Seating Queries: World Traveller Plus
Sep 24, 2017, 2:13 pm
#136
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
Programs: BA Lifetime Gold; Flying Blue Life Platinum; LH Sen.; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 63,850
Welcome to Flyertalk Ellinor Grasso and welcome in particular to the BA forum. You have come to the right place to get advice and hopefully we can give you more information.
Now the posts in this thread are quite old, so don't be too surprised or concerned if the Moderators move things around a bit. Over that time a fair bit has happened to the BA fleet so events have overtaken the information above to some degree.
Essentially most of BA's longhaul flights have 4 cabins:
- World Traveller = Economy = WT
- World Traveller Plus = Premium economy and the subject of the original post = WTP
- Club World = Business = CW
- First
If you are going to California, then a variety of aircraft are used, including 747s, but there are other aircraft as well, and the seat plans are best found here:
http://thebasource.com/seatmaps.html
If you can be more specific about dates and cities then we can also advise you more specifically.
WTP is a good choice for those larger than average, and you should be able to get in a set-up with 2 seats. If you don't want anyone too close to you then you probably want a Club World window seat or a First seat, which are more private for single passengers. CW window seats have a screen on it so that for most of the flight you need not see very much of the other passengers on board.
Have a look at the stickies and Dashboard for more information, but don't hesitate to revert back here for more specific answers.
Now the posts in this thread are quite old, so don't be too surprised or concerned if the Moderators move things around a bit. Over that time a fair bit has happened to the BA fleet so events have overtaken the information above to some degree.
Essentially most of BA's longhaul flights have 4 cabins:
- World Traveller = Economy = WT
- World Traveller Plus = Premium economy and the subject of the original post = WTP
- Club World = Business = CW
- First
If you are going to California, then a variety of aircraft are used, including 747s, but there are other aircraft as well, and the seat plans are best found here:
http://thebasource.com/seatmaps.html
If you can be more specific about dates and cities then we can also advise you more specifically.
WTP is a good choice for those larger than average, and you should be able to get in a set-up with 2 seats. If you don't want anyone too close to you then you probably want a Club World window seat or a First seat, which are more private for single passengers. CW window seats have a screen on it so that for most of the flight you need not see very much of the other passengers on board.
Have a look at the stickies and Dashboard for more information, but don't hesitate to revert back here for more specific answers.
Sep 24, 2017, 2:21 pm
#137
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,201
Lots of different questions here, so welcome to the forum. The thread in which this was originally posted (now moved) is nearly old enough to drink alcohol in its own right, and a lot has changed in the meantime, but here are the answers I think you're looking for.
1. It depends where in CA you're flying - and if CA is Canada or California. You'll start by flying to London on an Airbus A319 or A320 and from there, you'll connect to your destination on a widebody aircraft - could be a Boeing 747, 777, or 787 (in descending order of size). However, the World Traveller Plus product is fairly similar. If you tell us the exact airport, and when you're flying, we'll be able to tell you more - but in places where there are two flights per day, each flight can have a different kind of plane, and it can be different at different times of year as well.
2. I'm a little taller than you (though male) and about 85 kg. I'll explain the different products below:
i. WT (World Traveller) - standard economy product. Most seats have around 31"/77cm of legroom and around 18"/45cm of width. You will get a standard airline meal and one checked bag. You will typically sit as part of a bench of three or four. You use standard airline security and you do not have any private lounge access before or after your flight.
ii. WTP (World Traveller Plus) - premium economy product. You have 10-15 cm more legroom, and a wider seat, which makes a big difference if you're above average height. You also get a second checked bag. The seat reclines more, but you do not lie flat. You will sit in groups of 2 to 4. (You may have to pay to make sure that you get a seat in a pair). You use standard airline security and you do not have any private lounge access before or after your flight. The cost premium over WT is usually quite small. You get a business class main course, but all other food is the same as in economy.
iii. CW (Club World). This is the business class product. The seats are not very wide, similar to WTP - but nor are they particularly narrow. However, you have essentially unlimited legroom and a seat that reclines fully flat. You will typically sit in a group of 2 or 4, but with a divider that hides your neighbours from view. The flat bed and the divider make sleeping much, much easier on a night flight. You will also receive better food during the flight.
