New BA Premium economy

I have just returned from Dubai on one of BA's new 777's and sampled the new premium economy seat. I've got mixed views so thought I would share them.

The entertainment system seems much better, easy to use (touch screen) and great quality of picture. Really noticed the difference. Screens bigger than other BA ones, but about the same as Virgin. It was a night flight so didn't use it too much. I don't think you can see the map when the system is off. I used to quite like that. Virgin you can't, but Emirates and Air NZ you can.

Seat - really not sure about this. I liked the old one for comfort, but found the new one quite uncomfortable. Very little padding and I felt it. The head rest can't be moved so it doesn't support your head when sleeping and I felt it in my neck. It does recline a bit more, but the leg rest isn't as good.

Leg room - seemed good and still as always seems better than Virgin out of Heathrow. At 6.1 the IFE boxes were not an issue.

The amenity pack is almost identicle to Virgin's economy pack on flights to the UK - just a bit smaller.

No welcome drinks, priority boarding or different meal choice to economy.

Overall the most important thing to me when flying is being comfortable and the seat is far from that. The cabin lacks something that Virgin have - feels more economy than premium. I really hope they improve the seat before rolling it out!

Any questions, please ask.

Many thanks for that - I often think BA's offering is more 'More Space Economy' than premium. Shame the seat didn't work for you, I agree with the point about the headrest.

VS is supposedly working on a new PE for the planes arriving next year, I hope this doesn't go the same way ... I know airlines want to reduce weight to save cost, but all these thin seats marketed as lighter but as comfortable don't cut it with me.

IMO BA plus is pretty bad value. Its not much better than economy but much more expensive. Virgin PE on the other hand is pretty good value esp for v long flights. The seats are excellent and the service is so much better than economy. In BA plus I hardly noticed the difference from BA economy and the seats were not comfortable for a 10 hour flight. If Virgin reduces the quality I don't see it as being v popular.

Very useful info this (to me, anyway) - thanks for sharing.

If it is more uncomfortable that old WT+ it must be dire.I've got a flight coming up soon, for £600 all in not bad and earning 150TPs. Just about bearable to the east coast with several glasses of something strong in the lounge