British Airways is giving its long-haul cabins a substantial makeover, with new seats, bedding, dining and interiors arriving across its A380 fleet.
Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO at British Airways, says the upgrades mark “one of the most significant transformations we’ve ever undertaken on any aircraft. This is a major milestone for British Airways and the future of our A380 fleet.”
The first completed aircraft is expected to enter service in the coming months.
Passengers can expect new seats throughout, new in-flight entertainment screens, redesigned galleys and refreshed stairways.
For those travelling together in First, the divider between the centre suites can be opened to create a shared lounge area, while stowable tables allow couples or companions to dine together. BA calls it ‘buddy dining’.
For passengers travelling together in First, the divider between the centre suites can be opened to create a shared lounge area…
British Airways has also brought in British heritage brand Swaine to produce a bespoke unisex First amenity kit. Inspired by the luggage carried by early air travellers; it will be available in royal blue and cream from October 6.
Sleep receives considerable attention. First passengers will have a new woven day blanket, navy cushion, tartan-detail sleepwear and slippers. At bedtime, cabin crew will prepare the suite with a luxury mattress, cotton duvet and newly designed pillow.
The airline is also changing the First dining experience across its entire long-haul fleet from this October. A new ‘From the Grill’ concept allows passengers to build a meal around premium proteins including British roast rack of lamb and grilled salmon, with accompanying sides and sauces. There will also be Signature Mains for those who prefer a more conventional restaurant-style choice.
A built-in mini bar gives passengers easy access to refreshments, while the tableware moves into more formal territory with stoneware and fine bone china. Champagne includes Bollinger La Grande Année, and the drinks list includes several gin serves and a 0.0% Gin & Tonic.
Cutlery comes from Studio William, while the wine glasses were developed with Richard Brendon and wine expert Jancis Robinson.
The new BA Club Suite
British Airways’ Club World cabin gets an evolution of its existing Club Suite. On the A380, 106 Club Suite seats will occupy the entire upper deck, making it the world’s largest business-class cabin, according to British Airways.
The airline says the upper deck will be divided into four distinct cabin zones. Dedicated dwell areas, Club Kitchens and redesigned galleys are intended to give passengers somewhere to move around during longer flights.
When it comes to World Traveller Plus, British Airways is giving its premium economy cabin larger entertainment screens, privacy wings and new bedding.
The privacy wings should be a welcome addition for anyone who prefers a little separation during a long flight, while the new pillows and bedding are intended to make the cabin more conducive to sleep.
The rest of us in economy have not been forgotten. World Traveller receives new, wider seats, larger entertainment screens and upgraded bedding. The changes may sound modest beside the new First suite, but economy is where relatively small improvements can have a significant effect.
The completed A380 will have 12 First seats, 106 Club Suite seats, 84 World Traveller Plus seats and 215 World Traveller seats across its two decks.
New BA Heathrow lounges coming
In related news, British Airways has announced the next stage of its Heathrow lounge transformation, describing it as the beginning of a programme that will see every Heathrow lounge redesigned over the coming years.
The centrepiece will be a new lounge at Terminal 5’s C Gates, scheduled to open at the end of 2028. It will have views across the airfield and terminal concourse, with British materials and craftsmanship used throughout. Timber, glazing, metalwork, textiles and bespoke furnishings will feature alongside dedicated dining, relaxation, work and shower areas.
The headline feature may be the 17-metre bar, which British Airways expects to be among the world’s longest airport lounge bars.
A dedicated Concorde lounge will offer First passengers private concierge service, elevated dining and additional privacy, including private cabanas and dedicated dining areas.
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British Airways is giving its long-haul cabins a substantial makeover, with new seats, bedding, dining and interiors arriving across its A380 fleet.
Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO at British Airways, says the upgrades mark “one of the most significant transformations we’ve ever undertaken on any aircraft. This is a major milestone for British Airways and the future of our A380 fleet.”
The first completed aircraft is expected to enter service in the coming months.
Passengers can expect new seats throughout, new in-flight entertainment screens, redesigned galleys and refreshed stairways.
For those travelling together in First, the divider between the centre suites can be opened to create a shared lounge area, while stowable tables allow couples or companions to dine together. BA calls it ‘buddy dining’.
British Airways has also brought in British heritage brand Swaine to produce a bespoke unisex First amenity kit. Inspired by the luggage carried by early air travellers; it will be available in royal blue and cream from October 6.
Sleep receives considerable attention. First passengers will have a new woven day blanket, navy cushion, tartan-detail sleepwear and slippers. At bedtime, cabin crew will prepare the suite with a luxury mattress, cotton duvet and newly designed pillow.
The airline is also changing the First dining experience across its entire long-haul fleet from this October. A new ‘From the Grill’ concept allows passengers to build a meal around premium proteins including British roast rack of lamb and grilled salmon, with accompanying sides and sauces. There will also be Signature Mains for those who prefer a more conventional restaurant-style choice.
A built-in mini bar gives passengers easy access to refreshments, while the tableware moves into more formal territory with stoneware and fine bone china. Champagne includes Bollinger La Grande Année, and the drinks list includes several gin serves and a 0.0% Gin & Tonic.
Cutlery comes from Studio William, while the wine glasses were developed with Richard Brendon and wine expert Jancis Robinson.
The new BA Club Suite
British Airways’ Club World cabin gets an evolution of its existing Club Suite. On the A380, 106 Club Suite seats will occupy the entire upper deck, making it the world’s largest business-class cabin, according to British Airways.
The airline says the upper deck will be divided into four distinct cabin zones. Dedicated dwell areas, Club Kitchens and redesigned galleys are intended to give passengers somewhere to move around during longer flights.
When it comes to World Traveller Plus, British Airways is giving its premium economy cabin larger entertainment screens, privacy wings and new bedding.
The privacy wings should be a welcome addition for anyone who prefers a little separation during a long flight, while the new pillows and bedding are intended to make the cabin more conducive to sleep.
The rest of us in economy have not been forgotten. World Traveller receives new, wider seats, larger entertainment screens and upgraded bedding. The changes may sound modest beside the new First suite, but economy is where relatively small improvements can have a significant effect.
The completed A380 will have 12 First seats, 106 Club Suite seats, 84 World Traveller Plus seats and 215 World Traveller seats across its two decks.
New BA Heathrow lounges coming
In related news, British Airways has announced the next stage of its Heathrow lounge transformation, describing it as the beginning of a programme that will see every Heathrow lounge redesigned over the coming years.
The centrepiece will be a new lounge at Terminal 5’s C Gates, scheduled to open at the end of 2028. It will have views across the airfield and terminal concourse, with British materials and craftsmanship used throughout. Timber, glazing, metalwork, textiles and bespoke furnishings will feature alongside dedicated dining, relaxation, work and shower areas.
The headline feature may be the 17-metre bar, which British Airways expects to be among the world’s longest airport lounge bars.
A dedicated Concorde lounge will offer First passengers private concierge service, elevated dining and additional privacy, including private cabanas and dedicated dining areas.
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The UK’s smallest pub is packing its bags for Japan, with The Nutshell from Bury St Edmunds being recreated inside an Osaka department store this October. For two weeks, a little piece of Suffolk will be making an unlikely appearance in Japan. The Nutshell, widely recognised as the UK’s smallest pub, is being recreated inside…
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