British Airways Business Class Review from London to Oslo on the A319
British Airways is one of Europe’s most iconic airlines, with a legacy that stretches back over a century. Yet despite its prestigious history and global reputation, its short-haul Club Europe product has become a frequent target of criticism in recent years. Travelers often describe it as uninspired, dated, and not much different from Economy, apart from a blocked middle seat and a glass of champagne.
Still, there’s something undeniably nostalgic about flying British Airways within Europe — the blue uniforms, the crisp British accent of the crew, and the deep sense of tradition that few airlines can match. So how does Club Europe actually hold up?
On October 12, I decided to find out on a flight from London Heathrow (LHR) to Oslo (OSL) aboard one of BA’s Airbus A319s — a route of just under two hours. In this review, I’ll take you through the full experience:
- Check-in and boarding at London Heathrow
- First impressions of the A319 Club Europe cabin
- Seat comfort and onboard atmosphere
- The food and drink offering on a short European hop
- Service style and crew performance
- Arrival in Oslo and overall verdict
If you’ve ever wondered whether British Airways Club Europe is worth the price — or just a dressed-up Economy seat — this flight will give you the answer.
Flight Details
Flight number: BA766
Date: October 12, 2024
Route: London (LHR) → Oslo (OSL)
Departure (scheduled): 13:15 local time
Arrival (scheduled): 16:25 local time
Duration: ~2h 10m
Aircraft: Airbus A319
Registration: G-EUOA
Cabin: Business Class (Club Europe)
Seat: 7F
Frequent Flyer Program: Executive Club / oneworld
Fare: Standard Club Europe ticket
London Heathrow (LHR) – Terminal 3 Experience
British Airways operates most of its European and long-haul flights from Terminal 5, but a handful of routes — including Oslo — still depart from Terminal 3. And honestly, it shows.
While Terminal 5 is bright, modern, and purpose-built for BA’s premium image, Terminal 3 feels chaotic and outdated. The moment you enter, you’re greeted by a crowded central hall packed with people, restaurants, and duty-free shops all competing for space. There’s very little sense of flow or calm — just a constant hum of travelers squeezing past each other in narrow walkways.
Natural light is scarce, with most of the terminal relying on artificial illumination that gives it a rather gloomy feel. It’s a stark contrast to the airy architecture and glass walls of Terminal 5, which feels far more aligned with British Airways’ flagship status.
If you’re flying Club Europe and expecting the polished Heathrow experience often shown in BA’s marketing, Terminal 3 will likely leave you underwhelmed. It’s functional, yes, but far from inspiring — more of a busy shopping mall than a premium gateway to Scandinavia.
Galleries Lounge – Terminal 3
Before boarding, I visited the British Airways Galleries Lounge in Terminal 3, which serves as the main Business Class facility for BA and oneworld passengers at this terminal. Unfortunately, much like the terminal itself, the lounge struggles to deliver the premium experience one might expect from British Airways.
The space is noticeably smaller than the lounges in Terminal 5, and during my evening visit it was packed to capacity. Finding a free seat required some patience, and the noise level was closer to a busy café than a calm pre-flight retreat. The interior design also feels dated, with low ceilings and limited natural light adding to the slightly claustrophobic atmosphere.
That said, there are some definite positives. The lounge offers excellent apron views, perfect for aviation enthusiasts who enjoy watching aircraft movements at Heathrow. The food selection was surprisingly strong for a short-haul lounge — a mix of hot and cold options, including salads, pasta, and even a British-style sausage cart, which added a fun local touch.
The drink selection was also impressive, featuring a range of wines, spirits, and beers, along with a self-serve coffee bar. Despite the crowding, staff made regular rounds to clear tables and replenish the buffet, keeping things reasonably tidy.
Overall, the Galleries Lounge in Terminal 3 is a mixed experience: good catering and views can’t fully compensate for the lack of space and ambience. Compared to BA’s Terminal 5 lounges, it feels more like a practical stopover than a premium pre-flight experience.
Boarding British Airways A319
After leaving the lounge, I made my way toward Gate 9, located in the middle of Heathrow’s Terminal 3. It’s quite a short walk. Boarding for British Airways flight BA766 to Oslo was handled in groups, as is now standard procedure across BA’s network. The process was efficient and clearly announced, with Club Europe passengers invited to board first. It’s always nice when an airline actually enforces priority boarding — and in this case, it worked smoothly.
Upon stepping onboard, I was greeted by the cabin crew with a warm smile and a classic British “Welcome aboard.” The mood was friendly and professional from the start. I was shown to my seat — 7F, a window seat on the right side of the aircraft. Despite the short flight ahead, the welcome felt genuinely hospitable, setting a positive tone for the journey to Oslo.
