british airways euro traveller class

World Traveller

Welcome to World Traveller, our economy cabin on flights beyond Europe. It's packed with all the comfort and benefits you expect from British Airways at an affordable price.

Experience the world

• A range of fares with no hidden charges
• Personal flat screen with headphones
• Family-friendly features
• Stylish interior cabin
• Delicious meals and snacks
• Access to in-seat power

Comfort items

Relax and enjoy the views or settle down to sleep with ergonomically designed seats, little extras and newly crafted comforts based on classic British design.

• An adjustable headrest, lumbar support and recline
• Soft cushion and blanket

Delicious meals and bar service

In World Traveller you can enjoy a starter, main and dessert, with a choice of hot, cold and alcoholic drinks. We also offer mid-flight snacks and a second meal on longer flights.

In-flight entertainment

Stay connected to the world below or relax and leave it all behind in our World Traveller cabin.

There’s high-speed Wi-Fi on most aircraft, and messaging on your personal device is free if you’re an Executive Club Member . 

You'll have headphones and a personal flat screen so you can lose yourself in a blockbuster film or gripping series. Our huge library of new releases includes music, audio books and games, as well as access to Paramount+ with something for everyone to enjoy.

Treat yourself to the airport lounge

Sit back and relax before your flight with Lounge Pass, your key to non-British Airways airport lounges across the globe, no matter what airline you are flying with or cabin you are travelling in. Enjoy light refreshments such as alcohol and food, Wi-Fi and a selection of newspapers and magazines while you wait to board, plus Executive Club Members can collect 5 Avios per £1/€1/$1 spent.

Flexible baggage allowance

Baggage allowances.

As well as carry on baggage, World Travellers can store checked bags in the hold.

Some routes and tickets come with an even greater allowance, and extra bags can be added for a fee.

Doorstep baggage pick-up & check-in

Have your baggage collected from your doorstep, securely transported to the airport, and checked-in for your flight, allowing you to travel to the airport baggage-free and head straight to security when you get there. Available for flights departing from Heathrow, Gatwick, Geneva, Zurich and Vienna.

Long-haul fares to suit you

There’s a choice of two economy fares when you fly in World Traveller: Basic and Standard. This extra choice gives you more freedom to select and pay only for the benefits and services you need.

Economy Basic

• Generous hand baggage allowance (cabin and hand bag)
• Seat allocated when you check in
• Option of paying to add a checked bag, choose your seat, or other extras via Manage My Booking

Economy Standard

• 23kg checked baggage allowance in addition to your hand baggage allowance
• Choose your seat from 24 hours before you fly

Style upgrade and aircraft variation

The World Traveller experience is getting a make-over. We’re giving our aircraft cabins a stylish new interior and fitting our newest, most enhanced seating, which feature a six-way headrest with adjustable ears for added comfort and movable middle arm rests, which is particularly useful for customers travelling with children.

The new cabin will be rolled out across our fleet starting with the Boeing 777-200 fleet at Gatwick. And while a few cabin design elements may vary by aircraft, you can still expect the same top quality food, drink and warm service by our attentive crew wherever and whenever you fly World Traveller.

The Complete Guide to British Airways Fare Classes (a.k.a. Fare Buckets)

What are fare classes.

Fare classes are the different letters that represent a price of a ticket. You will see these represented in a variety of ways through different means, such as in Manage My Booking:

or in Expert Flyer.

or in Matrix.

Chances are if you are using Expert Flyer or Matrix though, you will probably already know about Fare Classes and just want to know how many Avios or Tier Points you will be earning. Feel free to skip ahead!

What is the difference between Fare Class and Travel Class?

“Travel class” is which cabin you are flying in. First Class, Business Class, Premium Economy or Economy Class.

“Fare class” is what specific price your ticket is purchased at, and the restrictions imposed on it, represented by the letters mentioned throughout this post.

What Fare Classes does British Airways have?

There are a myriad of fare classes, which can be confusing for those who do not (yet) know how British Airways prices their tickets.

As with most other airlines, usually the more expensive the ticket the more flexibility it buys in terms of advance purchase requirements, ability to change flights, refunds on cancellations, shorter minimum stays and longer maximum stays. And in the lower travel classes, you need to be buying more expensive fare classes in order to be able to upgrade

At the more extreme levels of pricing, you may sometimes find that fares in a higher travel class are actually cheaper than buying in a lower travel class. E.g. non-refundable business class cheaper than fully-flexible premium economy.

First Class :

From most to least expensive: F, A

Club World / Europe (business class) :

From most to least expensive: J, C, D, R, I

World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy) ,

From most to least expensive: W, E, T

World/Euro Traveller (Economy) :

From most to least expensive: Y, B, H, K, M, L, V, S, N, Q, O, G – Note that G is specifically reserved for Travel Agents (including BA Flights and Holidays) or BA staff bookings.

Which Fare Classes do redemptions book into?

Avios or other partner airline redemptions book into the following fare classes

• First Class: Z
• Club World/Europe (business class): U 
• World Traveller Plus (premium economy): P
• World/Euro Traveller (economy): X

How Many Avios and Tier Points will I earn?

For slightly easier formatting, and to ensure up-to-date information, I advise going directly to one of the following:

• British Airways Avios and Tier Points Earnings Tables
• British Airways Avios and Tier Points Earning Calculator

The latter being good if you have a specific route in mind, and will also calculate the bonus Avios you get if you have Bronze, Silver or Gold British Airways Executive Club status.

