Review: British Airways A350 Business Class (Club Suite)

Wednesday newsletters always feature a hotel or flight review.

I recently enjoyed a sublime holiday and cruise in Canada and Alaska. You can read my trip reports here:

Review: British Airways A350 Business Class from London to Vancouver (today)
Review: Luminara Superyacht by The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Review: Ultra-luxury cruise in Alaska with The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Review: Sonora Resort, British Colombia
Review: JW Marriott Parq Vancouver & the Dougles, Autograph Collection Hotel (Vancouver)
Review: British Airways A350 Business Class from Vancouver to London

Review: British Airways A350 Business Class (London to Vancouver)

I recently flew British Airways Business Class from London Heathrow to Vancouver on the airline’s Airbus A350-1000, and I have to admit that I was pleasantly surprised. Having had some less impressive experiences with British Airways in the past, I was curious to see how the airline’s flagship long-haul Business Class product would perform on this transatlantic journey. It was also my first flight on a British Airways A350, an aircraft type of which the airline currently has 18 in its fleet.

The British Airways A350-1000 features the airline’s Club Suite Business Class, which was introduced in 2019 and represents a major upgrade over the older Club World product. The cabin features a 1-2-1 configuration with direct aisle access for every passenger, a fully flat bed and, most notably, a sliding privacy door. Combined with a spacious seat and generous storage, the Club Suite’s hard product ranks among the best Business Class products in the skies.

The soft product also impressed me. From the DO & CO catering and well-designed menu to the comfortable bedding from The White Company, attentive cabin crew and extensive High Life entertainment system, the overall experience was very good. Add to that a spectacular flight path over Greenland, Nunavut and the mountains of British Columbia, and this turned out to be a particularly memorable journey.

In this review, I take a detailed look at the British Airways A350-1000 Club Suite Business Class experience, from the lounge at Heathrow and boarding to the seat, dining, inflight entertainment, Wi-Fi, service and, of course, the incredible scenery along the way to Vancouver.

Have you ever flown British Airways Business Class? If so, what was your experience? Leave a comment below!

Flight details:

Trip: London Heathrow (LHR) to Vancouver (YVR)
Airline: British Airways
Aircraft type: Airbus A350-1000
Aircraft registration number: G-XWBD (built in 2019)
On time departure: Yes (5:30 pm)
On time arrival: Yes (7 pm)
Distance: 7,570 km (4,700 miles)
Flight time: 9 hours and 30 minutes
Seat: 10A
Class: Business Class

In this review (more information & photos below my YouTube video):

British Airways Business Class Lounge at London Heathrow
Business Class cabin
Business Class seat (+ best & worst seats)
Amenities & bedding
Meals
Entertainment
Onboard internet
Onboard service
Lavatories
Final thoughts & my verdict (score)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsSDWemV0QI

1. British Airways Business Class Lounge at London Heathrow

London Heathrow Airport has four passenger terminals, but Terminal 5 is the main home of British Airways. Opened in 2008, Terminal 5 was designed specifically to handle the airline’s growing operations and is one of the world’s largest airport terminal complexes. Terminal 5 consists of three buildings: Terminal 5A, the main terminal building, and the two satellite buildings, Terminal 5B and Terminal 5C. The satellite terminals are connected to the main building by an underground transit system and moving walkways. The journey to the B or C gates takes approximately 20 minutes, so passengers should allow enough time to reach their departure gate.

British Airways operates several lounges at Heathrow Terminal 5, catering to both Business Class and First Class passengers.

The Galleries Club Lounges are located in Terminal 5A North, Terminal 5A South and Terminal 5B. They are available to passengers traveling in Club World or Club Europe, as well as eligible British Airways Club Gold and Silver members and oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members.
The Galleries First Lounge is located in Terminal 5A South and is available to First Class passengers and eligible oneworld Emerald and British Airways Club Gold members.
The most exclusive option is the Concorde Room, which is reserved for eligible First Class passengers and offers a more private, premium lounge experience with waiter-served dining and private dining booths.

For this flight, I visited the British Airways Galleries Club Lounge in Terminal 5B, commonly known as the B Gates lounge. Located above the main concourse, this lounge is generally a much quieter alternative to the busy Club lounges in the main Terminal 5A building.

The lounge has British Airways’ familiar contemporary design, with neutral tones, comfortable furniture and atmospheric lighting. The large space is divided into different areas for relaxing, dining and working, making it easy to find a quieter corner. The main seating area is located next to the buffet, while additional seating areas provide sofas and armchairs for passengers who simply want to relax before their flight. The far end of the lounge features a dining room, a quiet area and the shower facilities.

