The bigger question is how the ticket was priced. I can fly TCON in a 'recliner' for less than a lay-flat business seat. If this was a case where the flight was very expensive and still not lay-flat, I would understand the frustration.

Of course, OP should also be warned about business class on a BA connection inside Europe - that "business class" was a shocker for me the first time I got on board!