British Airways World Traveller Plus is the airline's name for premium economy on long-haul flights - and on the Boeing 777 Gatwick to Orlando route it delivers a meaningful step up from economy: 38 inches of seat pitch, a 2-4-2 seat layout, two checked bags at 23kg each, priority boarding, noise-cancelling headphones, an amenity kit and a pre-departure welcome drink. It does not include lounge access or dedicated toilets, and seat selection costs are significant on top of an already premium fare. We've flown this cabin four times on the Gatwick to Orlando route and rate it 4 out of 5.
Article Summary
- What it is: World Traveller Plus is BA's name for premium economy - not a separate product, just a different name
- Seat layout: 2-4-2 (compared to 3-4-3 in economy - a significant difference on a full plane)
- Seat pitch: Around 38 inches vs 30-33 inches in economy on the same aircraft
- Baggage: Two checked bags at 23kg each (economy gets one)
- Lounge access: Not included - only included with Business (Club World)
- Our rating: 4 out of 5
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Read on for the full breakdown including whether the upgrade is actually worth it, what you do and don't get, the best seats to pick, and how much more it typically costs than economy.
We've flown British Airways World Traveller economy on the same Gatwick to Orlando route over ten times, so we have a reasonable baseline for comparison. Our full BA World Traveller economy review is worth reading alongside this one if you're weighing up whether the upgrade makes sense for your trip. Or if you want to go all-out, check out our British Airways Business Club World Review.
If you're already sold on BA and want to get booked, you can search Walt Disney World packages with British Airways here or compare BA flight prices here.
What Is World Traveller Plus?
World Traveller Plus is simply British Airways' name for premium economy on long-haul routes. If you've been searching "is World Traveller Plus the same as premium economy" - yes, they are exactly the same thing. BA uses different cabin names rather than standard industry terminology, which explains most of the confusion around it. Their economy cabin is called World Traveller. Premium economy is World Traveller Plus. Business class is Club World. It doesn't map neatly onto what other airlines call things, but at least now you know.
On the Boeing 777 used on the Gatwick to Orlando route, World Traveller Plus sits between Club World (business) and World Traveller (economy). The table below shows the key differences between the two cabins you're most likely choosing between.
| Feature | World Traveller (Economy) | World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy) |
|---|---|---|
| Seat layout | 3-4-3 | 2-4-2 |
| Seat pitch | 30-33 inches | ~38 inches |
| Checked baggage | 1 bag at 23kg | 2 bags at 23kg each |
| Priority boarding | No | Yes - boards after business, before economy |
| Pre-departure drink | No | Yes - sparkling wine or orange juice |
| Headphones | Basic earbuds | Noise-cancelling headphones |
| Amenity kit | No | Yes - toothbrush, pen, lip balm, eye mask, socks |
| Head and foot rest | No | Yes |
| Food service | Wooden cutlery, plastic tray | Metal cutlery, proper plates, glassware |
| Lounge access | No | No |
| Nearest toilets | Yes - throughout the cabin | No dedicated toilets - must use economy toilets |
Based on the Boeing 777 used on the Gatwick to Orlando route. Individual aircraft configurations may vary.
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Check-in and Boarding
The check-in and bag drop process at Gatwick is the same for World Traveller Plus as it is for economy - self-service machines with staff on hand if needed. There is a separate premium check-in desk if you have not checked in online, but it's still usually faster to just check in online and use the bag drop. Check the queues when you arrive. Fast Track through security is not included with World Traveller Plus.
At the gate, World Traveller Plus passengers board after business class but before economy. Boarding mid-economy means navigating past people still loading bags into overhead lockers and settling themselves in. Boarding early means you're settled and comfortable before any of that begins. It also means you clear the plane ahead of the economy cabin on arrival, since World Traveller Plus sits forward of it.
When you return at Orlando Terminal C, British Airways uses biometric face scanning at the gate on arrival, which removes the need to produce your passport and boarding pass again. It speeds the process up noticeably. If you've not used Terminal C before, our MCO Terminal C guide for UK travellers covers what to expect on arrival. There is no such feature yet when leaving London airport.
