The best way to explain this airline is that British Airways is the parent company, and this is a smaller branch of the BA brand. It flies solely out of London Gatwick Airport and initially serves 35 destinations, with views to expand.

I’ve found the EuroFlyer opening story really interesting. It’s a fascinating business strategy from British Airways, which aims to compete with Gatwick’s low-cost airlines, such as Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air. 

These budget airlines almost entirely dominate the European flight routes from London Gatwick. By opening the EuroFlyer as a subsidiary, British Airways can compete with those airlines by reducing its prices and costs without damaging its original brand image.

It’s pretty smart, isn’t it? In this guide, I’ll introduce you to BA EuroFlyer and everything you need to know before flying with this airline. It only opened in 2022, so there’s a lot to learn about.

What Is BA EuroFlyer? 

The most important thing to get your head around is who owns this airline. British Airways is the parent company, and it runs EuroFlyer as a special lower-cost service, specifically from London Gatwick Airport.

It is wholly owned, meaning only British Airways oversees this airline. 

A subsidiary company just means that it belongs to another company. In BA EuroFlyer’s case, this translates to being a bit of British Airways in miniature.

Even though BA EuroFlyer has its own name, it is essentially just British Airways — a key point, because it explains the almost identical experiences. 

Take the fare options, for example. You can expect a normal BA service, with Euro Traveller and Club Europe choices:

Euro Traveller

Euro Traveller is the economy option onboard, with complimentary water and snacks included. You get leather seats with headrests, with new seat designs rolling out gradually through aircraft as of May 2024.

There is the option for Wi-Fi access, although it’s worth noting you have to pay for this, which I found a bit irritating. 

In terms of baggage, each one includes a cabin and a handbag. The fact that BA EuroFlyer still sticks to BA’s generous luggage allowance really sets it apart from other airlines from Gatwick.

Ryanair and easyJet are especially known for slightly stingy luggage policies, so generous luggage at cheap rates with BA EuroFlyer is pretty enticing.

Club Europe

Club Europe is the Business option onboard, with premium check-in, lounges, and a gourmet meal and bar service included. The full meal is a nice touch, offering breakfast, afternoon tea, or dinner. 

The seats are almost identical to those in Euro Traveller, the only difference being that the middle seats are always left empty. This means you are guaranteed either an aisle or a window seat and just that extra space. The middle seat is either left empty or has a table on top. 

The main bonus of flying Club Europe is its lounge access beforehand. You don’t get the whole suite experience onboard, but you have more space, good food, and relaxation time beforehand.

What Routes Does BA EuroFlyer Serve? 

BA EuroFlyer operates all over Europe, specializing in short-haul flights. You can fly to all sorts of destinations, including ski break destinations like Geneva or Turin. 

You can also catch winter sun getaways in places like Lanzarote, and come spring and summer, dozens of beach holidays. There are perfect summer routes to Corfu, Mykonos, Agadir, and Morocco.

I was impressed by the variation in BA EuroFlyer’s routes. There’s enough diversity to ensure that it can operate with different holiday themes (winter sun, snow activities, spring city breaks, and summer beach holidays) all year round.

The airline also continually adds to its routes, so keep your eyes peeled for updates. 

What Does BA EuroFlyer Mean For Points Collecting? 

The good news is that BA EuroFlyer makes absolutely no difference to how you usually collect Avios and Tier Points. You’ll continue to clock them up in the usual way.

Since the airline is basically just a mini version of British Airways, there’s no difference in the passenger experience when collecting points. 

Obviously, the usual rules apply. You’ll earn more flying in Business than in Economy, a rule that applies to Tier Points and Avios. 

I guess it’s also important to note that since BA EuroFlyer solely operates short-distance flights, the average earnings will naturally be lower than those of longer flights. With shorter flights, you’re also less likely to incorporate stopovers, so you don’t get to boost point earnings there.

Of course, you’d find these limiting factors across most of BA’s short-haul fleet anyway. It’s something to generally remember when maximizing your points with BA.

EuroFlyer Vs BA’s Existing Short Haul Fleet

Quite frankly, there is not a lot of difference between EuroFlyer and BA’s existing short haul fleet. The main difference between them is just the name ‘EuroFlyer’.

EuroFlyer is associated with lower prices, although spokespeople for the airline vehemently deny being ‘low-cost’ — a subtle difference in quality associations, I guess. 

BA EuroFlyer is officially a subsidiary company, meaning it is owned wholly by British Airways but functions under its own name. It is a bit of an experiment and was cooked up over COVID-19 as the realization hit that London Gatwick was seriously not profitable.

Only opening in 2022, it is still very much in its early days and could go in many different directions regarding creative vision and success.

BA’s existing short-haul fleet goes by the names Euro Traveller (economy) or Club Europe (business). The service is identical, with the same classes and inclusions; it just has different prices and flies from airports all over Europe, while EuroFlyer flies just London Gatwick. 

In summary, these are the main differences between EuroFlyer and BA’s existing short-haul fleet:

• EuroFlyer only operates out of London Gatwick, while BA’s short-haul fleet is Europe-wide.
• EuroFlyer is a subsidiary company, while BA’s short-haul fleet is part of the original main company.
• EuroFlyer is new from 2022, while BA’s short-haul fleet has operated since the 1980s.
• EuroFlyer’s prices are lower on average than BA’s usual short-haul rates. However, critics say there have been more operational cost cuts than fare drops.

What’s probably equally impactful to know is their similarities; I mean, just look at how identical they are:

• The same aircraft are used in EuroFlyer and BA’s short-haul fleet.
• The same fare classes are available, with the exact same inclusions.
• You can still collect Avios and Status Tier Points in the exact same way.
• Even the onboard staff still wear the same uniforms.

Why Does BA Create Subsidiaries? 

I’ve already touched upon the story behind BA EuroFlyer’s creation, but in this section, I’ll really give you all the juicy details. Did you know that British Airways has two subsidiary airlines – BA EuroFlyer and BA CityFlyer? 

While BA EuroFlyer flies to and from London Gatwick, BA CityFlyer uses London City Airport as a base.

The main difference is that EuroFlyer mainly uses Airbus planes (six seats split in two by a single aisle), while BA CityFlyer uses regional planes (four seats split in two by a single aisle). These airlines operate under the total control of British Airways but with different names.

The question that begs is, why bother? Especially when considering how similar the subsidiary airlines are to British Airways. 

There are a few layers when answering this question, so I’ll split it into sections:

To Cut Costs

The first thing to consider is that British Airways took a real hit over COVID-19. The airline was making insanely lower profits, so cutting operational costs with subsidiaries was a real solution. 

Subsidiaries are a smart business decision. When you open a new company, you can cut unnecessary costs. By improving operational efficiency, you can make the overall business model more profitable and sustainable in the long term. 

For instance, running short-haul British Airways flights from London Gatwick Airport wasn’t profitable. By opening BA EuroFlyer, British Airways has a chance to completely re-organize and optimize operations.

To Compete With Dominating Airlines

British Airways was struggling to compete against Gatwick’s low-cost airlines. As a short-haul carrier, it offered higher prices to the same destinations; you can see why people opted out and chose other airlines. 

Airlines like Ryanair and easyJet were dominating London City Airport and London Gatwick Airport. By creating subsidiary airlines BA EuroFlyer and BA Cityflyer, British Airways was attempting to better target customers in a competitive market without changing BA as an entirety.

Whether or not it works long term, we shall see. However, by providing similarly priced flights through subsidiary airlines, British Airways can compete without sacrificing its main brand image. Speaking of which…

Keeping Brands Separate

Opening subsidiaries protects the main brand image of British Airways. The airline opened in 1919 (originally Aircraft Transport and Travel Limited), making it over 100 years old. 

The British Airways brand image has been carefully curated and nurtured over the past century. The last thing you’d want to do is risk the consistency of your brand by making changes to your leading company and operations. 

By diversifying and opening subsidiary airlines, British Airways has put a small barricade between itself and these changes. This keeps its original associations and values while developing a new branch of experiences and branding.

The Criticism & What People Are Saying

I’d be doing you a disservice if I didn’t tell you the full story. If you’re considering flying with BA EuroFlyer, you need the warts-and-all version. 

The main criticism is that there isn’t much of a price difference between BA EuroFlyer and the main BA flights.

Initially, BA EuroFlyer advertised flights at around $40, intending to price match low-cost competitors. However, people have quickly taken to flight search tools and found that EuroFlyer often matches standard BA prices. 

Of course, if that’s the case, it begs the question of what the real difference is and whether a subsidiary creation was justified from a consumer perspective. If you listen to the most ferocious critics, they argue that it was entirely born out of necessity and industry survival. 

This is definitely something to keep in mind. Of course, if you are looking to fly from London Gatwick or London City Airport specifically, it won’t make too much of a difference.

Just don’t choose the airline only for low prices, and if budget is important to you, compare competitor options. If anything, all this just reasserts that flying with BA EuroFlyer isn’t a different experience from flying with BA short haul.

I don’t really see a strong negative to this. Just do your own due research beforehand and make the most of extra flight connections from Gatwick.

British Airways Fleet Types: 4 Ways To Fly

While we are on the topic of British Airways’ subsidiaries, it’s a great time to cover the different British Airways fleet types. Which travel type you experience all depends on where you fly from and where you fly to.

British Airways varies its travel experiences based on travel distance and airport of departure. 

For instance, if you fly from London Gatwick, you can fly with BA EuroFlyer. If you fly from London City Airport, you have the option of flying with BA Cityflyer.

If you fly long haul, you’ll go with World Traveller/Club World. In short haul, you’ll go with Euro Traveller/Club Europe.

There are four main categories that you should know about when flying with British Airways and its airlines. I’ll introduce you to each one now.  

1. BA’s Short Haul Fleet

British Airways has a whole fleet dedicated to flying short haul around Europe. This fleet offers an entirely different experience to flying long haul.

Euro Traveller and Club Europe are the two main classes on British Airways’ short haul fleet. This special fleet consists predominantly of A320, A321, and A319s. These planes typically carry up to 170 passengers and have a single aisle, with two lots of three-seat rows. 

You can choose between flying in economy, which is Euro Traveller. When flying in BA’s short haul fleet, economy includes a snack, a bottle of water, and a carry-on bag with additional personal items. 

Alternatively, you can fly Club Europe, which is business class on this fleet. As mentioned, this includes premium check-in, a gourmet meal and bar service onboard, and lounge access before your flight.

The seats aren’t suites, but they leave an empty middle seat, often covered by an extra table, to guarantee more space.

2. BA’s Long Haul Fleet

Of course, British Airways also has a long haul fleet. This offers an entirely different experience to the European fleet, with many more inclusions and fare options. 

British Airways’ long haul fleet uses a mixture of Airbus A350, A380, and Boeing 777 and 787s. Its planes all feature twin aisles, and some are double-decker designs (we are looking at you, Airbus A380s).

I really favor BA’s long haul fleet, mostly because of its excellent safety record — I can be a little paranoid about booking flights with new airlines. But I also like the inclusions and onboard experience.

You can book the following fare classes:

• Economy
• Premium Economy
• Business Class
• First Class

These are roughly split into World Traveller for the Economy fares, which include one or two full meals, depending on the flight duration. You also get a personal entertainment screen with a headset, a personal blanket, and a pillow.

Club World is for business and above fares. In Business Class, you get lounge access, a private suite that converts into a flatbed, and a gourmet menu to choose from.

First Class is even more elaborate, with loungewear and an amenity bag to enjoy in a private suite and luxury lounges beforehand.

BA EuroFlyer

BA EuroFlyer is the subsidiary option for lower-priced flights, specifically from London Gatwick Airport. You can use BA EuroFlyer to travel all around Europe, with nearly 40 different connections around the region. 

This fleet uses a mixture of Airbus A320 and A321s, running a near-enough experience identical to British Airways’ short-haul flights. You can still choose from Euro Traveller and Club Europe. 

The only thing that sets BA EuroFlyer aside is its eye-catching low prices and Gatwick-specific departure point. The airline opened in 2022 and is a relatively new enterprise under the BA brand umbrella.