But to make this a one-stop shop…

First Class:

• F – 300% Flown Distance. Minimum 1250 Avios, 100% Tier points
• A – 250% Flown Distance. Minimum 1250 Avios, 100% Tier points

Club World / Europe (Business Class):

• J – 250% Flown Distance. Minimum 1250 Avios, 100% Tier points
• C – 250% Flown Distance. Minimum 1250 Avios, 100% Tier points
• D – 250% Flown Distance. Minimum 1250 Avios, 100% Tier points
• R – 150% Flown Distance. Minimum 750 Avios, 100% Tier points
• I – 150% Flown Distance. Minimum 750 Avios, 100% Tier points

World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy):

• W – 150% Flown Distance. Minimum 750 Avios, 100% Tier points
• E – 100% Flown Distance. Minimum 500 Avios, 100% Tier points
• T – 100% Flown Distance. Minimum 500 Avios, 100% Tier points

World / Euro Traveller (Economy Class):

• Y – 100% Flown Distance. Minimum 500 Avios, 100% Tier points
• B – 100% Flown Distance. Minimum 500 Avios, 100% Tier points
• H – 100% Flown Distance. Minimum 500 Avios, 100% Tier points
• K – 50% Flown Distance. Minimum 250 Avios, 50% Tier points
• M – 50% Flown Distance. Minimum 250 Avios, 50% Tier points
• L – 50% Flown Distance. Minimum 250 Avios, 50% Tier points
• V – 50% Flown Distance. Minimum 250 Avios, 50% Tier points
• S – 50% Flown Distance. Minimum 250 Avios, 50% Tier points
• N – 50% Flown Distance. Minimum 250 Avios, 50% Tier points
• Q – 25% Flown Distance. Minimum 125 Avios, 25% Tier points
• O – 25% Flown Distance. Minimum 125 Avios, 25% Tier points
• G – 25% Flown Distance. Minimum 125 Avios, 25% Tier points

As with most airlines, redemptions do not earn any Avios. This includes V  fares which Gold members can sometimes book into as a reward fare.

Bronze members get 25% extra Avios, Silver gets 50% extra Avios and Gold gets 100% extra Avios. This is calculated in addition to the Avios earned in the fare class calculations above.

Bottom Line

Understanding British Airways' fare classes is important for knowing how many Avios and Tier Points you will earn. If you are coming from Star Alliance or Skyteam you will also notice that the order of the letters is different, so take note!

Share this:

Hey Tim – booked and paid for Club World, and upgraded to First, but the class is now showing as Z. Seems that it doesn’t earn anything… thoughts?

You will get the original Tier Points and Avios for your original Club World booking!

Is there any way to get BA to send me something that shows the orig booking class? I want to have my backup incase I don’t get credit.

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The Guide to British Airways Economy: Euro Traveller vs. World Traveller

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Table of Contents

British Airways World Traveller

British airways euro traveller, world traveller plus vs. world traveller, ways to get good value in british airways economy, british airways economy recapped.

British Airways is a major European carrier based in London. Chances are, wherever you want to go in Europe and beyond, British Airways or one of its Oneworld alliance or codeshare partners can get you there.

British Airways offers four classes of service: first, business , premium economy and economy — although not all of its planes have every cabin type.

What you will find on every plane is British Airways economy class. On long-haul flights, it’s called World Traveller. On most short-haul routes, it goes by the name Euro Traveller.

Here’s what you can expect when traveling in British Airways economy class as well as several tips on how to maximize value should you decide to book a ticket.

World Traveller is British Airways’ economy cabin for long-haul flights outside of Europe. It’s similar to other airlines’ economy offerings on international routes, providing free meals, entertainment options and, in some cases, a baggage allowance. 

There are two types of tickets available to World Traveller passengers: basic and standard. Basic fares will be less expensive, but don’t include as many perks as a standard ticket. 

Here’s what all World Travellers passengers can expect, whether you’ve purchased a basic or standard fare: 

Food and beverage. World Traveller passengers receive complimentary food, including a starter, main course and dessert, plus cold, hot and alcoholic drinks. On longer flights, there is a second meal and mid-flight snacks. Children’s meals are also available.

Entertainment. Personal entertainment screens and headphones are available for all World Traveller passengers, with access to hundreds of films, short-subject programs and music. Children’s programming is available too, and parents have the option to switch on a parental lock for unapproved channels.

Seats. World Traveller seats come with a headrest, pillow and blanket. Across British Airways’ fleet, its World Traveller cabins are in the process of being updated. For that reason, they may vary in style and size depending on aircraft and route. For example, Boeing 777-200 aircraft flying from London Gatwick now have seats with a six-way headrest and movable middle armrests. 

Power outlets. A growing number of planes now offer 110V AC power outlets in addition to the USB outlet available to economy passengers.

Amenity kit. Passengers can request a small amenity kit with a dental set, socks and eyeshades.

Priority boarding for families. Those with infants or children in a stroller can board early.

There are two areas where your benefits will differ depending on if you choose a basic or standard World Traveller fare: seat selection and luggage allowance. 

Seat selection. Choosing a standard fare allows you to select your seat 24 hours before departure. If you purchase a basic fare, you’ll be assigned a seat on the day of departure. Earlier seat selection options are available for a fee.

Baggage allowance. If you purchase a basic fare, you can only travel with a carry-on bag and personal item, whereas a standard fare ticket also allows you to check one bag up to 50 pounds for free. Additional baggage options are available but will cost you extra.

» Learn more: The guide to British Airways Executive Club

Short-haul flying on British Airways is quite different. These flights offer far fewer amenities, which can come as a surprise to those who are accustomed to taking long-haul World Traveller flights.

There are three fare classes for Euro Traveller tickets: basic, Plus and Plus Flex. The basic fare, similar to the World Traveller version, offers fewer benefits for a lower cost, while Plus and Plus Flex give you a few more options.

So, what do Euro Traveller passengers get on British Airways? All passengers, regardless of fare class, will receive:

Food and beverage. Passengers receive a light snack and a bottle of water. Everything else is for sale from the Speedbird Cafe, including coffee and tea. Advance online purchase of meals and drinks is recommended if you want to make sure your selections are available on board.

Wi-Fi and entertainment. Despite the short duration of these trips, the airline offers online connectivity on most flights.

Seats. Euro Traveller passengers will sit in leather seats with movable headrests and in-seat power.

Similar to World Traveller tickets, Euro Traveller benefits, such as seat selection and baggage fees, will vary depending on the type of fare you select. 