The buffet offers a selection of hot and cold dishes, including salads, sandwiches, fruit, snacks and hot meals. There is also a live food station where burgers are cooked to order. The drinks selection includes soft drinks, juices, beers, wines and spirits, while two dedicated Grind coffee stations serve espresso-based drinks such as cappuccinos and lattes. One area of the lounge features a dedicated Whispering Angel rosé bar, serving the popular Provence rosé. Another area has a high-top table surrounded by two self-service bars, one of which features a particularly British touch – a Pimm’s station – adding a seasonal element to the drinks offering.

For me, one of the biggest advantages of the British Airways B Gates lounge at Heathrow is its atmosphere. The Terminal 5A lounges can become very busy, whereas the B Gates lounge is often noticeably quieter. That makes it a particularly pleasant option when your flight departs from the B gates. It is also possible to use the B Gates lounge when departing from another part of Terminal 5, although you should allow sufficient time to get back to your departure gate. British Airways recommends checking the departure information before leaving the main terminal and notes that reaching the B and C gates takes approximately 20 minutes.

There is, however, one significant drawback: the B Gates lounge has relatively little natural daylight. Because of its position within the satellite terminal, the views are more limited than those from the main Terminal 5A lounges. This is particularly relevant if, like me, you are an aviation enthusiast. The Terminal 5A lounges have large windows overlooking the airport apron and offer much better opportunities to watch British Airways aircraft and other traffic moving around Heathrow.

British Airways Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 5B

2. Business Class Cabin

British Airways’ Airbus A350-1000 features the airline’s flagship long-haul Business Class product, Club Suite. There are 56 Club Suite Business Class seats, divided between two separate cabins. The larger forward cabin contains 44 seats across rows 1 to 11, while a smaller rear mini-cabin has 12 seats across rows 15 to 17.

The suites are arranged in a 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone configuration, giving every passenger direct access to the aisle. The term herringbone refers to the angled arrangement of the seats when viewed from above on a seat map: the seats along the sides angle toward the windows, while the center seats angle toward one another. The center seats are therefore particularly well suited to couples or travel companions, although adjustable privacy dividers can be raised when traveling next to a stranger.

Both Club Suite cabins onboard the A350 have a chic, contemporary design that feels both airy and spacious. British Airways’ distinctive logo is prominently displayed on a feature panel at the front of each cabin, adding a subtle touch of branding to the otherwise understated interior. The cabin uses a sophisticated palette of silver, grey and charcoal tones, with fabrics supplied by the British company Hainsworth. The seats are complemented by Muirhead leather, used on elements including the ottomans and arm caps, giving the cabin a refined and luxurious appearance.

British Airways A350 Business Class (Club Suite)

3. Business Class Seat (+ Best & Worst Seats)

British Airways has selected the Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seat for its Club Suite Business Class product. The seat is also used by several other leading airlines, including Etihad Airways on its Airbus A350 fleet. On the British Airways A350-1000, each Club Suite offers a generous 22-inch (56 cm) seat width, providing plenty of personal space for a long-haul flight.

One of the defining features of Club Suite is the sliding privacy door. At 44 inches (112 cm) high, the door creates a much more private environment than British Airways’ previous Club World seats while still allowing the cabin crew to check on passengers. The door remains locked open during take-off and landing, but once the aircraft reaches cruising altitude, the crew releases the locking mechanism and passengers can choose whether to keep it open or closed.

The seat features a retractable armrest on the aisle side, which can be lowered to create additional space when relaxing or sleeping. Above the fixed armrest on the opposite side is a small touchscreen, allowing passengers to adjust the seat position and control the lighting within the suite.

Directly in front of the seat is an 18.5-inch HD entertainment screen, with an ottoman positioned underneath. The ottoman forms part of the footwell and provides a comfortable place to rest your feet. A fold-out tray table is stored beneath the screen and, once deployed, measures 16 by 18 inches (40 by 46 cm). It is positioned at a comfortable height while leaving plenty of room for your legs.

The Club Suite offers plenty of storage space for personal belongings. A large side table next to the seat features two compartments for items such as your phone, glasses or wallet. One of the compartments also houses the power outlets and USB port, while the other provides additional storage. Beside the seatback, a side console offers even more storage, with a vanity mirror inside and a reading light mounted on the outside. There is also a small storage box next to the footrest, providing another handy spot for smaller items.

When it is time to sleep, the Club Suite transforms at the push of a button into a fully flat bed measuring 79 inches (200 cm) in length. The spacious footwell makes it relatively easy to move your legs around, even when the seat is in bed mode, and the fully flat position provides a comfortable sleeping environment on this long-haul flight.

What are the best Business Class seats on British Airways’ A350-1000?

