I travel to London often. Most trips start with work, but I always carve out time to see friends and settle back into the rhythm of the city. Over the years, London feels less like a destination and more like a second home.

On this trip, something different catches my eye. British Airways is running a Business Class sale, and the pricing is unusually tempting. My company covers the cost of an Economy Class ticket, but I can pay the difference to upgrade. With fares lower than I usually see, this feels like the moment to finally say yes.

I book a flight from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to London Heathrow Airport (LHR) on a British Airways Airbus A350-1000. That detail matters. This aircraft features the British Airways Club Suite, the airline’s long-awaited answer to years of criticism about its aging Club World Business Class product. I am curious to see if it truly delivers.

As the flight unfolds, I pay attention to every detail. The seat, the privacy, the food, the service, and how it all comes together on an overnight journey across the Atlantic. British Airways A350-1000 Business Class [Club Suite] promises a very different experience from the past, and I want to see if it finally lives up to that promise.

Award Flight Booking (N/A)

I book this flight using a cash upgrade during a British Airways Business Class fare sale, not with points. My company covers Economy Class, and paying the difference makes sense once the price drops. Even so, I always evaluate this route through the lens of award travel, since British Airways Business Class is one of the more predictable products to book with Avios.

British Airways guarantees award space on every long-haul flight as soon as the schedule opens. That includes four Business Class seats, which is unusually generous for a transatlantic route. On this flight, a typical award costs around 80,000 Avios plus roughly 500 USD in taxes and fees. Pricing can rise during peak dates, but availability is rarely the issue.

Note: At the end of 2025, British Airways quietly devalued its award chart. As a result, this same flight now prices at 88,000 Avios plus roughly 500 USD in taxes and fees through British Airways Executive Club.

TPA Pro Tip: Regular transfer bonuses to British Airways Executive Club from programs like Chase Ultimate Rewards and American Express Membership Rewards make it simple to top off an account when availability opens.

Holding the British Airways Visa Signature Card helps offset those high surcharges. The card provides a 200 USD statement credit on up to three British Airways award bookings each year. Using that benefit brings the effective cash cost down significantly and makes Avios redemptions far easier to justify.

Here are the details for this flight:

• Flight Number: BA292
• Route: Washington, D.C. (IAD) to London, United Kingdom (LHR)
• Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000
• Departure Date: November 7th, 2024
• Departing: 22:55
• Arriving: 10:05 (+1 day)
• Duration: 7 hours 10 minutes

Beyond British Airways Executive Club, this Business Class flight is also bookable through several partners:

• Alaska Airlines Atmos Rewards – 45,000 points + 1,000 USD
• American Airlines AAdvantage – 57,500 points + 750 USD
• Japan Airlines Mileage Bank – 42,000 points + 225 USD

TPA Pro Tip: I ticket the flight through American Airlines AAdvantage. That allows me to earn elite-qualifying credit toward requalification, turning a routine work trip into a step toward status for the following year.

Business Class Airport Check-In (7/10)

Washington Dulles (IAD) is one of my favorite airports to depart from. With a strong mix of international routes and frequent long-haul departures, it always feels like the gateway to somewhere exciting.

After arriving at the airport, I head straight to the British Airways check-in counter. The Business Class line is completely empty, which is always a nice start to the trip.

Even though online check-in is available, I choose to check in at the counter because I need to check a bag. I hand over my passport, and the agent processes everything quickly. My bag is tagged, my boarding pass is printed, and I am ready to move on to security with TSA PreCheck – which is a benefit of my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

The process is fast – less than two minutes from start to finish. However, the interaction feels a little cold. The agent does not seem particularly welcoming, and I do notice a bit of annoyance since I am checking in earlier than usual. There is no thank-you for flying Business Class, which is something I always appreciate when it is offered.

Still, with everything handled efficiently, I make my way toward security and start looking forward to some “lounge hopping.”

Airport Lounge: British Airways Business Class Lounge (5/10)

After a quick trip through security, I stop by the Capital One Lounge at IAD to grab a few water bottles. From there, I take the underground train over to Concourse B, where the British Airways Business Class Lounge is located near Gate B50 – conveniently close to where my flight will depart.

The British Airways Lounge feels like a tale of two cities.

On one hand, the space is absolutely beautiful. The airline recently completed a major renovation in late 2024, and it shows. The finishes are upscale, the seating areas are modern, and the overall design feels fresh. The staff is also incredibly friendly. One even offers to take my photo in front of the new entrance sign when they see me snapping a picture (I politely decline).