Seat selection. Basic economy passengers will receive an assigned seat when they check in — unless they have British Airways elite status , which allows them to select a seat sooner. For Plus fares, passengers can choose their preferred seat within 48 hours of departure, and Plus Flex fares come with free seat selection at any time.

Baggage. Basic fare passengers can bring a carry-on bag and personal item but will have to pay to check any luggage. Plus and Plus Flex passengers can bring a carry-on bag and a personal item and can check one bag for free.

Flexibility: Basic fares only allow you to change your ticket if you pay a fee and any difference in price. Plus passengers can make same-day flight changes for free, but will pay a fee and fare difference for other changes. Neither of these fares offers refunds for canceled tickets. Plus Flex fares allow free same-day changes, a refund for cancellation and the ability to make fee-free changes to their ticket at any time.

» Learn more: The guide to British Airways fees

Travelers with room in their budget might consider upgrading their economy ticket to the airline’s premium economy option, dubbed World Traveller Plus .

The difference between British Airways World Traveller Plus and an economy ticket is that World Traveller Plus offers these amenities:

Fewer rows with more spacious seats in a separate cabin.

A guarantee of two meals, regardless of flight length.

More free baggage allowance. World Traveller Plus passengers can bring both a carry-on bag and personal item on board and can check up to two bags.

Priority boarding in Group 3 (rather than Groups 4-9).

Whether you're booking a British Airways economy ticket using miles or cash, there are a few ways to maximize value. 

Book with miles

British Airways Executive Club operates on a distance-based award system . This means redeeming Avios (the airline’s loyalty currency) for shorter, direct flights will bring you the best value for your miles. 

» Learn more: Best uses of British Airways Avios

Transfer points from partners

Executive Club is a transfer partner with many programs, although the transfer ratio will vary (and there's sometimes a minimum transfer requirement). Transfer partner programs include:

Accor All Live Limitless (2:1).

American Express Membership Rewards (1:1).

Capital One Rewards (1:1).

Chase Ultimate Rewards (1:1).

Hilton Honors (10:1).

IHG One Rewards (5:1).

Marriott Bonvoy (3:1).

Radisson Rewards Americas (10:1).

World of Hyatt (2.5:1).

Bonus point transfers

On occasion, credit card companies may offer a transfer bonus when moving miles or points from a credit card program to Executive Club. Keep an eye out for these, and see what’s been offered in the past . 

» Learn more: The best travel credit cards right now

Look for Reward Flight Saver awards

Reward Flight Saver awards impose reduced taxes and fees, which vastly increases their potential value. To book one, you need to be an Executive Club member and you must have earned at least one Avios in your account within the past year.

Euro Traveller Reward Flight Saver round-trip awards start at 18,500 Avios plus one British Pound. World Traveller Reward Flight Saver round-trip awards start at 50,000 Avios plus 100 British Pounds.

Pay with Avios and cash

If you can’t pay for a British Airways economy flight totally in cash or totally in miles, you can use a combination of Avios and money. In doing so, you’ll still be able to earn Avios and Tier Points in the Executive Club program, too.

Use miles to upgrade your flight

You may be able to upgrade to a higher cabin using Avios or Avios plus cash if the price makes sense. Just be aware that the lowest airfare classes cannot be upgraded, and upgrade requests must be handled before arriving at the airport.

» Learn more: How (and why) to upgrade your British Airways flight using Avios

Book with the right credit card

As with other flights, when you use a card that provides bonus points for booking air travel, you can really maximize your value. Even if traveling in economy, you may be earning lots of bonus points. We recommend using a card with travel protections when booking a flight. 

Booking through a travel portal

On occassion, there are also bonuses for using credit card travel portals to book your flights. Here are some of the top travel portals that sometimes offer bonus points:

American Express .

Capital One .

Using a travel portal, however, is like using a travel agency. If you have issues with your travel plans, you’ll likely need to work those out with the agency that operates the travel portal. 

» Learn more: The pros and cons of online travel agencies

British Airways offers two economy products — World Traveller and Euro Traveller. Which one you use will depend on the length and type of the flight.

Both are similar to what many U.S. carriers offer on both long- and short-haul flights, which means you should expect more perks on longer flights than on shorter jaunts.

It’s also important to understand the different fare types, even within economy class, as there can be restrictions that can affect your flight plans.

(Top photo courtesy of British Airways)

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Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card

On a similar note...

Everything you need to know about British Airways’ fare classes

Editor's note: This story has been updated with new information.

Have you ever heard someone say something along the lines of, "I'm flying in J" and wondered what on earth they could mean?

Or, have you checked your flight on ExpertFlyer and been surprised by the sea of letters showing for each British Airways flight when you know there are only four actual classes the airline flies — First , Club World / Club Suite (business), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy)?

Follow The Points Guy on Facebook and Twitter , and to ensure you never miss anything, subscribe to our daily newsletter .

Why so many fare classes?

British Airways has 22 fare classes and four redemption classes. Revenue fare classes are bookable for cash whilst redemption fare classes are for Avios or mileage bookings.

Broadly speaking, the different fare classes within each cabin correlate both to the cost of the ticket as well as the flexibility of the fare offered. The lower classes usually sell first, so as a flight gets busier, the lower classes will fill up and BA will only sell higher, more expensive fare classes. Typically, the closer to your travel date, the higher the fare class — either because the plane has filled up anyway or because BA might only sell higher fare classes closer to the departure date, as it knows it can command higher prices for last-minute bookings.

BA's fare classes break down as follows:

• First: F (flexible) and A (discounted) as revenue fare classes and Z for reward redemptions;
• Club World (business class): J, C, D, R and I (with I being the cheapest) for revenue and U for reward bookings;
• World Traveller Plus (premium economy), W, E and T for revenue and P for reward bookings; and
• World Traveller (economy): Y, B, H, K, M, L, V, S, N, Q, O, G and P for revenue and X for reward bookings.

It's worth noting that based on which fare class you're booked in, the number of Avios you'll get in return will vary.