The Premium Economy Cabin Layout
The World Traveller Plus cabin on the Boeing 777 uses a 2-4-2 seat configuration - two seats by each window and four across the middle. This compares to economy's 3-4-3 layout, and the difference is felt immediately when you walk through the curtain. Fewer seats per row, more space between them, and a cabin that simply feels less compact.
For comparison, here's what economy's 3-4-3 layout looks like on the same aircraft:
Travelling as a couple in World Traveller Plus, you get a window and aisle seat to yourselves with no one between you. Travelling solo, you're looking at one neighbour at most rather than potentially two. That shift from 3-4-3 to 2-4-2 is one of the more underrated differences between the two cabins on a long-haul flight.
Seats, Legroom and the Best Seats to Choose
The seat pitch in World Traveller Plus on the Boeing 777 is around 38 inches - a meaningful step up from the 30-33 inches in economy on the same aircraft. At 6'1", legroom in economy is tight but manageable; at 38 inches in World Traveller Plus it's comfortably adequate for a nine-hour flight. Each seat also has an adjustable and usable head rest and a foot rest, which economy doesn't have - both useful for the overnight return leg.
The seats themselves are comfortable and well-padded, though it's worth keeping expectations in check. It's a bigger, wider seat with more recline than economy. That's what you're paying for, but the difference, in my opinion, isn't massive vs economy.
As for the best seats in World Traveller Plus - there aren't any particularly bad ones in this configuration. We tend to go for the back row of the premium economy cabin because those seats recline fully without pushing into anyone behind, because there isn't a row behind them. Every other row on the plane has someone sitting back there, which means passengers often either don't recline fully out of consideration, or they do and the person behind them spends nine hours staring at the back of a headrest. The back row removes that dilemma entirely. It's worth checking the seat map when booking to confirm which row that is on your specific aircraft.
As far as legroom is concerned, it's perfectly comfortable with enough room for a comfortable flight. I am 6'1" and I've still got a few good inches between my knees and the seat in front of me, as you can see below.
Seat selection costs money regardless of where you want to sit. When we've booked, prices have ranged from around £60 to £100 per person per flight - on top of a fare that already costs roughly double economy, sometimes more. For a couple that's up to £400 extra simply to choose where to sit. For a family of four, you could be looking at £800 in seat fees alone, on a premium cabin, on a return trip. In my opinion, it's a disgrace. If you're not fussed about a specific seat, you can select for free from 24 hours before the flight - but the more desirable positions go quickly on a busy route like Gatwick to Orlando, so that free option is of limited use to families who need to sit together unless you're lucky and your flight is half empty.
World Traveller Plus Luggage Allowance
One of the best benefits of World Traveller Plus over economy is you get two checked bags at 23kg each rather than one. For most Orlando-bound travellers, that extra bag allowance is a real boon - luggage on the return leg tends to be heavier than on the way out, for reasons that don't need much explaining.
Cabin bag allowances are the same across both cabins: one cabin bag up to 56 x 45 x 25cm and one handbag or personal item up to 40 x 30 x 15cm. The same rules on power banks apply regardless of cabin - they must travel in your hand luggage and cannot go in hold bags under any circumstances. If you're travelling with a power bank for the parks, our guide to BA's power bank rules covers everything you need to know.
What You Get in World Traveller Plus
If you're deciding whether the upgrade is worth the additional cost, here's what World Traveller Plus actually includes on the Gatwick to Orlando route compared to standard economy on the same flight:
- Two checked bags at 23kg each - economy gets one. For an Orlando trip where the return suitcase is rarely the same weight as the outbound one, this is a benefit that pays for itself.
- Priority boarding - you board after business class, before economy, and you clear the plane ahead of the economy cabin on arrival since World Traveller Plus sits forward of it.
- Bigger, wider seats in a 2-4-2 layout - around 38 inches of seat pitch versus 30-33 in economy. As a couple you get a window and aisle seat to yourselves with no middle-seat neighbour.
- Head rest and adjustable foot rest - both absent in economy, and both useful on a nine-hour overnight return flight.
- Pre-departure welcome drink - sparkling wine or orange juice served as you board, before the flight departs. Economy doesn't receive this.