BA Cityflyer

BA Cityflyer is the other subsidiary option when flying specifically from London City Airport. Like EuroFlyer, Cityflyer is known for its slightly lower prices and was intended to rival low-cost airlines at LCY.

Unlike EuroFlyer, though, this airline uses regional planes — primarily the Embraer 190.

If you fancy a more regional experience with British Airways, BA Cityflyer is your only real chance to do so. Its planes offer just four seats per row, divided into pairs by a single aisle. 

This airline operates UK domestic routes as well as connections with Europe. You can fly to destinations in Malaga, Faro, Berlin, and Edinburgh. It connects London City Airport fantastically with the wider European region with a network of great short haul flights.

To Summarize: Flying With BA EuroFlyer 

Hopefully, you now feel confident booking a flight with BA EuroFlyer. I’ve got to emphasize that this airline is more a business strategy than a massively different offering. You won’t experience much difference from flying with BA’s Euro Traveller or Club Europe.

If you are based near London Gatwick, flying with BA EuroFlyer is potentially a way to save some money. The airline purposely runs cheaper flights than its parent company.

BA EuroFlyer’s main edge over its competitors, like Ryanair and easyJet, is its luggage allowance and fare options. 

You can fly Business and get a generous cabin bag —- which hugely differs from the boarding experience with the other two.

I’ve found that flying with Ryanair and easyJet makes the boarding experience pretty stressful. It feels like boarding staff are constantly breathing down your neck trying to find overweight luggage.

It’s alright if you’re looking to get somewhere fast and cheap, but there’s undoubtedly a market for more comfortable short-haul travel. 

Flying with British Airways feels much more relaxing. It feels like a win-win now that EuroFlyer has matched the general price levels.

The only potential limiter is that it operates only out of London Gatwick, and the jury is still out on whether it actually keeps ticket prices low and remains different enough. It will be interesting to see its profitability and future long-term. Let’s keep an eye, shall we?

I decided to treat myself and upgrade the flight to Business Class, meaning I’d get to experience flying in Club Europe for the first time. 

Flying in Business Class for a short haul flight with British Airways is completely different from flying Business Class in long haul. British Airways primarily uses smaller planes with just a single aisle for their short-haul flights, meaning less room for traditional Business Class suites.

So I was intrigued by what the difference would be and, moreover, whether it was still even worth flying Business with BA’s Euro Traveller fleet.

Chances are you’ve already seen the criticism floating around about the seat situation. It is a point of controversy. 

In this guide, I’ll run you through exactly what there is to know about flying Business with BA Euro Traveller. You’ll get straight definitions, an overview of how the short-haul fleet differs, and a tell-all review of my experience.

You’ve come to the right place for a warts-and-all take on whether or not you should book Club Europe seats on your next flight.

What Is BA Euro Traveller?

Let’s be crystal clear about this: BA Euro Traveller is a special British Airways fleet dedicated to short-haul flights. Since BA operates out of London, Euro Traveller serves flights around Europe.

As a short-haul fleet, Euro Traveller only provides Economy and its own version of Business Class. However, its inclusions are the same as World Traveller’s: onboard dining, pre-flight lounge access, fast-track security, and an extra luggage allowance. 

World Traveller is BA’s long-haul fleet and operates flights worldwide to places like America, Australia, and Asia. It uses a different fleet, purpose-built for longer journeys and carrying more passengers.

As such, the World Traveller fleet has more room than Euro Traveller for onboard suites and fancier Business and First Class experiences. 

It’s worth reiterating. The main thing to remember about flying long-haul with BA versus flying short haul is that you’ll use different fleets:

Euro Traveller

A short-haul fleet of mostly A320s offering economy seats and an adapted version of business class.

World Traveller

A long-haul fleet of A350s or Boeing 777s offering economy, business, and first-class seating.

My Experience Flying In Business Class With BA Euro Traveller

I started my return journey from George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD), checking in online around 24 hours before at my hotel.

While flying is usually an inflight experience, the main benefit of flying Club Europe is that it makes the pre-departure experience more of an experience. Things like checking in and waiting to board are much more enjoyable. 

I jumped out of the Uber and walked straight into the departure hall, where my Euro Traveller status for today gave me eligibility for fast-track security.

This was a real benefit, and kind of set the tone for a more relaxing pre-flight experience. You just scan your boarding pass as usual and get waved straight through. 

In reality, you save yourself around 10-15 minutes. But the real draw is the calmer atmosphere. There’s less frantic scrambling and more leisurely scanning and repacking of items. 

I didn’t bother checking any baggage for the flight, as I was only in Belfast for a couple of days. So, I just sent my cabin bag through security as normal before emerging into Duty-Free.

One of the best parts about flying Club Europe is that you get lounge access. At BHD, this means access to the Aspire Lounge, located by Gate 4.

The entrance process was breezy; I just walked up and met a very pleasant lady who scanned my boarding pass to establish my complimentary entry.

I spent three hours in the Belfast City Aspire Lounge, enjoying a quieter workspace with a buffet and unlimited drinks included. Having that lounge time really sets you up for a more relaxed flight, and it’s a real bonus that it’s included on short haul, not just long-haul Business fares.

Boarding & In-Flight Experience

When it’s time to board the plane, you get priority boarding with Euro Club status. This means limited queuing, especially since most A320s only have 7 rows in Business Class – translating to a maximum of around 28 passengers.

This was my first glimpse of the seat layout. I put my cabin bag in the locker overhead and squeezed past the tabled middle seat. 

I can see why some people would be miffed. These seats do just look like Economy seats (they actually are the same seat), just with a table wedged into the middle seat. It reminded me a little of flying back from Sydney during COVID-19; I’d had a row to myself because nobody else was flying. 

In essence, you are paying for the luxury of having no immediate neighbor and avoiding sitting in the middle. Of course, if you’ve experienced either of those things, you’ll know this is certainly an advantage.

It’s a pretty comfortable setup, but definitely an adaptation of Business Class rather than what you’d typically envision as traditional Business Class.

This is by far the biggest difference between Euro Traveller’s and World Traveller’s Business Class experiences. However, you can see why BA offers this short haul, as the A320 is just too narrow to offer suites in a financially viable way.

This is arguably better than just four seats per row, too; otherwise, you’d always get a neighbor.

Overall, the seats are comfortable. The charging ports are in front of you, and they whirr into action when the seatbelt lights turn off after take-off. The tray seat is pretty handy, too.

The only slight disappointment was the lack of onboard entertainment. The Wi-Fi (presented via QR code) also cost, which seemed cheeky given that we’d already paid for the Business Class.

Luckily, the food service whirred almost immediately into action to distract me from this bugbear.

The seat belts are barely off before the crew begins making food service preparations. Today’s menu includes afternoon tea with vegetarian or meat dishes. I choose the vegetarian option and a glass of champagne.

I was pleasantly impressed by the service, which squeezed a rapid fine dining experience into an immensely short flight. I had been a bit dubious about the afternoon tea as well, but while it was a little low in quantity, the food quality was excellent.

I particularly liked the tangy miniature roll, which was packed with goat’s cheese. The scone was good, too, served piping hot with clotted cream and strawberry jam. With a melt-in-your-mouth-style glass of champagne to match, this part definitely felt like a Business Class experience. 

As we ate, the crew came back, offering top-ups of champagne and hot drinks. I had around 15-20 minutes to eat leisurely before we began descending into London.

The crew had this down to a fine art, and miraculously, just 10 minutes before landing, all our empty plates were whisked away. The onboard service was honestly fantastic. It’s amazing how clockwork the process is, and this and the pre-departure experience make Business Class short-haul worthwhile. 

After we landed, we got priority disembarking. There’s no security or immigration when traveling domestically, so I just whizzed out past baggage reclaim anyway. 

However, if you were flying internationally, you can see why this would be a draw. We all know how frustrating it is to arrive at immigration and find a 30-minute queue because you were last off the plane.

My Takeaway: Is It Worth It?

I’d say that flying in BA Euro Traveller’s Business Class is worthwhile.

Level your expectations, as you won’t get a glitzy suite or any fancy seats onboard. However, given the fact BA uses single-aisle planes, you can totally understand why the seating is the way it is. 

What made it worthwhile for me was that smooth pre-departure experience. Having lounge access, fast-track security, and priority boarding really lulls you into the flight. Instead of being thrust into chaos, you get to indulge in flying as a luxury. 

Similarly, the onboard experience helped to pass the time more enjoyably. The staff were lovely, and the service felt intimate since there were less than 20 passengers in my flight’s Business section.

The fine dining-style experience definitely upped the tone of the flight; just tasting that goat’s cheese and sipping champagne makes you appreciate the experience for what it is. 

Overall, flying Business Class with Euro Traveller is great if you need a relaxing experience rather than a hectic flight. It forces you to be more mindful while taking stressors off your plate for you.

And while it might not be your ‘typical Business Class experience’, it’s certainly enjoyable.

Would I recommend spending your hard-earned Avios on short-haul BA Reward Flights or Club Europe upgrades? Probably not. You wouldn’t get the same value from the experience as you would with World Traveller. 

However, if you happen to see modestly priced Business tickets short haul (they only tend to be a couple of hundred in difference), I’d wave the green flag to treat yourself. Better yet, book them on an Avios-earning credit card to maximize your Avios earnings.

To Conclude: Flying In Business With BA Euro Traveller

I believe everyone should experience flying in Business with BA Euro Traveller once. It is a different version of the stereotypical Business Class experience. And if you fancy some luxury short haul in Europe, it’s by far your best option.

Not many airlines offer Business Class flights on short-haul fleets around Europe. British Airways definitely holds the market for that. For a whistle-stop business class experience, BA Euro Traveller ticks the box.

Before flying back from Belfast to London, I spent three hours in the Aspire Lounge, which is the main lounge that George Best Belfast City Airport offers.

I enjoyed the lounge, finding it much quieter and more peaceful than lounges at busier airports like London Heathrow. The interior is tasteful, with a dusky pink, brown, and muted blue color palette. While limited to two main tables, the buffet was also still impressively varied. 

The Aspire Lounge was only launched in 2020, so it’s a relatively new adjustment to BHD. I’ll run you through some general information, including the Aspire Lounge brand and how it came to be at this specific airport, plus an honest review of my personal experience.

Where Is The Aspire Lounge In Belfast City Airport?

The Aspire Lounge at BHD is located immediately as you exit duty-free, right next to Gate 4.

You walk through duty-free, passing WHSmith and a general seating area before seeing a corridor on your left. You’ll see the lounge entrance straight ahead, with a clear banner announcing the Aspire brand.

It takes less than a minute to find. Belfast City Airport isn’t exactly known for its size!

The Story Of The Aspire Lounge At Belfast City Airport 

Originally, this was a British Airways lounge. However, in 2020, the airline handed the lounge over to Aspire — an international chain of lounges. 

The lounge had a shaky start and desperately needed investments in refurbishments. So, in 2023, Aspire invested nearly $1.5 million to completely switch up the lounge’s aesthetic. 

The lounge you see today is that refurbished lounge. However, certain aspects of its original layout remain, like the doorway straight to Gate 4, where BA planes fly from. It’s a nod to the lounge’s earlier history.

Getting Access To Aspire Lounge Belfast City Airport

Anyone can get access to the Aspire Lounge at Belfast City Airport. Aspire has an open-door policy, meaning all passengers of all fare types can simply buy access on arrival if they’re not granted free access with their Business or First Class boarding pass.

Prices start at £32.99 ($41.09) – which I would confidently say is worthwhile, especially as there’s no booking fee.

You can book online to guarantee access, but to be honest, I don’t see it ever selling out of space. It seems a low-risk gamble to just rock up on the day. 

As I’ve mentioned, you can access the Aspire Lounge for free via your fare class. If you fly with British Airways in Business Class or above, full access comes included. This is a nice touch and another nod to Aspire’s partnership with BA.

Certain eligible passengers on KLM and Aer Lingus can also access the lounge on a complimentary basis, so double-check your fare details.