The table above shows the breakdown of Avios and Tier Points for BA's different fare classes. For example with the lowest economy classes (G, O and Q) you'll earn 25% of the miles flown and 25% of the Tier Points. A mid-range fare, such as this example roundtrip itinerary from Newark (EWR) to London (LHR), will earn you half of the miles flown. In this case, since it's an L class Basic Economy, you would earn 3,458 Avios.

If I book the same flight but choose a Premium Economy seat (a T class fare), I would earn 100% of the miles flown in Avios, which in this case would be 6,916.

It's also worth noting that G class, one of the most heavily discounted BA fare classes in economy, is reserved for travel agent bookings , including BA holidays. That's why it sometimes pays to add a car or hotel to your booking — that way, you might be able to book into G even if booking the flight on its own would only let you book into a higher fare class.

What the numbers mean

In the example above, the sea of 9s doesn't mean that there are only nine seats available in each class. Nine is the highest number that can be displayed for BA (for some airlines it's seven), and the fare classes are all related. For example, if you book nine seats in O class, it's highly likely that there won't be nine available in Q and that number goes down. That's why you might see BA offer four seats for sale on a flight when there's actually only one left .

Looking at a week-long trip to New York in February next year, a return ticket in Y, which is a fully flexible economy class, costs £2,291. The same ticket can be had for £301 if choosing the cheapest option, O class. The latter does not allow any bags or seat selection, and nor does it allow any changes, whilst the former is fully flexible, as the passenger can change the time, date and receive a full refund if it needs to be cancelled.

Despite the £2,000 price difference between the two tickets, the seat and food for those two tickets would be exactly the same. Of course, there are good and bad seats in each — our guides help you pick the best seats in any BA cabin .

The crazy thing about the fully flexible example economy price is that discounted premium economy can be had for £587, and even discounted business class can be had for £1,333 — a saving of £700 from that fully flexible economy seat. Now, that's a sale price (and a decent one from London ) and has no flexibility. In other words, you couldn't change dates nor get a refund.

Bottom line

Understanding fare classes and how you can use them in conjunction with ExpertFlyer can help you find cheaper flights. If the particular flight or day you are looking for doesn't have the price you were expecting or hoping for, it's worth having a browse on ExpertFlyer to find a date that has lower fare classes available. In addition to also helping you understand what you'll earn on the flight, you'll be able to impress your AvGeek friends at the next dinner party.

• British Airways >
• Planes & Seat Maps >
• Airbus A319 (319) European

British Airways Seat Maps

• Airbus A318 (318)
• Airbus A319 (319) Domestic Layout 1
• Airbus A319 (319) Domestic Layout 2
• Airbus A319 (319) Domestic Layout 3
• Airbus A320 (320) Domestic Layout 1
• Airbus A320 (320) Domestic Layout 2
• Airbus A320 (320) European
• Airbus A321 (321) Domestic
• Airbus A321 (321) European
• Airbus A321 (321) International
• Airbus A321neo (321) Layout 1
• Airbus A321neo (321) Layout 2
• Airbus A350-1000 (351)
• Airbus A380-800 (388)
• Boeing 747-400 (744) Layout 1
• Boeing 747-400 (744) Layout 2
• Boeing 777-200 (772) Four Class
• Boeing 777-200 (772) Gatwick Three Class
• Boeing 777-200 (772) Three Class Layout 1
• Boeing 777-200 (772) Three Class Layout 2
• Boeing 777-200 (772) Three Class Layout 3
• Boeing 777-300 (773)
• Boeing 787-10 (781)
• Boeing 787-8 (788)
• Boeing 787-9 (789)
• Embraer E-170 European
• Embraer E-170 UK Domestic
• Embraer E-190 European
• Embraer E-190 UK Domestic

Seating details Seat map key

Traveler photos (10).

In-flight amenities

British Airways offers short TV programs on longer European flights.

British Airways offers a variety of complimentary food and beverages, based on the time of day and departure location. An enhanced meal service is offered to Club Europe passengers. Click  here  for more information about food offered onboard.

This British Airways Airbus A319 is primarily operated on short-haul European routes.

This A319 features a two class configuration with between 12-40 Club Europe seats and 83-125 Euro Traveller seats.

The Club Europe seats are standard Euro Traveller seats with the middle seat blocked off. This plane has a movable divider between the Club Europe and Euro Traveller sections, so many configurations are possible.

Featured user comments

Read user reviews for British Airways Airbus A319 (319) European

See all featured user comments

Seat map key

• Be Aware - See comments
• Mixed Review
• Standard seat
• Blocked seat
• Premium seat
• Emergency exit

British Airways flies 4 versions of Airbus A319.

Please choose the correct version from the list:

SeatGuru was created to help travelers choose the best seats and in-flight amenities.

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British Airways Boarding Groups & Process — Everything You Need To Know

Jeff Brownson

Former Content Contributor

24 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 40 U.S. States Visited:

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

32 Published Articles 3123 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

British Airways Boarding Groups

Pre-boarding, priority group 1, priority group 2, priority group 3, groups 4 through 9, hand baggage only fares, how to build up your british airways avios balance, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

With primary operations based at both Heathrow and Gatwick airports, British Airways has a massive presence in both the trans-Atlantic and European airline markets.

In addition, it flies long-haul flights from these London hubs to multiple cities in pretty much every region of the world .

Even if you don’t live in England, chances are you’ll find yourself on a British Airways flight at some point. BA often has plenty of award availability if you are trying to get to Europe with miles, and it is an excellent choice for hopping around to other countries once there.

If you fly with British Airways, it makes sense for you to learn a bit about how it boards its planes. It’s always nice to know how the process works ahead of time instead of trying to figure things out once you get to the boarding gate!

To make things easier on you when it comes time for your next British Airways flight, let’s go through all of the details of how its boarding process works . That way, you can be sure you are ready to go.

British Airways does things a little differently than most airlines when it comes to boarding.

Yes, it has pre-boarding for certain passengers, and then it uses 9 numbered boarding groups . That may sound somewhat familiar.

What it does differently is change which passengers are eligible to board with each of the numbered groups, depending on whether you’re boarding a short-haul or a long-haul flight .

