BA7 is the outbound (LHR-HND) BA8 is the return flight (HND-LHR). BA8 takes the longer route because of the wind. When going to Tokyo it's faster to take the route over the Middle East and China since you have a tailwind pushing you along, while on the way back if you went the same way you'd be flying into the wind, slowing you down, so they fly East from Japan, over Northern Canada to take advantage of those winds, which also blow east. This is all because of Russia closing its airspace, when they could fly over Russia it was best to do that both ways.
BA5 is the other outbound flight to Tokyo (for long haul BA flights odd numbers are outbound, evens are returns) , BA5 only operates 3 days a week though, while BA7 operates every day, and both BA5 and BA7 are using the 787-9 in March, so will have the old club world seats, just choose the one with the best timing to suit you.
Scratch that, I've just checked and it seems that BA5 and 6 are using the 777 now in March (I had looked at this not that long ago and they were 787s so this must have changed recently), so will have the new suites. Of course it's possible that they change back to 787s before you fly, but if you're able to fly on the days that BA5 operates then go for that if you want the new club suite.
Last edited by zaphod424; May 25, 2023 at 3:29 am