Unfortunately, the food and drink offerings are a major letdown. For an airline that only operates red-eye flights out of Dulles, I expect a lounge that helps passengers maximize rest by offering a proper meal before boarding. Instead, the buffet is sparse and mostly picked over more than an hour before departure. The food does not come close to what is offered at other lounges like the Capital One Lounge, Turkish Airlines Lounge, or Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse – which has full table service and restaurant-quality meals.

The drink situation is not much better. The bartender on duty seems inexperienced, and the gin and tonic I order is poorly mixed and unbalanced. To make matters worse, even after the remodel, the lounge lacks enough power outlets to accommodate the number of guests using the space.

About 15 minutes before boarding, I leave the lounge to get in line early.

I head to Gate B42 / B44 to board as one of the first passengers in Business Class. While there is already a short line, I end up being the fifth person to board.

British Airways A350-1000 Aircraft Cabin And Layout (8/10)

The British Airways A350-1000 Business Class cabin is impressively large. It features 14 rows in a 1-2-1 layout, giving every passenger direct aisle access. This setup creates a spacious and private environment that feels both modern and comfortable.

The Business Class cabin is split into two sections. The larger forward cabin has eleven rows, while a smaller mini-cabin in the rear includes just three rows. Between them sits a self-serve snack galley that opens up after the first meal service.

All seats are forward-facing. The center seats angle slightly toward each other, with a sliding privacy screen available for those not traveling together. The window seats along both sides face straight ahead, offering a more secluded experience – especially great for solo travelers.

I book my flight about two months in advance, so I have plenty of seat options to choose from. I go with seat 5K on the right side of the cabin, which gives me a window view and a bit more privacy.

British Airways Business Class [Club Suite] Seat (7/10)

As I reach my seat, the first thing that stands out is the stylish fabric and stitching on the seat back. The design feels elegant and modern – British Airways clearly puts thought into the aesthetic of the cabin.

Once I sit down, I check out the footwell. While the legroom is generous, the footwell itself feels tight. As someone with larger feet, I later find it difficult to get fully comfortable when lying flat.

In front of me, the tray table slides out from under the TV screen. It folds over to form a sturdy surface – strong enough to support a laptop, meal tray, or anything else I have with me. The in-flight entertainment screen is a sharp-looking 18.5-inch HD display. Even though the aircraft is a few years old, the screen looks new, with crisp colors and fast response time.

Looking up, I find two reading lights but no individual air vents. The cabin runs warm throughout the flight, which makes it difficult to cool off while sleeping.

To my right, there is a shelf with two small drawers. One is shallow – perfect for storing smaller items like a passport, wallet, or glasses. The second drawer houses the electronics: a remote control (simple and responsive), an A/C power outlet, two USB-A ports, and a headphone jack.

Beneath the drawer area is the seat control panel. It offers a high degree of customization, along with preset positions for upright, lounging, and lie-flat modes.

Next to the seat, there is a small cubby with a closing door. Inside, I find a bottle of water, the amenity kit, and a built-in mirror – useful for a quick refresh before landing, especially if heading straight to a meeting.

A personal reading light is also built into the pod. Once in the air, I am able to slide the privacy door shut, which adds an extra layer of seclusion.

One thing that catches my eye: despite the aircraft being relatively new, there are already several noticeable scuff marks around the seat. It would be nice to see British Airways keep the cabin in better condition by touching up these wear-and-tear areas more regularly.

British Airways Business Class [Club Suite] Bed (6/10)

Once I recline the seat into lie-flat mode, I quickly notice that the bed has both strengths and weaknesses. On the plus side, the seat padding feels great, and British Airways provides a soft blanket and a supportive pillow. The sliding door adds a welcome sense of privacy that makes it easier to relax during an overnight flight.

However, I struggle to get quality sleep on this journey. As someone with size 13 US feet, the small footwell becomes a real challenge. There is just not enough space to stretch out comfortably, especially when trying to sleep on my side.

The cabin also feels warm throughout the flight, and the lack of individual air nozzles means I cannot adjust the airflow. This makes it harder to cool down, which further affects my ability to sleep.

Another issue is the narrow width of the bed. I usually sleep on my side with one leg extended, and that is almost impossible in this seat. I feel boxed in and limited in how I can move during the night. I think most travelers would find this bed comfortable, especially for a shorter red-eye or a daytime rest. But as a larger person and a side sleeper, I find the design choices limit the quality of rest I can get in this seat.

