British Airways A380s to get new first, business class
The superjumbos are here to stay, says BA, which means they’ll be getting a fresh take on business class and first class.
By David Flynn, July 13 2023
British Airways will push ahead with a upgrade to its Airbus A380s, adding the airline’s current Club Suites business class along with all-new first class suites.
The superjumbo refresh was originally slated to commence in 2023 and run through to 2025, until the global pandemic not only scuppered those plans – while also pushing back the Boeing 787 refurbs – but saw all twelve A380s grounded.
BA's A380s are back, and they'll soon be better than ever...
Now the A380s are back in the skies, helping meet a worldwide travel surge which has also seen the likes of Etihad Airways, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways resurrect their double-decker jets, and British Airways CEO Sean Doyle says the A380s have many years ahead of them.
Also read: End of an era – when Qantas, Emirates will retire the A380
Speaking with The Sunday Times, Doyle confirmed the Oneworld member would spend hundreds of millions of pounds to bring its A380s up to modern spec.
This will include replacing the dorm-like Club World business class with the infinitely superior Club Suites, which offer direct aisle access, more space and privacy for travellers and sliding doors.
Club Suites business class is finally coming to the British Airways A380.
There’ll also be a fresh take on first class, with that primo cabin possibly relocated to the upper deck
Doyle says the airline is “really committed to First, it’s an important part of the proposition,” adding “British Airways will be one of the few carriers to retain first on the scale that we do. It will be on about 65 per cent of all our long-haul flights.”
British Airways has long planned a new first class for its Boeing 777-9 jets, which were initially due in 2022 but are now unlikely to be delivered until 2026 at the earliest.
Approached by Executive Traveller, British Airways declined to comment but noted the airline is always looking towards the next iteration of any seat or suite.
BA's latest first class added a door to the Boeing 787 First suite.
British Airways’ most recent changes to first class involved a refresh of the current Dreamliner First suite to add a sliding door, which has since debuted on the Boeing 777.
However, Doyle could push BA into dramatic new directions, even if it means cutting down on the current lower-deck count of 14 First suites in the name of more space and luxury for high flyers.
The next generation of first class from Qantas (left) and Lufthansa (right).
Such a move would be in keeping with recent first class forays by Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa and Qantas.
Relocating first class to the nose of the upper deck could then see the entire floor become a ‘premium’ cabin, with the lower or main deck dedicated to premium economy and economy.
QF
11 Jul 2014
Total posts 927
Two points here; First of all so much for the death of the A380 and will Emirates get their way with a A380 Neo?
Second point is everyone seems to be upping their game with premium economy, business and first class and it appears people living in OZ are actually living in Grinch Land when it comes to innovation........ Might be worthwhile moving to Asia, Europe or US shortly.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Jan 2015
Total posts 34
Excellent news - the big bird lives on !
22 Jan 2018
Total posts 102
Thing is - nobody dominates the UK-US or UK-JNB market the way BA does, and their A380s are packed to the rafters as is … that even without refurb’ing them, they’d still make a pretty Penny. The only markets they’d suffer competition would be hkg and sin.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
21 Jul 2019
Total posts 156
I'm glad news of the 'death' of the a380 has been exaggerated. Seems like the Post-Covid Era will be the true golden age of this unfairly maligned aircraft. I can't help but think it was launched too early (like 15 years too early) to be appreciated for it's sheer pax capacity and range.
09 Jul 2023
Total posts 1
BA probably wishes it still had the 747.400 in service. The demand is far bigger than anyone could have calculated. The 380's that went to the scrap yard in Covid had an early death.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Nov 2018
Total posts 100
BA First is the best Business class. Think I'll continue to choose Qantas First over BA First. More room, less snotty cabin crew.
The only thing BA has going for it is that it is an arrival into T5, has an Arrivals lounge and The departure lounge and First security is relatively stress free (although lounge was very crowded last time I was there.)
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