British Airways doesn’t have a first class or premium economy cabins on its shorter flights. As a result, those passenger categories are not in the short-haul boarding groups.

Since business class passengers are the top-tier passengers on the short-hauls, it moves them up to Group 1 for boarding those flights.

Other than that, the 2 boarding procedures are pretty much the same no matter where you are flying.

You may notice that with both types of flights, economy class passengers do not board until the last 2 groups.

Since this is by far the largest section of the plane, you should expect long lines when it comes time to board groups after Group 4.

BA Short-haul Flights

• Families with infants under 2 or young children in strollers
• Customers requiring disability or mobility assistance
• Business (Club Europe) class passengers
• Executive Club Gold members
• Oneworld Emerald members
• Executive Club Silver members
• Oneworld Sapphire members
• Executive Club Bronze members
• Oneworld Ruby members
• Economy (Euro Traveller) passengers

BA Long-haul Flights

• First class passengers
• Business (Club World) class passengers
• Premium economy (World Traveller Plus) passengers
• Economy (World Traveller) class passengers

Boarding Notes

Passengers traveling together on British Airways may be assigned to different boarding groups, but they have the option of seeing the gate agent to board together.

British Airways does not explicitly say in its official procedures which group you will end up boarding with, so it’s likely up to the discretion of the gate agents.

Families traveling with young children are asked to get to the gate 50 minutes before the flight so that British Airways has plenty of time to board them and stow any strollers or car seats in the cargo hold.

Passengers with disabilities or those who need extra assistance with boarding are asked to contact British Airways at least 48 hours before their flight so that the proper preparations can be made.

Hand Baggage Only fares on British Airways are most often the least expensive option and, as such, have fewer benefits for passengers.

Although you do not get a checked bag with these fares, you can still bring a full-size carry-on and a personal item on board with you.

If you want to select your own seat location with these fares, you will have to pay an additional fee. Otherwise, British Airways will assign a seat to you before your flight.

Families traveling on Hand Baggage Only fares will be assigned seats together if possible, though they may be in different rows or across aisles. Children under 12 will be seated with a parent .

Hot Tip: Read our article on British Airways’ baggage fees for more information and how to actually cover those expenses!

British Airways initially launched Hand Baggage Only fares on just its short-haul flights. Since that went well, it has now started selling the fares on its long-haul flights as well.

Since these 2 boarding procedures mirror each other in most aspects, we can expect that those lower Hand Baggage Only fares will be in the last boarding group on the long-hauls just like they are with the short-haul flights.

This may be a problem on long-haul flights because passengers who purchase these fares are traveling without a checked bag and will likely need to place a larger carry-on bag in the overhead bin.

As the last passengers to board, there may be limited overhead bin space left , and some Hand Baggage Only passengers might have to gate-check their bags.

Interestingly, along with saving a few dollars (or pounds), checking a bag was probably one of the things these specific passengers were trying to avoid.

The British Airways Executive Club program uses Avios as its mileage currency. Although this is the same currency used by both Iberia , Aer Lingus , and Qatar Airways , the British Airways Executive Club is a separate loyalty program from the other 3 airlines.

It has its own award charts and its own ways of earning lots and lots of Avios .

One of the easier ways to earn a massive number of Avios very quickly is by taking advantage of Chase’s co-branded British Airways Visa Signature ® Card . This card often has a sign-up bonus of up to 100,000 Avios , although the minimum spend required to get the full bonus can be pretty high.

If you haven’t earned enough Avios with your credit card, you can also transfer all 4 of the main flexible bank points to your Executive Club Account.

British Airways is an American Express transfer partner , Capital One transfer partner , Chase transfer partner , and Citi transfer partner , and all transfer quite quickly. There are often even transfer bonuses as high as 30% or 40% that you can take advantage of with one or more of these programs (make this process easy with our transfer partner calculator !).

When planning to use Avios, it’s essential to know that you will often find high fuel surcharges if you book flights on British Airways metal.

This is especially true on long-haul flights that depart out of London — and the charges get even higher for travel in premium cabins.

If you want to avoid these surcharges , some great ways to use your Avios are shorter flights on British Airways and partner airlines worldwide.

Hot Tip: Since it is a member of the Oneworld Alliance , British Airways Avios can be used to fly on many different carriers. One of the best uses of Avios for U.S.-based customers is booking short-haul American Airlines flights. Many flights that American wants 12,500 miles to book will only cost you 7,500 Avios if you book them through British Airways.

Even though the fuel surcharges for some routes can border on ridiculous when booking British Airways flights with miles, plenty of other flights can be an excellent deal.

Whether booking with Avios, with your American Airlines miles, or buying a cash ticket to Europe — you are bound to find yourself at a British Airways boarding gate at some point as you travel the world.

We hope we have helped clear up the British Airways boarding procedures with what we have presented above.

Remember that boarding can be a little different depending on the length of your flight. Just pay attention to your assigned group, and you should be ready to board without worry.

Get on board, get comfortable, and let British Airways whisk you away to the next destination on your list. Maybe you’ll even find a member of the Upgraded Points team hanging around the gate next time you’re in London !

Frequently Asked Questions

How many boarding groups are there on british airways.

British Airways uses 9 numbered groups for its boarding process. Prior to these groups, families with infants under 2 or with young children in strollers and customers requiring disability or mobility assistance are allowed to pre-board.

Are British Airways flights assigned seating?

Yes, British Airways uses assigned seating for all of its flights. In most cases, passengers can select their seats ahead of time. If premium seats are selected, payment may be required.

Who has pre-boarding on British Airways?

Families with infants under 2 or with young children in strollers and customers requiring disability or mobility assistance are allowed to pre-board on British Airways flights.

When can families board on British Airways?

Families with infants under 2 or with young children in strollers are allowed to pre-board on British Airways flights. Families are asked to be at the gate 50 minutes prior to the flight so that there is plenty of time to stow any strollers or car seats in the cargo hold.

Who is in Group 1 on British Airways?

