BUSINESS TRAVELLERS on some British Airways flights will find themselves having to disembark after those in Premium Economy because of a new layout on some Boeing 747s.
Reconfiguration of aircraft used on nine US routes, including some JFK and Los Angeles flights, means Club World passengers will be further back in the immigration queues than those paying much less, because BA has placed its World Traveller Plus cabin forward of the main Club World section in some 747s. The aircraft, which are configured in the layout known as Mid-J, serve 23 destinations worldwide, including the main US hubs.
BA admits it has had "some negative feedback" from disgruntled Business Class customers who regard being among the first to reach immigration, particularly in the US, as a perk of paying the Club World fare. Unless the most forward door is used, World Traveller Plus passengers also disembark before First Class.
"The crew have to manage this very carefully," according to Richard Tams, British Airways' general manager, UK and global corporate sales, "but we've not seen customer satisfaction levels dip."
Tams admitted there were also problems with World Traveller Plus passengers pilfering food from Club World's 'Raid the Larder' mini-buffet in the galley between the two cabins.
The problem results from the physical structure of the 747, which means cabin sizes cannot be adjusted unless galleys are moved at great expense - meaning that the smaller World Traveller Plus section has to be further forward.