You have fast track airline security and a private lounge before the flight, with an open pour bar and some savoury snacks, sandwiches and a light meal and, in London at least, a shower. This also applies between connecting flights. Unless you are a very regular traveller, you will have to pay to choose a seat except in the last 24h before travel. Most seats are fairly comparable, however. The cost premium over WTP is usually, but not always, quite large, but it does make a big difference to the unpleasant aspects of flying.
Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee that you'll be sitting alone unless you buy a (usually very much more expensive) first class ticket, or maybe travel on another airline that has a 1-2-1 seating arrangement in business class (so that there are seats with no neighbours). The cost for this is likely to be comparable to Club World, and you wouldn't usually have the privacy divider, so it may not be much better for you.
1. It depends where in CA you're flying - and if CA is Canada or California. You'll start by flying to London on an Airbus A319 or A320 and from there, you'll connect to your destination on a widebody aircraft - could be a Boeing 747, 777, or 787 (in descending order of size). However, the World Traveller Plus product is fairly similar. If you tell us the exact airport, and when you're flying, we'll be able to tell you more - but in places where there are two flights per day, each flight can have a different kind of plane, and it can be different at different times of year as well.
2. I'm a little taller than you (though male) and about 85 kg. I'll explain the different products below:
i. WT (World Traveller) - standard economy product. Most seats have around 31"/77cm of legroom and around 18"/45cm of width. You will get a standard airline meal and one checked bag. You will typically sit as part of a bench of three or four. You use standard airline security and you do not have any private lounge access before or after your flight.
ii. WTP (World Traveller Plus) - premium economy product. You have 10-15 cm more legroom, and a wider seat, which makes a big difference if you're above average height. You also get a second checked bag. The seat reclines more, but you do not lie flat. You will sit in groups of 2 to 4. (You may have to pay to make sure that you get a seat in a pair). You use standard airline security and you do not have any private lounge access before or after your flight. The cost premium over WT is usually quite small. You get a business class main course, but all other food is the same as in economy.
iii. CW (Club World). This is the business class product. The seats are not very wide, similar to WTP - but nor are they particularly narrow. However, you have essentially unlimited legroom and a seat that reclines fully flat. You will typically sit in a group of 2 or 4, but with a divider that hides your neighbours from view. The flat bed and the divider make sleeping much, much easier on a night flight. You will also receive better food during the flight.
You have fast track airline security and a private lounge before the flight, with an open pour bar and some savoury snacks, sandwiches and a light meal and, in London at least, a shower. This also applies between connecting flights. Unless you are a very regular traveller, you will have to pay to choose a seat except in the last 24h before travel. Most seats are fairly comparable, however. The cost premium over WTP is usually, but not always, quite large, but it does make a big difference to the unpleasant aspects of flying.
Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee that you'll be sitting alone unless you buy a (usually very much more expensive) first class ticket, or maybe travel on another airline that has a 1-2-1 seating arrangement in business class (so that there are seats with no neighbours). The cost for this is likely to be comparable to Club World, and you wouldn't usually have the privacy divider, so it may not be much better for you.
Last edited by Cymro; Sep 24, 2017 at 2:28 pm
Sep 24, 2017, 2:29 pm
#138
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 256
Legroom on the 787-9
Hi All,
I am 6'5 and never been in WTP before, flying to TLV on on BA165 Thursday, currently in 16B, the bulkhead. Is this a good seat for legroom? There are a couple in 20 and 21 still available. Hoping for that unlikely upgrade of course, but any advice on legroom gratefully received.
I am 6'5 and never been in WTP before, flying to TLV on on BA165 Thursday, currently in 16B, the bulkhead. Is this a good seat for legroom? There are a couple in 20 and 21 still available. Hoping for that unlikely upgrade of course, but any advice on legroom gratefully received.
Sep 24, 2017, 2:35 pm
#139
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,201
Hi All,
I am 6'5 and never been in WTP before, flying to TLV on on BA165 Thursday, currently in 16B, the bulkhead. Is this a good seat for legroom? There are a couple in 20 and 21 still available. Hoping for that unlikely upgrade of course, but any advice on legroom gratefully received.
I am 6'5 and never been in WTP before, flying to TLV on on BA165 Thursday, currently in 16B, the bulkhead. Is this a good seat for legroom? There are a couple in 20 and 21 still available. Hoping for that unlikely upgrade of course, but any advice on legroom gratefully received.
