Here’s my review of Club World Cabin food and drink on a British Airways day flight from London to Los Angeles.
British Airways Club World Cabin
Is it just me? Or, are the meals coming out of British Airways Terminal 5 in London better than those on any return leg. Am I biased, or have they finally nailed the catering at Heathrow Airport? For a long-haul flight, I’ll always save the cash to enjoy the benefits of the Club World (Business) Cabin. I personally don’t think First Class is worth the extra money, you get treated like Royalty in Club World, and I know because I’ve experienced both on more than one occasion.
Check Your Seats with SeatGuru
Before you book your seats, always check out specific seating options on SeatGuru. You’ll need your flight date and airline details, whether you fly with British Airways or not. A community of flyers add specific details to the site through message boards, and plane configuration helps to let you know if you’ll be near a galley, near a potentially banging door or a bulkhead.
Back to our flight on a BA 747-400 with upstairs seats, in the bubble. I didn’t get a chance to check these out because they were all booked, but there are plenty of comments on SG.
Our seats on the outbound were very comfortable and my birthday trip began with a glass of champagne before I’d managed to sit down and a chance to catch up with Ronan and his new wife.
Club World Cabin Review: Champagne
After take off, out came the full bar and my favourite rose Champagne. The Champagne de Castelnau Brut Rose is an award-winner with a beautiful salmon pink colour. It’s super dry and smells of red fruits. Two glasses of this and I was ready for food. Feet up. Movie on, even Scarlett approved.
A morning flight means lunch is served just before noon. We’d taken advantage of the Lounge, but I didn’t have more than a cup of coffee and browsed through the papers, so it was welcome.
Club World Cabin Review: Menu
With all Club World flights, passengers are given a menu with a full explanation of what’s on offer for the entire trip. You’re asked what you want for your main course, and there’s usually a selection of four.
The starter was superb. A sweet pea pannacotta is of restaurant quality, richly sweet and light, but sadly there is only one plate of it.
I pick the slow-braised Herefordshire beef cheek with a cheese-laden gratin and baby shallots and gingered carrots. I promise it wasn’t the three glasses of champagne talking. This is one of the best airline meals I’ve eaten. Period.
The dessert isn’t too shabby either I choose the oven-baked vanilla custard on a sweet pastry with cherry jelly. Superb. Often these desserts are gelatin-laden, and this has just the right amount of ‘wobble’.
I swerved the coffee and chocolates and settled down to a film. My window seat meant that I did have to climb over the passenger’s feet to my right as he decided to have a snooze. It’s a bit of a party trick to try and not bash the extended footrest if you need to use the facilities or fancy a walk around the cabin.
Club World Cabin Review: Afternoon Tea
Next thing I remember the Twinings Tea Room had opened and it was time for Afternoon Tea.
Antipasti, while an option, is not afternoon tea, so I chose the sandwiches. Red Leicester and pickle, truffled chicken and coleslaw and the ubiquitous smoked salmon.
Warmed buttermilk plain and fruit scones came with Rodda’s clotted cream (THE best) and Tiptree Strawberry jam.
I didn’t manage the macaron, Madeira cake or eclair.
The return food I’m afraid isn’t worth the time it takes to write and post. Needless to say, the outbound journey entirely made up for it.
What’s your experience of airline food?
We can’t all afford Club World but if you want the food experience, try this.