For short-haul flights, Priority Group 1 on British Airways includes business class (Club Europe) passengers, Executive Club Gold members, and Oneworld Emerald members. For long-haul flights, Priority Group 1 includes first class passengers, Executive Club Gold members, and Oneworld Emerald members.

Who is in Group 2 on British Airways?

For short-haul flights, Priority Group 2 on British Airways includes Executive Club Silver members and Oneworld Sapphire members. For long-haul flights, Priority Group 2 includes business class (Club World) passengers, Executive Club Silver members, and Oneworld Sapphire members.

Who is in Group 3 on British Airways?

For short-haul flights, Priority Group 3 on British Airways includes Executive Club Bronze members and Oneworld Ruby members. For long-haul flights, Priority Group 3 includes premium economy (World Traveller Plus), Executive Club Bronze members, and Oneworld Ruby members.

Who is in Groups 4-9 on British Airways?

For short-haul flights, Groups 4 through 9 on British Airways includes economy (Euro Traveller) passengers. For long-haul flights, Groups 4 through 9 include economy (World Traveller) class passengers.

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About Jeff Brownson

Since discovering miles and points in 2010, Jeff has traveled to over 35 countries, flying in first class, business class, and sometimes even in coach. Whether he’s staying in a hostel dorm, or in a luxury suite at a 5 star hotel, Jeff is constantly looking for the best deal to make travel as close to free as possible.

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Review – British Airways Economy Class A320 (LHR-LCA)

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British Airways has two daily flights between London Heathrow and Larnaca in Cyprus – one that leaves at around 7:20am and the other which leaves at around 11:30am. The first flight is the one I try to avoid if I possibly can because it’s easily the worst of the two options – to catch it I have to get up way earlier than I’d ideally like to and, as if that wasn’t bad enough,  it’s operated by an Airbus A320…the workhorse of British Airways’ short-haul fleet and a lot less comfortable than the 767 which operates the later flight.

Still, despite my dislike of the earlier flight, circumstances conspired to ensure that this was the flight I was going to have to catch – I needed to be in Cyprus before the stores closed and the later flight was around 50% more expensive….I just had to suck it up (#firstworldproblems).

British Airways Economy Class – Airbus A320

I’ve been on a lot of British Airways A320 flights in the past and I’ve reviewed them a few times too ( here and here for example) but I’ve never been on a 4.5+ hour flight on a British Airways A320 before…and I wasn’t really looking forward to it.

The British Airways A320’s Economy Class (Euro Traveller) Cabin is set out in a 3-3 layout…..

…and is fitted with the slimline seats we’re seeing on more and more aircraft nowadays:

For short-hop flights I don’t mind these seats too much but they’re definitely not a seat I’d readily choose for longer flights – they’re simply too hard.

I’d been lucky enough to get an exit row seat (although it took an ExpertFlyer alert to help me grab it – none were available when I booked) so at least I had more leg room that just about everyone else in the aircraft…including the passengers in Business Class:

Despite my 6ft frame and long legs I had a decent amount of room between my knees and the seat in front of me (even with a newspaper and a Macbook Air in the seat-back pocket)….

…but it still didn’t compare to the amount of room I would have had in an exit row seat on the later flight:

There was a good amount of storage around the seat (for an Economy Class cabin) with a seat-back pocket and another magazine/newspaper holder (which could easily hold and iPad or other similarly sized portable device):

British Airways Short-Haul Economy Class Food

This was my first flight on British Airways since the announcement that hot meals are no longer going to be served on the longest short-haul flights that the airline operates (of which this was one) so I was interested to see what would be provided.

The first thing I noticed was that we weren’t offered a snack before the food was served. This may have been due to the early nature of the flight but, on the later departure to Larnaca, British Airways have traditionally offered a small pack of mixed nuts, crackers and sesame noodles:

Still, I can’t really say that I found this to be an issue as I was never really a fan of the mixed nut bag anyway.

Around an hour into the flight the new food offering reached the exit row seats and I got my first look at what British Airways now serves on it’s longest short-haul flights in Economy Class:

Unless you had pre-ordered a special meal there was no choice…it was and egg and bacon sandwich or nothing.

I was (and still am) a big critic of the decision to remove hot meals from the longest short-haul flights (I see it as yet another chepening of the BA brand) but, to be fair to the airline, that’s a reasonable quality yoghurt that was provided (organic) and the sandwich wasn’t bad at all.

Having not flown this route at this time of day for over 20 years I don’t really have much to compare the meal too (I don’t know what the hot breakfast option used to be) but, as I don’t have the greatest of appetites in the morning and as I’d had a bit to eat in the  British Airways Galleries Club Lounge before I boarded, the sandwich was good enough for me.

Having said that, I knew roughly what to expect (food-wise) on this flight but anyone who hadn’t eaten before boarding (expecting more than this sandwich on the flight) would probably have been pretty hungry by the time we landed.

I’ve been getting luckier with my British Airways crews of late and this was another crew that smiled and interacted with passengers in a nice, polite way.

It’s often claimed that a big reason why a lot of American Airlines flight attendants are surly is their older age but, as if I didn’t know it already, this crew proved that to be nonsense.

On this flight we had a number of flight attendants who were clearly at the more senior age levels but who had absolutely no trouble being cordial and polite to passengers and who didn’t act as if every request from a passenger was interrupting their magazine reading time.

Age has nothing to do with poor or bad service….bad service comes from bad flight attendants, period.

Bottom Line

I don’t like the seats in the British Airways A320 and I much prefer the exit rows on the 767s that operate on the Heathrow – Larnaca route so I shall continue to do everything possible to avoid the early flight in the future.

For short flights from London to Paris, Copenhagen, Milan etc… the A320 seats are ok and bearable….but they’re definitely not comfortable enough for flights any longer than that. By the time we disembarked at Larnaca I was definitely ready to get off the aircraft, stretch my legs and get some feeling back into my posterior…and that’s not something I’ve noticed in all the times I’ve flown on the 767.

The food was fine in quality and taste (for airline food) but it certainly wouldn’t be enough for anyone who’s come from home without breakfast and walked straight on to the aircraft – eat before you arrive or make the most of whatever lounge access you have would be my advice.

