British Airways Club Suites – London to Los Angeles in Business Class (BA281)

We’ve visited the USA lots of times, and a favourite state is always California on the West Coast, which we have visited multiple times too. The main focus of this trip was to Palm Springs, for Modernism Week and indeed the 20th anniversary (but our third time to Modernism Week). This will also be our fifth trip to Palm Springs, a real favourite destination for us both, and if we ever talk about where we might live (if not in Scotland), we both always say that Palm Springs could be that alternative destination.

Once the Palm Springs timing was set, and all of our activities booked for Modernism Week, our attention turned to accommodations and how to get there. British Airways EDI - LHR - LAX was our obvious choice, and we’re staying first in LA (overnight at the Hotel Bel-Air) before flying to Palm Springs with a new Aero.com ‘private jet’ experience from LA’s Van Nuys regional airport to Thermal airport Greater Palm Springs. Whenever I see anything new to experience in aviation, and especially when it combines my love of travel with flying and Palm Springs, I knew this service was a must book. You can read all about it in an upcoming flight review, and please do check out my whole itinerary here too.

As well as Hotel Bel-Air (a Dorchester Collection property), in Pam Springs itself we are staying at two locations - one downtown at Korakia Pensione (an Auric Road property) followed by somewhere I’ve wanted to visit for a while, the slightly less-downtown The Parker Palm Springs (a Leading Hotels of the World property). After our Palm Springs two-centre stay, I’ve then booked a homestay property in the Joshua Tree National Park - Marmol Radziner’s Modernist Cabin.

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Index

1. Booking & Check-In Process

2. Airport & Lounge Experience

3. Boarding Experience

4. Cabin Ambiance & Seating

5. In-Flight Service & Dining

6. Entertainment & Connectivity

7. Comfort & Amenities

8. Arrival & Post-Flight Experience

9. Overall Experience & Final Verdict

Fast Facts about British Airways

Website - https://www.britishairways.com/

Skytrax ranking - 4 Star

Instagram - @british_airways @oneworld

Flight - LHR - LAX BA28

Scheduled time - 11 hrs 20 mins

Actual time - 10 hrs 26 mins

Distance - 9,034 km (5,613 miles)

Aircraft - Boeing 777-336ER (Call Sign G-STBK) 10 years old

Flew - February 2025

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A Detailed Look at British Airways Club Suites - From Booking to Arrival

1. Booking & Check-In Process:

Knowing that we wanted to visit Palm Springs again for the 20th anniversary of Modernism Week, flying with British Airways was a good choice to get us there. Booking online was extremely easy, as we were able to select seats 5E and 5K in the front row of the first Club World cabin, thankfully now Club Suites rather than the unbelievably outdated older Club World with the backwards and facing 2-4-2 configuration..

Checking in the day before, we were able to get our boarding pass for the domestic Edinburgh to London flight only, with the onward flight requiring either an ESTA or a Visa, this had to be checked at the airport before getting access to our onward flight.

Edinburgh airport was quiet so there was no queue at check-in, and our bags were soon processed and checked right through to LAX.

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2. Airport & Lounge Experience:

Using the lounge first at Edinburgh airport, this was a good experience as it wasn’t too busy and there was a decent selection of food and drinks, as always. We didn’t have too long to wait for our flight, which departed early from Gate 10, just a few minutes from the lounge itself.

Landing in London’s Heathrow from a domestic flight meant we could bypass security, and within minutes of landing we were in the British Airways Concorde Lounge for breakfast. We’ve always sat in the inside dining area (with the individual / couples booths) and we did again this time, but I hadn’t realised from previous visits (which have always been quite quick) there is also another seated dining area out on the terrace too.

I had my usual perfect breakfast (California Toast) of crushed avocado on sourdough toast, with chilli, a poached egg, and roasted tomato. Coupled with a Bucks Fizz and some green tea, this was a treat to start the day. After breakfast, although we only had about 40 minutes to wait until departing for our flight, we went to sit on the ‘outside’ terrace which although slightly chilled, was nice and relaxing. There was a full food menu available, as well as drinks, plus a central 'help yourself’ ‘picnic table style with biscuits and cheese, with a full wine selection too.

