Plaza Premium lounges back on Priority Pass and LoungeKey
The next bit of news could be good news or bad news depending on what cards you hold. Originally Plaza Premium lounges which I usually regard as a cut above Aspire and No 1 lounges were available on Priority Pass. Then in mid-2021, there was a disagreement on how much Priority Pass would pay them for access, and it stopped. This also affected LoungeKey too.
In the meantime, you could still get in by showing your Amex Platinum card, and it made the lounges a bit quieter, which at the moment is much needed (although I still gave up waiting to get into the T5 lounge last time I tried).
Finally, the companies have settled their differences, and you will once again be able to enter Plaza Premium lounges with Priorty Pass or LoungeKey.
From 6 June, 39 Plaza Premium lounges will be available on PP/LoungeKey and the remaining 24 will be joining from 20 June. Gatwick, Heathrow, Edinburgh and Dubai are among the lounges that will be available.
David Evans, Joint CEO at Collinson, commented:
“We are dedicated to creating the very best propositions for our clients and partners whilst delivering the best possible travel experience for our global members.
“The rekindling of a long-standing relationship reminds us that the travel industry is a rich ecosystem that delivers the best experience for consumers when the various players work together as one. With demand for premium travel stronger than ever we are significantly increasing our network of lounges and experiences in key travel hubs across the world.”
The complete list of lounges that will be joining is here.
British Airways to wet lease Air Belgium A330 for long haul
From 1 July until November, British Airways will wet-lease an Airbus A330-941neo from Air Belgium. This means the crew will be from Air Belgium, but the onboard food/drinks will be standard BA. BA has previously leased aircraft from Air Belgium on mid-haul. It will operate BA295/BA294 to Chicago.
The aircraft has a 3-class configuration, with 30 business class, 21 premium economy and 235 economy seats. If you have booked this route, it is currently operated by an A380 and a B777-200, which looks like it has the old Club World usually or an A350.
I can’t see the A330 in the schedule yet, but it will replace the B777/A350. This is good news for the B777 replacement as the A330neo is a much more modern aircraft, and the seats are much better than old Club World. In business class, it is in a 1-2-1 configuration. The seats have an alternating pattern, with the console being either on the aisle or in the middle. On the window seats, you would usually want the console on the aisle so as to be closer to the window. Obviously, they do not have a door, unlike the Club Suite on the A350, but otherwise, it is a fair replacement.
Each Business class seat is equipped with a 16″ HD screen, a remote control with integrated control screen, a USB port and a power outlet to charge your laptop.
Premium economy seats recline up to 18°and legroom of 91.4 centimetres which is slightly less than BA. However, the seats look very comfortable. In economy, the layout is a roomy 2-4-2.
Usually, BA will notify you and offer you the choice to switch flights. Personally, I would not bother since the Air Belgium seats are superior to the A380 old Club seats, apart from the fact you get a large side bin in the window seats on the A380.
However, there is one issue which is that the current 777 aircraft has 48-49 seats in business class and 40 in premium economy so there will need to be downgrades if it is full. The A350 is even worse with 56 seats in each cabin. But you should be given the option to move to another flight in your original class. BA usually releases an official policy, so I will report back.
8 comments
We are due to fly BA295 to Chicago in early September and we’re looking forward to trying to new Club suites and the A350. We have yet to hear anything from BA about the Air Belgium lease but surely the A330 Neo and the whole experience will be inferior? What would you recommend? Thanks.
You’d have to have a look at the terms and conditions when they contact you and what the other aircraft type is (probably A380 with old seats). The seats and aircraft of Air Belgium are modern so would be better than the old club seats. The service and food should be similar as by that point the crew should be up to speed.
Travelling in First on BA295 end of July on an Avios 241 ticket. The A330 doesn’t have a First cabin so this means a downgrade and dealing with BA for refunds and compensation. It sounds complicated from what I’ve read online.
You should be able to switch to the other flight if there is availablity or you could route via JFK or somewhere else if you don’t mind a connection. Just depends how many F seats are available.
Michelle
Thanks. Do let us know if you get any more info. I guess we could switch to the AA flights out of LHR to ORD under the BA/Aa codeshare as I assume the AA business suites and aircraft will be a notch or two above Air Belgium.
Robert.
The AA seats are no better than than the Air Belgium ones. It’s a 1-2-1 config with no doors. The last flight I took with AA was very average at best in terms of food and drink so I would say it would be about the same as Air Belgium certainly no better.
“Finally, the companies have settled their differences, and you will once again be able to enter Plaza Premium lounges with Priorty Pass or LoungeKey.”
I think you mean we’ll once again be able to be turned away at the door in favour of pre-booked guests!
Yes I think you could be right!
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