On-Board Entertainment (6/10)

As mentioned earlier, the in-flight entertainment screen in British Airways A350-1000 Business Class measures 18.5 inches and delivers sharp HD visuals. While the content library is not as extensive as what I have seen on some Middle Eastern or Asian carriers, it still offers a solid variety of movies, TV shows, podcasts, music, and games.

There is also a built-in duty-free shopping section, which I browse for about 15 minutes – just in case something unique catches my eye.

Once the meal service wraps up, I recline into bed mode and turn on sleep sounds at a low volume. I also keep the flight map running on the screen with reduced brightness.

One of my favorite features is the picture-in-picture mode, which allows me to display both the flight map and sleep sounds at the same time. It is a small detail, but it really adds to the relaxation.

Waiting at my seat during boarding is a pair of British Airways-branded headphones. They work well and stay on comfortably enough while I sleep.

The sound quality is decent, although the fit becomes a little uncomfortable after extended use. I do not find any option to pair Bluetooth headphones on this aircraft, which is disappointing for a newer product.

Wi-Fi

British Airways offers Panasonic-powered Wi-Fi on the Airbus A350-1000, with two pricing tiers available for a single device:

• Messaging Plan: £2.99 (about $4 USD) for one hour, or £4.99 (about $6.60 USD) for the full flight
• Browse And Stream Plan: £11.99 (about $16 USD) for four hours, or £17.99 (about $24 USD) for the full flight

There is no free Wi-Fi tier available – even for basic messaging – and no option to earn complimentary access by watching ads. Since I prioritize sleep on this overnight flight, I choose not to purchase Wi-Fi. However, for those needing to stay connected, the full-flight packages are reasonably priced by international standards.

A350-1000 Business Class Lavatory (7/10)

On the British Airways A350-1000, there are three lavatories available for Business Class passengers. One is located at the front of the cabin on the left side, and two more are positioned between the main Business Class cabin and the smaller Business Class mini-cabin. These are standard wide-body aircraft lavatories. They are not outfitted with any special amenities, but they get the job done.

As a taller passenger, I appreciate being able to stand up fully without feeling cramped. That said, the space is still a bit tight, and I imagine it would be difficult to change into pajamas comfortably inside.

Throughout the flight, the lavatories remain in decent condition. I do not see the flight attendants doing any mid-flight cleanings, but the fact that these restrooms are reserved exclusively for Business Class helps keep them tidy and well-maintained.

British Airways Business Class Amenity Kit (8/10)

I am a big fan of amenity kits, and British Airways delivers one of the more stylish options in the sky – simple but high in quality. Each Business Class passenger receives a white leather pouch from The White Company of London. It feels premium, and I actually save mine to give to my wife, who now uses it as one of her go-to travel bags.

It is definitely a pouch worth keeping. The contents inside are basic but cover the essentials. Each kit includes:

• A dental kit (with toothbrush and toothpaste)
• Earplugs
• An eye mask
• Socks
• Hand cream, body cream, and lip balm – all from The White Company

While I would have liked to see hand sanitizer included, the presence of both the eye mask and dental kit covers my top must-haves. Everything is neatly packed and well-presented.

British Airways Business Class Food And Beverage (7/10)

Before diving into the details of the meals, I have to highlight one small but elegant touch – British Airways uses real glassware in Business Class, with the airline name etched clearly on the bottom. These heavy-duty glasses add a refined feel to the experience and make it feel like I am dining in a high-end restaurant rather than flying at 35,000 feet.

Pre-Departure Drinks

As I settle into my seat, a flight attendant stops by with a tray of welcome drinks: sparkling wine, orange juice, and water.

I go for a glass of sparkling wine – specifically the Wiston Brut NV, an English sparkling wine – and pair it with orange juice to create my own late-night mimosa. It is a refreshing way to begin the journey and a fun little ritual I always enjoy.

Dinner Service

The dinner service begins shortly after takeoff and moves quickly to allow passengers to maximize sleep on this short overnight flight. It starts with a warm towel service to freshen up.

For the starter, I receive a cream of cauliflower curry soup with herb croutons. It comes with a side salad featuring roasted peppers, artichokes, and toasted pumpkin seeds, along with a warm dinner roll.

To drink, I order a sparkling water and the Citrus Burst mocktail – a mix of mandarin, orange, Fever-Tree tonic, ice, and a fresh lemon wedge. The soup is creamy and flavorful, the salad is fresh, and the mocktail is surprisingly refreshing.