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3. Boarding Experience:

As is often the case with BA, another hugely disappointing experience. Despite going from the main A terminal at Heathrow’s T5, the gate was number 10 which means it’s on the apron level and is actually split into five separate gates (10a through 10e) which is bus access to the plane.

Despite turning up at the boarding time, we had already missed Group 0, 1, and 2 boarding announcements so we got caught up in the melee of ‘priority’/general boarding, and just missed one bus which meant we had to wait for a second bus. Once on this, it felt like we were being transferred to Gatwick (the journey) took so long, and once at the plane we had to wait quite a while before the first bus was emptied.

Eventually though, we were allowed off the bus and had to navigate our hand luggage up the external staircase. Pleasant meeting on the aircraft, and we were directed left to our front row seats.

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4. Cabin Ambiance & Seating:

Although the aircraft was 10 years old, the Club Suites clearly weren’t and the cabin we were in had just three rows (5-7) in a 1-2-1 configuration. By choice, we tend to opt for window suites, but with none having been available adjacent, we opted for the two middle suites. Because they slant inwards from the aisle, and there is only quite a small moveable section between the suites to ‘open’ them up (nothing like Qatar Qsuite), there actually isn’t much benefit I would say of sitting side by side, and of course you don’t get a window view, which I love.

The Club suite space though is decent, and enough storage space in the centre area with two pop up lid spaces, as well as a small vanity recess at the back, where there was already a bottle of mineral water and the (rather mini too) The White Company London amenity kit.

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5. In-Flight Service & Dining:

I must say in flight service was excellent, we were offered a drink once seated (champagne or orange juice), with my meal service order being taken before take-off and ‘Mrs’ TPT’s as soon as we had taken off. One airborne, the In Flight Lead (IFL) Paul came to introduce himself to both of us, a nice touch.

For food, the ‘It’s Time to Dine’ offering was a three-course lunch, with another ‘Refuel Before You Head Off’ three-course meal before landing. For lunch, I opted for Italian Burrata (roasted pepper caponata, figs, truffle honey) followed by Fresh Tagliarini (mozzarella, fried basil, smoked aubergine, roasted cherry tomato sauce), with a Crispy Chocolate and Praline Bar for dessert. There was a good selection of cheeses too, and warm artisan bread accompanied with butter. This was served around two hours into the flight.

The second meal service (offered only about 90 minutes before landing) was far more disappointing for a vegetarian, especially one who can’t abide tofu. There were two starter choices (Roast British Beef and Grilled Artichoke or Grilled Mediterranean Vegetables) and three mains (Rosemary Roasted British Chicken, Seared Scottish Salmon, or Thai Red Tofu Curry). Desert this time was a Vanilla & Passion Fruit Panna Cotta.

Throughout the flight there was an excellent choice of drinks, with everything from cocktails, mocktails, spirits, liqueurs and beers; to soft drinks, juices, teas, coffees, and hot chocolate. I’m a big gin fan, so I started off with a Gin Zing cocktail, then paired back to the classic Tanqueray & Tonic. Aviation Expedition Strength gin was also available on board, another favourite.

The food was well presented and of decent quality, with good portions too. I was served by the IFL and he was always checking on drinks, topping up the water glass etc. Really good service overall.

There were two ‘Raid the Larder’ areas, if they’re still called that behind the galley, one on either side. As always it seems, they look a bit unloved with some random bottles of water in the chiller area with one wine bottle, a basket of chocolates and biscuits, then some random cans and juices too.

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6. Entertainment & Connectivity:

Wi-Fi was available shortly after take-off, with a free messaging only option available to all Executive Club members (and free Wi-Fi for anyone in First, once device). In Club, I opted for the Browse & Stream whole Flight Pass at £19.99.  Other Wi-Fi options were an hour for £4.99 and four hours for £11.99.

Speed was decent, and connectivity held up for most of the flight albeit there was area when travelling over Greenland when there was minimal service, but extensive turbulence too and the seatbelt signs were on for over an hour. 

