Following a recent trip to Montreal, I departed on British Airways flight 94 to London Heathrow Airport. This was my first time trying British Airways’s long-haul premium economy cabin, World Traveler Plus, so I was quite excited about the journey.
Up, up, and way
The slow crawl up the final few hundred feet of roadway before arriving at Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) was probably the most arduous part of the journey. As I was only traveling with hand luggage, I was able to check in online in advance and print my boarding pass beforehand. This allowed me to skip the check-in desks and go directly to security. Passengers departing the airport can pre-book spots in security, with a 10-minute window at either end of the allotted time.
The airport has several lounges, but I was only eligible to enter the Air France Lounge (operated by Plaza Premium Group), which is accessible to Priority Pass members. Sadly, both Air France and KLM flights were leaving around the same time, and the lounge restricted access to business class passengers on the SkyTeam alliance flights after reaching capacity.
Photo: Jonathan E Hendry | Simple Flying
The flight was delayed by around 15 minutes, and following a gate change, we were able to board the plane. The boarding process was smooth and organized, with attentive staff at the gate and onboard.
Lots of legroom
Arriving at my designated seat, 15A, I was immediately impressed by the amount of space between the seat and the bulkhead. As a traveler over 6 feet tall, it is one of the first things I notice and a determining factor in the overall flight experience. A blanket, pillow, and amenity kit were set in place on the seat.
The seats were made from textured upholstery and featured fold-out legrests and an adjustable headrest. Nobody was behind me, and when I reclined the seat fully, I could see out of an additional (third) window. Shortly after sitting down, the flight crew came around with menus and trays of complimentary water, orange juice, and prosecco.
Photo: Jonathan E. Hendry | Simple Flying
While waiting to pull back from the gate, the cabin crew returned with hot towels to freshen up.
Snacks and swag
The entertainment system was easy to use and featured a large screen that came up from the armrest between the window and aisle seats. A power outlet with a USB port was also installed on the armrest for charging electronic devices. The inflight entertainment options included a wide selection of films and music, accompanied by a pair of noise-cancelling headphones.
WiFi was available at a cost. Internet access was free for passengers in first class and started at £4.99 ($6.30) for full browsing and £2.99 ($3.80) for the messaging-only package.
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The amenity kits are made from recycled plastic bottles and include a toothbrush, a small tube of toothpaste with a mini BA logo, a pen with a small notecard, socks, and a blue eye mask.
Photo: Jonathan E. Hendry | Simple Flying
Before long, we headed back to London and got ready for my favorite part of the flight: the meal.
A delectable dinner
The first thing I noticed about the dinner service was that it was served with metal silverware and actual glass cups. The starter was the same for everyone: a mixed grain salad with a yogurt sauce that I found light and refreshing with a mix of rich flavors.
I went for the Parmesan tortellini before realizing it was a vegetarian option, and I have no regrets. While there were also beef and chicken options, I loved the olives in the sauce, and the grilled artichokes were perfectly charred.
The dessert was a Rocky Road cake (like the ice cream) accompanied by cheese and crackers.
Landing in London
The seat recline felt sturdy, and I was soon off to sleep. I was awoken by the smell of a meal service and the lights coming up. A pre-landing snack was served with a selection of coffee, tea, and various beverages before settling in for the descent into London.
Photo: Jonathan E Hendry | Simple Flying
For reasons presumably announced while I was napping, the flight landed in London later than expected, resulting in the aircraft losing its spot at its original gate. The Captain immediately came over the intercom to inform the passengers of the situation and provided updates every few minutes on the status of the buses coming to retrieve us.
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Although London was my final destination, I felt reassured by the fact he took the time to let passengers with tight connections know that he had informed their respective gates of the delay, listing each destination by name.
Overall, I found the World Traveller Plus cabin to be a worthwhile upgrade. The generous legroom was the biggest perk, and I enjoyed the hearty meal and service throughout the flight.
