I recently had the pleasure of flying British Airways Club Europe from Geneva to London. Despite a 30 minute delay (something I’ve come to expect with BA) it was surprisingly good. I used 30,000 Avios + £1 to pay for this flight (return) so it didn’t really cost me anything. But if you’re looking to pay in cash it could be anything from £300 to £450 depending on when you travel. Personally I would say that if you can get a ticket on the lower end of that price range it is probably worth it. Though this opinion will obviously differ from person to person. So please read my review: British Airways Club Europe Airbus A320neo | Geneva to London Flight Review.
My full Youtube review is below:
Check-in and Airport
Arriving at Geneva Airport we headed to the British Airways Check-in desk. The queue was short but we had to wait a while as only one desk was open to check-in. After 5-10 minutes we successfully got our boarding passes. But the queue behind us had gotten pretty long at this point. I’m not sure if the check-in desks are managed by the airport or British Airways directly, but they definitely need more check-in agents considering the amount of flights British Airways operates here.
Besides this slight hiccup at check-in however, Geneva Airport was a pleasant surprise. We basically walked straight through security, less than 5 minutes from end to end. Flying Club Europe meant we could go through the priority security lane. But even the standard security area had almost zero wait.
The airport is quite small but surprisingly busy, with plenty of (expensive) food options. Being in Switzerland there are also quite a few luxury boutiques. This airport is especially well stocked when it comes to luxury watches too.
Overall the airport was clean and spacious with relatively little crowds. It was a simple journey to get to our gates and border control was very efficient. Before heading to the gate though we went to the British Airways lounge…
The British Airways Lounge
To enter the lounge you simply have to show your boarding pass. The staff were all friendly and attentive. Unlike the Galleries Club lounge in Heathrow it was very clean, with staff being quick to clear any dirty plates or glasses. It was a pretty small lounge however, though had everything you would need for a short stay.
Unfortunately the food was pretty bland. Very reminiscent of school lunches. On the plus side however there were plenty of drink options, and you could even make your own cocktails.
Though on the small side there was plenty of space with separate areas to work, eat and sit. Seats were all clean and modern, and it was well air conditioned. Not really much more to say, other than that it served its purpose well.
The Flight
My one major gripe of Club Europe are the seats. Annoyingly it’s exactly the same as the economy seat, just with an empty middle seat. This is kind of shocking compare to many asian and american airlines who offer a proper business class seat even on short haul flight. Nevertheless it is functional and the seats themselves are comfy enough for a few hours.
Food was spot on for a short flight like this. As we were on an afternoon flight it was a simple afternoon tea. The sandwiches were nice, if a bit bland. The battenburg cake was delicious. And the highlight was the scone, which had been freshly toasted with clotted cream and strawberry jam. Very nostalgic and quintessentially British. A quality range of free drinks were also served, including alcohol (I recommend their aviation gin).
One of the best things about British Airways is the flight attendants in my opinion. Even in economy (but especially Club Europe) I am consistently impressed by the cabin crew. They are always friendly and attentive, with good service. On this flight especially the chief flight attendant Aaron was great. He arranged for me to have a look in the cockpit after landing. And suggested I switch seats for a better view of London when coming in to land.I just wish the service on the ground could be as good…
Final Thoughts
Overall I was pleasantly surprised with this flight and would recommend Club Europe. With the major caveat that delays are pretty much expected at this point. As I’ve come to expect with British Airways, the cabin crew were lovely and friendly. Food was a nice surprise and very welcome on such a short flight. Even in economy BA offer a packet of crisps and bottle of water, more than a lot of budget airlines. So yes, I would recommend British Airways and their Club Europe cabin. As long as they can get their delays under control that is.
More from me…
If you want to visit Geneva (or anywhere else for that matter) and want somewhere to stay, please consider using my Booking.com Affiliate link.
- Click here for my review of the London Heathrow Terminal 5 Club Galleries Lounge
- Click here for my review of the 5 star Fairmont Grand Geneva Hotel
- And here is my ultimate guide to the British Airways Executive Club rewards program if you want a guide on how to book a flight like this
American Express Referral Links:
- The Platinum Card – You Receive 35,000 Membership Reward points after spending £4,000 in the first 3 months: https://americanexpress.com/en-gb/referral/fREDEGgRA5?CPID=100493012
- British Airways Card: You Receive 12,000 Avios after spending £1,000 in the first 3 months, I receive 8,000 Avios: https://americanexpress.com/en-gb/referral/fREDEGuUeO?CPID=100493012