British Airways economy - which BA calls World Traveller - is a decent long-haul option for UK travellers flying to Orlando. The seats are functional, the entertainment is one of the better offerings in economy, and alcohol is included, but legroom is tight, there are no individual air controls and the planes are getting old. We've flown it more than ten times, and here's our honest verdict. "World Traveller" is British Airways branding for long-haul economy (they apparently wanted to be different) so wherever you see World Traveller, it is economy.
Article Summary
- Our verdict: 4 out of 5, a solid if unspectacular way to reach Orlando
- Seat layout: 3-4-3 in most of the cabin, 2-4-2 in the rear section
- Legroom: seat pitch of 30 to 33 inches depending on the aircraft
- Luggage: one 23kg checked bag included on Standard fares, none on Economy Basic
- Wi-Fi: available but slow and costs around £18 for the flight
- Best for: UK families booking an ATOL-protected Walt Disney World package
Search Walt Disney World packages with British Airways flights here
Read on for the full breakdown including seat selection costs, the luggage allowance rules that catch people out, and what actually goes wrong on this route.
We've now flown British Airways World Traveller economy long-haul over ten times, on return trips between London Gatwick (LGW) and Orlando International Airport (MCO) on their Boeing 777. We've also published our British Airways Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus) Review and British Airways Business Club World Review if you're weighing up whether the upgrade is worth the extra spend, but for now we're focusing on the economy experience.
If you're already sold on BA and want to get your holiday booked, you can search British Airways Walt Disney World packages here or find cheap BA flight-only prices here.
Check-in and Boarding
On the Gatwick side, if you've checked in online you can head straight to bag drop. The process is self-service - scan your boarding pass, place your bag on the belt, it prints the luggage tag, you attach it to your handle and off it goes. Staff are around if you need help. On the Orlando side there's no self-service bag drop, so you'll need to queue to check in with a member of staff to get your bags sent to the plane.
Boarding is called by group, starting with business class, then premium economy, then economy. Families travelling with young children are invited to board alongside business class, which is a nice touch if you're travelling with little ones as it gives you time to get settled before the rest of the plane files past you. The boarding process itself is no better or worse than any other airline. What is a nice touch on the Orlando side in Terminal C is the biometric face scan used at the gate, meaning you don't need to get your passport and boarding pass out again. It speeds things up noticeably and is one of the small perks of Terminal C over the older terminal.
The Economy Cabin Layout
The economy cabin (BA calls it World Traveller) on the Boeing 777 uses a 3-4-3 seat configuration. For comparison, the premium economy cabin (World Traveller Plus) sits in a 2-4-2 layout.
The exception is the rear section of the plane, which drops to a 2-4-2 layout, and that's where we generally choose to sit as a couple. These seats cost a bit more to select - we paid £67 each, though last time we checked they'd gone up to around £87 - but as a couple travelling together it's worth it to avoid having a stranger in the middle seat between you. There's also a bit more aisle space in that section, so it doesn't feel quite as compact.
Seats and Legroom
British Airways economy seat pitch on the Boeing 777 is between 30 and 33 inches (76-83cm) depending on the specific aircraft configuration, which is fairly standard for long-haul economy. You're not getting anything generous, but you're not being folded in half either.
The seats themselves are fine. They're not going to win any awards, but they're not the worst economy seats we've come across either. Staying awake on the outbound flight is manageable, sleeping on the return is harder, though how well you sleep on a plane comes down to personal tolerance as much as anything. At 6'1", I find the legroom tight but not unbearable. I book an aisle seat specifically for the extra stretch room, and if you're on the taller side I'd suggest doing the same.
The days of choosing your seat for free at the point of booking are mostly gone with BA. You can pick your seat for free from 24 hours before check-in, or pay to select it earlier. Costs vary quite a bit, anywhere from around £47 to £100 per person per flight depending on the seat and fare type, which adds up fast for a family of four. If you have British Airways Executive Club status you may be able to select seats earlier without paying, but that won't apply to most people booking a Gatwick to Orlando trip as a one-off holiday.
