After a whirlwind week visiting work colleagues I have not seen in years, going to concerts, hanging out with my best friend (the Postal Museum is a must-visit for a cool piece of history), and finally taking an in-studio Peloton class, it is time to head home to the United States.

My journey began with a flight from Washington, D.C. (IAD) to London (LHR) in the Club World Suites (Business Class) aboard a British Airways A350-1000, along with stays at two fantastic hotels: the fun and quirky Hyatt Place London City East and the classic Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill.

For my flight home, I catch a fare sale for premium cabins and decide to try out British Airways 787-8 Premium Economy.

Since this is a daytime flight, Premium Economy feels like more than enough – cheaper than full-on Business Class, but with more room and elevated amenities compared to Economy Class.

I am also curious to see how it stacks up against British Airways Business Class as well as Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy.

One important note: I did not realize it until after the flight, but British Airways operates a sub fleet of 787-8 planes that have not been updated. Guess which aircraft I flew?

Award Flight Booking (7/10)

Even though I book this flight with cash during a British Airways Business Class fare sale, I often find British Airways to be one of the most reliable airlines for releasing award availability through Avios partners.

British Airways guarantees four Business Class saver seats, two Premium Economy seats, and eight Economy Class seats on every long-haul flight as soon as the booking window opens. This kind of consistency is rare and makes it much easier to plan award travel across the Atlantic.

However, award pricing can be a bit steep compared to other options.

On my route, a Premium Economy seat usually costs 42,500 British Airways Executive Club (Avios) miles and about $305 in taxes and fees. Even so, the guaranteed availability makes it worth considering. With even a little flexibility, I can usually find something that fits my schedule.

Since I hold the British Airways Visa Signature® Card, I also get a $200 discount on up to three Premium Economy award bookings each year. This saves me $600 total across the year and helps bring down the overall cost.

For this flight, the total comes to 42,500 Avios and $205 after the card discount, which feels much more reasonable for a Premium Economy award ticket from London.

Award pricing can rise during peak travel dates, sometimes hitting 60,000 Avios. However, with regular transfer bonuses from programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards, topping off an Avios account quickly is usually easy.

For this specific trip, I book the following:

• BA 229 London (LHR) to Baltimore, Maryland (BWI) – departing 4:55 P.M., arriving 7:35 P.M.

I book this ticket through American Airlines to help me re-qualify for AAdvantage elite status for next year.

The Best Credit Cards For Booking British Airways

If you are planning to book a British Airways flight – especially in Premium Economy – using Avios through the British Airways Executive Club program is one of the smartest and most flexible ways to do it.

The best part?

Avios are some of the easiest points to earn. Multiple major flexible credit card programs offer 1:1 transfers to British Airways Executive Club, making it simple to top off your account or build a balance over time.

Here are some of the top credit cards that earn points transferable to Avios:

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
• American Express® Gold Card
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
• Citi Strata Premier℠ Card

While the British Airways Executive Club and Avios are the most direct way to book British Airways flights, you can also use American Airlines AAdvantage® miles to do so.

Since American Airlines does not have any transfer partners like other major airlines, using a co-branded credit card is one of the best and fastest ways to build your AAdvantage balance:

• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
• AAdvantage® Aviator® Red World Elite Mastercard®

Airport Check-In (8/10)

After arriving at London Heathrow (LHR) Terminal 5 aboard the Elizabeth Line, I make my way to check-in.

Although Premium Economy has dedicated check-in desks on the left side of the terminal, I use the Business Class check-in area thanks to my Oneworld Sapphire status – courtesy of American Airlines AAdvantage.

I want to inquire about a possible upgrade to Business Class, so I hop in line to speak with an agent.

Only two lanes are open, so I wait about ten minutes before it is my turn.

The upgrade price comes out to over $700, which feels a bit steep for this flight. I decide to stick with my Premium Economy seat.

The actual check-in process is quick and easy. It takes less than two minutes, including checking my bag.

I am directed to use priority security, a nice perk with my status. Without status, I would be sent to the standard security line, which I generally find to be efficient at Heathrow.

Once I clear security, I head straight for the lounge.

Airport Lounge (7/10)

Premium Economy passengers do not receive lounge access at London Heathrow.

However, thanks to my Platinum status with American Airlines AAdvantage, I hold Oneworld Sapphire status, which grants me access to all three British Airways lounges in Terminal 5:

• The British Airways North Lounge is located just past premium security and is nearly at full capacity. It is incredibly busy, which is not surprising given its convenient location.
• The British Airways South Lounge feels a bit less crowded, at around 75 percent capacity, but its lower ceilings make it feel smaller and more cramped.
• The British Airways T5B Lounge, located in the middle concourse, is much quieter and more relaxed. However, since Heathrow does not post gate information until about an hour before departure, it is not always practical to venture out there unless you know your gate ahead of time.