Sep 25, 2017, 12:10 pm
#140
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 10
Lots of different questions here, so welcome to the forum. The thread in which this was originally posted (now moved) is nearly old enough to drink alcohol in its own right, and a lot has changed in the meantime, but here are the answers I think you're looking for.
1. It depends where in CA you're flying - and if CA is Canada or California. You'll start by flying to London on an Airbus A319 or A320 and from there, you'll connect to your destination on a widebody aircraft - could be a Boeing 747, 777, or 787 (in descending order of size). However, the World Traveller Plus product is fairly similar. If you tell us the exact airport, and when you're flying, we'll be able to tell you more - but in places where there are two flights per day, each flight can have a different kind of plane, and it can be different at different times of year as well.
2. I'm a little taller than you (though male) and about 85 kg. I'll explain the different products below:
i. WT (World Traveller) - standard economy product. Most seats have around 31"/77cm of legroom and around 18"/45cm of width. You will get a standard airline meal and one checked bag. You will typically sit as part of a bench of three or four. You use standard airline security and you do not have any private lounge access before or after your flight.
ii. WTP (World Traveller Plus) - premium economy product. You have 10-15 cm more legroom, and a wider seat, which makes a big difference if you're above average height. You also get a second checked bag. The seat reclines more, but you do not lie flat. You will sit in groups of 2 to 4. (You may have to pay to make sure that you get a seat in a pair). You use standard airline security and you do not have any private lounge access before or after your flight. The cost premium over WT is usually quite small. You get a business class main course, but all other food is the same as in economy.
iii. CW (Club World). This is the business class product. The seats are not very wide, similar to WTP - but nor are they particularly narrow. However, you have essentially unlimited legroom and a seat that reclines fully flat. You will typically sit in a group of 2 or 4, but with a divider that hides your neighbours from view. The flat bed and the divider make sleeping much, much easier on a night flight. You will also receive better food during the flight.
You have fast track airline security and a private lounge before the flight, with an open pour bar and some savoury snacks, sandwiches and a light meal and, in London at least, a shower. This also applies between connecting flights. Unless you are a very regular traveller, you will have to pay to choose a seat except in the last 24h before travel. Most seats are fairly comparable, however. The cost premium over WTP is usually, but not always, quite large, but it does make a big difference to the unpleasant aspects of flying.
Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee that you'll be sitting alone unless you buy a (usually very much more expensive) first class ticket, or maybe travel on another airline that has a 1-2-1 seating arrangement in business class (so that there are seats with no neighbours). The cost for this is likely to be comparable to Club World, and you wouldn't usually have the privacy divider, so it may not be much better for you.
1. It depends where in CA you're flying - and if CA is Canada or California. You'll start by flying to London on an Airbus A319 or A320 and from there, you'll connect to your destination on a widebody aircraft - could be a Boeing 747, 777, or 787 (in descending order of size). However, the World Traveller Plus product is fairly similar. If you tell us the exact airport, and when you're flying, we'll be able to tell you more - but in places where there are two flights per day, each flight can have a different kind of plane, and it can be different at different times of year as well.
2. I'm a little taller than you (though male) and about 85 kg. I'll explain the different products below:
i. WT (World Traveller) - standard economy product. Most seats have around 31"/77cm of legroom and around 18"/45cm of width. You will get a standard airline meal and one checked bag. You will typically sit as part of a bench of three or four. You use standard airline security and you do not have any private lounge access before or after your flight.
ii. WTP (World Traveller Plus) - premium economy product. You have 10-15 cm more legroom, and a wider seat, which makes a big difference if you're above average height. You also get a second checked bag. The seat reclines more, but you do not lie flat. You will sit in groups of 2 to 4. (You may have to pay to make sure that you get a seat in a pair). You use standard airline security and you do not have any private lounge access before or after your flight. The cost premium over WT is usually quite small. You get a business class main course, but all other food is the same as in economy.
iii. CW (Club World). This is the business class product. The seats are not very wide, similar to WTP - but nor are they particularly narrow. However, you have essentially unlimited legroom and a seat that reclines fully flat. You will typically sit in a group of 2 or 4, but with a divider that hides your neighbours from view. The flat bed and the divider make sleeping much, much easier on a night flight. You will also receive better food during the flight.
