanks Luke. No spoilers but the food was just part of the issue!
Thanks for this look into the 777 it reminded me of my flights on the 747-400 in the dorms and prem eco, Both cabins were very tired but crew made up for it.
Such a shame BA retired all of the 747's without us being able to have a last fling... I suppose it would have been wildly uneconomic for them to keep just 1 for a farewell tour...
Thanks for this. Well paced and useful content unlike most others which mostly show clouds or the presenter's face. We are using this flight to Miami next May and agree that PE is ideal for long haul daytime, just for the legroom. We are returning from San Francisco in business for the flat bed, again agreeing with your ideas.
Thanks Barry. Long Uber ride from Miami to San Francisco...
@@MattsPlanet Even longer! It's a cruise via the Panama ( but Uber would have been cheaper!).
Fabulous! I've seen the Pacific end of the Canal when I was in Panama City (Miraflores locks?) but a transit is on the to-do list. Not cheap, and not quick, but a great experience I'm sure. Take lots of mozzie repellant!
The World Traveller Plus second meal service looks truly dire and almost seems to have been thrown out at passengers. Once upon a time BA would offer an afternoon tea tray, even in economy.
Ahhhh... The "good old days"....
Great video again Matt. You talk about the return leg, have you ever done the daytime flight from East Coast ? A very sensible option …
Hi Charlie. I have done BA and AA on their day flights - before I carried a camera everywhere with me though... I agree that I quite like that option - particularly after I connected from the LAX - JFK transcon and could catch up on the night's sleep on the transatlantic leg. Not sure how many are flying right now - I know the Air Canada day flight from Toronto isn't operating again yet as that flight is really short to take overnight... Will be the subject of a video one day... Thanks for the support.
@@MattsPlanet Virgin are operating a 8.20 am out of JFK still … I don’t think we will see the return of BA until loads get back up. It’s quite a good option to take a nap and get back into U.K. time very quickly, I suffer more than most from jet lag. Back to your Lufthansa vlog now, I’m trying to catch up on all your recent posts !
nice you brought your mum, I bring mine as well, she loves to fly BA transatlantic ❤🇬🇧❤️
The things we do for our mothers...
Good stuff Matt. I've flow premium economy with BA a few times from RUH and definitely worth the extra for the slightly improved experience in my view.
Am flying lufthansa PE RUH - FRA - YVR return later this week for the holidays. Am Star gold so hope I'll be impressed for the long trip...
Neil! Guessing Christmas isn't a big deal in Saudi??? RUH - YVR in PE will probably be quite bearable. Not so sure about coming back! Happy Christmas to you and your family and have a great time in Canada. Still toying with getting to Saudi next year, given tourism is now a thing there...
@@MattsPlanet yeah, pretty subdued here for the entire year end.... even 1st isn't a holiday! But definitely worth exploring Saudi tourism options - loads of undiscovered gems and a massive push on the sector.... Anyway, happy Christmas your end too, and be in touch. Cheers
Excellent review. Recently flew JFK _to Amsterdam PE and a very similiar experience.
Thanks Craig. Was probably BA's most competitive cabin before the Club suites came along
Of all you said, the only thing that bothered me was "no personal air vents" ugh. Headed to India in two weeks on BA premium econ with no air con evidently.
Thanks Paul - BA decided they were an optional extra that weren't worth the investment so the newer planes don't have them... A bit of a chore...
I have tended to take the view that the best part of travelling long haul business is something you also get with the cheapest low cost carriers, namely that the person in front won't recline their seat at the moment your meal is served However when I travelled in Premium Economy with Virgin Atlantic I was amazed at how comfortable the experience was ( but perhaps it was just because the person in front wasn't tiresome about using the recline function at the most inappropriate time!) Looks like a reasonably enjoyable experience except for the delays.
Ah Les - the politics of the recline button - discuss (25 marks...) I'll save that for another day. The person in the row in front on this flight was grumpy about not being in business class so seemed to want to let everyone around him know he was "special"...