All three lounges offer a similar aesthetic, along with comparable food and beverage selections.

Are these lounges worth setting aside extra time for?

Not really.

Still, considering the heavy traffic each lounge handles, I am thoroughly impressed by the variety and freshness of the food and drink options. The staff does an excellent job keeping everything well-stocked with freshly made items.

Aircraft Cabin And Layout (8/10)

The 787-8 Dreamliner is a solid aircraft to fly, especially when the cabins are fresh and modern. In the British Airways 787-8 Premium Economy, the cabin is arranged in a 2-3-2 seating configuration, featuring three full rows plus one additional row that has two seats on each side.

Curtains separate the Premium Economy cabin from both Business Class and traditional Economy Class, giving the space a cozy and more private feel.

There are 25 Premium Economy seats in total, which helps the cabin feel both exclusive and spacious.

For this flight, I select seat 13K, a window seat on the right side of the plane.

I specifically choose this seat to enjoy the views as we fly out of London, cross the Atlantic, and head back to the United States.

British Airways 787-8 Premium Economy Seat (8/10)

As I board the plane, I am directed across and to the right side of the aircraft.

When I step into the Premium Economy cabin, the first thing I notice is the generous 38 inches of pitch between seats. It feels similar to the legroom you would find in Business Class on many domestic flights within the United States.

The seat width measures 18.7 inches, nearly two inches wider than a standard Economy Class seat. I find the seat to be quite comfortable, with excellent cushioning and support.

Waiting at my seat are a pillow, a blanket, and a pair of basic headphones.

The blanket is soft and comfortable, and I keep it over me for most of the flight, even though it makes me a bit warmer than I usually prefer.

The headphones come wrapped with a note encouraging passengers to donate spare change to a charitable cause. I always try to contribute if I have any extra coins – it feels like a great way to give back while traveling.

The tray table is tucked neatly into the left armrest. It lifts up easily and folds out in half to reveal the full-size table.

Between the seats, there is a sizable cup holder, similar to what you might find in domestic First Class. Just below the tray are the controls for reclining the seat, along with the headphone jack and entertainment controller.

In front of me, there is a pivoting 10.6-inch high-definition touchscreen set within a plastic shell that allows for minor adjustments. Under the screen, I find two USB-A ports for charging devices.

Below that, there is a literature holder and a seat-back pocket for additional storage.

Each seat includes a drop-down footrest, while bulkhead seats have footrests that extend from under the seat. Between every pair of seats, there is an AC power outlet – giving each passenger their own, which is a nice feature.

Overhead, there are extra reading lights but no individual air nozzles. That feels like a missed opportunity to me, though it is fairly standard for British Airways.

Overall, the seat feels perfectly comfortable for a transatlantic flight. While I wish for more adjustable airflow, the generous space, storage, and power access make for a solid Premium Economy experience.

On-Board Entertainment (3/10)

Even though the British Airways 787-8 planes are not that old, the in-flight entertainment systems already feel incredibly outdated.

When I flew Business Class on the British Airways A350-1000, the entertainment system looked sleek and modern, but on the 787-8, even the software seems entirely different – and not in a good way.

The outdated system becomes obvious early in the flight.

Unfortunately, neither my touchscreen nor the remote works for more than about 40 percent of the journey. I manage to watch two or three thirty-minute TV episodes, but overall, the system barely functions, even after a flight attendant spends about 15 minutes trying to reset it.

Adding to the frustration, there is no internet available on these planes – even in 2025.

While British Airways has announced plans to eventually install Wi-Fi on the 787-8 fleet, at the time of my flight, no aircraft are equipped with it.

I do not pre-download movies or shows before the flight, which is on me. Thankfully, I bring a book, some downloaded music and games on my phone, and even a few Word documents, so I can get some work done during the flight.

TPA Pro Tip: Flying on older aircraft like the British Airways 787-8 can mean unreliable entertainment systems and no Wi-Fi. Always pre-download your favorite shows, movies, playlists, and podcasts before boarding. Having offline access ensures you stay entertained, even if the seatback screen does not work as expected!

Lavatory (5/10)

As a Premium Economy passenger, I have access to the four lavatories located in the Economy Class cabin. Passengers in Premium Economy are not permitted to use the Business Class bathrooms.

The lavatories themselves are standard for a British Airways Boeing 787-8. I can stand up comfortably without hitting my head on the ceiling, which is a plus. However, changing clothes would be challenging due to the tight space.

