British Airways i360: An Honest Look – Is it Any Good?

The British Airways i360, so a gleaming needle piercing the Brighton skyline, it’s almost promising amazing views and a unique experience. We actually decided to go find out if it delivers on that promise or if it’s just a pretty face that’s tall. Like, seriously, does it justify the ticket price, and is it a must-do when visiting Brighton? Well, we came, we saw, and we’re now sharing everything, and like, from the booking process to the views from the top and what it’s almost like when you’re actually up there.

First Look: What is the i360 all about anyway?

Basically, the British Airways i360, is that, an observation tower right on Brighton’s seafront? The design, that is that thin, tall tower, it’s kind of modern against Brighton’s more classic vibes. Designed by the same architects who actually did the London Eye, so that the i360 carries people in a big glass pod up to 450 feet. Now, the idea, is that you get like, really good views of Brighton, the South Coast, and, you know, on super clear days, maybe the Isle of Wight. That’s really something. Plus, there’s even a bar inside the pod, so you can, like, sip on a drink while enjoying the scenery. Not too shabby, I’d say!

Getting Your Ticket: How Easy Is It To Book?

So, getting tickets for the i360, it’s really fairly straightforward. You can book online on their website, and also like, through various ticket vendors, actually. Doing it online, that is very good, because it allows you to pick your preferred date and time slot, which is really handy. We recommend booking, in advance, so that you get the time that you really want, mainly because, you know, it’s a popular attraction, yet especially during peak season, so there may be loads of people doing this. They do actually offer different ticket types too, like standard entry, or combos including a drink at the bar, or even like, a meal at the restaurant. We ended up going for the standard ticket, just so we could see, that experience without all the extras, still it sounds cool though, to do the packages! Oh, and keep an eye, maybe there will be a lookout for discounts and deals online, there’s a lot of potential offers if you check. In a way, this would potentially save you a little cash, so you may want to consider this.

Up, Up and Away: What’s the Ride Like?

The ride itself, it’s almost quite gentle. You get into this futuristic, glass pod and, you know, it slowly begins to ascend. It is likely that it gives you loads of time to take it all in and, I would say, enjoy it actually. The pod itself is very roomy, which is fantastic for all the tourists like your and me, since that, it allows everyone to move around pretty freely and enjoy the views, actually from different angles. It’s great so you can actually be near a view that really vibes with you. There are, for instance, displays inside that actually point out different landmarks, which can be really helpful. Plus, the staff, that, I’d say are pretty knowledgeable, might actually answer your questions about Brighton. So, the trip lasts about half an hour, so plenty of time to, like, take pictures and also soak up the panoramic scenery. A useful tip for you too, would be, get there early to grab a good spot by the window!

The View From the Top: Is It Worth It?

The main attraction is, of course, the view. I would argue, that on a good day, you’d expect breathtaking scenery! I guess, you can see the entire city of Brighton spread out below, and along the coast, and, on really, really clear days, you know, you might even catch a glimpse of the Isle of Wight that I previously mentioned. That’s like a big score for you, my friend. What I like is that, even on a cloudy day, the views are still beautiful, it’s really that even when it rains, the drama of the storm over the ocean it’s almost picturesque. We actually spent our whole ride pointing out landmarks and taking tons of photos, very reminiscent of tourist activity. I do recommend to go up there around sunset, if you could, that is, since I suspect that the views must be really gorgeous as the sun dips below the horizon!

Inside the Pod: Drinks and Other Things

Yeah, there is a bar, actually inside the pod! Which, I might add is an, you know, nice touch. Serving a selection of drinks, this includes like local beers, wines, and also a number of soft drinks too, it means you’ve loads of choice. I would argue, that sipping on a glass of something fizzy while admiring the Brighton view, you know, that’s just pure joy! It does make the whole experience a little bit more memorable, a bit more treat-like, very similar to something like that of the movies if I may add. The prices at the bar, they’re similar to, you know, what you’d expect in a touristy location, still it’s arguably convenient to be able to grab a drink without needing to leave the pod. On top of that, there are, like, toilets inside the pod. Very thoughtful.

i360: Family Friendly or Not?

We believe that the i360 can be really fun for families. It’s great, and fairly entertaining for all ages, which would suggest it may be ideal for you. Kids will, for instance, absolutely enjoy the novelty of going up so high in a glass pod, while older ones, might, that is, appreciate the scenery. In that case, if you get that I can see a lot of entertainment can arise. The space inside the pod, allows, that is, room for strollers, and the ride is gentle enough for almost everyone, and I would say most little ones included. The attraction also runs, I would argue like special events during school holidays, such as like kids’ activity packs or seasonal themes, which is something I may consider also to make that experience more personalised.

More Than Just a View: The Beach Building

It’s not only the ride itself that makes it, it’s almost, more about just a viewing tower experience, there’s the Beach Building, also at the base of the i360 too. You’ll be able to find a gift shop selling souvenirs, like your standard array of items and tat, so you are free to buy some small memoirs. But yet, even better is, there is like a restaurant, offering really nice meals with of course great sea views for diners. It is that, even without riding the i360, you can visit the restaurant or that particular shop. That adds to a very interesting attraction to go to and not only just see it for what it really is.

Final Verdict: So Is The British Airways i360 Really Worth It?

Right, so, is the British Airways i360 any good? Like, I believe so. Basically, the views are undeniably very impressive, and also the ride itself is quite the one-off experience. It might depend though, as tickets may be a bit more on the pricier side, especially if you’re bringing the whole family, as some families consist of more than the general. Basically, that, the novelty and the panoramic views arguably make it a memorable addition to your Brighton visit. So, in some respects, if you’re cool with splashing out and that is what you wish to do, I recommend it and will advise others. I recommend visiting, if that sounds like you.

We are able to go to a number of other points. What follows is a short synopsis of what we learned here:

• Views That’s Pretty Good: Expect amazing views on any sort of day of the year, on days where conditions are met, you may be lucky enough to catch that Isle of Wight.
• Easily able to make bookings: Pre-booking tickets saves that worry on busy days.
• Family Good Time: Entertaining for everyone, also the ride itself is nice and easy, very good if you decide to bring toddlers.
• Pod things: Have a drink in that there in-pod bar for that special extra something

On the assumption that I have provided some detail with those questions, do you still feel like visiting? And even better, if you have done this experience, I wish for you to post your experiences and give your valued contribution.

Well, the English Southcoast is lovely, I should write about that someday! #BritishAirwaysi360 #Brighton #TravelReview #UKTravel #i360Review