- Noise-cancelling headphones - a step up from the basic earbuds provided in economy, and noticeably better on a long flight.
- Amenity kit - a small kit including a toothbrush, pen, lip balm, eye mask and socks. Useful for sleeping on the return leg.
- Proper crockery and cutlery - meals arrive on real plates with metal cutlery and glassware. Economy gets wooden cutlery and a plastic tray. It's a small detail, but it makes the meal feel less like a school trip.
What it doesn't include: lounge access, dedicated toilets, individual air controls or usable Wi-Fi. Those are covered in more detail below.
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Amenities and Entertainment
Settling into the seat, you're handed a pre-departure welcome drink - sparkling wine or orange juice - which is one of those small touches that sets the tone of the cabin from the moment you board. Economy passengers board to nothing. It's a minor thing, but after a busy Gatwick departure morning it lands well.
The seatback entertainment screen is large and bright, with a solid selection of films, TV shows and games. Having flown both cabins extensively on the same route, the entertainment on offer is the same across World Traveller and World Traveller Plus - it's one of BA's consistently stronger points regardless of which cabin you're in. The screens are noticeably larger than some competitors on this route, so if that matters to you it's a plus for both cabins.
Each seat has two standard UK plugs and two USB-A charging sockets underneath, so keeping devices charged over a nine-hour flight isn't something you need to think about.
The World Traveller Plus Amenity Kit
Every World Traveller Plus passenger gets a small amenity kit, marked with a World Traveller Plus tag on the bag itself. The bag is okay quality, but it leans more toward single use than something you'd want to reuse on future flights.
Inside, you'll find a toothbrush, a pen, lip balm, an eye mask and a pair of socks. As for the individual items themselves, the quality is what you'd expect from a premium cabin. Nothing here will blow you away, but nothing feels cut-price either.
Things That Didn't Go Well
No lounge access. This is the one that catches people out most often. British Airways World Traveller Plus does not include lounge access. Not at Gatwick, not at Orlando. Without BA Executive Club Gold or Silver status, or a separate lounge purchase, you're heading to the general departure lounge with everyone else.
No dedicated toilets. Something that rarely gets mentioned in any BA World Traveller Plus review is you cannot use the business class toilets ahead of the cabin. In reality, your nearest toilets are behind you - which means walking through an entire block of economy to reach them. On a nine-hour flight that's not a once-off trip. The crew can sometimes make an exception if you ask politely to use the business toilets, but as a general rule you're heading rearward alongside the rest of the plane. For a cabin sold as premium, it chips away at the experience.
No individual air controls. The Boeing 777 BA uses on this route has no individual overhead air vents in any cabin. Whatever temperature the aircraft is set to is what you're getting for the duration. An individual vent would help, but there isn't one. It's one of the signs that this is an ageing aircraft rather than a new one.
Wi-Fi. Available on board at an additional cost, but the experience is poor. Browsing and streaming passes cost around £18 - the price varies - and the connection is generally too slow for reliable streaming despite what the pass description implies. BA Executive Club members get free messaging, which is the most useful element of it. Starlink is being rolled out across the fleet but hasn't reached all aircraft yet, so check before you fly if this matters to you.
Seat selection costs. At £60-£100 per person per flight layered on top of a fare that already costs roughly double economy, this feels excessive. It's not unique to BA, but it's a cost that adds up quickly - particularly for families.
What's on the World Traveller Plus Menu?
The menu changes regularly so specific options will vary - but the food in World Traveller Plus is a step up from economy in presentation if not always dramatically in substance. Meals arrive on real plates with metal cutlery and glassware rather than wooden cutlery and a plastic tray, and the service feels more attentive given the smaller number of passengers per crew member. The overall standard has been consistent across all four flights: better than you'd fear, not quite as good as you might hope.
The service structure runs the same way as economy: drinks first, then a hot meal, then a hot snack before landing. Alcohol is included throughout the flight on long-haul, and the drinks menu is broadly the same as the economy cabin. No ice cream treat is given before landing, unlike Aer Lingus and Virgin Atlantic who both offer this in their premium cabins. You are given a hot towel just before landing though, which is a nice touch.
