We were looking forward to trying the new British Airways A350 Club Suites from Heathrow to Dubai.
We booked the flights using the American Express Companion Voucher, with our journey originating at Manchester Airport before transiting at London Heathrow.
You can read our previous review of British Airways Regional Business Class product from Manchester to Heathrow, as we didn’t feel it was necessary to review the trip again.
Flight information Airbus A350-100
Airport Experience
At the time of our flight in March 2022, British Airways was using Manchester Airport Terminal 1 due to Terminal 3 still being closed due to covid.
Check-In
The process was quick and painless. However, no priority tags were put on our suitcases when the British Airways ground staff checked in our bags.
When we arrived in Dubai, our bags were not unloaded first. Not a big issue as the process was quick.
Even though we had priority at security at Manchester Airport, the queues were slow in the fast lane.
Lounge
After transiting through security at London Heathrow Terminal 5, we made our way to the south side of the terminal to the British Airways Galleries Club Lounge on level four.
However, the lounge was busy, but as we departed from the B Gates, we decided to try British Airways Galleries T5B Club Lounge.
The lounge was located in Terminal 5 Satellite B on the Mezzanine Level, which is accessible by a lift or stairs.
There were plenty of seats in the lounge, and it was quiet. The drink was self-service during our visit, but you had to order your food through a QR Code.
Boarding
Boarding started 50 minutes before the scheduled departure time and was quick and easy. There was a slight delay before pushback, which gave the crew additional time to serve another drink.
We were offered water, juice or champagne once we were settled into our seats.
British Airways A350 Cabin & Seat
Cabin
The new cabin layout on the A350 is a massive improvement to the old 2-4-2 design still flying on British Airways A380s and Boeing 777s, although BA is refitting 777s.
The Business Class cabin on the A350-1000 has 56 Suites with direct aisle access and a door for extra privacy.
There is 56 Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus) in a 2-4-2 configuration and 219 Economy Seats (World Traveller) in a 3-3-3 layout.
We were seated in the larger forward section of business class at the front of the aircraft. There is a smaller cabin in front of the premium economy with 12 seats and behind 1 of 3 toilets servicing business class passengers.
British Airways A350 Club Suite Seat
The new Club World Suites are a massive improvement on the older Business Class seats, and all passengers have direct aisle access. Therefore no need to worry about having to climb over your neighbour anymore.
The seat reclines fully flat, although we didn’t sleep on the flight as it was light most of the way to Dubai. However, when flat, the bed length is approximately 79 inches (2 metres, give or take), which would enable most people to lie flat comfortably.
The seat width was approximately 27 inches (68/69 centimetres), with plenty of storage space and power sockets that accept UK and US plugs. In addition, all seats have USB power ports, a vanity mirror and the most important thing, a door that can be closed after takeoff.
Once you are in the air and the door is closed, the seat becomes more private, without feeling closed in.
IFE System
Another improvement is the Inflight Entertainment System. Again, it wasn’t the British Airways content that was the issue; it was the system itself!
The 18.5-inch touch screen with an additional remote control unit makes the IFE easy to use and navigate. There was plenty of films and TV shows available, with a decent map function to follow the flight path to Dubai.
However, British Airways have not installed and
Amenities
British Airways offer an excellent quality amenity kit from The White Company
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IFE System
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Food & Drink
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Service & Crew
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Value For Money?
As mentioned above, the seats were purchased using a British Airways American Express Companion Voucher.
The price of two seats in Business Class on the Airbus A350-1000 was £1,094.70 plus 100,000 Avios Points for two return tickets. The cost included the outbound flight from Manchester Airport to Dubai and the inbound from Dubai back to Manchester via Heathrow.
