Our British Airways Business Class Experience

Our Tauck river cruise through Belgium and Holland began not in Brussels, but in the sky — aboard a British Airways business class flight on the Airbus A350.

Over the years, we’ve come to believe that a great trip begins the moment you leave home. For long-haul international travel, comfort in the air can make all the difference, especially when your first full day in Europe is packed with sightseeing.

A Smooth Ride on the Airbus A350

Our long-haul segment was operated by the Airbus A350, one of the newest and most comfortable aircraft in British Airways’ fleet. The cabin is noticeably quieter, and thanks to improved air pressure and humidity systems, we arrived feeling far less jet-lagged than we have on older aircraft. These small touches make a big difference, especially when you’re flying overnight.

The Club Suite: Comfort Meets Privacy

As you can see from the photo, Carol was all smiles settling into her business class seat. British Airways’ A350 features the Club Suite, a sleek lie-flat seat with a sliding privacy door, ample workspace, and plenty of storage. The seat transforms into a fully flat bed, complete with a thick pillow, plush blanket, and mattress pad — making sleep not just possible, but truly restful.

Each suite is equipped with a large screen for in-flight entertainment, USB and power ports, and thoughtful details like a personal reading light and noise-canceling headphones.

We recently flew to Europe on United’s 787 Dreamliner and were surprised by how much more comfortable British Airways’ Club Suite felt by comparison. The biggest difference? Elbow room. United’s business class seats felt cramped — not only was it awkward to get into the seat, but once seated, the space was noticeably tighter and less comfortable. In contrast, the British Airways Club Suite on the A350 offered significantly more personal space, easier access, and a far more relaxed experience overall.

I know that Boeing has had a tough go of late, but I won’t fly overseas in a Dreamliner again unless I can be convinced that the layout is better and that I don’t feel like a sardine for hours on end.

Dining and Service at 35,000 Feet

Our onboard experience included attentive service and a multi-course meal paired with wine. Dinner began shortly after takeoff with warm bread, a choice of entrée, and dessert. We particularly enjoyed being able to dine on our own schedule — and there’s something undeniably luxurious about sipping champagne before settling in for a good night’s rest.

Should You Fly a Redeye to Europe?

Most flights from the U.S. to Europe are scheduled as overnight “redeye” flights, departing in the evening and arriving in the morning. This allows travelers to land, clear customs, and begin their European adventures fresh — at least in theory.

In practice, red-eye flights can be exhausting, especially if you’re flying economy. But in a lie-flat business class seat, the story changes dramatically. We were able to sleep comfortably during the flight and felt refreshed upon arrival, which made our first day in Brussels far more enjoyable.

Is British Airways Business Class Worth It?

For international trips tied to milestone celebrations or once-in-a-lifetime experiences — like a Tauck river cruise — we think the investment in business class is well worth considering. It’s not just about luxury; it’s about arriving ready to enjoy the journey rather than recovering from it.

When we plan our own travels, we look for opportunities to use miles, upgrade with points, or take advantage of airline promotions. We also help our clients do the same when flights are part of a larger travel package.

Ready to Plan Your Journey?

If you’re dreaming of Europe — and want to arrive rested and ready — we’d love to help you plan the perfect itinerary. While we don’t book standalone airfare, we’re happy to assist our clients with premium cabin flights as part of a full travel experience, whether by land or sea.

See More from Our Journey:
This experience was part of our recent Tauck river cruise through Belgium and Holland.
To see all of our daily highlights, reflections, and photos, visit our full cruise landing page here.

For more information about our travel agency services, please call Roaming Boomers Travel Services at (480) 550-1235 or use our convenient online information request (click here) and we’ll reach out to you.

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This article was written with the aid of Perplexity AI, or ChatGPT. Roaming Boomers Travel Services is an independent affiliate of Cadence and a Virtuoso® member. CST#201120-40