Customer Service
The crew in World Traveller Plus have been friendly and professional across all four of our flights. The smaller cabin compared to economy means service tends to be quicker, which helps on a long journey - drinks and meals land faster, and the crew have more time per passenger.
Where BA impressed most was when things went wrong off the plane. During one of our World Traveller Plus trips I got ill in Florida and needed to rebook our return flight home four days later. The team were helpful throughout and moved the flights with a £50 per person fee - no unnecessary complications and no being passed between departments without answers. Many readers have shared their own varying experiences when it comes to BA delays and cancellations, but our personal experience of an unexpected mid-holiday rebooking was a straightforwardly positive one.
How Much Does World Traveller Plus Cost?
This is where it's difficult to give a straight answer, because the price gap between economy and World Traveller Plus varies considerably depending on when you book and how well the flight is selling at the time.
As a rough guide, economy on the Gatwick to Orlando route tends to sit around £400-£500 per person. World Traveller Plus typically comes in at £700-£1,000 per person - so on average roughly double, sometimes a little over. At quieter times or for less popular departure dates the gap can narrow to a few hundred pounds. During peak periods - UK school summer holidays being the obvious one - it can push considerably higher, sometimes toward triple the economy fare.
The return leg can occasionally be cheaper in pound terms than the outbound, depending on how well that specific departure is selling, but it's still generally in a similar range relative to economy. Prices also shift based on how far in advance you're booking, so the only reliable way to know the actual gap for your dates is to price both cabins at the same time when you're ready to commit.
Worth adding that seat selection is not included and can cost £60-£100 per person per flight - so factor that into the full cost before deciding, rather than just looking at the headline fare difference.
Check current World Traveller Plus pricing for your dates here - comparing both cabins side by side takes seconds and gives you the real difference rather than an estimate.
Is World Traveller Plus Worth It? Our Verdict
For a nine-hour flight to Orlando, World Traveller Plus is worth considering - but it's not as premium as the name suggests. The aircraft is old, there are no individual air controls, the Wi-Fi isn't worth paying for, the nearest toilets are a walk through economy, and you're borderline ripped off with the cost of choosing your seats.
Against that, the things that matter on a long flight hold up well. The 38-inch seat pitch and 2-4-2 layout make a real, felt difference over economy. Priority boarding is a good quality-of-life improvement on a busy departure. Two checked bags is a benefit that saves money and hassle for an Orlando trip. The noise-cancelling headphones, amenity kit and pre-departure welcome drink are the kind of small touches that cumulatively shift the feel of a long flight. And the crew have been consistently good across all four of our trips in this cabin.
We've flown it four times and would probably fly it again. It earns, by the skin of its teeth, 4 out of 5 - not because everything is polished, it isn't - but because the core experience holds up well over a long flight and the journey feels considerably less of an ordeal than economy on the same route, offset by the old plane quirks and crazy seat charges. If you're tall, a light sleeper, or travelling as a couple who'd rather not spend nine hours in a 3-4-3 block, the upgrade often makes sense once you've looked at the actual fare difference for your specific dates.
If you're still weighing it up, our BA World Traveller economy review gives you the full picture of what the base experience looks like - which is often the most useful comparison to make before deciding.
Booking BA World Traveller Plus for Orlando
If you're planning a Walt Disney World holiday from the UK, one of the most cost-effective ways to book BA flights is as part of an ATOL-protected package booked directly through Disney - bundling flights, hotel and park tickets together. You can select World Traveller Plus at the point of booking, and packaging everything together often works out better value than booking each element separately. ATOL protection also gives you financial cover if something goes wrong before or during your trip, which is worth factoring in when you're spending this kind of money.
Search Walt Disney World packages with British Airways here - prices vary depending on travel dates and availability, so it's worth checking across a few different departure windows. Our Walt Disney World deals guide for UK guests is a good starting point if you're trying to time your booking around the best available offers.
If you'd rather compare BA flight prices on their own first, use this link to search for cheap British Airways flights.
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BA Premium Economy (World Traveller Plus): Your Questions Answered
Is World Traveller Plus the same as premium economy on British Airways?