Overall the flight was perfectly ok if a bit uncomfortable. My biggest gripe with the whole experience was one that I seem to have with British Airways on just about every occasion I fly with them – the airlines’ gate agents have no idea how to board an aircraft. Once again Business Class passengers and every British Airways and OneWorld status holding passenger were called to board at once and, once again, it was like a cattle stampede.

What British Airways clearly cannot communicate to its gate agents is this: If everyone has “priority” then no one has priority….and that’s not exactly a hard concept to grasp is it?

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When BA Euro Traveller with add-ons outshines Club Europe

By fintan horan-stear →.

When these fares cost hundreds of pounds more than travelling in economy class, and airlines are offering premium add-ons in the cheap seats, does Eurobiz really make sense?

On a recent trip from Lyon to London Heathrow with British Airways, I tried to create a premium experience in Euro Traveller economy, and found that it had a lot of benefits.

I arrived at Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport with plenty of time to spare before my flight. As I was not travelling with any luggage, I breezed through security.

The airport is pretty rudimentary, with a small shopping mall and a food court located in the centre. I ventured to Starbucks for an iced coffee and cookie; it was vastly better than the questionable snacks I was offered in the Lyon business class lounge — the Salon Mont Blanc — which British Airways Club Europe (business class) passengers can use.

Having access to basic but functional offerings is no bad thing at an airport. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

Satiated, I made my way to the gate. Boarding was slow but I had resigned myself to the wait as I was in the last boarding group. Sure enough, about 45 minutes later, myself and the remaining passengers were herded aboard. 

I have always been a fan of the short-haul interiors on BA’s Airbus A320s, with the sculpted blue leather seats adding a splash of luxury. The seats are the same for both Club Europe and Euro Traveller, although the middle seat is blocked in the former. 

I pre-booked an exit row seat for the flight, and managed to nab a window seat to boot. Located in the middle of the cabin, this seat provided much more legroom than the seats up front. And despite having a passenger next to me, I felt as if I had a lot more living space to relax.

The cabin felt very spacious, despite the proximity of the other passengers. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

Shortly after takeoff the trolley service began.

British Airways does not offer a complimentary meal or bar service in Euro Traveller, but it does provide a bottle of water and a packet of crisps for all passengers.

Other items can be purchased on board, in a sort of hybrid model between a full-service carrier and a low-cost operator like easyJet.

I had pre-ordered a half bottle of Drappier Champagne from BA’s online store (£17), and this was presented to me after the snack service was completed.

Though I was slightly concerned that the Champagne would be served warm with a plastic cup, it arrived in a perfectly chilled condition. The flight attendant even provided me with a proper glass from Club Europe so that I could enjoy it as intended.

I spent the next hour in blissful contentment with legs stretched out as I sipped my bubbles and watched the sun set over central France. 

Watching the sunset over the Alps was a joy. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

As we descended into London Heathrow, I couldn’t help but feel as if I had worked out a life hack. Yes, the add-ons for my flight totalled around £80, but this was much less expensive than the cost of a Club Europe ticket.

Not only that, but the additional legroom, even on a short flight, really made a difference to the comfort level of this tall human.

The additional legroom made a world of difference on this flight. Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

In addition to feeling more comfortable, I was able to refine my travel experience to suit me, availing of a warm snack from a variety of options in the terminal, rather than relying on stale snacks in the lounge or the inevitably cold light bite that BA serves on short Club Europe flights.

As a regular traveller on this route, it certainly makes me question spending a significant premium travelling Club Europe over what was in many ways a more luxurious experience in a customised Euro Traveller cabin.

Having my pre-ordered drinks served with flair created a premium experience.  Image: Fintan Horan-Stear

Related Articles:

• Air France domestic business poses sub-2h30 flight ban questions
• Geven Essenza sparkles as Austrian A320 Eurobusiness
• Celebrating cabin consistency on a very old A321-100 and early A320neo
• A tale of two halves: British Airways Eurobiz in COVID times

Featured image credited to Fintan Horan-Stear

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About Fintan Horan-Stear

Contributing Writer Fintan is a London-based aviation and transport ‘enthusiastic amateur’, writing about trends and developments in the industry with a specific focus on passenger experience and “soft product” elements. His interest in aviation was sparked by the golden age of Pan American and the jet age, and still feels the thrill of adventure on... Read More

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BA Euroflyer offers new onboard menus and buy-on-board options

British Airways’ Gatwick-based short-haul subsidiary, BA Euroflyer, has expanded the options available for customers to purchase in Euro Traveller (economy) and launched new seasonal menus in Club Europe (business class).

The airline, working with its retail partner Tourvest, has expanded its onboard offering by introducing new options for customers to purchase during the flight. Customers were previously only able to pre-order fresh food, or purchase ambient snacks during their journey. New options for customers include fresh Tom Kerridge Chicken Coronation sandwiches and Sweet & Spicy Falafel wraps, which can be bought on board without pre-ordering. Customers can pair this with Jimmy’s Iced Coffee or Punchy soft drinks. The full Speedbird Café menu can be viewed here.

Customers travelling in Club Europe can enjoy complimentary drinks and a full meal service as part of their ticket. Seasonal dishes on the airline’s lunch or dinner menu this month include lemon pepper roasted chicken salad, wild mushroom risotto or a chickpea and curried coconut salad. Customers travelling first thing in the morning can enjoy a traditional English breakfast, cheese omelette or a charcuterie board. The airline also offers afternoon tea, with a wide range of finger sandwiches and sweet treats for customers to enjoy.

Tom Stoddart, Chief Executive Officer of BA Euroflyer and Cityflyer, said: “We know that some customers want to order items in the moment, so we are delighted to give Euro Traveller customers the option to not only to pre-purchase, but to also order fresh food during the flight. For those travelling in Club Europe, we have a number of delicious complimentary dishes and drinks for them to select from. We want to set ourselves apart from other carriers at Gatwick. We are the only airline to offer a business class product on every flight and a loyalty programme, coupled with our competitive fares, we have something to suit all holidaymakers.”