British Airways Economy Luggage Allowance
On a standard British Airways economy fare (World Traveller) you get one checked bag up to 23kg and one cabin bag plus one personal item. On Economy Basic - the entry-level fare BA often advertises at headline prices - there is no checked luggage at all, only hand luggage. That's worth knowing because the price difference between Basic and Standard can catch people out. On a random September date we checked, Basic was showing at £321 and Standard at £371. For most Orlando-bound travellers who need a suitcase, Standard is the realistic starting point, so factor that into any price comparison you're doing.
| Bag Type | Max Dimensions | Included On |
|---|---|---|
| Hand bag | 40 x 30 x 15cm | All fares, including Economy Basic |
| Cabin bag | 56 x 45 x 25cm | All fares, including Economy Basic |
| Checked bag | Up to 23kg | Standard economy fares only, not Economy Basic |
Allowances can change, so always check the fare details at the time of booking.
Your hand bag must fit under the seat in front of you and can hold essentials like medication, your phone, batteries and your passport. This one is guaranteed a spot in the cabin. Your cabin bag needs to fit in the overhead locker and you need to be able to lift it up there yourself. No valuables, electronics, batteries or essential medicines should go in the cabin bag, keep those in your hand bag instead, because the cabin bag may occasionally be put in the hold if overhead space runs out on busy flights.
One that catches people out: power banks and spare batteries cannot go in your hold luggage under any circumstances. They must travel in your hand luggage, not your cabin bag. Read our full guide to the British Airways power bank rules here.
Amenities and Entertainment
Economy passengers get a pair of earbuds, a pillow, a blanket and a decent-sized seatback screen, and the entertainment selection is one of BA's stronger points. There's a solid range of films, TV shows and games, and having flown Aer Lingus in between our BA trips (see our Aer Lingus Economy Review for comparison), the difference in screen size is quite striking. Aer Lingus's screens feel tiny by comparison. There's also a USB-A and USB-C charging point under the screen.
Where It Falls Short
No airline is perfect, and that includes British Airways. The Boeing 777 BA uses on this route has no individual air vents, so you get whatever temperature the cabin is set to. It sounds minor until the air conditioning is running too high or too low. On one outbound leg from Gatwick we were boarding while luggage was still being loaded, which meant the engines couldn't run and the cabin got extremely hot. An individual air vent would have been useful just to get some air moving even without full air conditioning. The captain acknowledged it with what could be described as diplomatic dark humour, and the crew did their best bringing water round, but it's not a fun way to start a nine-hour flight. These things do happen from time to time.
Wi-Fi is available on board at an extra cost. Until Starlink is rolled out across the fleet, customers will have to make do with a fairly subpar internet experience. The flight pass says you can stream videos, but connection speeds are so slow that it isn't really possible. BA club members can get free messaging, but browsing or streaming costs around £18 for the flight, though the cost does vary. I wouldn't bet on having usable Wi-Fi on these flights.
It's not a major factor, but these 777s are getting on a bit. The interiors have been refurbished in recent years, so BA has done what it can, but there's only so much a refresh can hide on an older airframe. BA will keep running these aircraft on the route until newer planes start arriving from 2029.
Food and Drink
The menu changes regularly so we won't go into too much detail here, but the food has generally been acceptable, nothing to write home about, nothing to complain about either. The main difference we noticed between economy and premium economy (you can see food photos in our British Airways Premium Economy Review) is that economy gets wooden cutlery rather than metal. Which is fine, though it does feel like a small but deliberate reminder of where you sit in the hierarchy, or maybe travellers in economy simply cannot be trusted with proper cutlery.
The service structure is a drinks run, then a hot meal, then a hot snack before landing. Alcoholic drinks are included in economy, which isn't the case with every long-haul airline, so it's worth knowing.
Customer Service
On the whole, British Airways cabin crew and ground staff have been friendly across our flights. Other than maybe one or two rude interactions with the crew at Orlando airport, all British Airways staff including the onboard crew have always been great with no complaints.
More importantly, at least for us so far, when things went wrong BA handled it reasonably well. When we flew premium economy, I got ill in Florida and needed to rebook flights home, and the team were helpful throughout. On one of the economy trips, a flight was cancelled and BA automatically moved us to the next day. I called three different departments for guidance on what to do (hotel, food receipts, next steps) and everyone was helpful and consistent. We had another night at a hotel and full compensation paid out in a timely manner. Many Mickey From The UK followers have shared similar, and sometimes different, experiences when it comes to getting compensation for delayed and cancelled flights, but we're lucky enough to say that on our trips everything has gone smoothly.