Yes. World Traveller Plus is simply British Airways' name for premium economy on long-haul routes. World Traveller (no Plus) is their economy cabin. The naming is BA-specific and doesn't match what most other airlines call their cabins, which is where most of the confusion comes from.
Does World Traveller Plus include lounge access?
No. British Airways World Traveller Plus does not include lounge access as standard. You'd need BA Executive Club Gold or Silver status, or a separate lounge purchase. This catches a lot of people off guard, so it's worth factoring into your decision before booking rather than finding out at the airport.
What do you actually get with BA World Traveller Plus compared to economy?
The main differences are: two checked bags at 23kg each instead of one, priority boarding before economy, a 2-4-2 seat layout versus economy's 3-4-3, around 38 inches of seat pitch versus 30-33 in economy, a head rest and adjustable foot rest, noise-cancelling headphones, a pre-departure welcome drink, a small amenity kit with a toothbrush, pen, lip balm, eye mask and socks, and food served on proper plates with metal cutlery and glassware. What it doesn't include is lounge access, dedicated toilets or individual air controls.
What are the best seats in BA World Traveller Plus?
There aren't really any bad seats in the World Traveller Plus cabin on the Boeing 777. We consistently opt for the back row of the premium economy cabin - those seats recline fully without pushing into the row behind, because there isn't one. Every other row has someone sitting back there, so the back row removes the recline dilemma entirely.
What is the seat pitch in BA World Traveller Plus?
Around 38 inches on the Boeing 777 used on the Gatwick to Orlando route. This compares to 30-33 inches in economy on the same aircraft - a difference you feel over a nine-hour flight, particularly if you're on the taller side.
Does BA premium economy include priority boarding?
Yes. World Traveller Plus passengers board after business class but before economy. You also clear the plane ahead of the economy cabin on arrival, since the World Traveller Plus cabin sits forward of it.
What drinks are free in World Traveller Plus?
You receive a pre-departure welcome drink as you board - sparkling wine or orange juice - which economy doesn't get. Alcohol is included throughout the flight on long-haul and the in-flight drinks menu is broadly the same as economy.
What is the World Traveller Plus baggage allowance?
Two checked bags at 23kg each, plus one cabin bag up to 56 x 45 x 25cm and one personal item up to 40 x 30 x 15cm. Standard economy includes one checked bag at 23kg, so the extra bag is one of the more useful day-to-day benefits for an Orlando trip.
What's in the British Airways World Traveller Plus amenity kit?
The kit includes a toothbrush, a pen, lip balm, an eye mask and a pair of socks. The bag itself is carried in a small pouch marked with a World Traveller Plus tag, and while it's fine quality, it leans more toward single use than something you'd reuse on future flights.
How much more expensive is World Traveller Plus than economy?
It varies considerably. Economy on the Gatwick to Orlando route tends to run around £400-£500 per person, with World Traveller Plus typically in the £700-£1,000 range - on average roughly double, though the gap can be smaller at quieter times and considerably larger during peak UK school holiday periods. The only reliable way to know the actual difference for your dates is to price both cabins when you're ready to book. You can compare both here.
Is World Traveller Plus worth it for the Orlando flight?
For most people on a nine-hour return trip, yes - particularly if you're tall, value sleep, or are travelling as a couple who'd rather have a 2-4-2 layout than economy's 3-4-3. The main things to know going in are that lounge access isn't included, there are no dedicated toilets, and seat selection costs add up on top of the fare. Whether the overall cost is justified depends on how far the fares are apart for your specific dates.
Is British Airways a good airline?
On balance, yes. The entertainment screens are among the better ones in long-haul economy, drinks are included on long-haul routes, and crew have been consistently professional across all our flights in both cabins. The main limitations on the Gatwick to Orlando route are the age of the Boeing 777 fleet - no individual air controls is the most felt consequence of that - seat selection fees that add up quickly, and Wi-Fi that isn't worth paying for in its current state. It gets you there reliably and comfortably enough. Across both cabins on this route, we rate it 4 out of 5.
What plane does British Airways fly to Orlando?
British Airways uses the Boeing 777 on the Gatwick to Orlando (MCO) route. Both World Traveller economy and World Traveller Plus premium economy are available on this aircraft.
