Prince Harry was flying from Rome to London on British Airways in Club Europe this week. Since he had the bulkhead he had access to more legroom than you find on a Ryanair flight, something that British Airways doesn’t otherwise offer its business class customers.
Amy Garrick shot photos and shared them to Facebook. She explained,
[T]his morning leaving Rome I got up to use the bathroom and I had to wait. As I’m standing there, I look over and see a guy who looks like Prince Harry. And he has a wedding ring on and looks very tired. The guy next to him looks like security and is glaring at me. Finally my brain clicks and I realize, it is Prince Harry on the way back to London from Rome.
He was at a polo tournament. He politely smiled and said hi when he realized I knew who he was. I tried to get a photo as he got off the plane. I didn’t want to harass him and felt bad taking one, but it isn’t every day you see him!
On his way off of the aircraft Prince Harry “thanked the first class crew and pilot before getting off the plane.”
Harry’s brother Prince William is no stranger to harsh onboard conditions. Four years ago he flew Ryanair. Five years ago he flew American Airlines coach Memphis – Dallas and he flew the US Airways Shuttle in first.
Like Harry, William’s wife Kate Middleton prefers the bulkhead row of Club Europe as well for decent legroom.
British Airways Club Europe
Their grandfather Prince Philip once remarked that air travel can be quite nice “provided you don’t travel in something called economy class, which sounds ghastly.”
Beyond the royals, then-U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron flew easyJet in 2015 and was photographed eating Pringles.
You’re making up a non story. He flew up front. He did not complain. “Suffer” is the word you used to describe his experience. Your word not his. You really dont have anything better to write about? I dont understand why you posted this.
How many points did Harry get for his flight to London?
He can have the bulkhead row…because in fact there’s less leg room. At least one row back it’s possible for feet to go under the seat in front.
But hardly a great discomfort either way on a 2 hour flight.
Why is this a story? It’s not. Why the anecdotes about the royals and UK politicians flying in coach? It’s not unusual.
Obviously, they don’t suffer from DYKWIA syndrome like some travel bloggers who are obsessed with whether or not they get their PDB.
Last year I flew British Airways business class from London to Barcelona. I can’t complain at all. Yes there was tight legroom but more important than that, the middle seat being blocked was perfect for me. The food was good and the service, excellent. No complaints. The service Became very personal and focused once we told them that the four of us came from Dallas, flying to Barcelona for the Lady Gaga concert. The crew acted like we were rock stars!
@Paolo
2 hours Rome to London?
I always forget European countries seem so tiny compared to the USA
I agree with Jason, this really is a non-story if ever there was one. The flight is short, the BA crews are always pleasant and helpful in Club Europe and the food is invariably at least reasonable. For a short flight, the tightish legroom is quite bearable. Given the choice on a longer flight like from Istanbul to Heathrow which I took a few weeks ago, I made sure I flew on a Turkish Airbus 330 with real Business class. Now that beats BA Club Europe any day but where the choice is Economy v Club, Club/Business is very acceptable, BA or Alitalia!
Awful uncomfortable coach seats BA fraudulently call business class
Terrible overly respected airline
Isn’t the Queen worth hundreds of millions or a billion Euros? So her offsprings should be able to afford First Class out of their own pocket. And do British tax payers spend tens of millions/year to support the Royals as it creates tourism many times that for UK? If a Royal rides economy that’s nice of them, but probably unnecessary if their travel agent is given adequate time to book the trip.