Inside The Aspire Lounge 

Emerging from security, it is a brief minute’s walk up a flight of stairs and through a modest duty-free section.

I’d heard that the lounge was next to Gate 4 and, sure enough, immediately on my left, there it was. It is a little hidden away, but BHD is so small that you’ll have no problem finding it.

The check-in process was a breeze. I handed over my boarding pass, and a smiling lady quickly entered some details into a computer before waving me on in.

As British Airways partnered with Aspire and I was flying Business Class, I received complimentary access, which felt great.

First impressions are very good; everything is friendly, smart, and organized. The lounge is partially open-plan, separated by shelving-style walls and columns, creating a sense of privacy with quieter corners to find yet abundant natural lighting.

As I wanted to do some work on my laptop before the flight, this was the perfect atmosphere to walk into.

The color scheme consisted of dusky pink, muted blue, and natural wooden brown. Aspire’s refurbishment had been achieved with class – the environment felt super trendy with that all important touch of style. 

There are many places available for seating, including booths, tables, and comfortable armchairs. The fact that Belfast City Airport is so quiet also helps, as the lounge stayed near-empty the entire time I was there. 

In fact, I’m pretty sure it was only me and my fellow passengers there. I recognized almost everyone onboard the plane in Business Class. So, if you want somewhere quiet to relax and work, this lounge is definitely a peaceful corner of BHD.

There are bathrooms inside the lounge, all decked out with bright white walls and lighting. It felt airy and clean, welcoming you to freshen up without worrying about a grumbling queue. 

I picked a comfortable booth with a table to set my laptop down, making use of the row of under-seat chargers.

Eating At The Aspire Lounge

The buffet table set up at the Aspire Lounge is a little limited. I’m also a vegetarian, which is usually a bit of a kicker at lounges, which typically massively cater to less fussy eaters. I’ve got to admit, I had my reservations and doubted I’d get much of a selection looking at the table sizes.

It was a pleasant surprise, though. At 1pm, it was that awkward lunch time, where nobody typically knows who fancies a piping hot main meal or a light brunch.

It cleverly struck a balance between both: offering a table dedicated to hot dishes (although admittedly only substantially offering curry and rice) and a table for lighter dishes.

I preferred the lighter-dish table, which offered a ‘picky lunch’ type of situation. The salad selection was gorgeous, and there was a moreish selection of cheeses and crackers. I ate a small fortune in olives and blue cheese.

I stuck to a cappuccino for a drink. However, there was a huge selection of alcoholic beverages at a self-serve corner bar. You could pour yourself prosecco or a spirit and mixer — the selection is pretty grand and set against a striking white bar. 

There are also two coffee machines and a selection of tasty herbal and standard teas, so I headed there for a quick ‘wake-up’ caffeine fix.

It would be interesting to see how the menu changes throughout the day. At 1pm, there wasn’t too much pressure for me to get food: I’d eaten lunch in Belfast and was eating on the plane. But you can see why the lounge does catch some criticism for limited food options. 

I’d suggest treating it as a place to have a light meal rather than a chance to fill your boots. The staff were always on hand to top things up, and the whole buffet was kept spotless, so full points for the service and efficiency.

The Atmosphere

As I’ve mentioned, the atmosphere at BHD’s Aspire Lounge is honestly perfect for remote working. My pet peeve is overrun lounges, where you can’t find a charging point, and the noise levels are too high to work productively anyway.

This isn’t the case with this lounge. Because of Belfast City Airport’s small size, there is barely anyone inside the Aspire Lounge. I traveled on a Sunday afternoon, and it was peacefully quiet.

Three hours before departure, there were only me and two other passengers (both of whom were on the same plane) in the lounge. There was a rather fabulous-looking older lady in a bold leopard print dress, spectacles, and natural gray hair in a blowout. She sat quietly reading on her tablet, and another gentleman sat typing on a laptop.

Even as it got busier, only a maximum of 10-15 people were there. The loudest it got was a man making a phone call and a couple of friends chatting in a lowered tone.

The layout is really clever, with the illusion of private spaces but an open plan that provides natural lighting. The runway views are also spectacular, with an entire wall boasting floor-to-ceiling windows and views of the planes lined up for departure.

It’s quiet enough to concentrate, but well-designed enough to inspire you and feel a bit indulgent. 

There are large boarding information screens, which are ideal for keeping track of your flight. And furthermore, there’s a separate door that takes you straight to check-in if you’re flying with British Airways (who always fly from Gate 4). I loved this feature as it meant I switched off from boarding. It is a relaxing setup that makes the whole process hassle-free.

The atmosphere was by far my favorite quality of this lounge. I’d actually recommend paying for access just to make use of it as a co-working space. 

To Conclude: Is It Worth It? 

All things considered, I would recommend the Aspire Lounge at Belfast City Airport. Its best factor is its atmosphere, and the fact it’s so quiet means you actually get value out of what you need from a lounge — bagging a quiet workspace and a peaceful pre-flight experience. 

Looking at the pre-upgrade design, it’s amazing to see how much the investment has revolutionized the interior and atmosphere. Before, it had a bit of a dull look, but now it has the appearance of a boutique lounge.

It feels fresh and inspiring, where you can enjoy the pre-flight experience. 

At 1pm, the food was of great quality, albeit slightly limited in its quantity. But honestly, you can still find a dish that works for you; just don’t go in expecting an all-you-can-eat experience and measure your expectations. The blue cheese and olives combination gets my vote.

The Aspire Lounge at Belfast City Airport is a bit of a wallflower. Its atmosphere is quiet and its design is pretty, and it’s a recommendable place to spend your pre-flight experience. 

Did you know that Airbus introduced the A320 in 1984? That makes this small yet reliable aircraft over 40 years old.

It is a real backbone of the short- to mid-haul flight industry and is used by other airlines such as United Airlines and Spirit Airlines. If you’re flying Business short haul, chances are you’ll find yourself on an A320. 

For the sake of this article, though, we’ll focus on flying on the A320 with British Airways. The A320s at British Airways have that classic layout, with two sets of three seats, making up six seats across, broken up by a single aisle. 

Hold fire if you are weighing up whether to take the plunge and book a Business Class experience on an A320.

I’ll give you a rundown of my experience with British Airways and what you can generally expect from this aircraft type. I’ll pool all the facts together for you so that you can make the best call for you.

The Layout Of An Airbus A320

Now that you have a general idea of what A320s are all about, let’s take a more detailed look at their most typical layout.

After all, if you’re paying or upgrading to Business Class, you’ll want to know what you’ll experience for your money. Personally, I like to get a sneak peek before flying as well, so you aren’t alone there. 

An Airbus A320 holds between 140 and 170 passengers when offering Business Class seating. It has twin engines and, as you know, was officially launched in 1984.

An Airbus A320 offers Business and Economy seating, meaning no First Class – book long haul for that. The exact number of Business Class seats per row may vary per airline.

However, generally, with A320s there are 7 Business Class rows followed by 22 Economy rows.

A single aisle runs throughout the plane, with toilets at the front and back of the aircraft. Emergency exits are at the front and back, and two in the middle by the economy rows 10 to 12.

When it comes to food service, there are two food preparation areas: one at the front and one at the back. The one at the front typically only serves Business Class, while the one at the back is responsible for the Economy seating.

The two fare areas are divided by curtains drawn once the aircraft is stabilized in the air.

My Experience Flying BA Business Class In An A320

I’m really familiar with the A320 aircraft, as I grew up in Europe, and it’s by far the most popular plane for short-haul travel.

When flying around Europe, you are never more than 4 or 5 hours away from your next destination, usually only a couple at maximum.

This means that the A320 has historically ruled the skies and, to be honest, continues to do so. Nearly every European-serving airline has the A320 in its fleet.

In this particular experience, I flew from Belfast to London Heathrow on an A320 with British Airways. The pre-departure experience had all the typical Business Class inclusions, including fast-track security, access to Belfast City Airport’s Club Aspire Lounge, and priority boarding.

This is the overarching similarity between flying business in an A320 and other aircraft types —- the pre-departure inclusions obviously stay the same.

When it came to boarding, passengers were directed to front and back boarding. In Business Class, I was directed towards a boarding tunnel at the front.

BA’s seven-row Business Class configuration has six seats per row. However, as you can see in the picture below, the middle seats are blocked to give extra space. 

There’s some controversy about the set-up, saying that the seating is identical to that in the Economy, with the middle seat blocking a bit of a low-effort upgrade. However, I did like the extra space. 

It feels a bit like you got lucky with a half-empty plane. And on a short-haul flight, I think the A320 provides great space for Business Class, given its single-aisle size.

I also prefer this layout to having four seats per row and having to sit directly next to someone. Call me an introvert, but that personal space buffer feels worth its weight in gold.

Would it be better to have reclining flatbed seats or suites? Absolutely. However, I think the A320 is creative when it comes to making the most out of a smaller aircraft space.

It’s worth noting that there’s no onboard entertainment built into seats either; bring a book or connect to the Wi-Fi to work or relax as you fly. Chargers in each seat turn on once the seatbelt sign pings off overhead, so you can use your mobile without worrying about draining its battery.

The overhead luggage storage on the A320 is fairly standard (the official British Airways cabin bag guidance is 22 inches x 18 inches x 10 inches). There’s also more than enough room at your feet for a small bag I used for my laptop bag. 

Of course, when flying Business Class, you also tend to get complimentary checked luggage. British Airways offers 2 x 32 kg checked bags, but I was flying light for a weekend, so I stuck with a cabin bag and a laptop bag.

Luggage-wise, the A320 felt spacious, and with British Airways offering so much complimentary hold storage, you can see why. The overhead lockers were practically empty in Business, with most Business passengers simply checking luggage into the hold and bringing a handbag or laptop bag.

It wouldn’t be a Business Class experience without gourmet food, would it? While the food menu isn’t particularly A320-relevant, I will mention a few things about the food preparation area and service. 

Given the smaller cabin, with just 7 rows of Business Class slotted between the Economy curtain and the cockpit, you get a really intimate service experience. The A320 has food preparation areas at the front and back of the aircraft, which helps split things into two different experiences.

Since the front preparation area stewards were entirely dedicated to the Business Class seats, I found it a much more relaxing experience. It didn’t feel like the stewards were rushing through numbers, even though the clock was ticking with only an hour in the air from Belfast to London.

I even got to chat leisurely with a few stewards, and they had the chance to pause and give genuine recommendations for drinks and food options. Having that smaller area made for a more positive dining experience, so that’s a big tick for A320 and its pocket-size Business seat compartment.

Finally, disembarking was equally positive, with passengers leaving from the front and back of the plane. Business passengers were off in less than a minute.

This was helped by only having 28 Business seats and by the fact that only a few people had even bothered with the overhead lockers, thanks to the complimentary hold policy.

To Conclude: Flying In A320 Business Class

Flying in Business Class on an A320 is undoubtedly a more intimate experience. You have a much smaller cabin than you find on long-haul aircraft like the Boeing 777s, with just a single aisle and creatively adjusted seating to maximize space.

Given that the A320 is a short- to mid-haul carrier, you also naturally spend less time in the air. 

It is much more tailored to dining than sleeping (with no reclining chairs or suites), but that makes sense. You wouldn’t expect to prioritize sleeping reclined on a three-hour flight.

Instead, you get a gourmet meal and somewhere comfortable to work on your laptop or read.

I’d say that you should definitely level your expectations flying Business Class on an A320. You’ll have a jolting shock if you waltz in expecting twin aisles and spacious suites.

However, when you do your research, you can appreciate the experience for what it is — an intimate type of Business Class experience on a smaller short-haul plane. 

I’ve spent the last couple of months researching ahead of an upcoming long-haul flight to Miami with British Airways. I’d love to get bumped up a class for the trip. The problem is, I’m not the sort of person who feels comfortable asking for anything — let alone an expensive upgrade. 

A lot of advice on scoring upgrades is along the lines of “complain about something trivial and then ask for an upgrade to compensate”. One article even mentioned bringing a present for the airline staff, which seems a little transparent and icky. 

