Sixth Freedom

Now that I have finally had the chance to enjoy the new CE product, 1A in both directions, I am pleased to submit my verdict to the board.

Width - noticeably narrower than the old seats but still with plenty of room and effectively no less comfortable than before
Pitch - no complaints for row 1, but although there is probably slightly less room than before for me the seat was no less comfortable than the old row 1

Trim & finish - I love the light stitching and the embossed antimacassars, definitely an improvement on before
Interior colour spec - It is quite dark, but I found the design nonetheless extremely contemporary and stylish - the chrome-effect speedmarque on the front monument in particular is a nice touch - definitely an improvement on the old, tired interiors

Centre table - Definitely an improvement over the empty seat that was there before - I particularly liked the leather-effect surfaces for personal effects
Design fault - BA was unwise to incorporate a raised speedmarque on the table - it is a dirt trap!

Mood lighting - on both sectors the sunset lighting was used after doors were closed and on the return sector the cool ice lighting was used during boarding - these look great and made me feel excited for the journey ahead

Bus transfer - we had a bus transfer on arrival outbound and on both arrival and departure inbound - I was pleased to note the dedicated bus for CE passengers at both arrival stands.

Overall - the new CE cabin provides an extremely high quality experience if you are seated in row 1.

shefgab

You can fully lift the arm rest, making the seat a little wider and normal, and so making up for some of the shortfall from the old seats

Sadly this still isn't 100% guaranteed as I found out this week in MLA

Unless you are on the G-GAT* aircraft. 1A is a definite loser.

ba_cityflyer

Interesting!

I find the new seats tighter, not looser, after the reduced width and legroom!

ATCO2

Agree it looks good. However the key point is:

Row 1 is fine, the rest simply not worth the extra price. I'd pick an exit row any day over Row 2+ of CE.

bafan

Didn't think there was any reduced legroom in row 1. Seemed the same as ever on my recent flights.

But, I agree that row 1 is the only row worth having in CE.

bullroot

The softer lighting made you excited about the journey? Can you elaborate, as I've never noticed it and wonder how it could be so impactful.

pjh981

^ +1

headingwest

I'm glad you like it. I must be more demanding.

Skipcool3

Down -graded all my short haul except 767 flights now as the only row worth having in CE is row 1 on the Airbus, and as I have long legs I do not see why my knees should touch the seat back...
Surprisingly better pitch in the first 5 rows of........ Ryanair.

rather_be_on_a_griffin

They are missing a trick by not selling row 1 as First Europe. They could offer on demand dining (leaving a box with a roll and a bun on the divider) and a personal escort to your seat, located in a exclusive 4 seat cabin.

Worcester

60tps per sector? 120 on SH+? I can see it selling.

headingwest

I agree. But isn't it quite sad that Tier Points are probably the main reason why some of us choose Club Europe (it's the only reason I'd pay extra for those seats). I've only had one flight where I'd say that I really enjoyed the meal and service, the rest have been just OK...certainly not worth paying an extra £200. Although I think I'm right in saying that Sixth Freedom paid using Avios for these flights.

lost_in_translation

Agree that row 1 is the main reason to opt for CE (alongside the tier points) - I haven't actually sat anywhere but row 1 and the exit row in the refurbished SH planes yet, but I do a pre-booking check to make sure row 1 is available before booking CE and if it ever were not to be available I'd likely just go for ET instead. I would say the other main benefit for me is proper glassware - drinking G&T and water out of a proper glass rather than BA's tiny plastic cups is worth £5-10 alone!

HIDDY

What a joy to read a sensible CE review. ^

I like to fly CE not for tier points but for the extra benefits it brings.

Land-of-Miles

The problem is that you are now forced into row 1 when row 1 was one of the worst rows before the changes. Previously there was far more legroom in row 2 onwards now there is even less than row 1.

It is a perfectly serviceable product but isn't worth a huge premium over Y and the reduced legroom really impacts upon the very long shorthaul flights like HEL.