You have fast track airline security and a private lounge before the flight, with an open pour bar and some savoury snacks, sandwiches and a light meal and, in London at least, a shower. This also applies between connecting flights. Unless you are a very regular traveller, you will have to pay to choose a seat except in the last 24h before travel. Most seats are fairly comparable, however. The cost premium over WTP is usually, but not always, quite large, but it does make a big difference to the unpleasant aspects of flying.
Unfortunately, there is no way to guarantee that you'll be sitting alone unless you buy a (usually very much more expensive) first class ticket, or maybe travel on another airline that has a 1-2-1 seating arrangement in business class (so that there are seats with no neighbours). The cost for this is likely to be comparable to Club World, and you wouldn't usually have the privacy divider, so it may not be much better for you.
I have not booked a ticket yet. Flying sometime next year, in the spring.
From what I know I will be flying from Billund Danmark to London and then to LAX.
Thank you so much for the information. I have been looking at the seating of each plane to try and figure it out.
Sep 25, 2017, 12:25 pm
#141
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Gloucestershire
Programs: BA Gold (ex-GGL, maybe future Silver), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,201
Well, to LAX it could be any of the aircraft. I'd say that the most important thing is timing, rather than the particular (BA) plane you're on. If you want to be seated alone, you could consider American Airlines in business class - they offer seating in a "1-2-1" layout (so you have one seat, then two, then one) and free seat selection. Currently that's about 22,000 DKK, compared to just 3,000 DKK in economy (e.g., on 31 March)!
The biggest disadvantage of American Airlines over BA, however, is that you would have to change terminals in Heathrow, plus the timings may not be convenient. (But if you are in business class that does get you some better lounge options...)
You can mix and match BA and AA operated flights, and economy and business class, if you feel that would help.
The biggest disadvantage of American Airlines over BA, however, is that you would have to change terminals in Heathrow, plus the timings may not be convenient. (But if you are in business class that does get you some better lounge options...)
You can mix and match BA and AA operated flights, and economy and business class, if you feel that would help.
Sep 25, 2017, 12:36 pm
#142
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,627
In WT+ I usually sit myself on the right of the centre aisle section to the rear, ideally on a row in which the leftmost seat is taken. More often than not you get the middle seat open, if not the occupant tends to psychologically believe they're on the left so use the lockers that side and go that way to the toilets.
I do do a lot of WT+ to Asia, and find it comfortable enough. You just have to roll with what you get, and not get stressed about getting the best theoretical seats.
I do do a lot of WT+ to Asia, and find it comfortable enough. You just have to roll with what you get, and not get stressed about getting the best theoretical seats.
Sep 27, 2017, 9:11 am
#143
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Programs: OWEmerald; STARGold; BonvoyPlat; IHGPlat/Amb; HiltonGold; A|ClubPat; AirMilesPlat
Posts: 38,186
So it seems there are a few 777s that do have this small WT+ cabin, so somewhat relieved and hope this is indeed the case. All my ticketing material refers to either WT+" or "T" but couldn't figure why I could find nothing on the BA site that corresponded with this configuration.
Sep 27, 2017, 9:19 am
#144
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
Was having a bit of a panic attack when I downloaded my OLCI e-boarding passes from LHR-DXB and found my seat was 20J. When I consulted the four seat maps for WT+ on the BA web site to see where it was located, the only row 20 on the 777s was a regular middle seat in the WT cabin on the 3-class.
So it seems there are a few 777s that do have this small WT+ cabin, so somewhat relieved and hope this is indeed the case. All my ticketing material refers to either WT+" or "T" but couldn't figure why I could find nothing on the BA site that corresponded with this configuration.
So it seems there are a few 777s that do have this small WT+ cabin, so somewhat relieved and hope this is indeed the case. All my ticketing material refers to either WT+" or "T" but couldn't figure why I could find nothing on the BA site that corresponded with this configuration.
And I think this must be the specific seat map for your flight: http://thebasource.com/seatmaps/772/17f48j24w127y.html. These seem to be the remaining non-ER aircraft: G-ZZZA, G-ZZZB and G-ZZZC.
In comparison to the BA Source, the BA website is not very good for seat maps.
Oct 4, 2017, 2:46 am
#145
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: UK
Programs: BA Exec Club Bronze, Hilton Diamond, Virgin Flying Club Red
Posts: 1,257
Heading to Mumbai with a colleague on a work trip. I'm in WT+ as this is company policy for my grade.