If you’re in the same boat as me and feel uncomfortable with either of these methods, don’t worry. In this guide, I’ll run over some more subtle ways to increase your chance of an upgrade with British Airways. 

I’ll cover all the recommended tips and tricks (with a few icky cliches for good measure), as well as ways you can guarantee yourself an upgrade independently. Extrovert or introvert, these are the best British Airways flight upgrade tricks.

What Upgrades Can You Get With British Airways? 

First, let’s establish what upgrades are actually possible with British Airways. There’s no point jumping on a Euroflyer (British Airways’ short-haul fleet) and trying to bag a first-class upgrade, because it doesn’t exist. We’ve got to set realistic expectations. 

British Airways has different fleets for different route lengths, predominantly Euroflyer and World Traveller. These planes have different classes and inclusions, so your upgrade will vary depending on which one you are flying with. 

I’d recommend looking into this to set realistic expectations and see if it’s worth using your Avios to upgrade. Sometimes, it might be worth holding off your Avios for a long-haul flight rather than a short-haul if you want the proper upgrade experience. 

Here’s what you should know. 

Euroflyer Upgrades

Euroflyer is the British Airways flight dedicated to short-haul journeys — think European flights, like London to Barcelona or London to Nice. Euroflyer services nearly 40 destinations and is a great option if you stay in a major European capital.

Euroflyer has two classes, with the following inclusions:

1. Euro Traveller (Economy)

Euro Traveller is the lowest class when flying with Euroflyer. You get a complimentary bottle of water and a snack and can buy extra food and beverages onboard. 

You can opt for additional booking levels of Economy Basic, Economy Plus, and Economy Plus Flex.

However, these economy tiers just give you access to refunds and more luggage allowance. It isn’t really worth paying extra for if you want to invest in an in-flight upgrade experience.

2. Club Europe (Business Class)

Club Europe is the highest class you can fly in with Euroflyer. It has the same seating as Euro Traveller (a point of slight controversy), but the middle seat is kept free with additional table space, so you have more room and privacy during the flight.

You also get an included meal of breakfast, afternoon tea, or dinner.

The benefits of upgrading to Club Europe include:

• Access to business class lounges
• Fast-track security at London airports
• Special check-in desks
• Priority boarding
• Extra baggage allowance
• A meal rather than a snack, with hot and cold drinks included

World Traveller Upgrades

World Traveller is British Airways long-haul fleet. It covers major routes like London to Sydney or London to Miami, and because of this, it has more class options onboard. 

These are the four you should remember:

1. World Traveller (Economy)

World Traveller is the lowest class you can fly with British Airways on long-haul flights. 

It is comfortable and affordable, with one or two meals included depending on the flight distance. You get a private flat screen with headphones, plenty of films, and onboard entertainment.

Luggage-wise, you get 23kg with the Economy standard. 

2. World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy)

World Traveller Plus is a step up from World Traveller. The main bonus is fewer rows in the cabin, meaning a quieter and more spacious experience. You also get a guarantee of two meals, no matter the flight length. 

It’s definitely worth the upgrade for a more peaceful flight, and you earn more Avios and Status Points on Premium Economy flights. 

3. Club World (Business Class)

Club World has seats that convert into flat beds and you get cozy bedding to really settle in for your flight.

The food and drink allowance is generous, too, with a starter, main, dessert, and cheese. You can choose from a variety of hot and cold drinks — both alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

That’s not all; you also get access to lounges prior to boarding, which typically include complimentary food and drink. The pre-boarding experience is further streamlined with priority check-in and boarding.

Club World is where you really start to see the ‘upgrade experience’, and I’d recommend aiming for this level.

4. First

First class is the highest fare you can travel with World Traveller. It is quintessentially British, with complimentary Temperley London loungewear and Elemis skincare products provided.

You get your own private suite with a seat that turns into a flatbed. Flying First Class with British Airways is the creme de la creme of taking to the skies on a commercial flight.

There’s fine dining onboard with a range of complimentary fine beverages. And just the experience of having your own miniature suite is worth the upgrade alone. 

If you want to aim for the stars, First Class is the upgrade to bag. It offers the most privacy and a real luxury experience. 

Why Would Airlines Offer Upgrades? 

Airlines don’t just offer upgrades from the goodness of their own hearts. Actually, offering too many upgrades can damage the airline’s reputation, which is why an empty seat doesn’t guarantee anyone a spot.

Firstly, dishing out upgrades can make it hard to justify premium pricing to those who’ve already booked upgraded seats when Economy ticket holders are getting free spaces at a cheaper rate.

It brings down the exclusive aspect, which is much of what classes are all about.

Secondly, it reduces the incentive to opt into loyalty programs and point building. Airlines would much rather be able to sell last-minute upgrades at a reduced rate to help make up any potential losses.

So why would airlines such as British Airways ever offer upgrades? There are a few good reasons for them to:

Overbooking in lower cabins

A big reason is due to overbooking in lower cabins. If the Economy is absolutely packed with customers, especially too many customers, the airline may consider upgrading a passenger or two. 

In compensation

You may be upgraded if you are unfortunate enough to encounter a mishap on your flight, such as an airline-caused missed connection or lost luggage. 

To market new changes

There are rumors that airlines will upgrade more frequently when major cabin changes occur. This typically gives people a taste of the higher-fare cabins, making them more likely to splurge again.

So your chances for an upgrade are on the rise when the new British Airways seats roll out.

As goodwill gestures

Don’t feel too enthusiastic about this one – British Airways is not known for upgrading out of goodwill unless there’s a reason, like compensation.

This is more common amongst American airlines like United, who are known to upgrade frequent flyers on birthdays, or simply as a nice surprise if there are seats available. Generally, being offered a fight upgrade just because it’s your lucky day is less likely, but possible.

6 Recommended Ways To Bag An Update 

We’ve covered a lot there. I hope you’ve now got a general idea of what an upgrade with British Airways could look like, and an understanding of why the airline might offer an upgrade in the first place.

Now we’re fully briefed, I’ll take you through the six most recommended ways to bag an upgrade.

1. Be Tactical With Check-In

Did you know that the time you check in can impact your likelihood of getting an upgrade? I didn’t, but you can bet that I’ll be thinking about this moving forward. I’d typically check in the night before — very likely smack bang in the middle of the invisible line. 

But actually, you should either check in extremely late or very early.

If you check in really early, the admin staff are more likely to upgrade you in advance. As they already know where you are sitting and that you are checked in, you are in a smaller pool of the first upgrade candidates.

If you check in late, you may lose your spot if the flight is overbooked, which is incidentally great grounds to negotiate an upgrade or be offered one without asking.

Simply put, check in early to maximize your chances with admin staff, and check in late to maximize your chances with check-in staff.

2. Travel in Peak Times on Busy Routes

This is a crucial tactic when trying to get an upgrade. Overbooking is one of the biggest reasons British Airways upgrade their passengers. So, to maximize the chance of that happening, travel in peak times and on the busiest routes.

Peak times include school holidays, Fridays and Saturdays, especially for short-haul flights between typical business locations. The more likely a flight will be overbooked, the more chance you have of an upgrade.

3. Be Nice

Kindness should not have an ulterior motive. You’ll feel better for it (and less stressed in a busy environment) by being considerate to other passengers and airport staff alike.

And you never know when karma could swing into action. A smile and good, friendly manners at check-in cost nothing.

If a staff member has an upgrade up their sleeve, they’re never going to offer it to the rude and impatient passenger. This is particularly true when things go wrong, like lost baggage or delayed flights.

Patience and understanding go a long way in making your own experience that much better, and increase your chances of an appreciative staff member choosing you when a seat is available.

4. Travel Solo

Traveling solo is a another way you can improve your chances of upgrading. Upgrading one person is much more likely than four or even two. If you can travel by yourself, I’d suggest doing so.

Upgrading one person rather than a group is also much more subtle. British Airways is known to avoid elaborate upgrade announcements, especially since it dishes them out far less frequently than airlines like United.

The less attention it will draw to other passengers, the more likely the upgrade is.

5. Dress to Impress

Sometimes, first impressions actually do count. Nobody expects anyone to be catwalk-ready when heading to catch a flight, but it’s important to look put-together if you want an upgrade.

Remember that airlines won’t want you to stand out, as that attracts attention to someone getting upgraded for free while other higher-fare customers pay full price.

You should be able to blend perfectly into the general attire of someone already planning to fly Business or First Class.

6. Complain If Necessary, But With Discretion

Unnecessary or obnoxious complaining isn’t a good way to get in anyone’s good books. However, discreetly and politely speaking up if there is a genuine issue can be an excellent and fair way to get an upgrade.

For instance, if you have a real issue with a seat neighbor, you can approach an airline steward and explain the situation. It may be necessary for you to be moved or even upgraded.

Please remember that airport staff are very switched on to passengers conjuring up fake complaints. It doesn’t work, and will only make you look petty. If there’s a genuine issue, they’re there to help you, and it may involve a much better seat.

How Likely Are Flight Upgrades? 

The official stats say 1 in 5 people got upgraded across all airlines in the last two years. Of course, this covers many different upgrade policies, and British Airways won’t be as generous as other airlines.

However, that’s actually still a pretty high chance, and that stat doesn’t include the amount of people who upgrade through Avios. 

It isn’t like you are trying to get struck by lightning; getting an upgrade with British Airways is actually feasible.

A 20% upgrade rate in two years sounds good to me. You can also increase that chance even further by abiding by our tips and tricks, like dressing the part and traveling on tactical routes. 

How To Guarantee an Upgrade

If you’re anything like me, you prefer some things set in stone. Promotional sales and points are two ways to guarantee an upgrade without forking out the standard fare price.

This way, you won’t have to rely on remembering to smile when you’re actually quite stressed, or checking in at a time you wouldn’t usually, or strangely hoping for a nightmare seat neighbor to get that upgrade.

If you want to set out for the airport already knowing you have an upgrade waiting for you, these are your best two choices. 

1. Use Promotional Sales

Cabin upgrade sales often become available on the actual day of travel or occasionally the day before. You can ring before setting off to the airport or enquire at the check-in desk. You can also check online on your Manage Booking page. 

It runs on a first-come, first-serve basis, and it only runs when there are spaces that are actually free. You can buy an upgrade at a reduced price and get all the entitlements of the upgraded cabin, including lounge access.

It’s a great way to guarantee an upgrade if it’s available.

2. Upgrade With Avios

Upgrading with Avios is one of the main benefits of the British Airways reward program. By collecting Avios through things like credit cards, eligible flights, and hotel stays, you can quickly accrue a lot of reward currency.

One of the things you can redeem this currency on is flight upgrades. 

For instance, if you are flying in Economy Premium, you could use Avios to upgrade to Business Class. It’s a great way to get value for money. I’m saving all my Avios for this, as I want to upgrade on a Transatlantic flight before the end of the year.

You should note that you can only upgrade to the class directly above you when upgrading with points – for instance, upgrading from Premium Economy to Business. It also relies on Avios Reward Seats being available on the flight; nobody can help you if no seats are available.

It is still a first-come-first-served process, but it is about as guaranteed as British Airways upgrades can get. You can also upgrade with Avios way in advance, either when booking or managing your booking, which is handy.

How Many Avios Do You Need For An Upgrade? 

So, you’ve decided that upgrading with Avios is your jam. How many do you actually need? I’ll break it down for you.

Of course, it depends on what you are upgrading from and which class you’d like to upgrade to. Here’s a rough breakdown of what you could expect to part with on different routes, for an upgrade from Premium Economy to Business:

• London to Abu Dhabi: 37,500 to upgrade
• London to New York: 32,500 to upgrade
• London to Sydney: 65,000 to upgrade

As a general rule, you’ll need a minimum of around 20,000 to 35,000 Avios to upgrade on a mid-range flight. 40,000 to 70,000 points is a better goal for super long-haul flights.

Final Thoughts: Do Flight Upgrades Work? 