The fixed TV screen was a decent size, and also a decent selection of movies, TV, audio, and games. Films weren’t the ultimate latest, and I started with Smile 2 (which I wouldn’t recommend). With travelling in February, there was a whole Love Is In The Air selection, as well as an Anti-Valentine’s selection too! My second movie was Lee (about the Vogue photographer Lee Miller, played by Kate Winslet) and this was much better than Smile. The Map feature was one of the best; I can find these almost hypnotic as I love watching the distance we’re travelling when on a long flight like this, or just looking at other destinations in the world we have either been to, or want to fly to.

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7. Comfort & Amenities:

There was the small The White Company amenity kit, in faux white leather containing a pair of marl grey socks and eyeshade, small toothbrush and paste, earplugs, and a mini luxury lip balm, moisturiser, and pulse point lavender, clary sage, & peppermint roll on  - all ‘Time to Spa’ made by the White Company.

There were four toilets in between the two Club World cabins, behind the central galley. They were maintained to an ok standard to begin with (and spacious enough especially on was disabled access) but mid-flight all the sinks seemed to get blocked, and didn’t look like any maintenance had occurred. Actually, on the domestic flight to London (an Airbus A320 which was 22 years old) there was no water in the WC.

Although there was no sleep suit (BA now only gives these in First), there was the usual bedding set with the mattress cover (which is only very marginally padded) and a decent sized blanket. With it being a daytime flight, I didn't have anything with me to change into, nor did I make up the bed (nor was it offered). The seat go to lie flat, and simple to control with only the three fixed buttons (lie flat, mid-recline, and take-off upright positions) but on the touchscreen are other options being able to move the back and footrest independently and also controlling the lighting levels of the mini-LED at shoulder height.

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8. Overall Experience & Final Verdict:

Before landing, I don’t think there was any check in our area of the cabin - I was left with a glass and once we’ve touched down the door of my suite crashed closed too, as did a few others. As we were leaving, I noticed there were a lot of dishes and other glasses left in some of the suites, surely a safety concern.

On landing in LA, with both of us having Global Entry we were through immigration within seconds after a quick scan at one of the machines, then we just walked through. When we first joined Global Entry a number of years ago, while still a huge advantage at the entry machines you would have to scan your passport, check fingerprints and answer questions, then get a printed slip to take to an agent to allow exit. Over the years, we’ve noticed less and less interaction and more automation. This was the first time though we didn’t even have to use our passports or check prints! The only downside (a quality problem) is that the quicker you get through, the longer the wait for luggage. It did seem to take quite a while we had to wait.

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9. Overall Experience & Final Verdict:

The outright positives were the Concorde Lounge at Heathrow and the (newish) Club Suites - such a vast improvement on the previous Club World. Being in the smaller front Club cabin was also much better than being in the second (or third) sections which had eleven and six rows  respectively as opposed to only three in the front. The In Flight Lead (Paul) was excellent, the other crew fine too and Wi-Fi was decent throughout. The first meal service was good, the second disappointing (for me through choice of food) and also the fact that there wasn’t a lighter option. I had expected something like an afternoon tea (which was served before landing on a recent flight to New York, but then that was a considerably shorter flight time).

On the negative side, boarding (as is often the case despite being Group 0) is usually anything but premium, the toilets having blocked sinks wasn’t nice either. The flight departed on time despite having to bus everyone to the plane, and the temperature throughout the flight was good too. 

Addendum - about an hour before landing there was an announcement from one of the Pilots (there were two on board because of the length of the flight, as well as a First Officer) apologising for the state of the toilets in Club World whereby he explained that there seemed to be an issue (as was clearly visible) with waste water backing up in the sinks, and that this might mean the toilets would not be as clean as could be expected, which they certainly weren’t.

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Explore More Luxury Travel Experiences with The Private Traveller

Looking for more luxury travel inspiration? This British Airways Club Suites experience was the perfect start to our luxury California adventure, from the comfort of the Concorde Lounge to the privacy of the new Club Suites. Whether you’re planning your own trip to Palm Springs, a city escape in Los Angeles, or any destination worldwide, let The Private Traveller take care of every detail. As a Fora Travel Advisor, I offer bespoke itineraries and VIP booking extras to make your journey unforgettable. Start planning your next luxury getaway at theprivatetraveller.com/booking.