British Airways’ customers travelling on some of the airline’s longer short-haul flights from Heathrow, in addition to the current retail offering, will also soon be able to purchase fresh produce during their flight, in addition to the current pre-purchase fresh food option that is available. The airline plans to start rolling this out across the short-haul network on flights over three hours from the end of April, with other selected routes to follow in the coming months.

Elsewhere, BA Euroflyer recently added Egyptian holiday hotspot, Sharm El Sheikh, to its growing network. The service will operate three times per week from 3 November throughout the winter season, with a fourth service on Saturdays until 15 December 2023. The inaugural to Sharm El Sheikh will be British Airways’ first Avios-Only flight, with 100 per cent of seats available to Executive Club Members. The airline is also set to add a brand new service to Montpellier in France from 27 May operating three times weekly.

About BA Euroflyer

Based at London Gatwick Airport, BA Euroflyer is a wholly owned subsidiary of British Airways. Across summer and winter schedules, it offers nearly 40 short-haul destinations to popular leisure destinations.

BA Euroflyer customers receive the familiar British Airways product and service, including enjoying benefits such as a generous baggage allowance, free water and snacks, a business class cabin option and frequent flyer benefits such as lounge access.

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Simple Flying

How to upgrade to british airways business class for your next flight.

There are several ways to get good value upgrades with British Airways.

• Upgrading to a higher cabin on British Airways is possible through payment or using Avios, and usually provides better value than standard ticket prices.
• Avios can be used to upgrade from Euro Traveller to Club Europe on short-haul flights and from World Traveller Plus to Club World on long-haul flights.
• Frequent travelers can receive free upgrade vouchers through the British Airways Executive Club or the American Airlines AAdvantage program.

It is always better to travel in a higher cabin. Business class, known as Club Europe and Club World with British Airways, offers a much more comfortable flight with better service. On all widebody aircraft, you will get a fully flat bed – and new Club Suites on some routes.

While paying for a business class ticket is the obvious method, there are several ways to upgrade from lower cabins with British Airways. These can be excellent value compared to standard cash ticket prices.

Paying for cabin upgrades

Aside from paying standard prices for Club Europe or Club World at the time of initial booking, there are often better offers after booking. There is no guarantee of this being an option, and no published or fixed rates for payment, but upgrades are often offered by British Airways . These days, this is normally promoted online (and by email) in advance of the flight.

The availability and pricing will depend on both the original ticket purchased and the cabin loading. It will, as you would expect, usually be cheaper than initial ticket prices. For upgrades to short-haul Club World, offers are often less than £100. Into Club World offers will be much higher, but are often very attractive.

Since the switch to revenue-based Avios earning in the British Airways Executive Club , the treatment of upgrades has become simpler. All upgrades will now earn Avios for the additional cash paid.

Trip Report: British Airways Boeing 787-9 London Heathrow To Hong Kong In Club World

Upgrading cabins with avios.

Using Avios is a popular way to upgrade tickets. Paid tickets with British Airways can be upgraded by one cabin – so on short-haul flights from Euro Traveller to Club Europe, and on long-haul flights from World Traveller Plus to Club World. You cannot use Avios on long-haul flights to upgrade straight from World Traveller (economy class) to Club World.

The pricing for this is generally very good. It is based on the standard prices for buying Avios tickets. Availability, of course, is not guaranteed and is based on standard Avios availability for flights (this can easily be checked online through Executive Club - the standard Avios search functionality is pictured below).

For example, to upgrade from World Traveller Plus to Club World on a flight to New York would cost from (based on off-peak dates) 37,500 Avios. For a flight to Hong Kong, this would cost from 50,000 Avios.

The key here for upgrades to long-haul Club World is that you must have a paid World Traveller Plus ticket. The good news is that all such tickets can be upgraded (all booking classes for World Traveller Plus are eligible for upgrade - there are only exclusions for the lowest World Traveller booking codes). British Airways often offers very good pricing for World Traveller Plus, especially during sales and promotions. Combining such a reduced fare with Avios upgrade availability can represent excellent value. Staying flexible with dates (and even routes) will greatly help your chance of finding such offers.

Read more about using Avios (for upgrades and other uses) in our guide

British Airways Executive Club also allows you to use Avios to upgrade one cabin level on Iberia and American Airlines flights (but the ticket must be issued by British Airways (with 125 number ticket stock). With all upgrades, Avios are awarded for an upgraded flight based on the original fare purchased. The ticket terms and conditions are also the same as for the original fare.

Using Executive Club Gold Upgrade Vouchers

Like all loyalty programs, British Airways Executive Club offers benefits for frequent travelers. Elite status is awarded based on the amount of Tier Points earned each year.

The Different Tiers Of British Airways Executive Club

Even at the higher level of Gold (earned at 1,500 Tier Points), there are no automatic or free upgrades offered (this contrasts with US-based programs, which typically offer this to some extent). However, continued Tier Points earning brings upgrades as follows:

• At 2,500 Tier Points, you are given a voucher for two people to upgrade by one cabin. This is for a return flight, with multiple sectors and other operators possible.
• At 3,500 Tier Points, you receive two upgrade vouchers for one person.

Upgrades through the American Airlines AAdvantage program

US-based programs have long had very generous upgrade offers as incentives for loyalty. Higher levels tend to offer unlimited complimentary upgrades on domestic flights, and upgrade vouchers for long-haul flights.

American Airlines, as a one world alliance member, offers cross-alliance benefits through its AAdvantage program that also apply on British Airways.

This extends to its systemwide upgrade benefits, which can be used to upgrade one cabin (out of certain booking classes only). Two of these upgrades are earned at 175,000 Loyalty Points (lower than the requirement for AAdvantage Executive Platinum, equivalent to Executive Club Gold), with more awarded for continued earning.

Read more about AAdvantage elite status, Loyalty Points, and upgrades in our guide

Would you like to discuss more about the British Airways Club World cabin and pricing and upgrade methods? Have you upgraded into the cabin recently? Feel free to discuss in the comments section.

British Airways

British airways executive club.