Yes, flight upgrades definitely work. I know I’ve heard plenty of anecdotes about upgrades over the years, and there are lots of interviews with airline staff who ‘spill the beans’ on what prompts them to upgrade passengers.

The stats don’t lie, either; 1 in 5 passengers gets upgraded in a two-year period. 

I’ll be trying out these tricks on my next BA flight — and you guys will be the first to know if I hit the jackpot. I am also heavily investing in upgrading via Avios. Instead of spending on Reward Flights, I am concentrating on saving to upgrade my flight class. 

People hyper-fixate on ways to trigger the secret upgrade button and woo the airline staff into giving that magic ‘yes’. Yes, it’s worth hedging your bets by abiding by those top six tips and tricks we covered earlier.

But you can also be proactive by saving your Avios and simply guaranteeing yourself an upgrade. 

British Airways isn’t known for lavishly dishing out upgrades. Still, I’d definitely recommend that you cover all bases, just in case. You never know when you might get lucky with an overbooked flight or a particularly cheery staff member.

And in the meantime, get collecting those precious Avios.

Once you get into the swing of things, you can start setting your own goals and consider booking flights with Avios.

This could be a massive goal like a Transatlantic flight with Avios, or a smaller goal, like an inter-European flight. Personally, I’m saving for a Transatlantic upgrade — but more on using Avios for upgrades later.

In this guide, I’ll give you a rundown on how to book flights using Avios. It is an easy process once you know the ropes, but knowing what to expect and the nitty-gritty details of it all is handy. Here’s what you need to know about caching in your hard-earned Avios.

What Are Reward Flights?

I think it’s important to understand the reality behind booking flights using Avios. It sounds like a great deal — and that’s because, mostly, it is — but let’s get really clear on how these flights are classified and what you get out of them. There are some limitations.

Any flight that you book using Avios is called a ‘Reward Flight’. Instead of paying, you’ve exchanged your Avios for a flight. It’s a pretty nifty deal, and Reward Flights are a significant motivator behind so many people joining airline reward programs.

You can get Reward Flights in all fare classes, including economy, business, and first class. The higher the fare class, the more Avios you’ll need to exchange for the flight. The further your Reward Flight flies, the more Avios you’ll need.

You get the idea. In essence, you get out what you put in. The more Avios you can scavenge, the higher your Reward Flight value will be.

Are Reward Flights Totally Free? 

Here’s the caveat I warned you about; Reward Flights are not totally free. 

You are still responsible for taxes, fees, and carrier charges. British Airways break down precisely what these taxes entail and why they exist on their website:

These extra costs can range from $50 to $500 depending on your route and destination.

For example, a flight from London to Sydney costs over 50,000 Avios points. You can use 50,000 Avios and get the flight as a Reward Flight. However, you then have an additional cost of $465 in taxes, fees, and carrier charges.

Is it still worthwhile redeeming Reward Flights? Yes, I’d say it is definitely still worth doing. But be mindful that those additional charges can quickly tot up, and you want to avoid going into the redeeming process thinking anything is completely free.

Reward Flights are a great way to get the main flight cost covered, leaving you with dramatically lower costs to pay on remaining additional factors like tax and carrier charges.

How Many Avios Do You Need to Book a Flight? 

Roughly speaking, I’d recommend saving upwards of 10,000 Avios to begin your flight redeeming journey. 

10,000 Avios is approximately the amount you’ll need to snag low-cost short-haul flights in economy. If you are just starting out collecting Avios, this is a realistic goal to aim for in a four- to six-month period, obviously depending on your collection patterns.

To push your fare class up to business class on short-haul flights, you must save between 15,000 and 20,000. For example, a business class flight from Miami to Cancun costs 16,500 Avios and an additional $40 in extra charges.

For long-haul flights in economy, you really need to start saving upwards of 50,000. That is around the mark you need to hit to snag routes such as London to Sydney — essentially any flight that covers mega-distances. 

In short, how many Avios you need to book a flight depends on where you want to go, when you go, and what fare class you want to get there in.

Avios Prices Rise With Zones and Air Miles

The way the program measures flight distances is straightforward; it just breaks down the flights into different zones. There are one to nine zones in total, each increasing in miles.

Avios Have Off-Peak and Peak Prices

One way to make your Avios stretch further is to book off-peak flights.

We all know the benefits of traveling off-peak anyway; better deals, fewer crowds, and a better overall travel experience. So it’s worth sticking to those less sought-after dates when booking flights with Avios.

Depending on which platform you book through, it will notify you of off-peak and peak experiences in different ways. British Airways Executive Club lists whether a day is off-peak or peak as you are scanning through flight availability, which is super handy.

So, How Much Should You Save?

I know it’s easy to get lost in all of these details. And to be honest with you, the point targets are general markers rather than concrete goalposts; the number of Avios required varies drastically depending on routes.

I’ll try to simplify things, though. Here is a very simplistic breakdown of how necessary amounts of Avios vary depending on fare and distance, assuming you are taking a one-way flight:

How Many Avios For Economy Flights?

• Short haul: 10,000 – 15,000
• Long haul: 40,000 – 60,000

How Many Avios For Business Class Flights?

• Short haul: 15,000 – 20,000
• Long haul: 120,000 – 15,000

How Many Avios For First Class Flights?

• Mid-haul: 40,000 – 50,000 
• Long haul: 170,000 – 200,000

5 Steps to Booking a Flight Using Avios 

As you already know, you can book flights using Avios through different platforms.

For this guide, though, I will concentrate on booking flights using Avios through British Airways Executive Club. This is one of the easiest ways to book flights using Avios, especially given the fact it’s one of the most popular airline reward programs.

There are just five simple steps you need to take note of:

1. Log In To Your British Airways Executive Club Dashboard

Okay, this first step shouldn’t be particularly mind-boggling so long as you have your passwords handy. Just enter your login details, and it will bring up your main dashboard.

While you’re there, take a quick look at the top right-hand corner of your screen. This is where you’ll see your current Avios balance. Remember what we said earlier about how many Avios you need per different flight types, and see if the flight you want is realistic.

If it is, click on your ‘Spending Avios‘ tab on the menu to your left and then click ‘Reward Flights‘.

2. Input Your Desired Flight Details

Click the option to ‘Book Now‘ (you may have to scroll down to the bottom of the page), and it will bring up a flight search tool.

Here is where you input all your essential flight details, such as the start and endpoint, whether you want one-way or return, and passenger numbers. You can also choose which fare class you wish to fly.

3. Choose Whether You Want Stopovers

When you click ‘Search‘, it brings up an extra webpage asking whether you want a direct flight or a stopover. This is an excellent option if you want to make the most of your trip, and you can decide how many days you want to layover for if you want an extra holiday in between.

Otherwise, you can just click to say you want a direct flight.

4. Select Your Flight

This is the fun part where you get to choose your Reward Flight. A horizontal menu of dates is at the top, advising you of availability and whether the flights are off-peak or peak. You can click each date to browse your flight options.

Keep in mind that Reward Flights sell out just like any other flight. Just because it’s a ‘Reward’ doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed unlimited spots, so book in advance for the best deals. 

5. Process Payment

Lastly, it’s time to process your payment and complete the booking. You’ll be previewed the total number of Avios that the flight costs, and the option to confirm that you are happy to complete the exchange.

At this point, you’ll also pay for any extra charges, like taxes and carrier charges.

If it’s here that you realize you don’t have enough Avios for your choices, it will offer you the chance to purchase Avios. Redeem your Reward Flight, and start looking forward to your trip!

How To Earn Avios to Book a Flight 

Earning Avios to book a flight is really simple. You can earn Avios through airline reward programs, collecting points for things like hotel bookings and standard flights. It’s all about getting creative.

If you find yourself a little short on your perfect Reward Flight, there are a few ways to boost your score. You can earn Avios to book flights through the following means:

• Booking hotels through the British Airways Executive Club’s shopping portal.
• Taking eligible flights and listing your membership number during booking or claiming as per your airline reward program’s requirements.
• Renting cars through eligible partnerships.
• Topping up fuel through BP. 
• Booking a British Airways Holiday (hotel and flight or hotel, flight, and car).
• Signing up for rewards cards at grocery stores.
• Registering for a partnered credit card, like American Express.

Earning Flights Through Travel

I am a British Airways Executive Club member, so I earn Avios through BA’s system and partners. This isn’t the only airline rewards program you can earn Avios through, but it is one of the most popular options. 

I primarily collect points by spending through the Executive Club portal, and finally received my American Express Credit Card, which is already making a huge difference.

As an example of how you can tot up points, I am currently on a work trip in Belfast. Here is a rough total of my forecasted points earnings from three days of short-haul work travel:

• Return Flights: $177 with Aer Lingus in Economy Flexible = 177 points with Amex, 300 points through Aer Lingus partnership.
• Accommodation: $250 through Airbnb = 250 points with Amex, 750 through the Airbnb portal. 
• Meals and Activities: Approximately $200 = 200 points with Amex.

Once I claim my eligible flights, I will have around 1,677 points, which will be put back into future travel. You can see how things quickly tot up, and this is just on a short-haul flight with minimal spending.

One of the best ways to earn Avios for travel is on regular trips. You can really maximize your earnings by claiming on parts of your travel that you’d already be spending on. For instance, booking your Airbnb through the Executive Club portal can earn approximately 3 points per dollar spent. 

Booking accommodation and flights and spending on an Amex also makes a huge difference. Tactically booking accommodation and having a partnered credit card is a fantastic way to dramatically boost the Avios you earn through travel. You want to earn Avios on more than just flights alone when traveling. 

Do You Earn Avios and Tier Points on BA Reward Flights? 

This is actually a critical point to cover. You do not earn Avios and Tier Points on BA Reward Flights.

This may seem a little annoying. I think it is probably to stop people from being able to steam their way up the Status Tiers too quickly. Otherwise, you could essentially swap your Avios for Tier Points in a very beneficial loophole.

It’s a pain, but the whole point of collecting Avios is that it’s challenging. It makes sense that they don’t want any loopholes.

Each airline reward program has a slightly different policy on collecting Reward Flights, so it could be worth looking around at the latest policies. However, as a general rule, it’s a safe bet to rule out earning when catching Reward Flights.

Other Ways to Use Avios

There are plenty of other ways that you can redeem Avios other than just flying. The whole point of Avios is that it’s a flexible reward currency. This means you have lots of travel-related things you could reward yourself with instead of an air fare.

I’d recommend weighing up all the different ways of redeeming Avios and seeing which provides you with the best value for money. Here are the best ways to use Avios besides a boarding pass:

Hotel stays

Points booked for hotel stays are a huge bonus of the Avios rewards program. You can book hotels using your points through a variety of platforms. However, I feel the easiest way is through British Airways Executive Club.

You simply log in and navigate to the ‘Spending Avios‘ menu tab and click on the ‘Hotel Stays‘ option. From there, you’ve got your very own points-based search engine.

Hotel stays start as low as 10,000 points and rise to 100,000 for multiple nights at luxury properties.

You may have city taxes to factor in on top of your hotel stay, but these will be less than the extra costs when using Avios for flights.

Car hire

You can find car hire in the same way through the British Airways Executive Club. EC members even get a free additional member, which is a nice touch.

Cars start as low as 20,000 for two days. If you are over 25, you can swap your Avios for car hire hassle-free.

Flight upgrades

OK, so this is flight-related – but what a treat, right? Flight upgrades are among the most rewarding ways to spend your Avios.

On select bookings (usually, you have to have already booked Economy Flexible, not the Lowest Economy option), you can pay an additional fee in points to upgrade your fare class on a standard cash-paid flight. 

Upgrading from economy to business on a Transatlantic flight costs around 20,000 to 25,000 Avios. On short-haul flights this is notably less. Why not treat yourself to that different level of luxury?

Flight upgrades are what I’m now concentrating on saving my Avios for. That is unless I get distracted by hotel stays along the way. We’ll see!

Final Thoughts: Booking Flights With Avios 

Phew. We’ve covered a lot of ground today, but it’s important you fully understand the whole process when looking to book flights with Avios. After all, it’s your hard-earned points — you want them to go as far as possible, don’t you?