For solo travelers, I would recommend one of the window seats (A or K). These suites offer the greatest sense of privacy and are ideal if you enjoy looking out of the window during the flight. However, the number and positioning of the windows varies depending on the row. Rows 1, 9, 10 and 15 have two windows, while rows 2, 5, 6, 8 and 16 have approximately one and a half windows. The least favorable window seats are in rows 3, 4, 7 and 17, which have only one window. If enjoying the views is important to you, I would therefore favor rows 1, 9, 10 or 15 when selecting a window suite.
For couples or travel companions, the center seats (E and F) are the obvious choice. These suites are positioned closer together than the window seats, making it easier to interact with your companion. That said, Club Suite is designed to be highly private, and the two center seats are separated by their respective consoles. You may therefore need to lean forward when you want to have a conversation. The privacy divider slides to the side, allowing you to interact more easily with your companion.
The A350 also has a small rear Business Class mini-cabin comprising rows 15 to 17, with just 12 Club Suites. This cabin can feel more intimate and secluded than the much larger forward cabin, making it an attractive option if you prefer a quieter atmosphere.

What are the worst Business Class seats on British Airways’ A350-1000? There are no genuinely bad Club Suites on the A350-1000, but some seats are less desirable depending on your priorities.

If you value peace and quiet, I would be cautious about row 1, which is immediately behind the forward galley and close to the lavatories. The area can therefore experience additional crew activity and passenger traffic during the flight. Seats in row 1 also have bassinet positions, which may be a consideration if you are looking for the quietest possible seat.
At the other end of the main Business Class cabin, row 11 is located next to the central galley and lavatory area. It can consequently see more foot traffic than the rows further forward in the cabin. The A350’s Club Suite cabin runs from rows 1 to 11 in the main section, followed by the smaller rear section in rows 15 to 17.
In the rear mini-cabin, row 15 is close to the galley and service area and also includes bassinet positions, which may result in some additional activity. Row 17, meanwhile, is the last row of Business Class and sits directly ahead of the World Traveller Plus cabin. It can therefore experience some noise and passenger movement from behind.

Click here for a seat map of British Airways’ A350-1000.

4. Amenities & Bedding

Business Class passengers receive a range of amenities on British Airways long-haul flights, designed to make the Club Suite experience more comfortable, particularly on overnight journeys:

The White Company amenity kit: The Club World amenity kit comes in an elegant bag from The White Company and contains an eyeshade, earplugs, socks, toothbrush, toothpaste, pen and toiletries from The White Company’s Restore & Relax Spa Collection (e.g. lip balm, moisturizer and pulse point).
The White Company bedding: British Airways provides a comprehensive bedding set designed to make the fully flat Club Suite bed more comfortable. It includes a large, soft pillow with a white cotton pillowcase; a specially developed luxurious duvet; and a padded mattress topper, adding an extra layer of cushioning for improved sleeping comfort (although I wished the mattress topper would be a bit thicker).
Noise-cancelling headphones: British Airways provides noise-cancelling headphones in Club Suite Business Class. They do a good job of reducing engine and cabin noise, making them particularly useful when watching movies or relaxing during the flight.

5. Meals

For long-haul flights departing London Heathrow, British Airways partners with DO & CO for its onboard catering. Since this flight was traveling from London to Vancouver, the meals were therefore catered by DO & CO in Heathrow. On inbound flights to London, catering is generally supplied at the departure airport, so the caterer can differ depending on the origin of the flight.

Overall, I found the food on this flight to be quite good, although I would say it is not quite as refined as the catering I have experienced in Business Class with Austrian Airlines and Turkish Airlines (which also use DO & CO catering). Before the meal service began, passengers received a fold-out, bistro-style menu card, which included the food selection and accompanying wine list. I particularly like this presentation: the menu opened up like a small restaurant menu and provided an overview of the dishes and drinks available throughout the meal.

The lunch service began with an aperitif, accompanied by a small bag of salted rosemary snack mix. The meal was then served on a tray, with a choice of dishes from the British Airways Business Class menu. I choose the following selection from the menu:

Starter: Loch Fyne smoked salmon, served with asparagus and a horseradish and lemon pepper sauce. The starter was accompanied by a bread roll and a leafy green salad with salted ricotta and sunflower pesto.
Main course: British beef short rib and ale cottage pie, served with heritage carrots and king oyster mushrooms.
Dessert: Basque cheesecake with fresh blueberries, and fresh seasonal fruit.

The smoked salmon starter was, for me, the highlight of the meal. Both the presentation and the combination of flavors were excellent, and it felt like the most refined course of the lunch. While the beef short rib as main course sounded particularly appealing on the menu, the presentation was somewhat underwhelming: the beef was largely hidden beneath the cottage pie, making the dish look rather plain when it arrived at the table. Unfortunately, I also found the flavors less distinctive than I had hoped. It was perfectly ok, but it did not have the same sense of refinement or complexity as the excellent starter.