I'd definitely go WTP (PE) over WT - although the sweet spot can often be to pay for WTP and upgrade to Club with avios. Looking forward to the MIA report as the only time I've been there in recent times it was dire. I've got a trip through there booked for next summer, which will hopefully be offset by having snagged First on a 380 to get there. But given past experiences I am not even going to consider any sort of connection and will be staying overnight!
Thanks Geoff. The Miami report is done and all cued up for release on Sunday. It wasn't a great experience! Miami is lovely, the airport? Not so much!
Nice video Matt! Never done Premium. I personally would only do it for a free upgrade. Either book economy class or pay to fly business via Scandinavia or Ireland on the cheap- get more miles or a better bargain, whilst utilising my status.
Cheers Jett. You have a solid strategy! Particularly if status gives you an emergency exit row, which can end up being a better overall experience than PE.
@@MattsPlanet Very true Matt! I'm not a huge fan of the PE concept as a consumer, but my views are down to me as an individual customer, I'm sure plenty of people out there have equally justified reasons to want to do it :)
I have yet to see one video of a BA flight which didn't suffer a delay. My own flight on BA from C de Gaulle to London was also delayed by 2hrs.
Sometimes its the airport or air traffic control! But a lot of times its BA
Great video as always. What really winds me up about BA PE is the insane prices they charge for booking a seat and usually the service is lacking care. Virgin is much better in my experience and wider seas too.
Thanks Adam. Its a good point - when you have status, it is easy to undervalue the benefits that brings, particularly with seat selection. Which is a definite strategy from BA. I noted in the description (which no-one reads!!!) that I didn't mention the crew in the video - which was because I didn't really notice them as they were so light-touch!
@@MattsPlanet indeed this was a super crucial point with United, which can charge hundreds of dollars to get an economy seat with extra leg room on some of their international routes. What this meant for yours truly who has Premier Gold (and hence could select any seat at booking) was I had free reign over those Executive Economy seats on the 777 that had like 50+ inch leg room and virtually no neighbours (because who would pay $600 to an economy seat?) This benefit is doubly important during the pandemic. After all, why risk it with a neighbour who may have COVID? I'd also argue that for Premium Economy and Business charging non-elites for seat assignment can make sense. If you are spending that type of quid on flights regularly, you'll earn frequent flyer status where such seat assignments are free. And frankly if you spend that much money, you should be able to afford seat selection anyway if that really matters for you. Part of it too depends on the cabin itself. Some airlines, like Air Canada, Air New Zealand and now even some United planes don't have any neighbours in business class. In other words, it doesn't really matter where you sit unless you really care about capturing the best plane porn.
Subscribed on the basis of the comment ".... note, there is no personal air vent, probably because they cost money and I was flying on British Airways..." 🙂
Welcome! It's true though!
I recently commented on your disappointing return flight in business and my disappointing flight from Orlando to London. After all my moaning, I have just booked today, premium economy from LHR to MIA. After me moaning about BA I have come back for more, is that the problem, we tend to stick with what we believe to be good even if it lets us down. Hopefully there will be Alcohol on the flight this time lol.
I think vastly more flights go well than go badly (and get reported on on RUclips...)
I just flew the BA 777 from heathrow to phoenix, very comfortable but the food selection was meh. Crew was great. Used verifly, worked great, have used it several times, no issues.
Thanks Ellen - I think Verifly was troublesome early on but now works very well, provided you have a small amount of patience...
I have travelled in BAs Premium Economy on a flight between Heathrow and Miami and have to say that it fell short of the service offered by Virgin on the same route. The is a big problem with flying Premium Economy from the UK; the pernicious Air Passenger Duty which makes the product very expensive.
Cheers Steve and Merry Xmas. APD sucks!
What was in the PE amenity kit was almost the same as what used to be provided in economy. The food is also similar to what used to be in economy, though normally with 3 choices of main. Having flown to Sydney and back in BA PE, the seats are incredibly uncomfortable. Where the foot rest hinge is in the seat gave a hard spot to dig into my backside.
There is no way PE is worth the extra over economy. The only practical benefit is getting a 2nd checked bag. though now you only get that for each leg, not for both out and back even if you travelled one way in economy.
The legroom does make a lot of difference for me at 6 foot 4 inches... But otherwise its not a huge step up....
