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<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThere\u2019s also a fast-track security lane available. Gatwick now uses full-bag scanning as well, so there\u2019s no need to remove liquids or laptops. After security, it\u2019s just a short walk to the British Airways lounge. The overall process is indeed much quicker and smoother than at Heathrow\u2014though of course it still can\u2019t compete with London City Airport.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAs a proud oneworld Emerald, I turned left and entered the First lounge area.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe lounge mainly features an open layout and isn\u2019t particularly large, which is understandable, since Gatwick doesn\u2019t handle nearly as many flights. Still, it\u2019s well equipped, with a variety of seating styles to suit different needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s also a small semi-private room.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe dining area is set in a separate section inside the lounge, ideal if you want to sit down for a proper meal.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nAfter the pandemic, BA\u2019s Club lounges scrapped their \u00e0 la carte dining and reverted to a buffet model, and frankly the food seems to have gotten progressively worse. The First lounge, however, still offers a hybrid of buffet and \u00e0 la carte service. During the lunch period, the buffet included items such as Vietnamese curry, spring rolls, and shepherd’s pie.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThe \u00e0 la carte menu looked like this:<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nPerfectly acceptable, I suppose. By the way, champagne in the First lounge is self-serve and unlimited, whereas in the business-class (Galleries Club) lounge you have to ask staff for it.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nGatwick\u2019s third-party lounges are actually quite decent too. In the South Terminal, I\u2019d recommend My Lounge, and in the North Terminal, Plaza Premium<\/a>. If you have an unaltered Priority Pass, you can lso redeem it at restaurants like Pizza Express and BrewDog.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anyway, back to the main story – it was time to board. For the outbound flight, I used a Barclaycard upgrade voucher to book Premium Economy, which BA calls World Traveller Plus, for 33,000 Avios + \u00a3200 per person. Later I noticed business-class award seats had opened up, but when I saw they were the classic Club World seats, I decided to save the money. The flight was about nine hours, but since it was a daytime flight, Premium Economy seemed perfectly tolerable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The last time I flew BA Premium Economy was more than ten years ago, and I remember it being quite shabby – an old product. So this was almost like reviewing a \u201cnew\u201d experience. Like most wide-body aircraft, their Boeing 772 Premium Economy is arranged in a 2-4-2 configuration, noticeably roomier than Economy\u2019s 3-4-3 layout. Incidentally, BA\u2019s Club World seats are also 2-4-2!<\/p>\n\n\n Unsurprisingly, the two-seat pairs by the windows are the most sought-after. When I booked about a month in advance, most seats were already taken and I just managed to grab the last pair of double seats.<\/p>\n\n\n Both the seat width and pitch are clearly improved compared with Economy (World Traveller), though the lumbar area feels oddly unsupported, which can be uncomfortable. A cushion is provided to help with that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The tray table pulls out from the armrest rather than being attached to the seat in front, which is nice because it isn\u2019t affected when the person ahead reclines. A power socket is located between the seats below.<\/p>\n\n\n Of course, Premium Economy doesn\u2019t recline fully flat. The maximum recline angle is roughly 120 degrees. There are also footrests and leg supports, but honestly they\u2019re more of a nuisance if you\u2019re tall.<\/p>\n\n\n And once again, the eternal question arises: should people recline their seats on a plane? What do you think? If you\u2019ve already paid for Premium Economy, it\u2019s hard not to recline. The two passengers in front of me almost got into an argument – apparently the person ahead kept shifting their seat back and forth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Passengers are given over-ear headphones and a basic amenity kit.<\/p>\n\n\n The entertainment system is probably the biggest upgrade compared with Economy: the screen is about the size of a regular tablet, making it much easier on the eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n However, this particular aircraft might not have been updated in a while. The movie selection was painfully limited, with almost no new releases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As for the catering: after boarding, the crew served sparkling wine, juice, and a hot towel, the same treatment as in business class.<\/p>\n\n\n And the main course in the meal service is identical to the one in business class (but fewer options):<\/p>\n\n\n Both the beef and the chicken tasted quite good.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n