One useful feature of British Airways’ Club Suite service is the Club Kitchen, a self-service snack and drinks area set up in the galley between meal services. Rather than having to wait for the next scheduled service, Business Class passengers can help themselves to a selection of snacks and drinks throughout the flight. This is particularly convenient on a long-haul journey such as London to Vancouver, where the time between the main meal and the pre-arrival service is around 6 hours.

Before landing in Vancouver, a light pre-arrival meal was offered. The starter was a Greek salad, followed by a roast pork panini with apple sauce. A vanilla chocolate chip muffin was served as the bakery item. The pre-arrival meal was very simple and more of a quick bite before landing than a second full dining experience.

6. Entertainment

The British Airways A350 Club Suite features an 18.5-inch HD touchscreen powered by the airline’s Panasonic X3 inflight entertainment system. Unlike the older British Airways Club World seats, where the entertainment screen has to be stowed during takeoff and landing, the Club Suite screen is fixed into the seat shell in front of you — or into the bulkhead for the first-row suites. This means passengers can enjoy gate-to-gate entertainment throughout the flight.

The High Life inflight entertainment system offers an extensive selection of movies, TV shows and box sets, with content that can be browsed directly on the touchscreen or through the dedicated handset, which features its own small display. For aviation enthusiasts, one of the highlights is the 3D Interactive GeoFusion flight map. The high-resolution maps allow passengers to follow the aircraft’s route in real time, with detailed graphics showing the landscape below and the flight’s progress across the globe.

On this London–Vancouver flight, the interactive map was particularly enjoyable as we crossed the Atlantic, Greenland and northern Canada, providing a fascinating way to follow our journey while enjoying the spectacular scenery outside the aircraft.

7. Onboard Internet

The British Airways A350-1000 is equipped with inflight Wi-Fi, allowing passengers to stay connected during the flight. British Airways offers two main options: Messaging and Browse & Stream. The Messaging package is designed for messaging apps and text-only emails, while Browse & Stream provides full internet access, including web browsing, social media, emails and video streaming.

Messaging is free for British Airways Club members, including entry-level Blue members. On my flight from London Heathrow to Vancouver, paid Messaging packages started at £2.99, while Browse & Stream cost £11.99 for four hours or £17.99 for the entire flight.

British Airways is progressively rolling out free, high-speed Starlink Wi-Fi across its fleet, which should eventually make paid inflight internet a thing of the past. The A350 operating my flight was not yet equipped with British Airways’ new Starlink service, so passengers wanting full internet access still had to purchase one of these packages.

8. Onboard Service

The cabin crew on this flight were friendly and efficient, although I found the service somewhat less polished and proactive than on some of my other flights. For example, I always ask on a long-haul flight whether a second pillow is available (for better sleep comfort), but on this occasion the flight attendant told me there wasn’t one before I had even finished asking the question. Similarly, when I ordered a soft drink with ice, it was served without ice, followed by an apology that the ice had been forgotten rather than simply returning with some. These are small details, of course, but they contribute to the overall impression of a Business Class service.

That said, my initial impression of the service changed towards the end of the flight. As we approached Vancouver and flew over the spectacular mountains of British Columbia, I had a lovely conversation with the flight attendant, who was equally captivated by the scenery. This more personal interaction gave me a different perspective on the crew, and I ultimately found her to be warm and personable. Overall, the service was perfectly pleasant, but it lacked some of the refinement and attention to detail I have experienced on British Airways’ best flights.

9. Lavatories

The British Airways A350-1000 has three lavatories available to Club Suite Business Class passengers. One is located at the front of the Business Class cabin, while two more are positioned around the central galley between the main Business Class cabin and the smaller rear mini-cabin.

The lavatories are fairly standard wide-body aircraft bathrooms rather than particularly spacious or luxurious facilities. They are functional, clean and well maintained, with enough room to stand comfortably, although changing clothes would understandably be somewhat challenging. The bathrooms are also stocked with basic personal-care amenities and toiletries from The White Company for passengers’ convenience.

10. Final Thoughts & My Verdict

Overall, I came away pleasantly surprised by British Airways’ A350 Club Suite Business Class. Having had some less impressive experiences with the airline in the past, this flight exceeded my expectations, with an excellent hard product featuring a spacious 1-2-1 layout, direct aisle access, a fully flat bed and sliding privacy door, complemented by good catering, comfortable The White Company bedding and generally friendly service. However, the absolute highlight of the journey was the scenery outside the aircraft, as we flew over Greenland, Nunavut and the spectacular mountains of British Columbia on our approach to Vancouver — as you can see throughout my video, these incredible aerial views made the flight particularly memorable. Overall, while the soft product could still benefit from a little more refinement, British Airways Club Suite is a very competitive long-haul Business Class product that I would happily fly again.

Here’s my score for British Airways’ Club Suite Business Class on the Airbus A350: