Flight Details

  • Route: London Heathrow (LHR) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ)

  • Flight: BA93

  • Aircraft: Airbus A350-1000 with Club Suite

  • Seat: 1F (Centre Suite)

  • Lounge: British Airways Galleries First Lounge, Terminal 5

  • Cost: 60,000 Avios + £187.50 in taxes (off-peak, one-way business class using Barclaycard Upgrade Voucher)

When British Airways finally started rolling out its Club Suite product in 2019 on the brand-new A350-1000, it marked a watershed moment for the airline. Gone was the tired yin-yang configuration that had passengers climbing over strangers. In its place: a proper door, direct aisle access for everyone, and enough storage space to actually use during the flight.

I recently flew the Club Suite from London to Toronto on BA's flagship A350-1000, and having spent far too many hours in the old Club World seats, I can confidently say this is a massive upgrade. Here's my full review.

The A350-1000: BA's Flagship Aircraft

Before diving into the seat itself, it's worth noting that the A350-1000 is British Airways' most modern long-haul aircraft. It's quieter, more fuel-efficient, and features lower cabin pressure than older aircraft types, which genuinely does help reduce jet lag.

The A350 was the first aircraft in BA's fleet to debut the Club Suite, and it remains the gold standard. Every single A350-1000 in BA's fleet features Club Suite – there's no lottery with older configurations as you might find on some 777s or 787s.

The Seat: Privacy Finally Arrives

The Club Suite uses the Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seat in a 1-2-1 configuration. If you're unfamiliar with aircraft seat jargon, that simply means every passenger has direct aisle access – no more awkward climbs over sleeping seatmates.

What immediately strikes you is the door. It's not quite as substantial as Qatar Airways' QSuite doors, but it does slide fully closed, creating a genuine sense of privacy. When you're settled in with the door shut, you really do feel like you're in your own little space rather than sitting in a crowded cabin.

The seat itself is 21 inches wide (measured between armrests) and converts into a fully flat bed measuring 79 inches – more than adequate for my 5-foot 9” frame. I've always found the Super Diamond seat comfortable for both working and sleeping, and BA's implementation is no exception.

Centre Seats vs Window Seats: What's the Difference?

We were in seats 1E and 1F – the centre pair in the very first row. This configuration is ideal for couples or friends travelling together, as there's a retractable divider between the two seats that you can lower for conversation or raise for privacy.

The centre seats (E and F) face slightly inward toward each other, whilst the window seats (A and K) angle toward the windows. Both configurations offer the same amenities and storage, so it really comes down to personal preference and whether you're travelling solo or as a pair.

Row 1 is particularly desirable because there's no one in front of you, giving you an extra sense of space. The proximity to the galley wasn't an issue on our flight – the crew were professional and quiet during rest periods.

Storage Space: A Game-Changer

One of my biggest frustrations with the old Club World seat was the pitiful storage. You essentially had a small cubby and that was it. The Club Suite transforms this completely.

There's a large storage compartment next to the centre that easily swallowed my headphones, phone, and various cables. A second ottoman-style storage area near your feet provides additional space for shoes or a jacket. There's also a handy literature pocket and a water bottle holder that actually works.

For someone who likes to spread out whilst working – or who simply doesn't want their belongings scattered across three different surfaces – this is brilliant.

The Screen and Entertainment

The 18.5-inch 4K screen is excellent. It's one of the larger business class screens you'll find, and the picture quality is sharp. The entertainment system is responsive, though the content library felt a bit limited compared to what you'd find on, say, Emirates or Qatar Airways.

The screen positioning is clever – it's mounted to provide a good viewing angle whether you're sitting upright or reclined. My only minor gripe is that it sits quite close to your face when the seat is in bed mode, which can feel a bit claustrophobic if you wake up in the middle of the night.

One nice touch: the A350 features gate-to-gate entertainment, so you can watch content during taxi, takeoff, and landing – a welcome improvement over older aircraft where screens go dark.

