Evaluating Potential Uncomfort in Business Class on British Airways' A380: An Examination of Seating Arrangements
Pt. 1 - The Business Class Crunch: British Airways' Struggling A380
June 10, 2025 - 3-minute read
Flight Reviews - Airline News - Sharon Petersen
Feeling the pinch of stricter competition? British Airways' Airbus A380 might just leave you with a business class ticket that feels less premium than it should.
In a bid to pack in seats rather than prioritize passenger ease, British Airways has opted for a business class configuration of 2-4-2 on its lower deck and 2-3-2 on the upper deck. It's all fine and dandy until you find yourself in those rearmost window seats or the middle seats on the upper deck - where direct aisle access is a mere fantasy.
Got your heart set on that flatbed or footrest? You betcha, but good luck navigating to the aisle without giving your neighbor an unwanted obstacle course review! It's not just uncomfortable for you, it tackles your aisle-mate's privacy, too.
But hey, there's always something for everyone, right? The entertainment system on board is loaded with movies and TV shows, although the small, outdated screen it's delivered on might make you grit your teeth a tad.
Looking for some personal space? Aisle seats might as well be the highway, offering less storage and barely any privacy if you're not sitting in a middle or window seat with the divider up. It's far from the premium setup we've come to expect, considering the cramped and exposed vibe.
Curious to know the 411 on that 'horrid middle seat'? Take a look at Clark Wilkins' firsthand account below.
Now, British Airways claims that every seat in Club World has direct aisle access, but hey, that's only technically true when no one's using their flatbed or footrest. So, everybody's got aisle access before take-off and just before landing, but be ready to climb over fellow flyers for the majority of the flight if you're not seated in an aisle seat.
But wait a minute, it's not all gloom and doom. British Airways does maintain its soft service, so think about a respectable menu, a decent choice, and friendly flight attendants who'll serve you a cup of tea to die for. Don't forget to ask for extra sugar!
Truth be told, us economy flyers might find these issues trivial, and consider enduring 'em to enjoy a business class experience. However, if you're shelling out big bucks and could find a far better seating arrangement and cabin layout on another airline, well, most passengers would probably think twice.
British Airways' A380's outdated product just can't seem to keep pace with the price point anymore. So, have you had some time in that cabin? Spill the beans - share your horror stories (oh, or the happy ones)!
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Enrichment Data:- British Airways' A380 business class layout has received criticism for its outdated configuration compared to competitors, with a 2-3-2 layout on both the lower and upper deck, which lacks direct aisle access for middle seats[1][4].- Airlines like Emirates and Etihad offer more modern and spacious business class configuration, raising the premium standard for passengers[1].- The small, outdated screen of the inflight entertainment system and lack of personal storage in aisle seats has also been noted by critics[2].
Sources:[1] Flyertalk.com. Flat bed nightmares on BA A380? - Super Flying Club World. Accessed August 23, 2023. https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/british-airways-executive-club/1049893-flat-bed-nightmares-ba-a380-super-flying-club-world.html
[2] The Points Guy. Review: British Airways’ Club World on the A380 is a missed opportunity. Accessed August 23, 2023. https://thepointsguy.com/news/british-airways-club-world-a380-review/
[3] SeatGuru.com. British Airways Boeing 787-9. Accessed August 23, 2023. https://www.seatguru.com/airlines/British_Airways/British_Airways_Boeing_787-9.html
[4] The Points Guy. British Airways Launches Refurbished 787-9s with New Suite-Style Seats, New Interiors, and More. Accessed August 23, 2023. https://thepointsguy.com/news/new-british-airways-787-9-seats/
Airline news suggests that British Airways' outdated A380 business class layout, with a 2-3-2 layout on both the lower and upper deck, has received criticism for its lack of direct aisle access for middle seats, unlike modern and spacious competitor configurations such as Emirates and Etihad. Additionally, the small, outdated screen of the inflight entertainment system and lack of personal storage in aisle seats have also been noted by critics, impacting the travel lifestyle of passengers seeking comfort and convenience during their journey.