I recommend factoring in those extra tax and carrier charge costs when booking flights with Avios. I’d also recommend pausing to evaluate whether this specific flight provides the best return on your points investment.

Sometimes, you might get more out of an upgrade experience or even hotel booking. Always bear in mind that there are more ways to redeem Avios than just on flights. If the shoe fits, it fits – but if it isn’t a perfect match, keep looking.

Navigating your way upwards through statuses gets more and more enticing, with lounge access, extra luggage allowances, and more.

I’m the first to admit that I love a good airport lounge. It just sets the tone for the rest of your journey, especially if you plan on working remotely from the airport. The lounge access is one of the greatest things about collecting Tier Points – it’s one of the main reasons I’m striving for Silver this year.

It’s easy to see why members are so desperate to rack up tier points to progress to better benefits. There’s a sense of urgency, too, since your Tier Points expire annually. The question remains: how do you earn BA Tier Points without flying?

If you’re racing against the clock to increase your status before the end of the year, it makes sense that you want to get creative when earning tier points. These points are the golden tickets to a more luxurious airport and flight experience, after all. Here’s what you need to know.

What’s The Difference Between Avios And Tier Points? 

For some, there is confusion over Tier Points vs Avios. To clarify the differences, I’ll briefly explain what Avios and Tier Points are, and how their collection processes vary. 

Avios – The Reward Currency

Firstly, Avios is a reward currency used across multiple airline rewards programs, including BA. You can collect Avios through shopping through the Executive Club portal, and even hotel stays with partnered companies like Airbnb.

I book most of my accommodation through the Executive Club portal, which can easily work out at 1 or more points per $ spent.

Avios is easy to collect without flying and is a currency, meaning it’s there to be spent however you wish. They do not expire as long as you abide by the minimum collection or spending time frame (at least one Avios every 36 months). You can redeem them on flights and hotel stays or seat class upgrades. 

If you want to start collecting Avios, there’s no need to book a flight immediately. While you can earn Avios through booking eligible flights, they are just as easily earned from the ground.

There’s also no rush to hit targets with Avios – you can take them at your own pace, since they don’t expire as long as you meet engagement criteria. 

Tier Points – The Status Climbers

In contrast, Tier Points are status climbers. This means that when you collect Tier Points, you access different rungs of a status ladder that reward you with increasingly enticing benefits.

There is Blue, Bronze, Silver, and Gold; Silver is where it starts to get exciting with airport lounge access. You predominantly collect Tier Points by flying, making them extra elusive.

That’s the point, though; they are meant to be challenging to collect. How many Tier Points you actually earn varies depending on your seat class and flight route, with business and first-class flights earning the Tier Point big bucks.

There are a few ways you can wangle yourself some Tier Points without flying, but you’ll need to be savvy, which we’ll cover in a moment.

At the end of every year your Tier Points expire, meaning you start again from zero to try to reach the high-status levels. You retain the status level you achieved the previous year, but this policy is different from Avios because Tier Points are time-sensitive. You can’t just stash them away and watch them tot up over multiple years.

Tier Points are for the more serious flyers. You’ll notice the most progress and points accumulating when taking upwards of 25 eligible flights per year. You can see why people are so desperate to find ways to collect them without flying, because it does involve hitting some serious flight miles. 

That being said, when your points expire, they don’t just disappear into the clouds. You can keep a stash of Lifetime Tier Points, but these don’t count towards moving up the status levels. (We’ll set today’s Lifetime Tier Points aside to keep things simple.)

Why Collect Tier Points? 

Tier Points are fantastic to collect because they improve your flight experience. Avios might give you currency to redeem on rewards, but Tier Points provide status and comfort during your airport and flight experience. They change your relationship with flying.

I think the best way to understand the draw towards BA Tier Points is by breaking the benefits down on a status-level by status-level. Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect from each of them, which will demonstrate why Tier Points are so fabulous to collect.

Blue

Blue is what everyone starts on when joining the British Airways Executive Club. It is a super basic level, mainly offering you the opportunity to earn Avios and Tier Points so you can start climbing the ladder. 

You get some privileges, like saving meals and seat preferences with British Airways and access to members-only deals. But as a whole, think of the Blue Tier as the start line of a marathon.

Bronze

With Bronze, the main benefit is priority check-in and boarding. You also bag free seat selection seven days before departure. It offers a slightly slicker, more relaxing flight experience than you’d get on Blue or without an Executive Club membership.

It is basically the first step on the ladder and where you start to see some rewards coming back in. You need to earn 300 Tier Points and take 2 BA flights, or take 25 eligible flights in a year.

Silver

Silver is where it gets exciting, but it’s tough to reach; you’ll need 600 Tier Points and 4 eligible flights in a year, or 50 eligible flights in a year. Those who make it get access to business lounges and extra baggage allowance.

Silver is where your flight experience moves beyond relaxing and into indulgence. If you want to start enjoying your airport and inflight experience, Silver is the level to aim towards.

Gold

Finally, Gold is the holy grail of the BA tier system. You bag first class check-in and boarding and access to first class lounges. You’ll need either 1,500 Tier Points and 4 eligible flights.

If you make it to Gold, you’re at the top. You’ve reached what is essentially BA’s top tier. While they have a few extra challenges to aim for from here, you’ll be enjoying ultimate super-indulgent flight experiences.

Fact Or Fiction: You Can’t Earn Tier Points Without Flying

So, here comes the bad news. Those status tiers might sound fantastic, but as you know, the only real way to earn BA Tier Points is by getting on an eligible plane. 

There are so many reasons why this could be difficult. Firstly, it requires a lifestyle that relies on regular travel, especially long-haul.

Secondly, it relies on the fact that you use a lot of BA flight paths, which might mean sacrificing more convenient times and routes to bag those eligible flights.

However, earning Tier Points through flying is still worth trying. It might not be the answer you want to hear, but the better you understand earning points through flying, the more likely you’ll rise up through the status tiers.

How Collecting Tier Points through flying works

Every time you take a flight with a Oneworld airline or non-Oneworld BA partner, you earn Tier Points. You can either book flights directly with British Airways, book flights through the Executive Club Portal, or add your BA membership number when booking with affiliated airlines. 

Your Tier Points increase with your fare class, and the distance you’re traveling. On any flight route, each class will earn a percentage of potential points:

• Economy Lowest: earns 25%
• Economy Low: earns 50%
• Economy Flexible: earns 100%
• Premium Economy: earns 100%
• Business Class: earns 100%
• First Class: earns 100%

If you want to increase your Tier Points earnings, aim for longer flights or higher fare classes. For instance, you could earn 35 points in Economy Lowest, yet 140 points in Economy Flexible for the same flight.

The Sneaky Way to Earn BA Tier Points Without Flying 

Here’s the good news: you can wiggle your way around BA’s ‘flight-only’ Tier Point earning policy. The best way today is to use a British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card.

You can earn up to a grand total of 200 Tier Points if you spend a set amount of money on this card before the end of May 2024. That’s almost enough to secure you a Bronze Tier immediately, and ⅓ of what you need for a Silver Tier.

In short, this is an incredible hack to set you on the right track.

The Drawbacks To This Hack

The drawback of this offer is that you’ll need to spend a lot through this card to actually get those points.

This card type is also on high interest rates, which of course runs the risk of debt issues for the sake of earning points. I’d hazard against anyone ruining their credit score by missing payments for Tier Points. 

However, if you’re in a financial situation that enables you to pay off the card in full at the end of each month, it is worth utilizing this card’s Tier Point opportunity.

If you miss/missed the May 21, 2024 deadline, that’s unfortunate – but keep your eye out for similar offers. British Airways regularly partners with affiliated companies like American Express to offer ad hoc Tier Point collecting opportunities.

It’s all about keeping up to date with opportunities, and we’ll do our best here at Points Inspector to keep you in the midst of updates.

How To Optimize Tier Point Earnings 

Your absolute best option is to find ways to optimize your Tier Points earnings. This way, you are compromising – taking fewer flights, but gaining more rewards.

For many of us, the non-flight Tier Point offers are irregular and unachievable (I won’t be spending £25,000 on a credit card before May, either), so it’s better to get optimizing. These are how you can get more out of your flights, climbing that status tier ladder without committing to any extra flights.

BA Holidays Double Tier Points

BA Holiday Double Tier Points came in a couple of years ago but, by popular demand, have been extended until the end of 2024. It simply means you earn double tier points on your included flights for booking a BA holiday package for 5 nights or more.

These packages include flights and hotel, or flights, hotels, and cars. It’s up to you and your own individual itinerary. This is fantastic if you are working remotely and/or traveling for work.

For instance, if I’m due to travel for work and spend approximately three days on work duties, I could extend my stay by two days to qualify. Taking advantage of the BA Holiday Double Tier Points offer would be ideal in this scenario, as I could combine it with a weekend to enjoy two free days.

It’s also a brilliant idea for families, those tied with their annual leave, and people who don’t travel as part of their career. It allows you to ram as much Tier Point earning potential as possible into the shortest possible time.

The rewards are even better if you are heading on a long-haul flight. You could potentially earn enough to bag yourself Bronze or Silver status in one fell swoop. It’s a brilliant way to maximize what you get from your flights when chasing extra Tier Points.

Take Flights With Connections

Not all of these tips expire – I promise. It is frustrating to face a time limit, like with the BA Holiday Double Tier Points and BA Amex Premium Plus Card offers. But this is one timeless tip to maximize your Tier Points collection: taking flights with connections.

When you take any flight with a connection, you earn extra Tier Points. How great is that? 

If you want to optimize the flight points you earn on journeys, you need to start hunting for those valuable connections. 

Sometimes, you don’t need to spend more on flights; you just need to be more tactical when taking them. You often get more out of this experience, especially if you love maximizing your travel by snagging long layovers, so you get a bonus city anyway.

For the adventurous and savvy, taking flights with a connection is my top tip for maximizing your BA Tier Point collection.

Fly In Higher-Fare Classes

Depending on your own circumstances and availability on each flight, consider flying in a higher-fare class. The jump from Economy Lowest to Premium Economy is enormous in terms of Tier Point earning potential – leaping from 25% to 100% of the total point collection possible.

This could make the difference between 35 points and 140 points, so it is definitely something to consider.

If you took four long-haul flights in a year in Premium Economy, you’d earn 560 Tier Points, which is just 40 points (a short-haul trip) off Silver. Compared to the same flights in Economy Lowest, you’d only earn 140 Tier Points, which doesn’t even achieve Bronze at 300 Tier Points in a membership year.

You don’t have to jump from Economy to First just to bag enough Tier Points to reach those higher-status tiers. Knowing that the smallest fare class changes can make a huge difference is essential.

Upping your fare class is a spectacular way to drastically increase your Tier Points, all while reducing the number of flights you need to take.

Final Thoughts: Earning Tier Points Without Flying

The news that BA Tier Points aren’t typically collectible without flying might not have been what you wanted to hear. However, you now know how to make the collection process work for you and your circumstances.

Where there’s a will, there’s almost always a way. And you can easily optimize the flights you take to relieve yourself of the pressure of hitting those sky-high air miles.

Try to book a Double Tier Points holiday before the end of 2024, and always look for flights with connections to boost your points earnings.

Adjusting your fare class can also make a massive difference. Switching from Economy Lowest to Premium alone reduces the number of flights to achieve Silver status. Achieving Silver using Economy Lowest requires 17-18 flights, while Economy Premium only requires 4-5.

You might think that the only way to realistically boost your Tier Points is through taking hundreds of flights, or lament the fact you can’t easily earn Tier Points from the ground. But I promise you that you’ll see results by increasing the collecting potential of the flights you’ve already booked, with these tips.

Flying back from Paris to Manchester, though, I spotted an incredible easyJet flight price. I might love flying in comfort, but I’m also a sucker for a great deal. At a price of just £54.32, how could I resist? 

For those weighing up the British Airways vs easyJet debate, here are my two cents. This is how I found the experience to differ.