I agree with you about PE seats, I do like it but i think the seat reclines a little too much which can make you somewhat trapped. Especially as the seat back video doesnt really tilt back upwards (from teh bottom) enough if the person in front does fully recline it. On my last flight two weeks ago the stewardess was nice enough to ask them to put it upright for meals.
Hi Joe! You're leaving comments quicker than I can reply!!! Keep it up! I flew Virgin in PE a few weeks ago and the video will be along in a few weeks - the seat was great until the recline came in.... When it all got a bit cramped. The crew should ask the person in front to sit up for meals - its a reasonable request!
“Heathrow covid express” 😂
Thanks for noticing...
Was hoping to see the tyre Jack never mind , seems like Premium looks/feels like what Economy was like 20 odd years ago
Ha ha! Good point - oh, the good old days....
Bit late viewing your latest video Matt down visiting family for Christmas, otherwise another good video haven't flown BA premium only Qantas from Sydney which we did not like so have abandoned premium. I hate it when person in front reclines there seat should be like Ryanair and Easy Jet which don't recline, look forward to next week video on your return leg.
,
Better late than never! Have a great Christmas. Editing next week's video now and I think its gonna be a good'un!
So funny how you mention the verify, I recently flew back from the Maldives a few weeks ago.
Going out to male, did not need to use this app, but on the way back BA suddenly spring it on us.
I have to say, it worked a treat, and what are people moaning about?
oh and it was a Heathrow based 777, 3-4-3 seating grrrrrr!
Verifly does work - who knew?
I flew recently premium CPT LHR and normal back. Personally I recommend normal economy as the space for the feet is better as rhey are not restricted with the footrests in premium. The rest is ok
Cheers Peter - interesting insight. I'm 6'4" so the extra legroom is quite valuable although I see the point about the compromised foot space... Thanks for the comment!
Looked like an economy seat; I didn't think much of that at all. Definitely better premium on other airlines I think
Thanks for watching. Wasn't that bad!
Haven't flown to UK in 20 years- taking 6 in September- using points- it says "Premium" but I'm not sure if it's these seats on BA- it says 97cm seats- would that be these? We can fly Delta/United/BA- my husband says BA is keen on delays- your report confirms that- is it common?
Hi Tara - Premium in a BA context would mean premium economy and 97cm is 38 inches which is the premium economy leg room - so the product shown in the video. BA is no more prone to delays than anyone really - any flight can be delayed but 80 - 90% will be on time - that's the same for any airline. BA will give you that British experience from the moment you board which might extend the trip a little!
@@MattsPlanet Great points! Since I'll be driving- trying to see if I'd rather catch shut eye from Chicago direct to Edinburgh- or have that layover in London- that'll hit around midnight my time with a 2 hour layover before we're able to head into Edinburgh- I was thinking I'd sleep better going directly into Edinburgh- but for one of the six- it's their first time out of the country- so flying BA would be BA :)
I don't know if there's ever a way to gain access to the BA lounge in Heathrow, I'm flying BA economy from Chicago to Nairobi Kenya but I don't have enough points to access the lounge and my economy ticket will not get me access. Is there any way I can access the lounge at Heathrow?
Hello Ken. Unfortunately BA lounges are status only - there's no way to buy your way in. Status with a OneWorld partner will work but there's no other way. There is a paid lounge now in T5 which you can obviously access for a fee and T5 itself is not completely awful. That Aspire lounge does have showers, which may be what you most need after an overnight from ORD.
@@MattsPlanet Thank you so much. I did not know about the paid lounge in T5. I will definitely look into it. Once again I really appreciate your response
Thanks Matt. I prefer business class for night flights (using my Avios) and book Pre Economy for day flights. Agree with you 👍
You know it makes sense! With avios that's a clear strategy. Paying cash? I still struggle to pay so much for what is effectively a lumpy bed for a short nights sleep...
Thanks for a great video. BA continues to do massive cost cutting. Even they rely on Do&Co, BA can’t expect Do&Co to stretch and create magic on their catering due to the pathetic budget. Your pre-arrival snack is much better than my experience. Last time I was also on BA PE from Miami back to London (before pandemic), very sad soggy plain tiny piece of piazza (literally no topping)... I have no hope on BA, different CEO, same shit, they will never change or learn from the other better ones. Even BA’s recruitment advertisement emphasise they take pride of their history, they still stuck in their old history, get lost and stay arrogant.
