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In the previous two articles, Part I and Part II, we looked at the best European business class airlines and considered the cabin experience, check-in process and VIP airport lounge facilities – just to name a few perks available exclusively to business class passengers. In this series so far, we have reviewed airlines based in Continental Europe, so let’s now change the course and head to the United Kingdom!
This time we will have a look at a couple airlines based in the United Kingdom and flying in and out of major London airports, as well as some airports in the North (as everything North of London is referred to in the U.K.!) These airlines can take you to U.K. or Continental Europe and back to the U.S., as well as pretty much anywhere else in the world! So let’s not waste much time and hop on a flight to the U.K.!
British Airways
Photo: Courtesy of British Airways
British Airways (or simply referred to as “BA”) is the U.K.’s main carrier. Its service is reliable and friendly, and the network of BA’s own operated flights is almost unmatched in Europe. Business class cabin is referred to as Club World and British Airways was one of the first airlines to offer flat-bed seats to business class customers. Also, BA is oneworld alliance partner, so you will earn avios (or miles as we know them in the U.S.) for your journey and have access to the services offered by other oneworld alliance members along the way.
British Airways is also a bit of a culture carrier for the U.K. – on its flights you are likely to experience such unequivocally British traditions as afternoon tea with scones and ingredients for the meals are locally sourced. On the menu you will also find a beer brewed exclusively for British Airways by BrewDog, a famous Scottish brewery, named appropriately JetStream. It was launched in January 2021 and is a successor to the very popular Speedbird 100. JetStream is an American Pale Ale – it may seem like a small thing, but many of our customers enjoy this refreshing beer and it has stuck in their memories. Great marketing, British Airways – keep calm and carry on in a true British tradition!
If you fly with British Airways, you will likely pass through one of their primary London hubs – Heathrow or Gatwick airports. Business class customers have access to premium check-in counters and fast-track security – trust us, especially at Heathrow, this is a big deal during the busy summer months and can save you a lot of stress! Once you are through the security, Galleries Club lounges at both Heathrow and Gatwick airports await with a wide array of food offerings and selection of beers (yes, JetStream is also there!), cocktails, wine as well as soft drinks.
As for the cabin experience, British Airways first rolled out its luxurious Club Suite design in July 2019 and there are plans to completely upgrade the Club World cabins by end of 2025 on all Boeing 787-10 aircraft. The new Airbus A350-1000 fleet already offer the Club Suite across all aircraft. Club Suite features direct aisle access, a sliding door for enhanced privacy and luxurious flat-bed seats. The dimensions of Club Suite are rather impressive, measuring at six inches in length and 21 inches in width. Many customers have commented to us that the fabric used for Club Suite feels rather opulent and very luxurious – this should not be a surprise as it is crafted by Hainsworth, the fabric supplier to the royal family.
Request a free quote online from CEOFlights and receive the best deal on your next business class flight with British Airways!
Virgin Atlantic
Photo: Courtesy of Virgin Atlantic
While British Airways is often seen as synonymous to the (often) conservative British culture, Virgin Atlantic has an entirely different perception among our customers – it is viewed as one of the last remaining “fun airlines” and adjectives as cheeky and playful often come to mind. Virgin Atlantic’s corporate color scheme of bright red tones certainly leaves no one indifferent. The bright red uniforms of Virgin Atlantic’s cabin crew are easy to spot at the airport. Sir Richard Branson has certainly played a major role in the publicity stunts around Virgin Atlantic and the marketing has been very effective – for many of our customers, Virgin is their first choice and we certainly can understand why.
Virgin’s home base is at Heathrow Airport in London and the Upper Class travel experience for business class passengers begins at Upper Class Wing at Terminal 3. Here you will be greeted by porters, just as you would if checking in at one of the luxurious 5 star hotels in London. The check-in process is smooth and effortless, and dedicated elevators take you straight to the Virgin’s own fast-track security lane. Once you are through the security, you can head to the conveniently located Clubhouse, which is literally a few steps away.
Once you are at the Clubhouse lounge, you will notice the difference straight away. The lounge is very stylish and feels more like a posh member’s club located in Soho. Table service is offered throughout the lounge, there is a fancy deli bar, a wide selection of food and drinks and even a pool table! The roof terrace is amazing and there are spa facilities to recharge before your flight. If you order a drink, you will experience a true cocktail bar vibe – the drinks are mixed in a manner you see at the most exclusive cocktail bars just about anywhere in the world. If you would like to know, Virgin’s signature cocktail is Virgin Redhead Prosecco, a blend of berry liqueurs, Bombay Sapphire gin and raspberries – it is certainly worth trying!
Once you board the aircraft, the cabin experience is, again, distinctively, well, let’s just say Virgin! You are greeted by mood lighting with a range of colors including red, pink, orange, purple and blue – in case you still have any doubt by then (hint: you shouldn’t), this is not your ordinary airline! Virgin offers three different types of seats in Upper Class, which depend on the aircraft operating on the particular route. Luckily, all of these configurations offer fully reclining flat-bed seats, direct aisle access and built-in ports to charge your portable devices. The best Upper Class seats can be found on the new Airbus A350-1000 fleet – these seats come with a retractable privacy door, and feel more intimate as there are only 16 Upper Class seats on this type of aircraft, situated across four rows in a 1-2-1 configuration.
Request a free quote online from CEOFlights and receive the best deal on your next business class flight with Virgin Atlantic!
Let’s Fly Business Class…at Discounted Prices, but not Discounted Luxury
At CEOFlights we put you in charge of your entire journey, no matter how simple or complex it may be. Once you give a call to one of our friendly Personal Travel Managers, you become the CEO of your business class journey and we are your personal concierge service for all your travel needs– it’s that simple!
Our friendly Personal Travel Managers are on a standby to discuss your journey and flight preferences, be it a specific airline you would like to fly with or a service that is important to you. We are happy to talk to you about no obligation options, so there is absolutely no downside to check in with us!
Give one of our friendly Personal Travel Managers a call at (888) 851 6897 or request a free quote online today and find out for yourself!
