Andriyko

So, they did not give you what you paid for (the seat and space) but gave you something that cost not that much to them (meals)? I can only imagine that the airline decided to fool the passengers with the 'soft product' rather than give them the seat they paid for. I'd expect a proper premium economy seat rather than a modified economy seat for the cost of the ticket. The airline can keep the third meal choice...

Andriyko

I am with you. Sometimes I think that BA invented gold with WTP (and what CWS says about it being BA's most important/profitable cabin suggests that it may be so).

ChampagneSocialist

Can't comment on their shorthaul, but I found SQ PE in long haul somewhat overrated from my experience on the LHR-SIN route (and back) last year. Per my last post, "does it feel premium" is my benchmark for PE, and for me the answer was not particularly! No pre departure champagne, food not particularly memorable/impressive, service was fine but again not memorable and no different from average big Asian carriers. The IFE was maybe the best thing? The seat wasn't even that comfortable (this was on a 777-300ER with their freshly revamped seats).

rsak

I did a LHR-JFK return trip earlier this month. Had booked to go out on BA WTP and AA PE return (to try the new product, but also because the JFK Flagship lounge is so vastly superior to what you would get with BA in T7). As luck would have it, I got op-uped to CW on the outbound but experienced the impressive the AA 77W PE product on the inbound. The seats don't recline as much as WTP (which is both good and bad in a way), and the IFE is very good (as would be expected for a new product). The cabin was also fairly empty (only 8/28 occupied!). But I was particularly impressed by the soft product. Dinner service was quick and of a reasonable quality (they serve the same mains as in AA domestic F) but the breakfast before landing was where I really felt the difference vs BA - a fresh fruit plate, a warm (!) Danish pastry and Chobani yoghurt. All served on proper china with metal cutlery. No roll with soft cheese!

RollAnotherFatOne

they have some way to go unfortunately.
i tried VS premium economy and it was world's apart. VS premium economy felt more like cheap business than an extension of economy.
the staff were so good with drinks and the galley was well stocked and had an easy going 'help yourself' policy.
it was very relaxed and felt like you were really getting something special. with BA, it doesn't feel very special. it just feels like extra legroom seats...

dougzz

I've been in WT+ on the old Gatwick 777's, and then also the 787 and the 380. Like has been said already the 787 and 380 really is a nice seat, the Gatwick 777 was pretty naff. I much prefer seat improvements to anything food, drink or blanket related. I think one issue is recline, when the person in front reclines, the sense (and reality) of extra space disappears. If you get a bulkhead not an issue, but anything else it becomes a lottery on whether and how far the person in front chooses to recline.

newyorklondon

I think it's the perfect cabin for BA to trial one of these new wine dispensers everyone's going crazy for, but this time piped directly into each seat.

ChampagneSocialist

So you've just described VS PE

Prospero

My wish list. Listed in order of priority

• replace the 2000 vintage seats
• plump pillow and quilted cotton blanket
• upgrade the second meal
• upgrade drinks service with new CW glass wear and don't ration the pretzels. If a passenger wants two packets , please oblique them
• upgrade main meal starter and dessert/cheese

Andriyko

BA won't divert demand from CW to WTP because the former offers a flat bed. Even if BA offers drinks and food from First in WTP. The much much better seat (compared to economy) and a smaller cabin do a much better job to persuade people to fly WTP. I can create my own F experience in Y if I invest GBP50 in a bottle of champagne and a takeway lunch from one of the airport's outlets. But F/CW matters because of where it happens not because of what you get. No 'soft' elements will replace the core features of F or CW. It is once you realize that you can survive an overnight flight in WTP in relative comfort that you may start thinking that you can get by with the lower cabin rather than spend money on CW.

airb330

This is a fun thread. WT+ is the main reason we fly BA to Europe. Typically we fly out of EWR and it's often a similar price to Y nonstop from PHL on BA/AA. $900 for WT+ from EWR or $1200 for Y from PHL, makes it quite a value for us often.

If I had to pick 3 things:
1) Uniform cabin (whether that's the "old" new seat or LGW version). I'll give them a pass on the 747s, but all 777s need the new cabin. The seats are comfy, look stylish, match IB and overall are competitive with AA/UA's new seats.
2) Uniform departure beverages---it's just strange for it to be different.
3) Upgraded meal service. Right now they get the old CW and CW gets new meals, that seems like an administrative mess. I don't dislike the old CW meals but I'd think it would be easier and maybe even cheaper for BA to all just use the same catering again? But I agree with everyone else, at least upgrade the sides/dessert a bit. The second meal is often disgraceful. They should look to AA's new Premium Economy.

I'd love to get better wines or access to CW bathrooms (or even WT+ only toilets), but I know that's not too likely. Overall WT+ gives a more comfortable ride and usually at competitive prices. Now, I have seen BA WT+ thousands of dollars more than WT and I don't see the value in those cases: $800 in WT and $2400 in WT+, for example.

NYLON Boy

Paren

All I seem to fly these days is WT+ unless I get a good CW fare.

The only thing I would like is if the seats were cocoon style (I think they are on Qantas?). I.e. the person putting their seat back in front of you does not reduce your room.

We all know lounge access will never happen for WT+ but if a paid option was offered to WT+ customers then I would certainly consider it....

IAN-UK

I'm beginning to understand why you are such a fan of BA

littlefish

I find PE on VS significantly better, even accounting for their seat design flaw meaning the recline from the person in front encroaches at knee level as the hinge point is too low. However, the VS PE seat is wider, more comfortable and served by better and more consistent entertainment. The VS in flight service is significantly better; and they actually have PE toilets! The VS airport bits n bobs are stronger, incl dedicated check-in and priority boarding and sometimes fast track. They signed up with Known Traveler sooner too. The VS PE cabin also has dedicated and generally smiling crew making a pleasant ambiance. As the lowest VS tier I even get seat selection; the only thing I miss on VS (Red) from BA (GGL) is theoretical seating and the upgrade odds.
Accordingly, VS now get most of my non Biz class trips; particularly with their 789s and 747 UD.
I would say BA need to install comfier seats in WT+, have a larger cabin such that dedicated crew serve throughout, have WT+ toilets, up their game on the airport experience and up their game on choice for onboard food and drink. Selfishly, I'd be tempted again to BA's WT+ were there some bulkhead seats not blocked for bassinets .... that was the complete own goal which pushed me to try VS in the first place.