British Airways World Traveller Plus?
 

We're comsidering going to London this summer, and I was wondering how British Airways' World Traveller Plus is. It's approximately $1000 more than world traveller for us. Is it worth it? Will we really even notice a significant difference between the two, or would it be a waste of money?

A thousand more? Well, I just randomly look at some dates in July for IAH (Houston) - LHR, and Premium Economy is only $1,101 per ticket, all in. Compared to $864 in regular Economy. For $250 difference per ticket, I'd say it's worth it. For $500 difference, I probably will think twice.

But of course, you didn't say what's "us" in your post. Two persons, four, or more?

It's actually 4 people. It's $1000 total both ways for all 4 of us to upgrade. So, in the end it's approximately $125 per person, each way.

There's clearly a difference in the seats. Instead of 10-abreast on their 747s, World Traveller Plus is 8-abreast. Also more legroom.

But you have to decide whether it's worth the $250 difference per person. I won't do it myself, as I can tolerate 20+ hours trip to Asia in coach. But if they are for my parents, then I'll recommend them spend the extra.

Also depends on other factors like where are you flying from. LA-London is much longer than NYC-London; and it also depends on whether one can sleep on a regular coach seat. If not, it may be worth the extra money, just for arriving in London in a better "condition", especially if it's for a short and busy trip.

It can also depend how long your flight is. From the east coast during the daytime, say, it might not be worth it to you, especially if an alternative - say a 777 on American - is convenient. AA will still have its "more room throughout coach" product on its 777s through the summer, which offers more legroom than BA WT- though not as much as WT+, but at an economy, rather than "premium" economy fare.

From the west coast, WT+ makes a huge difference on 9-10 hr flights, which are all overnight eastbound. Service, while supposedly the same as in WT-, is generally better in reality. Makes sense.

Part of the problem is that BA's WT seats are pretty cramped, so WT+ seems like a huge bump in space in comparison. For cattle class, BA's product is middle-of-the-road IMO.

There are a lot of other posts on exactly the same question. Why don't you read the opinions on those, and also have a look at price differences between Virgin Economy and Premium Economy (similar concept; at some times of the year, the prices might be better than BA).

It really depends on the AIRCRAFT.

If you fly their 747, you'll notice and enjoy the difference between WT and WT+. For instance, only WT has personal TV screens, which allow you to CHOSE the movie, or program you want to watch!

The 777 is -- according to my experience -- the BEST Boeing aircarft todate. It is modern, significantly quieter inside, spacious, and well designed. As much as I remember (from last summer) EVERY seat, even in WT has its personal TV screen.

Yes, WT+ has a bit wider, more spacious seats. Otherwise, service is the same as in WT.

$250 to upgrade to WT+ is really up to you. I, personally, wouldn't pay the difference. But that's me.

ooopppss... Sorry, of course, I meant to say about the 747: "For instance, only WT+ has personal TV screens..."

We booked BA's World Traveller Plus for our recent trip to Hong Kong and thought it was WELL worth the extra cost. The seats are bigger, more comfy and have more legroom than in standard World Traveller (economy) and it was the first long haul flight we've ever taken that my husband, who sufferes from arthritis didn't have to spend half the flight wandering up and down the aisles - he actually slept through most of the 12 hour flight without any of the usual discomfort.

What's more, on the return leg we were surprised (and delighted!)to find when we arrived at the departure gate that we'd been given free upgrades to Business. Obviously, this isn't going to happen to everybody on every flight, but I don't think we'd have got it if we'd been travelling in economy.

"Op-ups" from WT+ to (New) Club World are not unknown, just don't count on it. The 2-seat configurations in WT+ at the windows are quite comfortable compared to the many-abreast WT+ seats in the middle of the cabin.

And there are personal video screens in WT- on 747s now.

I sat in World Traveler+ twice with BA and it was nice. Check out www.seatguru.com and you will see that instead of 31 inches you get 38. The food is the same. The good thing about BA is that they will turn off the fasten seat belt sign more than US airlines so you can get up and stretch. Most (if not all) airlines only give 31 inches in coach.