BA to launch Club Europe business class on UK flights on April 1
By David Flynn, March 13 2017
British Airways will launch Club Europe business class onto all domestic UK routes from April 1.
Club Europe passengers will see their checked baggage allowance boosted to two bags (up to 32kg) and sup on what BA calls "enhanced complimentary food and drinks."
More importantly they'll also collect a larger serve of Avios frequent flyer points and tier credits, with Club Europe earning 40 Tier Points and either 750 Avios or 1250 Avios per flight sector depending on the booking class.
This compares with 125-500 Avios and 5-20 Tier Points for economy class on the same flight.
The move will also see domestic economy rebranded as Euro Traveller.
PREVIOUS | British Airways is likely to launch its Club Europe business class on domesic UK flights in April, upgrading the current single-class flying experience to something that's a little sharper at the pointy end.
Not a lot sharper, mind you: Club Europe seats are almost exactly the same as you'd find in economy, including the same legroom.
The main difference is that there's no passenger seated next to you – the middle seat in each set of three Club Europe seats is kitted out with a small cocktail table shroud so you have a little more useable space.
A spokesperson for British Airways told Australian Business Traveller the airline was "currently finalising the timelines for launch but we'd like to get it on sale soon, for travel from late spring" – which on the northern hemisphere calendar is April.
"We believe (Club Europe) will be popular with customers and create a more consistent experience for the many travellers who transfer across our domestic network on to European or long haul destinations."
While Club Europe seating is no great shakes, the rest of the package includes standard business class benefits such as dedicated check-in, a higher checked luggage allowance, lounge access, fast-track security, priority boarding and free food and drinks.
BA's domestic Club Europe flights are slated for routes from London to Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness and Manchester, among others.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.