Thanks Alan. Its hard to distinguish what is driven by cost cutting and what is driven by the pandemic, but however something is driven, its still cost cutting! No air vents, pathetic leg room, low food budgets and cramming so many seats into a plane, they can't offer seating in the last rows out of a fear that the plane will tip backwards (the A321) is all down to BA!
Just upgraded to WTP on my day time flight to Dubai In may see how that goes. Might actually be my first flight review on my channel 😂😊
Excellent! WTP to Dubai is reported to be a great way to get upgraded to Club too - I was upgraded on 3 out of 4 flights a few years back...
@@MattsPlanet did you just enquire about upgrades at check in or was it to do with status ? I’ve got silver status with BAEC
@@rossvlogs3617 It just happened - a couple of times it popped in the app overnight, otherwise I was when I was in the lounge. I think it must have been to do with my Gold status rather than my irresistibility to any ground agent....
@@MattsPlanet I will keep my eyes peeled and my fingers crossed 😀
Delays, cost cuts and failed systems all now come as standard on BA as do non responsive customer service channels and repeated IT failures...
SpangloQatari Airways #BestAvoided
Your comments all got flagged for some reason but I think it's all fair comment so I unflagged them!
@@MattsPlanet All based on real world experience as a Brit that does about 70 sectors annually and actively avoids BA whenever possible, even if it means a change.
@@MattsPlanet Thanks, BA actively police reports if real world poor experiences. They dont like potential customers knowing how badly they can get things wrong
Do you have TSA global entry?
No. For 1 or 2 trips a year its never been worthwhile although it would certainly be an option if I travel more. Would make a decent video too!
@@MattsPlanet it'd be good for to.. just for a review! Nothing great on RUclips about it. I think it's about £150 but I've read the time saved (over 5 years) makes it worth while. I guess it goes back to how much people value their time. I only fly to America once (pre pandemic) a year too and for leisure
A few years back I had a green card - always assumed that would speed up the application process although I've never looked into it in detail. Will put it on the "possible" video list for the new year
Have GE … great for jumping the massive q for immigration but guaranteed I still have to talk to an officer as they can’t work out why a U.K. resident has it ! Fairly easy process and then in person interview .. was quite amusing.
Would defo make an interesting vlog
after BA screwing me over for more than 2000 euro, for a re-issue ticket problem, I have flown with them for the last time. great crew, criminally unfit management. Twitter nowadays show me .@BA cancellations and problems as the first 2 or 3 tweets. Algorithm is one thing. But consistantly sucking, is another one completely.
Thanks - BA certainly is in troubled waters right now.... Big companies are like large ships in that its really difficult to change their direction, but BA has been so bad for so long that the fact that they've not been able to shift direction to any degree in the last year is a very worrying sign... And there are some good airlines out there that will appreciate your money!
@@MattsPlanet the disturbing fact is, that unlike KLM that at least try to look as if they care on twitter, BA hides in a corner somewhere, with no valuable effort to try and reply to people, and thats the disgusting bit. Because they KNOW they are wrong, and that they owe a LOT of money to offloaded pax for cancelled or rescheduled pax. It's just lowcost to the core. Even easyjet tries to look better online.
Singapore Airlines have always been ace to me, so has the beforementioned KLM. Lufthansa has even left me in Ukraine about 10 years ago, and even during covid fucked me over in UK when the nonshengen to shengen became a problem due to rising cases. SQ and KLM and Turkish have always been good. Albeit you run the risk of language barriers on THY.
Awful food, no way in hell I’m eating curry.
There was a choice!
Could have been Iberia from T5 sir !!! Great vlog as usual...
Thanks Richard - wouldn't be Iberia long haul... I really should do every piece to camera with a script!!! Thanks for the support
Thanks Matt; I learned something there too.. didn't realise Qatar were flying t5. !! Longhaul IB aircraft operate to Madrid sometimes and you can travel in their premium economy for a small extra ..