Business Class Super Squeeze On BA

Be warned, Business Class on British Airway’s European and domestic A320s is anything but and impossible to sit in properly if you are 6 foot 3 inches (193cm) tall like me.

My flight in seat 3F from London Heathrow to Glasgow on an A320 (registration G-EUUZ) was thankfully only short, so I only had to endure the seat pitch of 30 inches for 55 minutes.**

All seats – Business and Economy – have the same seat pitch of 30 inches with the only difference being that Business Class has a tray table arrangement in the middle seat. So that means you can – as I had to – swing your legs around to gain a little more room.

Positioned correctly my legs were hard up against the seat in front. Luckily the lady in front did not recline her seat.

On reflection, it would have been far better to opt for Economy Class and pay £21 (AUD 41) for an exit row seat in rows 11 and 12.

Whilst flights vary in price on this route, generally speaking, it is £60- £80 ($120-$160 AUD) cheaper to fly economy in an exit row seat versus flying in Business Class. Of course, in Business Class you are wined and dined and able to check in two bags but if space is what you are after… take our advice and go for an Economy Exit Row seat.

I am not alone in my disappointment as these comments from the seating website SeatGuru attest.

“These seats are unbearably tight throughout the aircraft. Much narrower and closer than their US counterparts. My 4-hour flight was pretty gruelling,” writes one user.

“Supposed to be "business class", but that just means they block the middle seat. No legroom, no IFE, no comfort. Oh, and if you are at the back of the "business class" they will have run out of the best food by the time the service reaches you. Don't fly BA,” pens another.

“How ridiculous to call this Business. 30" and I cannot get my legs in straight. I have to sit across 2 seats, so I have a bad back when I get to Larnaca in 4+ hours. I would describe the seats as not fit for purpose!” writes another.

Some also suggest that the seat pitch further back in the British Airways A320s is even tighter.

On the upside the airline did offer three breakfast options for the short flight and the omelette was good.

It should be noted that British Airways Business Class offering for long haul flights on its A380s, A350s, 777s and 787s is vastly different with lie-flat beds.

British Airways was amongst the first to introduce lie-flat beds as well as Premium Economy.

** Website Seat Guru lists three seating versions of the British Airways A320 with seat pitch varying from 30 inches to 34 inches.