British Airways Business Class from the West Coast

While British Airways releases 4 business class award seats when the schedule opens, you can often find more seats. Given how difficult it can be to find multiple business class seats between the west coast and Europe, this can be a particularly useful option.

While the carrier-imposed surcharges are steep, you can avoid most of these fees by booking through the right airline program and it can be an easy way to lock in flights if you don’t have a lot of flexibility.

Now, let’s get into it!

Straight To The Points

Routes:

To London Heathrow (LHR):

• Las Vegas (LAS), Los Angeles (LAX), Portland (PDX), Phoenix (PHX), San Diego (SAN), San Francisco (SFO), Vancouver (YVR)
  

To London Gatwick (LGW):

• Vancouver (YVR)

Operating airline: British Airways

Class of service: Business class

Dates: May 2025 - March 2026

Seats available: 2 (up to 9)

Cabin layout:

• A350, 787-10, 777-300, 1-2-1 (Club Suites)

• 787-9: 2-3-2

• 787-8: 2-3-2 on all but one aircraft

• 777-200: 1-2-1 (Club Suites) out of LHR; 2-4-2 out of LGW

• A380: 2-4-2 (lower deck), 2-3-2 (upper deck)
  

Best ways to book (per person, one-way):

• British Airways Executive Club:

  • Off-peak: 90,000 Avios

  • Peak: 100,000 Avios

• Cathay Pacific Asia Miles:

  • YVR: 63,000 miles

  • LAS, LAX, PDX, PHX, SAN, SFO: 89,000 miles

Other ways to book (per person, one-way):

• Alaska Mileage Plan:

  • PDX, YYZ: 55,000 miles

  • LAS, LAX, PHX, SAN, SFO, YVR: 70,000 miles

• Qantas Frequent Flyer:

  • YVR: 75,000 points

  • LAS, LAX, PDX, PHX, SAN, SFO : 90,000 points

Taxes/fees (per person, one-way):

• Alaska:

  • From US: ~$996

  • From LHR: ~$804

  • From Canada: ~$701

  • To Canada: ~$763

• British Airways:

  • From US: ~$375 or $475

  • From LHR: ~$375 or $475

  • From Canada: ~$375 or $475

  • To Canada: ~$375 or $475

    
    

• Cathay Pacific

  • From US: ~$394

  • From LHR: ~$726

  • From Canada: ~$244

  • To Canada: ~$685

    
    

• Qantas

  • From US: ~$1054

  • From LHR: ~$794

  • From Canada: ~$715

  • To Canada: ~$753

    
    

Part of the reason for the steep taxes/fees is the UK’s Air Passenger Duty (APD) of £224. This only applies to flights originating in the UK. If you start your return from another country and connect, it will not apply to your ticket.

Bank transfer partners:

• Alaska: Bilt, Marriott

• American: Marriott

• British Airways: Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Chase, Marriott

• Cathay Pacific: Amex, Bilt, Capital One, Citi, Marriott

• Finnair: Capital One

• Qantas: Amex, Capital One, Citi, Marriott

  • 20% Capital One transfer bonus

• Qatar: Amex, Citi, Marriott

  • 30% Citi transfer bonus

    
    

Current Airline Transfer Bonuses

Best Card Offers

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Available Dates

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*3rd or 4th night free promo on select dates

Flight Experience

To get the best experience, you’ll want to avoid flights with a 2-4-2 or 2-3-2 business class cabin layout. While each seat is lie-flat, many seats don’t have direct aisle access. Even if you have a seat with direct aisle access, your neighbor will have to climb over you.

Ideally, you’ll choose a flight with the newer Club Suites product. This cabin  is arranged in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone layout. Each seat is lie-flat and has a privacy door.

Regardless of cabin layout, be aware that service and catering quality can vary.

Please note that seat selection is not free until check-in unless you have oneworld Sapphire or Emerald status.

How To Search

Search with Alaska:

1. If you want to book a one-way, check "One-way"

2. Check "Use miles"

3. Enter your origin & destination

4. Select your dates

5. Select number of passengers

6. Run the search

7. Complete the booking

Before you transfer points, search with the airline program you’ll use to book.

British Airways contact center: 1-800-452-1201

Happy booking!