Boarding with EasyJet…

Since I was only in Paris for two days, I decided to save time waiting at the luggage carousel and just travel with hand luggage.

This meant the experience at Paris Charles de Gaulle was like clockwork – checking in online the night before and simply heading straight through security. It was Christmas Eve so the airport was pretty busy, and this extra time was handy for some last-minute gift shopping in duty-free.

One thing to note is that easyJet has changed its hand luggage rules. Gone are the days of 10kg hand luggage stashed in the overhead. Now, the complimentary hand luggage for each ticket is just an under-seat cabin bag of 45 x 36 x 20cm. 

It is a minuscule allowance, and if I had been in Paris any longer, it would not have been suitable for the trip. Arriving at the flight gate, the staff divided us into two sections – priority and non-priority, depending on who had the under seat bag or overhead bag (booked for an extra fee). 

Amongst the taped-off ‘Under seat bag’ section, staff members hovered to peer at luggage and spot any oversized troublemakers.

People were pulled from the crowd at random to try to cram their luggage into a tiny metal measuring box. If it didn’t fit, they were taken to a nearby till to pay an additional ‘hold fee’.

If you’re traveling with lots of luggage, an easyJet ticket wouldn’t work out as cost-effective as it initially appears. There are hidden costs depending on your travel requirements. But, as a whole, I found this easy enough to navigate for a quick three-night trip. 

The boarding process itself was relatively organized. Passengers were clearly directed towards priority and non-priority lanes. Once called, we only queued for 15 to 20 minutes to get to the desk and onto the plane.

With that said, the plane was delayed for over an hour. I’m unsure if this was because it was Christmas Eve and a hectic time to travel. But the weather was clear, and there seemed to be no apparent reason why the plane should be so delayed – no reason was communicated to passengers either. 

I watched the clock tick past our flight time. I peered out to see still no plane, and looked towards the boarding gate desks to see no staff. Once the plane and staff arrived, though, the process was speedy, and it was clear they were making up for the delay.

…Versus Boarding With British Airways

I did have some hiccups flying with British Airways during the dreaded ‘COVID-19 years’, with the airline canceling multiple flights from Sydney to London. However, given all the border closures, we’ll cut the airline some slack. 

Beforehand, I’d had a pleasant outward journey with British Airways and found the airline definitely on par with Qantas – the other major airline connecting the UK and Australia.

As a passenger on their World Traveller flight, I got 23kg of complementary luggage, which made a massive difference to the travel experience. And the plane arrived on time, which is always a plus.

Of course, it’s difficult to compare long-haul experience with short-haul (I’m yet to try a short-haul British Airways flight). However, I would say for those weighing up easyJet with a Euro Traveller British Airways flight, consider luggage allowance. 

The attitude towards luggage is the most significant difference in the boarding experience. British Airways leans towards generosity – providing a complimentary cabin bag even on Euro Traveller – while easyJet leans towards being stingy and opportunistic with luggage fines.

If you are traveling for any longer than a city break and luggage is important to you, I’d consider British Airways for their generous luggage allowances.

Seating and Onboard Entertainment With EasyJet…

easyJet offers economy seating only, but there are ways to gain extra legroom, like choosing seats in row 1 or emergency exit rows.

It has three categories: Standard, Up Front, and Extra Legroom.

Ironically, after all the checking for unsuitably sized under seat luggage, I sat down at row 13 only to be asked to put my bags overhead.

The seating on easyJet is comfortable enough. At 5ft 3, I rarely struggle with the legroom dilemma, but sitting in the emergency aisle meant that extra bit of space. The padded chairs were comfortable enough to manage a nap on just a 1.5-hour flight, which is an achievement in itself. 

In terms of onboard entertainment, things are admittedly limited.

There was no Wi-Fi option on my flight, although I’m told that on some charters, Wi-Fi is provided via QR codes once you complete take-off. But all seasoned travelers know to fly with some pre-downloaded music and films to hand, so fly prepared, and you won’t have an issue.

There’s a good range of food and beverages served onboard, too. On this charter, they offered a lunch-style deal for $11, including a hot panini or cold sandwich, a hot or soft drink, and a snack.

There was also a ‘Meals on the go’ option for $10 when paired with a soft or hot drink, and $13 when paired with beer or wine. 

While no meals were included in my ticket price, I felt the variety available was enough to justify buying onboard. I also found the service friendly and the stewards and stewardesses very attentive.

…Versus Seating and Onboard Entertainment With British Airways

As I mentioned, comparing a long-haul and a short-haul flight is hard.

My experience of long-haul flights with British Airways is fantastic, with a great selection of movies, included hot meals, and comfortable seating. Euro Traveller is slightly different, with mostly Wi-Fi-only inflight entertainment and limited meal inclusions.

The biggest difference between Euro Traveller and easyJet is the provision of an onboard snack and bottle of water. EasyJet provides nothing with your ticket, just the option to purchase refreshments onboard.

Euro Traveller takes that extra step to supply you with a bite to eat and a bottle of water.

In reality, it shouldn’t make too much of a difference, given that it is only a snack rather than a full complimentary meal. However, some people may prefer to get an inclusion rather than having to purchase something onboard. It’s certainly a nicer touch.

A Recap of EasyJet And BA Inclusions

Just to recap, these are the easyJet inclusions for those who travel just on the original ticket price (aka under seat luggage):

• A small bag that fits under your seat and fits the dimensions of 45 x 36 x 20cm. 
• No checked luggage.
• No meals are included; food and drink are available for onboard purchase.
• Non-priority boarding.
• Random seat selection unless you pay to choose your seat when checking in online.

You can upgrade your ticket easily enough by paying extra for an overhead cabin bag like the traditional 10kg carry-ons. This will get you priority boarding.

You can also join the easyJet Plus membership program if you decide to fly with the airline regularly. This gives you access to free seat selection, Fast Track security, faster bag drop at special desks, a 10% discount on onboard food and drink, and a free cabin bag of 45 x 36 x 20 cm.

If you decide to regularly fly with easyJet, paying a $271 annual membership fee may be worthwhile for the benefits you get.

In comparison, these are the British Airways short-haul inclusions for those traveling just on the standalone economy ticket price, with no added extras:

• A large cabin bag that fits the dimensions of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm, plus an additional small bag, like a handbag or laptop bag.
• High-speed Wi-Fi.
• A snack and bottle of water, with extra food and drink, are available for onboard purchase.
• Leather seats with in-built chargers.
• Priority boarding is automatically given to passengers with children.
• Random seat selection unless you are traveling in Economy Plus and above.

Verdict – Which is Best?

If easyJet did offer long-haul flights, would I be interested in switching from being a loyal British Airways user? Definitely not. However, easyJet is a good option if you’re looking to snag a deal on a short-haul flight within Europe.

For me, easyJet’s biggest draw is its competitive flight ticket prices. Its boarding system is slightly manic, and the luggage inclusions are poor. But if you can cope with a slightly rushed boarding experience, the on-flight experience is good.

As we were queuing, at least four or five different people were swooped upon for oversized luggage. You get the feeling that staff are trying to meet a quota for baggage charges. I’d pay for checked luggage and avoid the hassle of carry-on, or consider joining the easyJet Plus membership program if you plan to fly with the airline regularly.

In summary, I do look forward to my next flight with British Airways – flying from Manchester to Quito in a couple of months.

However, I won’t be averse to looking out for impromptu flights around Europe with easyJet. I don’t mind forgoing the British Airways luggage inclusions on short city breaks.

As a low-cost carrier, easyJet is a cost-effective option for short-haul flights. British Airways is preferable for longer flight experiences or for longer stays in short-haul destinations when you benefit from a larger luggage allowance.

And when it comes to Avios and airlines, knowledge is power. Knowing which airlines and routes you can start spending your points on will ensure you get to keep more of your hard-earned cash safely tucked away in your account.

In this guide, I’ll introduce you to the process of redeeming your Avios with different airlines. I’ll explain the built-in Executive Club tool that you should use, and provide a comprehensive list of partnered airlines. We’ll soon get your flight booked and money saved.

BA Executive Club’s Policy on Spending on Other Airlines

First things first, the rules (although they’re pretty good, as rules go!).

BA Executive Club has a flexible Avios spending policy. One of the greatest strengths of joining the BA Executive Club is that it allows you to spend Avios on other airlines. This means you aren’t just limited to British Airways flights and routes. 

Instead, you have access to over a dozen airlines with different routes and prices.

Be aware that you will have to pay any tax or booking fees associated with your flight of choice. 

Airlines That Accept Avios When Booking Through BA Executive Club

So let’s get to it. Avios is a global reward currency used across multiple airlines. You can collect and use Avios on any member of the Oneworld Alliance.

It’s also available on some airlines outside of the alliance, such as Aer Lingus, when you book through certain reward programs. Here are the 18 airlines that you can book flights with using Avios from your British Airways Executive Club account:

1. Aer Lingus

Aer Lingus is mostly considered a budget airline founded in 1936. It primarily connects Ireland with the rest of the world, running over 100 routes for domestic and international flights.

It also has connections to Canada, the USA, the Caribbean, and Europe. 

2. Air Nostrum

Air Nostrum is a Spanish airline that mostly operates regional and European flights. It specializes in short-haul experiences and is ideal for those wanting a quick flight.

Air Nostrum regularly operates flights between the UK and major Spanish cities like Madrid and Santander.

3. Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines is a major international carrier that connects more than 115 destinations. It operates in the USA, Canada, South and Central America, and some European destinations. Alaska Airlines offers great premium and first-class seating.

4. American Airlines

American Airlines operates between more than 350 destinations in 60 different countries. You can fly between major cities like New York City and Chicago. American Airlines is approaching 100 years old and is a famous American carrier.

5. British Airways

British Airways is the UK’s largest international airline carrier, linking 160 global destinations. It offers excellent business class and first-class experiences, and is directly affiliated with the BA Executive Club.

6. Cathay Pacific

Cathay Pacific serves over 200 destinations and has its main hub in Hong Kong. It’s fantastic for international flights and serves countries all over Asia, Australasia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas.

7. Fiji Airways

Fiji Airways is Fiji’s flag carrier and a major international and domestic carrier in the South Pacific. It has significant connections between Fiji, Hong Kong, Los Angeles, and Sydney.

8. Finnair

Finnair is a relatively budget-friendly airline with its main hub in Helsinki, Finland, and flights to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and North America.

9. Iberia

Iberia is Spain’s flagship carrier. It operates domestic and international flights worldwide, with roughly 120 destinations in 45 countries, including Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the USA.

10. Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines was formed in 1951 and operates flights to approximately 70 destinations in 20 countries. It has a business class option and has been rated 5 stars by Skytrax.

11. LATAM Airlines

LATAM Airlines is the airline to choose for flights across Latin America. It has over 140 destinations in 25 countries. It is relatively budget-friendly, but also offers premium and business class options.

12. Malaysian Airlines

Malaysia Airlines’ main hub is in Kuala Lumpur and is known as one of the best-connected airlines. It flies to around 60 destinations, connecting Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. 

13. Qantas Airways

Qantas operates in nearly 80 different destinations and is Australia’s flagship carrier. It is a highly respected airline with great first and business class experiences. 

14. Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways’ main hub is in Doha. It is a brilliant airline that connects destinations like Europe and Australia via the Middle East.

15. Royal Air Maroc 

Royal Air Maroc is Morocco’s flagship carrier, serving over 90 destinations. Skytrax considers it a 4-star airline, and it is great for connections across Africa and Europe.

16. Royal Jordanian

Royal Jordanian is Jordan’s national flagship carrier, operating in around 60 destinations and 40 countries. It is ideal for travel within the Middle East but also provides excellent connections to Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America.

17. SriLankan Airlines

SriLankan Airlines is Sri Lanka’s flag carrier and one of the best-connecting airlines to the Maldives. It runs flights to nearly 130 destinations in over 60 countries.

18. SUN-AIR

SUN-AIR is a regional Scandinavian airline with its main hub in Billund, Denmark. It predominantly connects the UK with Denmark and Sweden.

