The Booking

Scoring a business class seat to Tokyo for just 50,000 Avios felt like a proper win. Thanks to my Barclaycard Avios Plus upgrade voucher, I managed to halve the usual 100,000 Avios requirement - these vouchers really are game-changers for premium cabin travel.

There was a slight twist in the tale, though. When I initially booked several months out, the flight was scheduled to feature BA's newest Club Suite product. However, BA switched the aircraft a few months after booking to one with the older Club World cabin. This isn't uncommon - BA's B787 fleet is currently undergoing a very slow retrofit to the new Club Suite, with only about two aircraft completed so far. Despite keeping an eye on the aircraft assignments hoping for a switch back to a retrofitted plane, we ended up with the classic Club World cabin.

Pre-Flight Experience

My British Airways Gold status granted access to the First Lounge at Terminal 5. While not as exclusive as the Concorde Room, it provided a refined space to relax before the long journey to Tokyo. The lounge's expansive windows offered excellent views of the afternoon runway operations - always a treat for aviation enthusiasts.

The Seat & Cabin

BA's older Club World features the distinctive yin-yang layout in a 2-3-2 configuration. Yes, it's a design that divides opinion, mainly due to the lack of direct aisle access for most window seats (I secured 7A which does have access without having to step over someone). However, these seats offer surprisingly good comfort for sleeping, converting into a fully-flat bed with adequate width.

The seat features:

• Dark grey fabric upholstery

• White privacy divider (raisable after takeoff)

• Adjustable headrest with wings

• Side storage compartment

• Footrest that forms part of the flat bed

• Personal reading light

• Universal power outlet and USB port

Entertainment System

The system might not be the largest or newest, but it offered:

• Decent selection of new releases

• Classic films and TV shows

• Interactive moving map

• Games and audio programming

• Noise-cancelling headphones

Food & Beverage Service

The catering exceeded expectations, starting with an impressive wine list:

Wine Selection

• Castelnau Réserve Brut NV Champagne

• Whispering Angel Côtes de Provence Rosé 2023

• Vavasour Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough

• Montes Limited Selection Pinot Noir

• Leeuwenkuil Shiraz

Dinner Service

Started with:

• Salmon and avocado timbale

• Fresh artisan bread with butter

• Mixed salad with vinaigrette

Main course options included:

• Herefordshire beef fillet with creamy spinach

• Tsukune (Japanese chicken meatballs) with sushi rice

• Fresh tagliarini with mozzarella

The meal concluded with an impressive cheese course featuring:

• Butler's Secret Cheddar

• Blacksticks Blue

• Gillot Camembert de Normandie

• Served with crackers and caramelised apple chutney

Sleep Experience

The White Company bedding includes:

• Large pillow

• Soft blanket

• Mattress topper

• Amenity kit

While not the widest business class seat, it provides enough space for a comfortable rest, especially with the privacy divider raised.

Service

The crew exemplified British Airways at its best - professional yet personable. Drinks were consistently topped up, and the meal service was perfectly paced for a long-haul flight. Their attention to detail and willingness to accommodate requests made the journey particularly enjoyable.

Worth It?

Despite not getting the newest Club Suite product, this redemption offered excellent value. At 50,000 Avios for a one-way 14 hour business class ticket to Tokyo (thanks to the upgrade voucher), it's hard to complain about the older seat configuration. The combination of good food, attentive service, and a fully-flat bed made for a comfortable journey.

For those considering this route:

• Watch for aircraft changes if you're hoping for the Club Suite

• Window seats offer more privacy but require climbing over others

• Middle seats are best avoided unless travelling with a companion

• The best value comes from using upgrade vouchers or Avios sales

While other airlines might offer more modern seats, BA's relatively consistent service, extensive route network, and reasonable Avios redemption rates using vouchers keep them competitive. The older Club World product might not win any awards for innovation, but when the price is right, it still delivers a comfortable way to cross continents.