After my rough trip to Europe in Lufthansa economy class on the way out, I’m trying something new on the way back: World Traveller Plus on British Airways.
Compared to a middle seat in the middle section in the last row on Lufthansa, this should be a nice upgrade.
With the (now finished) transfer bonus from American Express, the flight only cost about 23,000 American Express Membership Rewards points (32,500 Avios). I will be connecting from another city, so the taxes/fees are under $250.
I’m to the point where I am more interested in trying new products than revisiting luxury. I could have flown home in Lufthansa First Class…the space was there. But I’ve reviewed it so many times and so I figure 1.) this review will be more helpful to more people and 2.) it should be tolerable for the daytime journey from London to Los Angeles.
British Airways recently updated its World Traveller Plus (premium economy) soft product, to include upgraded meals, better blankets, and new amenity kits.
I’m interested in seeing how World Traveller Plus will compare to Lufthansa’s Premium Economy, Norwegian Premium, and United’s Premium Plus; the only other three premium economy products I have reviewed on a longhaul flight. Over time, I hope to add Air France, SAS, and others to that list of reviews.
CONCLUSION
I always get excited at the opportunity to try a new product. Let me know if you have any tips for maximizing my experience in BA’s World Traveller Plus.
WTP is a bit of a rip off in my opinion. The only reason I buy it is because I have BA status and it is super easy to upgrade WTP to club world with avios (no co pay, good availability on some routes, etc.)
If you think WTP is a rip-off, let me introduce you to United PremiumPlus!
Matthew – assuming you have done UA PP, will be curious as to the comparison…BA seats look more comfortable IMO
I have done PP and look forward to comparing them:
https://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2019/04/29/united-777-premium-plus-review/
If you want a better experience, go Lufthansa First. BA misconnected me 3x on my flight from Berlin a couple weeks ago. They could not have cared less.
Try to get the first row. Otherwise when the person in the seat ahead of you fully reclines their seat you’ll find it almost impossible to get out.
I tried, but only last row available. At least I got an aisle seat.
Matthew,
Pre book your meal via manage my booking if your more than 24 hours away from take off as choices might be limited in the last row. I’ve tried WT + on the 787 a couple.of times and found it more than suitable for a daytime flight.
Try Singapore Airlines’ Premium Economy. They often discount it to fill the seats on the ULHs to LAX/EWR, and it is a more interesting experience than others
You’re not missing anything with SAS Plus. However, it truly does represent excellent value from time to time. Like, really, really excellent. SAS runs frequent “secret campaigns” for their Diamond members (the most recent one ended just days ago), in which you can buy R/T SAS Plus between Scandinavia and the US for about 650 USD. This is a premium of about 350 USD from economy, but gives you: a much bigger seat, free seat assignment, food and drinks, lounge access, fast track, premium check-in, priority boarding, more luggage and around 17 000 points instead of only 500 points (!). Sure, a lot of these things are already included for *G and Diamond, but I’ll happily pay 350 USD extra just for a bigger seat and the points. As far as I can tell, SAS Plus (long haul) is the “best value” PE product out there, considering lounge access and so forth (especially factoring in how lousy SAS economy is nowadays).
Don’t forget to preorder your meal!
No time, which is a bummer.
It’s not a bad product. I fly it several times a year. The upgraded blanket and pillow are nice. First meal is good. Second meal isn’t great. I’ve found BA FAs to be more caring than their AA counterparts. Have a fun flight!
World traveller plus is on worldwide routes not European !
Mathew, I assume, is based in the US, so a trip to Europe is transatlantic.
Correct. I’ll be flying LHR-LAX.
BAs premium economy is over priced, incredibly variable and unreliable… Over a decade since the 2nd generation seat was introduced and a 3rd launched, the many aircraft are using the delabidated and hopelessly outdated gen 1 seat. The first in my experience of your their “smart” is provisioning invariably results in some going hungry and there is rarely if ever the promised choice. The first perhaps also worth noting that WTP is amongst the most important least generous seats in the premium econ market. The first if you have a choice even AF deliver a good better experience in this cabin and its Virgin / Delta is et al are simply in The different league newnow delapidated