To kick off the return journey of our trip to Geneva, we flew British Airways’ Airbus A319 business class (often referred to as Club Europe) on the 1hr20min flight from Geneva (GVA) to London (LHR).
While intra-Europe business class is not much to write home about, I had a positive experience. The aircraft had power ports and Wi-Fi, the crew was friendly, and the food exceeded expectations. What more could one ask for on a short flight within Europe (since a better seat is too much to ask for)?
How I booked my British Airways business class ticket
I booked the return portion of our itinerary from Geneva back to Miami using American AAdvantage miles. Specifically, I ticketed the following in business class for 57,500 American AAdvantage miles plus $90.90 in taxes and fees per person:
3/12 BA723 Geneva to London departing 6:35AM arriving 7:25AM
3/12 AA57 London to Miami departing 11:15AM arriving 5:10PM
It goes without saying that this was an excellent value, even if it wasn’t the most aspirational or glamorous redemption.
British Airways business class lounge & boarding
Given our early morning departure, we had spent the night at the Marriott Geneva, located near the airport. We arrived at Geneva Airport at around 5AM, plenty early for our 6:35AM flight. We checked our bag and were through security in a matter of minutes, so had time to spare.
While British Airways operates a lounge in Geneva, unfortunately the lounge only opens at 5:45AM. Boarding for our flight was scheduled for 5:55AM, and the gate is quite a distance from the lounge, and you also have to go through passport control.
Unfortunately the only aspect of the lounge I can review is the exterior, and there’s not much to report there. 😉 You’d think that the airline could open the lounge 30 minutes earlier, so that passengers on all British Airways flights can actually use it. What’s the variable cost of opening the lounge a bit longer?
Anyway, our flight was departing from gate C63, at the very end of the terminal, so it was quite a haul. Boarding started at exactly 5:55PM, as scheduled, 40 minutes ahead of our departure time. Boarding was quite orderly, with business class passengers and elite members being invited to board first.
British Airways A319 business class cabin & seats
British Airways’ Airbus A319s are equipped with a total of 143 seats, spread across 24 rows in a 3-3 configuration.
As is standard on intra-Europe flights, business class consists of economy seats with blocked middles. This gives airlines lots of flexibility to adjust the size of the cabin based on demand (and it’s also why Europe doesn’t have a culture of unlimited space available upgrades for elite members, unlike in the United States).
On this particular flight, there were seven rows of business class, for a total capacity of 28 seats. The business class cabin was ~60% full, with 17 of the 28 seats occupied. Up through the exit row, the seats feature 30″ of pitch, while behind the exit row, the seats feature 29″ of pitch. So those in business class (and sometimes those in the front of economy) receive marginally more legroom.
I assigned us seats 7A and 7C, the window and aisle seat in the last row of business class on the left.
I was pleased to see that there was a tray table on the center seat, which is a useful place to store things without using your tray table.
Interestingly the seats across from us didn’t have that table, presumably because the crew knew the seats would be empty (though later in the flight I ended up sitting in the far window, so that Ford and I could each look out the window).
Each seat boasted a standard tray table, plus a literature pocket.
The seats also had AC and USB-A outlets, which I love to see, as it’s not as common on short haul flights in Europe as you’d hope.
The overhead console had both reading lights and individual air nozzles (which I’m always happy to see).
As I said above, short haul interiors within Europe aren’t exactly exciting, but between charging ports, okay comfort, and a tray on the center seat, I was quite happy. I also have to say that for a 23-year-old jet, I thought the interior was in pretty good condition (I was flying on the A319 with the registration code G-EUPS).
British Airways A319 business class entertainment & Wi-Fi
British Airways offers Wi-Fi on its Airbus A319s, which still isn’t something you’ll consistently find on airlines within Europe. You can connect to the Wi-Fi by opening your browser and typing in shop.ba.com.
As far as Wi-Fi pricing goes, there were a few options:
- You could buy a messaging pass available for the entire flight for £1.99
- You could buy a streaming pass for one hour for £4.99, or for the entire flight for £6.99
British Airways A319 departure from Geneva
Initially we were making good progress on our departure. At 6:25AM it was announced that boarding was complete, which was 10 minutes ahead of our scheduled departure time.
Unfortunately five minutes later, the first officer announced that Heathrow was experiencing delays, and we’d have to wait about 25 minutes for our slot. He also provided a detailed explanation of our route for the flight — I find British Airways pilots are always great about being communicative, perhaps almost to an extreme. For example, they even consistently make an announcement after you arrive at the gate.
The delay ended up dragging on a bit longer, and at 7:05AM we finally began our pushback, at which point the crew performed a safety demonstration. Hi, Ethiopian Airlines Airbus A350, headed to Manchester!
Then at 7:10AM we began our short taxi. Hi, (presumably former at this point) Aeroflot Airbus A321, headed to nowhere!
Then at 7:15AM we were cleared for takeoff on runway 22.
It was quite a powerful takeoff, and steep climb out. Even though it wasn’t the prettiest day, I still enjoyed the views, as the area around Geneva is stunning.
While we hit a couple of bumps after takeoff, the seatbelt sign was turned off about five minutes after takeoff. The crew then closed all the curtains, and then began the inflight service.
British Airways business class breakfast
After takeoff, the crew passed through the cabin to first offer each passenger a meal. There were three choices — a continental breakfast, an omelet, or a full English breakfast. Two things:
- I appreciate how British Airways serves a hot breakfast on most short flights, as many other airlines in Europe don’t
- I appreciate how British Airways has meal options, as many other airlines in Europe don’t (and not just two options, but three!)
We both ordered the omelet, which was quite good. The egg dish was tasty, and it came with a small cup of fruit, a warm croissant, and a blueberry breakfast bar. Given the length of the flight, I was impressed.
Once food was served, the crew passed through the cabin with a drink cart. I had a cup of coffee and a still water.
British Airways A319 business class lavatory
There was a lavatory at the front of the A319 cabin, reserved exclusively for business class passengers. The lavatory was pretty standard, and at least wasn’t too tight, unlike lavatories on many of the newer jets nowadays.
I also appreciated how there were elevated toiletries, from The White Company.
British Airways business class service
There were two flight attendants working business class on this flight, and they were efficient and friendly. What more could one ask for on a flight of this length, where there are quite a few people to serve?
British Airways A319 arrival in London
At 7:05AM London time (there’s a one hour time change, so that’s 50 minutes after takeoff), the first officer was back on the PA to announce that we were at 37,000 feet, and that we’d be landing in 30 minutes. Moments later, we began our descent.
At 7:25AM the seatbelt sign was turned on, and at that point the crew prepared the cabin for landing. Goodness, it sure wasn’t a very pretty day in London, not that this is surprising for a spring morning.
We ended up having a smooth touchdown at Heathrow Airport at 7:40AM.
From there we had a five minute taxi to our arrival gate at Terminal 5.
We bid farewell to the crew, and then took the bus over to Terminal 3, where our American 777 flight to Miami would be departing from.
Bottom line
We had a solid flight in British Airways’ A319 Club Europe business class. While the hard product is what it is, everything else was solid, from friendly service, to a choice of food (including hot options), to power ports, to Wi-Fi. I’d fly British Airways Club Europe again in a heartbeat.
What’s your take on British Airways’ A319 business class?