19th Nov - BA139
24th Nov - BA198
Aircraft is a 12F 777 both ways, which I believe means it's one of the non-refurbished G-YMM* series including retro IFE.
I'm in 21J on the way out - this is a bulk head seat. Can anyone confirm if this seat has a full complement of windows next to it? Only available window seat is 24K.
On the return I'm in 24A, as the only bulkhead seats are in the centre row of 4 which might well place me in very close proximity to a baby in the bassinet. Is this a good seat?
19th Nov - BA139
24th Nov - BA198
Aircraft is a 12F 777 both ways, which I believe means it's one of the non-refurbished G-YMM* series including retro IFE.
I'm in 21J on the way out - this is a bulk head seat. Can anyone confirm if this seat has a full complement of windows next to it? Only available window seat is 24K.
On the return I'm in 24A, as the only bulkhead seats are in the centre row of 4 which might well place me in very close proximity to a baby in the bassinet. Is this a good seat?
Oct 4, 2017, 4:59 am
#148
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: BA Gold, Virgin Gold
Posts: 61
Can I ask people who are travelling more regularly than me on BA: Has BA changed the WT+ seats recently (in the last 12-18 months)?
Until about two years ago, I used to fly WT+ about once a month (was gold for several years). Change of work travel means I've been travelling on other carriers lately so just lurk at silver level. But I'm starting to travel more often on BA routes again. I flew on the 787-9 last week and the WT+ seat was downright uncomfortable. My memories of the seats from two years ago was that they were super comfortable but last week's seat was just downright solid so it was uncomfortable on the back. The headrest kept slipping (I'm 1.96m tall so this was a real pain and meant I kept waking up) and the nice headrest side supports that you used to be able to manipulate seem to have gone.
Is it just the Dreamliner that has these 'enhanced' seats?
I may switch off BA again if WT+ seats are all this bad now or just avoid 787s in the future.
Thanks
Until about two years ago, I used to fly WT+ about once a month (was gold for several years). Change of work travel means I've been travelling on other carriers lately so just lurk at silver level. But I'm starting to travel more often on BA routes again. I flew on the 787-9 last week and the WT+ seat was downright uncomfortable. My memories of the seats from two years ago was that they were super comfortable but last week's seat was just downright solid so it was uncomfortable on the back. The headrest kept slipping (I'm 1.96m tall so this was a real pain and meant I kept waking up) and the nice headrest side supports that you used to be able to manipulate seem to have gone.
Is it just the Dreamliner that has these 'enhanced' seats?
I may switch off BA again if WT+ seats are all this bad now or just avoid 787s in the future.
Thanks
Oct 6, 2017, 4:31 am
#149
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 10
Well, to LAX it could be any of the aircraft. I'd say that the most important thing is timing, rather than the particular (BA) plane you're on. If you want to be seated alone, you could consider American Airlines in business class - they offer seating in a "1-2-1" layout (so you have one seat, then two, then one) and free seat selection. Currently that's about 22,000 DKK, compared to just 3,000 DKK in economy (e.g., on 31 March)!
The biggest disadvantage of American Airlines over BA, however, is that you would have to change terminals in Heathrow, plus the timings may not be convenient. (But if you are in business class that does get you some better lounge options...)
You can mix and match BA and AA operated flights, and economy and business class, if you feel that would help.
The biggest disadvantage of American Airlines over BA, however, is that you would have to change terminals in Heathrow, plus the timings may not be convenient. (But if you are in business class that does get you some better lounge options...)
You can mix and match BA and AA operated flights, and economy and business class, if you feel that would help.
Oct 8, 2017, 9:06 am
#150
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: MIA
Programs: AY+ Gold
Posts: 248
Question for you all. I'm a little confused on the current state of the 747 in WT+. Knowing there are still a few variants and I'm slated to be on the older of these I'm wondering if the IFE or indeed anything has been updated on these AC at all.
I'm thinking of the IFE here; The basource.com states a 10.6" screen. I flew this same route (MIA-LHR) a few years ago and I remember the screen being smaller, but that is a faded memory. Also is there a reason BA charges less for row 15 as opposed to 14? Is the recline limited?
Thanks!
I'm thinking of the IFE here; The basource.com states a 10.6" screen. I flew this same route (MIA-LHR) a few years ago and I remember the screen being smaller, but that is a faded memory. Also is there a reason BA charges less for row 15 as opposed to 14? Is the recline limited?
Thanks!