Is The British Airways i360 Brighton Worth It?

Last Updated on 11th May 2023

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British Airways i360 Brighton - Everything You Need To Know

When we were planning our Southern England road trip itinerary and we knew that we’d be heading to Brighton, I knew immediately that I wanted to go up the British Airways i360 viewing tower.

It’s one of the city’s most recent attraction additions, having only opened in August 2016. However, I’d already seen many people rave about it and add it to their Brighton must-see list, so I knew that I wanted to join in on the fun and head up to the top for awesome, 360° views of Brighton, the English Channel and all the way down the South Downs National Park.

In this guide about the British Airways i360, I’ll be sharing everything you need to know so you can plan your visit, including opening times, ticket prices, all the amazing views you’ll see, plus all the cool packages and extras you can enjoy as part of your ‘flight’!

Book your tickets to the British Airways i360 Brighton here!

What you can expect from the British Airways i360 Brighton

Go up the British Airways i360 Viewing Tower

The mighty viewing tower takes you 450ft in the air and is noticeable from almost all over Brighton. From the seafront, you can easily spot its towering presence, and even throughout the city itself, you’ll catch little glimpses here and there as it peaks through in between buildings.

It cost £46.2 million to build and was created by the team behind the London Eye so you know it’s a quintessentially British tourist attraction. It opened in August 2016 is one of Brighton’s boldest and bravest attractions.

The glass pod viewing platform glides up in the air and back down again within 25-30 minutes, so it’s a relatively short ride, but it’s certainly more than enough time to wander around the pod and admire the 360° views.

From the very top, you can enjoy views all across Brighton itself, down the coast to the Seven Sisters cliffs and all the way out across the English Channel and even to the Isle of Wight on a clear day.

The views are truly spectacular, especially when it’s bright and sunny, but the only slight qualm I had was that whenever you took pictures through the glass, they come out with a reflection as it’s made of glass. Unfortunately, most viewing platforms like this have this issue, but if it means that my pictures have a bit of a reflection on them, but I’m safe and secure inside the pod, then that’s quite alright with me!

Book your tickets to the British Airways i360 Brighton here!

Events and extras

As well as the regular flight that you can take up the British Airways i360, you can also book tickets for special events that they offer.

If you’re wanting to make your flight even more special, you can book their special sparkling wine experience which enables you to enjoy a glass of fancy Nyetimber wine during your flight.

There are also numerous other events and special offers that the BAi360 hosts throughout the year, so be sure to check their website for any special events they have during your proposed visit.

If you’re feeling particularly brave, you might want to give the British Airways i360 Tower Top Climb a go which involves partaking in the flight like normal, but when you reach the top, you climb a series of ladders and platforms to ascend to the very top of the tower. It’s certainly not something for the faint-hearted but it’s sure to be an experience you’ll never forget!

Book your tickets to the British Airways i360 Brighton here!

Where to eat and drink

As well as the actual viewing tower itself, there are also other associated attractions to enjoy during your visit, including Nyetimber Sky Bar; the South Coast’s highest bar, located inside the viewing pod itself! Here you can order a glass of wine, a fancy cocktail or just a soft drink to enjoy while you glide into the sky and admire the fabulous views.

There’s also the West Beach Bar & Restaurant and the West Beach Café & Bar back on solid ground where you can enjoy a vast array of delicious dishes before or after your flight.

The bar and café are located right on the seafront so you can enjoy gorgeous views of the beach and sea while you dine. The menus here are great and you can choose from a vast array of light bites, hearty main courses and a fab selection of yummy cocktails so you can toast the wonderful views and perfect experience!

Opening times

The opening times for the BAi360 flights differ throughout the year depending on the seasons, so it’s a good idea to check their provisional opening times and calendar dates on their website before you book in advance.

Throughout the summer months, their usual opening times are as follows:

Monday to Thursday – 10:00 am 6:30 pm
Friday to Sunday – 10:00 am 7:30 pm

Ticket prices

Tickets for the British Airways i360 flight aren’t the cheapest thing to do in Brighton, but I do think it’s worth it for the views and overall experience. It’s not something I’d be in a rush to do again because of the expense, but I’m so glad that I’ve done it once and I would really recommend it to you guys as one of the best things to do in Brighton.

You can buy tickets directly from the BAi360 website, through GetYourGuide or in person at their ticket office. I would recommend booking in advance, especially during the peak season as it can get booked up quickly. If you’re wanting to take a sunset flight, I’d also definitely recommend booking this in advance as those timeslots are very popular.