The Tray Table Setup

This deserves its own section because BA got this absolutely right. There's a small drinks table that pops out from the side console – perfect for keeping a glass of wine or cup of tea within reach without cluttering your main workspace.

The main tray table is large, sturdy, and folds out from the side. It's ideal for working on a laptop or having a proper meal. Unlike some business class seats where you're constantly rearranging surfaces, everything here just works.

Service and Soft Product

The crew on my flight were excellent – friendly, attentive without being intrusive, and genuinely seemed to enjoy their jobs. This isn't always a given on transatlantic flights, so it was refreshing.

Boarding was smooth, and I was offered a choice of water, orange juice, or champagne shortly after settling in. The bedding was standard BA fare – a proper duvet and pillow that were fine, but nothing that'll make you rethink hotel mattresses.

The Food

British Airways catering can be hit or miss, and on this occasion, it was solidly good rather than exceptional.

For the main meal service was well-prepared and properly seasoned – a step above what you sometimes get at 35,000 feet.

Throughout the flight, the crew were happy to provide snacks and drinks on request, and the self-service Club Kitchen meant we could grab stuff whenever we fancied.

The Lounge Experience

As a BA Gold cardholder, I had access to the Galleries First Lounge in Terminal 5. I've reviewed this lounge previously, and my thoughts haven't changed: it's nice, but it gets absurdly busy, and the food offering doesn't quite live up to "First" expectations.

That said, it's leagues ahead of the standard Galleries Club lounge, and the champagne on tap helps ease any pre-flight jitters.

How to Book This With Points

Toronto is bookable with British Airways Avios using their distance-based award chart. The Avios prices were:

  • Off-peak business class: 80,000 Avios + £187.50

  • Peak business class: 90,000 Avios + £187.50

If you're flexible with dates, off-peak can save you 10,000 Avios. You can check current Avios requirements using our BA Avios Calculator.

For finding award availability, I'd recommend using our own Award Travel Finder, which searches British Airways and partner availability.

Club Suite vs Old Club World: Is It Worth Seeking Out?

Having now flown both products extensively, I can say with certainty: yes, the Club Suite is worth seeking out.

The old Club World product isn't terrible – it'll get you across the Atlantic in reasonable comfort. But the lack of privacy, the stepping-over-people situation, and the limited storage make it feel dated in 2025.

The Club Suite, by contrast, feels contemporary. The door alone transforms the experience, and the improved storage and screen setup make a genuine difference to both work and rest.

If you're booking with cash or points, I'd strongly recommend checking which aircraft type operates your route. All of BA's A350-1000s feature Club Suite, as do increasing numbers of 777s and 787-10s. Toronto is fortunate to be one of the routes that's now guaranteed to have Club Suite on every flight.

You can verify the configuration by checking the seat map during booking – look for the 1-2-1 layout rather than the old 2-4-2 or 2-3-2 configuration.

The Bottom Line

British Airways' Club Suite represents a significant step forward for the airline. It's not revolutionary – you'll find similar seats on multiple carriers – but it's executed well and brings BA's business class offering back into competitive territory.

The privacy, storage, and overall comfort make this a genuinely pleasant way to cross the Atlantic. Combined with typically good BA service and the convenience of Heathrow Terminal 5 for connections, it's a solid product.

Is it as good as Qatar's QSuite or Singapore Airline's latest business class? No. But it's close enough that most passengers will be perfectly happy, and the ability to book with Avios at reasonable rates makes it particularly attractive for UK-based points collectors.

The A350-1000 specifically is a delight to fly on – quieter, more comfortable cabin pressure, and the knowledge that you're guaranteed to get Club Suite makes it the best aircraft type in BA's fleet for long-haul travel.

If you're building up your Avios balance, London to Toronto in Club Suite on the A350 is an excellent redemption option – and the experience won't disappoint.

Looking to earn more Avios for flights like this?

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