Airlines That Accept Avios Through Points Transfers 

If you want to cast your Avios net even further, you can use the points transfer system to access even more airlines. You simply shift your Avios to different airline rewards programs – gaining access to different partners through a completely different membership program.

The following airline rewards programs accept transferred Avios. This is a clever way to access their partnered airlines and those available with BA Executive Club:

Iberia Plus

Iberia has its own loyalty program, Iberia Plus. To access four new airlines through Iberia, head to your BA Executive Club account and find the ‘Combine My Avios‘ tab. From here, you can transfer your Avios to Iberia Plus.

Transferring your points to Iberia gives you access to:

• Avianca
• LEVEL
• Binter Canarias
• Vueling

Qatar Airways Privilege Club

Qatar Airways has a great rewards program called the Privilege Club. You can quickly transfer points through the ‘Combine My Avios‘ tab in your Executive Club menu, which provides access to these four new airlines:

• Bangkok Airlines
• Oman Air
• RwandAir
• Virgin Australia

How To Redeem Avios on Flights Through BA Executive Club

You can currently book flights with Avios using Iberia, Qatar, or BA accounts. For the sake of this article, though, we’ll concentrate on booking through BA.

I found the whole idea of it a little confusing to start with, but the Executive Club flight search tool really does all the hard work for you. 

This handy search tool is simple to find. Navigate to your account menu, and head towards ‘Executive Club‘, where you’ll find the ‘Spending Avios‘ tab.

Once you’ve clicked, you’ll then see a ‘Book a reward flight‘ button. Click here and a search tool will pop up.

This is where you simply input your preferred destination, flight dates, and class. The tool pulls up all eligible flights, and you scroll through to pick where you’d like to jet off to. Think of it like Skyscanner, but Executive Club-style. 

This Executive Club search tool automatically brings up eligible flights with partnered airlines, so you don’t need to worry about which airlines do or don’t accept Avios. If it appears in your search results, it’s there for the taking – just go ahead and press ‘Book‘.

As an example, as I search right now for a flight from Sydney to Kuala Lumpur, it offers me 25,750 Avios flights with Malaysia Airlines. They are partnered airlines, so I can just book directly with my Avios to secure my seat.

So there you have it – redeeming Avios on different airlines is really straightforward using the Executive Club flight search tool. Practically speaking, you don’t need to worry about which airlines do or don’t accept Avios – the tool do it for you.

In Summary 

We’ve taken a look at the 18 airlines that can be booked using Avios through the BA Executive Club tool alone. Using point transfers between loyalty programs unlocks even more. 

I love the flexibility of having so many different airlines to choose from using Avios. There’s so much variety, especially with short-haul flights like London to Dublin.

You could book a budget-friendly 4,000 Avios flight with Aer Lingus, or a business class flight with British Airways for 16,000 Avios. However you want to travel, Avios gives you both reward and choice.

I lived in Sydney for just over two years, and during this time, I collected my fair share of points. It is a no-brainer, especially for those living Down Under and near the Australasia region of the Southern Hemisphere.

In this guide, I’ll provide a balanced introduction to the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program and its points system. I’ll also weigh up the pros – and the cons – to help you decide whether this program is the best choice for you.

How To Earn Qantas Points

The best introductions start with explanations. So, how do Qantas Points actually work?

The premise is simple. You collect points by taking flights and engaging with Qantas’ partners, who include businesses like SONY, BP, and Airbnb. You can also apply for a credit card that gives you flexible points.

The points increase the more you spend, averaging around 2 points per Australian dollar spent. You collect points over time, aiming to save enough to cache in rewards. 

Qantas partners with many lifestyle businesses, so it’s easy to collect points – whether you’re traveling or just at home. You can quickly accrue enough for a domestic flight if you redeem points every time you fill up your car or do a weekly food shop.

Once you collect a good amount of points, you can redeem them in exchange for rewards. Your membership dashboard provides an ongoing tally of your Qantas Points so you can easily keep track.

Around 5,000 to 12,000 should be enough points for a budget hotel stay, while 30,000 to 40,000 can bag you a night in a luxury hotel. Domestic flights start at around 8,000 points and rise to 70,000 for an international flight. You can use the Qantas Calculator to see how many points you need or can collect from an eligible flight.

A word of warning: Qantas Points expire after 18 months of inactivity. You must earn or use points at least once every 18 months to avoid this.

Qantas Points vs. Status Credits

The Qantas Frequent Flyer Program offers two reward systems: Status Credits and Qantas Points. While this guide will focus on Qantas Points, it’s important to briefly introduce both so that you understand how they relate to and differentiate from one another.

You can earn Status Credits and Qantas Points simultaneously on eligible flights. However, increasing your Status Credits helps you climb status tiers. In contrast, increasing Qantas Points gives you free rein to shop and redeem rewards. 

There are five status tiers: Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Platinum One. Each tier comes with different bonuses – almost like mini membership clubs. For instance, Gold gives you access to over 600 international lounges and fast-track services on each flight.

Status Credits are more about improving your flight experience over time. Qantas Points are shopping-based. You collect and save them to redeem on experiences.

How to Redeem Qantas Points

Spending Qantas Points is super easy. You manage everything from your personal dashboard in your Qantas Frequent Flyer account. It has all the search engines you need internally, like Qantas Hotels, and links to businesses where you can redeem your points. 

When you want to spend your points, head to your account. Having everything in one place is useful, and the website is structured clearly.

There are over 30,000 products you can buy using points on Qantas Marketplace, spread over 1,200 partner brands. Ways to spend your points include:

Flights

You can use Qantas Points to book domestic flights with Jetstar all across Australia. For instance, traveling to Perth or Sydney to Melbourne for the prestigious Melbourne Cup. It’s handy to have a few thousand points up your sleeve. 

Jetstar also connects Australia with New Zealand, Fiji, South Korea, Indonesia, and Japan. It’s a reliable, budget-friendly airline to swap your points for flights to and from South East Asia, the Pacific Islands, and New Zealand. 

You can also exchange Qantas Points for flights on Qantas Airlines. The airline operates domestically, short-haul, and long-haul – so take your pick.

You can redeem flights in three ways:

Classic Flight Rewards: This is where you redeem the exact amount of points needed for a specific flight. 

Points Plus Pay: You pay a certain percentage of a flight using points, giving you a discount. You then pay the rest in cash.

Classic Upgrade Rewards: Using this flight option, you can use points to upgrade your seats on a standard flight booking. You could upgrade from Economy to Premium Economy or Business Class to First Class.

Hotel Stays

Booking hotel stays is another easy way to redeem your points. Qantas partners with hotels worldwide to provide hotel stays in exchange for points. It is really easy, with loads of options in different cities.

A quick search for available hotels today in Paris for two people shows 780 available properties. That’s 780 properties happy to swap points for an overnight stay in just one city. 

Hotel inclusions vary on an individual basis. You may have to pay extra for city tax or breakfast for some stays. Others will include these factors in the upfront points cost. 

Car Hire and Fuel (check)

Yep. You can even redeem points to cover your car hire. Qantas partners with AVIS, BP, and Budget to let you use collected points for car hire and fuel top-ups. 

You can use points at any of these companies by heading to your account and the ‘use points’ section. 

Shopping

Qantas Marketplace is full of shops where you can redeem points, including leading brands like Apple and Pandora. It certainly makes Christmas time and birthdays a little easier. Or you can treat yourself to a purchase.

Again, to use points to purchase anything, open your account dashboard and navigate to the ‘use points’ section. You’ll quickly see a menu item labeled ‘shopping.’

The Pros of Collecting Qantas Points 

Now that you understand how the program works let’s review the positives of collecting Qantas Points. Here’s my take. 

1. You Can Easily Redeem Points on a Huge Variety of Reward Categories

Redeeming points on things like hotel stays and flights is ideal. And while it might take you a while to save for any international flights, you can easily collect enough to claim domestic flights and hotel stays in a few months.

The variety of reward categories is a huge plus, especially for an avid traveler. I was massively impressed when I learned that you could redeem points for car hire, hotel stays, and flight upgrades. Similarly, it’s great that you can shop for leisure using Qantas Points. 

You can shop for ways to redeem points straight from your membership dashboard, as Qantas has a single integrated system. It’s easy to navigate with thousands of options. The redeeming process is flexible and straightforward, making the whole experience of collecting points much more rewarding.

2. Collecting Points is Easy 

Collecting Qantas Points is extremely easy. There are thousands of eligible partners, from businesses like Apple to British Airways and China Airlines. You can even accumulate points from BP when you top up your car.

This is a real positive of choosing Qantas Points, as it makes saving enough to redeem high-quality rewards more realistic. The more choices and chances you have to earn points, the more rewards you will get. It’s simple.

3. Flying With Qantas is a High-Quality Experience

A definite positive of collecting Qantas Points is that the airline offers passengers a high-quality experience. Having primarily flown with Qantas to and from Australia, I personally love the service. 

The checked baggage inclusion with every booking is a particularly nice touch. Whether you fly domestically or internationally, Qantas gives you a minimum of 23kg of complimentary checked luggage.

When choosing an airline rewards program, it’s wise to consider how enjoyable you find flying with the actual airline. Overall, Qantas is a well-respected airline with thoughtful policies and high-quality cabins.

The Cons of Collecting Qantas Points

Despite being a brilliant option overall, there are a few downsides to using Qantas Points. These are the main ones to know before creating a membership.

1. It’s Only Good Value When Spending on Everyday Purchases

Spending on random buys to collect points isn’t going to give you the best value out of this program. It might go without saying, but it’s worth reiterating. 

You’ll get the best value by collecting points using everyday purchases – like groceries or fuel. The value of 1,000 points is equivalent to around $20. So, it’s something to collect over time to truly get value out of the program.

The value of points isn’t high enough to justify purchasing unnecessary items specifically to collect points.

2. It’s Easier to Collect Points Living in or Near Australia 

Collecting Qantas Points while living in or near Australia is undeniably easier. Having collected points while living in Sydney for two years and since returning and living in the UK for three years, I can confirm this firsthand.

When surrounded by Qantas partners, it’s much easier to collect points in a sustainable, slow, and steady way. I saw the most value in the program when I was shopping at Woolworths for weekly groceries and collecting points every week. In the UK, I primarily collect points on international flights and am currently considering credit card options.

This more ad hoc collecting of Qantas Points means you must be more mindful of the 18-month expiration period. It is still worthwhile to collect Qantas Points, but you have to be more savvy to accumulate points when living outside Australia. 

My Experience Using Qantas Points 

Collecting and using Qantas Points was a really positive experience. It is easier to collect points when you are living in Australasia, just because that’s where most of their partners are. However, as a whole, it is a great international program – especially if you regularly take long-haul flights with points-eligible airlines like British Airways, Qantas, Cathay Pacific, and Emirates. 

Using your account to earn and use points is easy, and having everything in one place is really user-friendly. Having so many options on things to redeem points on also means you don’t need to save huge numbers of points to benefit from the program. 

For instance, I booked a stay at the Hotel Catalonia Vondel Amsterdam for just 8,313 Qantas Points. The 4-star boutique hotel is ideally located to walk into Amsterdam’s center, and having the points saved me money on a short city break. I was even upgraded on arrival from a single to a premium room. 

The range of partnered hotels available through Qantas Hotels is enormous, and I found it easy to sift through the options and find a match. Qantas Points are realistic to collect and redeem thanks to the number of partners they have. This is my favorite part of the program.

I find Qantas has an easier navigation dashboard than similar rewards programs like British Airways Executive Club. I also found it comparably more beneficial than budget airline rewards programs like Lufthansa’s Miles and More. 

In Summary 

Qantas Points definitely justify signing up for the Qantas Frequent Flyers Program. You can collect points by spending on flights, accommodation, fuel, and shopping with Qantas partners. It’s easy to quickly rack up enough points to redeem a hotel stay or short-haul flight. 

I enjoy collecting and using Qantas Points and find the ease of the experience highly motivating. The only thing to be wary of is the 18-month expiration period. And be prepared to get more creative when collecting outside of Australasia.