Our Verdict
British Airways World Traveller economy is a solid if unspectacular way to get from the UK to Orlando. Over ten flights it's held up well enough that we keep booking it, which is perhaps the most honest endorsement you can give any airline. The entertainment is one of the best in class for economy, alcohol is included, the crew have been consistently good, and Terminal C at Orlando makes the arrival experience smoother than it used to be.
There are downsides too. Seat selection costs are high and add up quickly for families or couples, the Wi-Fi is borderline unusable, there are no individual air vents, and sleeping on the return leg is a challenge. Some of these might not be deal-breakers for you, but they're worth knowing in advance.
If you're booking a Walt Disney World holiday from the UK, BA is often worth considering as part of an ATOL-protected package booked directly with Disney, as bundling flights, hotel and park tickets together can often work out better value than piecing it together separately. If you're a taller traveller or a light sleeper, it's also worth pricing up the Premium Economy upgrade before ruling it out. Our British Airways Premium Economy Review covers whether it's worth the difference.
Booking BA for Orlando
If you're flying with British Airways to Orlando as part of a Walt Disney World holiday, you can add BA as your airline when booking directly with Disney as an ATOL-protected package. That's often the most cost-effective route for UK families as it bundles flights, hotel and park tickets together.
Search Walt Disney World packages with British Airways flights here, prices vary quite a bit depending on travel dates, so it's worth checking a few different departure windows. Our Walt Disney World deals guide for UK guests is also a good place to start if you're trying to get the best value.
If you just want to compare BA flight prices on their own, use this link to search for cheap British Airways flights.
One thing worth knowing: British Airways flies into the newer Terminal C at Orlando International. If you've not landed in the new terminal yet, you can check out our MCO Terminal C UK Guide: Airlines, Arrivals & What to Expect article.
Search for cheap British Airways flights >
Search Walt Disney World packages with British Airways >
BA Economy to Orlando: Your Questions Answered
What is World Traveller on British Airways?
World Traveller is simply British Airways' branding for its long-haul economy cabin. Wherever you see the term "World Traveller", it means standard economy class, not a separate premium product.
Is British Airways economy good for long haul flights to Orlando?
It's decent but not exceptional. The entertainment screen is large and the drinks service is included, which puts it ahead of some competitors, but legroom is tight, there are no individual air vents, and the seats aren't especially sleep-friendly on the return leg.
How much does seat selection cost on British Airways economy?
It varies depending on your fare and where you want to sit. The rear 2-4-2 section seats, which we'd recommend for couples, were £67 per person when we booked, though we've since seen them listed at around £87. Check during booking as it fluctuates.
Does British Airways economy include free alcohol?
Yes. Alcoholic and soft drinks are included as part of the in-flight service in economy on long-haul flights.
Which terminal does British Airways use at Orlando Airport?
British Airways arrives into Terminal C at Orlando International Airport (MCO), the newer terminal, which is generally quicker to process through than Terminals A and B.
Is it worth upgrading to British Airways Premium Economy for the Orlando flight?
It depends on your budget and how much you value sleep. The 2-4-2 seating layout and extra legroom in Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus) make a noticeable difference on a nine-hour flight. See our full British Airways Premium Economy Review to decide if the upgrade is worth it for you.
Is British Airways economy worth it for a UK family flying to Walt Disney World?
Yes, for most UK families it's a reasonable choice. Booking as part of an ATOL-protected Walt Disney World package often works out better value than booking flights separately, and the inclusive drinks service and large entertainment screens help keep a long flight manageable with children.
Does British Airways economy have Wi-Fi on flights to Orlando?
Yes, but it costs extra and the experience is fairly poor. Browsing and streaming passes cost around £18, though the price varies. Connection speeds are generally too slow for reliable streaming. BA Executive Club members get free messaging. Starlink is being rolled out across the fleet but hasn't reached all aircraft yet.
Can you take a power bank on British Airways flights?
Power banks and spare batteries cannot go in hold luggage under any circumstances, they must travel in your hand luggage. This applies regardless of the size of the power bank. See our full British Airways power bank rules guide for more detail.
What is the British Airways economy luggage allowance?
On a standard economy fare (World Traveller) you get one checked bag up to 23kg, one cabin bag up to 56 x 45 x 25cm, and one hand bag up to 40 x 30 x 15cm. Economy Basic fares do not include a checked bag, only hand luggage, so check your fare type carefully before booking.