For the main course, I choose the pan-seared grouper fillet, served with steamed black rice, kale, roasted yellow beetroot, and an herb cream sauce. The grouper is well-cooked and the black rice stands out as a unique and tasty side dish that I would definitely try again.

Dessert is the highlight of the meal: a warm almond butter and winter berry pudding with crème anglaise. It is absolutely delicious – I could easily eat two or three servings of it.

The meal is substantial but served at a perfect pace, making it easy to wind down and get ready for sleep. As mentioned earlier, the galley is stocked with snacks if I get hungry later in the flight.

Pre-Arrival Breakfast

About an hour before landing, breakfast service begins. I start with a sparkling water and a Cadbury hot chocolate, which instantly hits the spot.

For the main part of my breakfast, I go with something lighter: a chia strawberry pudding with apple, coconut, and blackberry compote, a seasonal fruit salad, and a warm banana muffin.

While it is not the most elaborate breakfast I have had in the air, it is satisfying and flavorful. The hot chocolate and banana muffin are the standouts here – rich, warm, and comforting. It is the perfect pre-landing meal to ease into the day before touching down at London Heathrow.

British Airways Staff And Service (8/10)

Whenever I fly with British Airways, I consistently find the service to be friendly and kind. Some travelers say the experience can be hit or miss, but that has never been the case for me. While the service may not always stand out as especially memorable, the crew is always warm, attentive, and willing to help.

I notice that when I show genuine excitement to be on board, the crew responds positively – often going out of their way to enhance the experience. Even with ongoing labor challenges in the airline industry, the British Airways crew delivers a solid level of hospitality.

That said, the service is not the most proactive.

This may be due to the nature of a late-night red-eye flight, which usually focuses on letting passengers rest. Still, a bit more initiative – especially with drink refills or checking in during the flight – would make a noticeable difference.

British Airways Business Class Arrival Lounge (6/10)

Just before landing, a flight attendant announces that Business Class passengers have access to the British Airways Arrivals Lounge at London Heathrow (LHR). After deplaning, I clear immigration, exit the secure area, and make my way straight there.

The Arrivals Lounge is located one floor above the main arrivals area. There is no specific elevator to take, but once on the correct level, a long walkway runs along the terminal and leads directly to the lounge entrance.

When I arrive, I simply scan my boarding pass for access. The lounge is massive, and I can see how it could easily fill up with passengers from multiple early-morning flights. Luckily, when I visit, it is not too crowded. I head straight for the shower area.

British Airways uses a pod system here, with compact, individual shower rooms available on a first-come, first-served basis. The setup is not especially spacious or luxurious, but it gets the job done.

After a long overnight flight, a quick shower is exactly what I need to reset.

Once refreshed, I stop by the buffet for a small breakfast and a coffee.

The food selection is basic – nothing fancy – but it is enough to fuel me before heading into the city. I also use the quiet space to catch up on a bit of work before leaving.

Overall, I do not find the British Airways Arrivals Lounge particularly premium. However, for passengers looking to grab a shower and a quick bite before diving into a busy day in London, it is a very practical and welcome perk.

Final Thoughts

The British Airways A350-1000 Business Class offers a solid, if not stand out, transatlantic experience. The seat provides plenty of privacy thanks to the sliding door, and the cabin feels sleek and thoughtfully designed. Still, a few design drawbacks – like the narrow footwell and lack of air vents – keep it from being a top-tier product.

Service is warm and reliable, even if not particularly proactive, and the food and beverage offerings are well-executed for a short red-eye. The amenity kit is a nice touch, and the arrivals lounge adds practical value for travelers who want to refresh quickly before heading into London.

This is not the kind of product I go out of my way to book, but it remains a dependable option – especially when priced well or available with Avios. It is a great choice for travelers who value predictability, comfort, and easy access to key routes between the U.S. and the U.K.

On this trip, I have two hotel stays lined up: the Hyatt Regency London – The Churchill, which is moving up a category in 2025, and the Hyatt Place London City East, a property I return to regularly for its convenience and consistent value.

I am eager to see how The Churchill compares to newer luxury offerings in the city, including the Park Hyatt London River Thames, as London continues to expand its footprint of premium points-friendly hotels.

If you are planning a transatlantic trip soon, it is worth keeping British Airways A350-1000 Business Class in mind – especially during fare sales or when booking with transferable points through the Avios program.

Hunter Threadgill