Summary

• Introduced in the early 2000s, British Airways World Traveller Plus offers a premium experience at a more affordable price.
• Upgraded in 2019, improvements include enhanced dining, new amenities, and additional entertainment options such as WiFi.
• Premium economy cabin layout offers more comfortable seating with 2-3-2 or 2-4-2 configuration on long-haul aircraft.

British Airways introduced World Traveller Plus, its equivalent for premium economy, in the early 2000s, marking a shift in the airline’s cabin. The airline’s executives, speaking during an investor call after it had announced its financial results in May 2005, remarked that “World Traveller Plus is doing extremely well and the profitability of that cabin is very important to us.”

Since then, the cabin class, available on international long-haul flights with no short-haul equivalent, has become a staple of British Airways’ offering. During its parent company’s International Airlines Group (IAG) investor day presentation, IAG noted that 66% of the airline’s customers lived in a more affluent area of the United Kingdom, which was why they were more willing to pay for a more premium experience.

At the same time, its customers are becoming more leisure-focused, with 75% of British Airways flying for leisure purposes, meaning that not everybody was willing to splash the cash on a business class (Club World) seat. However, premium economy offers a perfect alternative: a better passenger experience while still not stretching one’s budget.

1 Upgraded in 2019

World Traveller Plus upgrade was announced on January 16, 2019

Changes promised:

• New furnishings
• Enhanced service
• Improved dining experience

In January 2019, British Airways announced that as part of its £6.5 billion ($8.2 billion) transformation plan, it will be investing in its World Traveller Plus cabin as well. The changes, which rolled out on a monthly basis, introduced a third main meal option and more substantial hot second meals later in the flight, with new furnishings being introduced as well.

Speaking about the changes, Carolina Martinoli, the then-British Airways Director of Brand and Customer Experience, said that the improvements will result in real changes to the premium economy cabin, which will only improve the airline's customer proposition.

New amenity kits introduced in 2019

World Traveller Plus amenity kit upgrades were announced on June 25, 2019

Includes items such as:

• Eyeshade
• Soft socks
• A pen
• A toothbrush
• Toothpaste
• Lip balm

During the same January 2019 announcement, British Airways promised that it would upgrade the class’ amenity kits, which were finally announced in June of the same year. The amenity kits, made from recycled plastic bottles, were introduced on July 1.

The amenity kits include items that were deemed essential by British Airways, including an eyeshade, soft socks, a pen, a toothbrush and toothpaste, and lip balm. Speaking about the new amenity kits, Martinoli said the new menus that the airline introduced earlier in the year were a huge hit, and now, the new kits will only improve the comfort of the cabin.

2 In-flight entertainment options

In-flight entertainment marketed as High Life

Options available:

• Movies
• TV
• High-speed WiFi access (subject to aircraft)
• Access to the Paramount+ catalog

According to the airline, the basic three features that are available to premium economy or World Traveller Plus travelers are a personal in-flight entertainment screen, complimentary noise-canceling headphones, high-speed WiFi (depending on the aircraft), and access to the Paramount+ catalog.

Meanwhile, on March 4, 2024, British Airways announced even more improvements to its passenger experience. While some of these changes, including new routes and new short-haul seats, will not be relevant to World Traveller Plus customers, the carrier did say that a WiFi-enabled customer care solutions, created specifically for British Airways, will be available to customers.

3 Seat and airport experience

Seating configuration: 2-3-2 or 2-4-2

Benefits:

• Separate cabin
• Two meals and bar service
• Personal in-flight entertainment system
• Stylish amenity kit
• Access to in-seat power
• More baggage allowed
• Priority boarding

Naturally, one of the main benefits of choosing a premium economy seat is the extra comfort that the seat offers to customers. While typically, British Airways configures its economy class cabins in a 3-3-3 configuration on long-haul flights, World Traveller Plus cabins are laid out in either a 2-3-2 or 2-4-2 aisle, which provides more space to passengers flying the aircraft.

“The seats on our premium economy flights are wider, with greater recline, lumbar support, a head and foot rest, plus extra leg room to stretch out. Each seat also has its own power supply, so you can use your devices on board. A few of our aircraft might need you to bring your own adaptor if they aren’t sold on board.”

Furthermore, British Airways says that World Traveller Plus customers, in addition to priority boarding, can bring more baggage onboard and to the check-in counter. Passengers can have a cabin bag and a laptop or handbag onboard while checking in two bags in the hold.

4 Available on all long-haul aircraft

Total aircraft types available on: 10

Aircraft types with World Traveller Plus:

• Airbus A350-1000
• Airbus A380
• Boeing 777-200 (London Gatwick Airport (LGW)-based)
• Boeing 777-200 with first class
• Boeing 777-200ER
• Boeing 777-236
• Boeing 777-300
• Boeing 787-8
• Boeing 787-9
• Boeing 787-10

While British Airways operates four cockpit types, namely the Airbus A350, A380, Boeing 777, and 787, there are ten different aircraft types with different interiors operating for the airline. For example, there are Boeing 777-200 aircraft that fly out of London Gatwick Airport (LGW) exclusively.

Furthermore, the World Traveller Plus cabin is laid out in a 2-3-2 configuration on the Airbus A380, Boeing 787-8, 787-9, and 787-9, while on the Airbus A350-1000 and all of the Boeing 777-200 aircraft, the premium economy cabin is configured in a 2-4-2 layout.

• 

  British Airways

  IATA/ICAO Code:

  BA/BAW

  Airline Type:

  Full Service Carrier

  Hub(s):

  London Heathrow Airport, London Gatwick Airport

  Year Founded:

  1974

  Alliance:

  oneworld

  Airline Group:

  IAG

  CEO:

  Sean Doyle

  Country:

  United Kingdom

  Loyalty Program:

  British Airways Executive Club

  Region:

  Europe