Throughout the flight, the lavatories do not appear to be cleaned or refreshed by the flight attendants, which is a bit disappointing.

I do wish there were at least one bathroom dedicated specifically for Premium Economy passengers.

Unfortunately, given the layout of the aircraft, it just is not possible.

Amenity Kit (8/10)

One area where British Airways really shines in Premium Economy is with the amenity kit.

Many airlines do not even offer an amenity kit in this cabin class, but British Airways goes a step further – and I would argue that their kit is even better than some Business Class kits I have received.

Each amenity kit comes in a stylish, durable pouch made with strong fabric and a quality zipper.

Inside, I find a toothbrush with toothpaste, lip balm, socks, an eye mask, and a pen. While I think a small hand lotion would be a nice addition, this is still an excellent offering for Premium Economy.

I even grab an extra fully wrapped kit on my way out to give as a gift to family members – a little souvenir that feels thoughtful and practical.

Food And Beverage (5/10)

On this flight, there are two main meal services – lunch, served shortly after takeoff, and a pre-landing “meal.”

Additionally, upon boarding, there are welcome beverages, with a choice of sparking wine, orange juice, or water. I just get some orange juice.

About halfway through the flight, a snack basket also makes its rounds. I grab a bag of salt and vinegar corn crisps, a chocolate bar, some blue raspberry gummies, and a Coke Zero to keep me going.

I have heard that British Airways sometimes distributes menus in Premium Economy, but on this flight, no menu is provided.

Lunch Service

Lunch service begins about an hour after takeoff.

The flight attendant first hands out warm towels for cleaning hands, followed by an appetizer and drink service.

For the appetizer, I receive a bag of sour cream and chive pretzels – very flavorful with plenty of seasoning. I order a sparkling water and a Coke Zero, both served in plastic cups. The Coke Zero even comes with ice and a lemon slice, which is a nice touch.

When it is time for the main course, I am offered a choice between chicken or some type of pie.

I choose the chicken, which turns out to be an Asian-style stir-fry served with white rice, vegetables, a small salad, a bread roll, cheese and crackers, and a passionfruit panna cotta for dessert.

The main course itself is pretty unmemorable. The presentation, in particular, feels disappointing compared to other Premium Economy flights I have taken, such as on the Virgin Atlantic A330-900neo.

However, the panna cotta is absolutely fantastic – one of the highlights of the entire meal service.

Pre-Arrival “Meal”

About an hour and a half before landing, the flight attendants begin the second service. It starts with another drink offering – I go for another Coke Zero.

For the pre-landing meal, Premium Economy passengers are given a Monty’s Bakehouse Savoury Pastry. I am offered a choice between a veggie pastry or a sweet pepper chicken pastry.

I choose the sweet pepper chicken option.

I find this offering incredibly disappointing. I clearly remember being served the exact same pastry flying Economy Class on American Airlines to London back in 2017, and again flying Economy Class on British Airways back from London to Washington, D.C. in 2022.

If I were flying in standard Economy Class, this would be an acceptable pre-landing snack. However, in Premium Economy – where airlines like Virgin Atlantic offer a full afternoon tea service – I expect a higher-quality meal.

Staff And Service (8/10)

Just like on my British Airways A350-1000 Business Class flight, the staff on this flight is absolutely lovely.

British Airways flight attendants continue to impress me. Whether it is cheerfully bringing me more drinks or answering my questions, they consistently provide warm, attentive service.

I especially want to highlight one flight attendant – whose name I unfortunately do not catch.

She spends at least 15 minutes trying to get my in-flight entertainment system working. Although we are ultimately unable to fix it, her dedication and effort mean a lot to me.

Small moments like that really make a difference in the overall flying experience.

Final Thoughts

The British Airways 787-8 Premium Economy offers an okay experience – one that I would not recommend going out of your way to seek out.

It is an important reminder that I am flying on an older 787-8 aircraft that has not yet been updated, which definitely impacts the overall quality.

The most redeeming part of the flight is, without question, the kind and professional flight attendants. Every interaction feels warm and genuine. Their effort to help fix my entertainment system, even when it ultimately could not be repaired, shows a strong commitment to providing a great experience.

The Premium Economy seat itself is also a highlight, offering more comfort and legroom than many other Premium Economy products I have flown.

Unfortunately, major drawbacks hold this experience back.

A barely functioning entertainment system, clear underinvestment in meal quality, and the lack of individual air nozzles all add up to a product that feels outdated and less competitive.

While I would fly British Airways Premium Economy again if necessary – such as when finding a good cash fare or an award flight Avios deal – I would actively choose other products between London and the United States whenever possible.

There are simply better options available.

Hunter Threadgill