Cabin and Seat – British Airways Club Europe on the A319
Stepping into the British Airways A319 cabin, you can immediately sense the airline’s heritage. This particular aircraft, G-EUOA, has been in service for quite some years — and while the age shows in small details like the overhead panels and lighting, the overall presentation of the Club Europe cabin still feels premium.
The seats are finished in dark navy leather with subtle stitching, giving a polished and elegant look that has aged surprisingly well. The padding is noticeably thicker than what you’ll find on most short-haul aircraft today, providing genuine comfort even on longer European flights. While it’s not a lie-flat seat by any means, it still feels more refined than the minimalist designs used by many competitors.
What really sets British Airways Club Europe apart is how the airline handles the blocked middle seat. Instead of simply leaving it empty — as most European carriers do — BA installs a removable table over the middle space. This adds both practicality and a touch of sophistication: you can comfortably place your drink, phone, or small items there without encroaching on your neighbor’s space. It’s a small but clever detail that reinforces the premium feel of the product.
The cabin layout follows the standard European Business Class configuration (3–3 seating with the middle seat blocked), but BA’s darker color palette, branded headrests, and sleek seat design give it a distinctly “British” atmosphere — understated, classic, and quietly elegant.
Food and Drinks – British Airways Club Europe
If there’s one area where British Airways Club Europe truly shines, it’s the catering. On this short flight from London to Oslo, the meal service exceeded expectations — both in quality and presentation.
Soon after takeoff, the crew offered a choice between three dishes: an Indian-style curry, a hearty beef stew, or a cold smoked salmon plate. Each option came beautifully arranged on a single tray, accompanied by a fresh salad, warm bread roll with butter, a small dessert, and the usual selection of drinks and coffee or tea. Everything was served on proper china with metal cutlery, which immediately adds a premium touch — even on a flight that lasted just 1 hour and 40 minutes.
I opted for the smoked salmon dish, and it was genuinely impressive. The flavors were fresh, the presentation elegant, and it felt like something you’d expect on a much longer flight. The bread was warm, the dessert flavorful, and the service throughout was attentive without feeling rushed.
The only small drawback was the lack of a printed menu. While the crew verbally explained the options, having a physical menu would have added an extra layer of polish — something that other premium airlines, like Air France or Lufthansa, still provide even on short sectors.
Still, for a regional European flight, BA’s Club Europe catering was top-notch. It’s easy to see why many frequent flyers continue to rate British Airways highly for onboard dining — the quality, even without a menu, felt distinctly “premium British.”
Flying from London to Oslo
Although boarding was completed right on time, this is where we encountered one of the less glamorous sides of flying British Airways out of Heathrow — the airport itself. London Heathrow (LHR) remains one of the most congested airports in Europe, operating with only two runways that handle hundreds of movements per day.
Since our flight departed during the evening peak, we ended up waiting over 25 minutes at the gate before pushback clearance was granted. Once we finally began taxiing, the queue for takeoff was immense — a familiar sight at Heathrow. In total, we spent nearly 45 minutes delayed on the ground before taking off from Runway 27L.
The daytime departure made for a smooth but mostly cloudy flight across the North Sea. The short cruise segment passed quickly, and soon we were already descending over the southern coast of Norway, breaking through clouds as we approached a rainy grey Oslo.
Landing at Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) was perfectly smooth, and taxi-in was efficient. However, it’s worth noting that since the UK is no longer part of the EU, all passengers arriving from Britain must now clear immigration — even for short business trips. Lines were moderate but moved quickly, and within minutes I was landside, wrapping up this classic short-haul hop from London to Scandinavia.
Final Verdict – British Airways A319 Club Europe
Flying British Airways Club Europe from London to Oslo proved to be a reminder of why BA still holds a strong position in European premium travel. While its short-haul Business Class product often receives criticism, this particular flight showed that, when executed well, Club Europe can still deliver one of the best experiences within Europe.
The onboard service was the clear highlight — warm, attentive, and genuinely personable. The meal quality was outstanding for such a short sector, and the seating felt more premium than most competitors thanks to the padded leather design and the table covering the middle seat, a small but classy touch that adds real practicality.
On the ground, the experience was solid overall. The Galleries Lounge offered great food and drinks despite being crowded, and boarding was punctual and organized. The main drawback came from Heathrow itself — Terminal 3 feels dated and overcrowded compared to the elegant Terminal 5, and congestion at LHR continues to cause frequent delays.
Still, once in the air, British Airways delivered a polished, enjoyable, and unmistakably “British” experience. If you value friendly service, quality catering, and small touches of old-school elegance, Club Europe remains a solid choice — especially on routes of two hours or more.
