British Airways has started the process of retrofitting its Airbus A380 interiors, a project that is long overdue, given the state of these planes. The first A380 is currently getting new cabins installed, and is expected to enter service in the coming months.
While British Airways had already revealed what we can expect from the carrier’s new first class suite (debuting on this plane), the airline has just shared more details of what we can expect on the A380s, including all-new cabins, plus an updated version of the carrier’s business class.
British Airways A380s getting new seats in all cabins
British Airways has today unveiled the new cabins that will be installed on the carrier’s retrofitted Airbus A380s, with a nose-to-tail transformation. The plane will feature redesigned interiors, new seats in every cabin, plus upgrades to the onboard experience.
Here’s how British Airways CEO Sean Doyle describes these updates:
“This is a major milestone for British Airways and the future of our A380 fleet, marking one of the most significant transformations we’ve ever undertaken on any aircraft. We’ve completely reimagined the customer experience, introducing new and updated seats in every cabin, all carefully considered to deliver greater comfort and an elevated customer experience.”
“At the heart of the transformation is our brand-new First suite, but this investment goes far beyond a single cabin. From redesigned interiors and upgraded dining to new amenities and service delivery, every detail has been thoughtfully designed with our customers front and centre, helping them to have a more seamless and memorable experience when they fly with us.”
First, as we’ve already known, British Airways will debut an all-new first class product, featuring proper doors, much improved technology, and plenty of additional storage. This product will debut on the A380, and then the same cabin is expected to be installed on British Airways’ Boeing 777Xs, which will be delivered at some point in 2027 and beyond (probably more likely 2028 or 2040 or never, I dunno).
While I doubt this will be the world’s best first class, it’s still a significant improvement over what the airline currently offers. For what it’s worth, while there was initially talk that first class could move to the upper deck, that’s not the case, and it will in fact be staying on the lower deck.
Next, British Airways plans to introduce a Club World (business class) cabin that takes up the entire upper deck, consisting of 106 seats, and spread across four zones. This will make it the world’s largest business class cabin. Here’s what’s interesting — British Airways isn’t just installing its existing Club Suites business class, but instead, it’s evolving the product.
Now, I’d consider the evolution to be minimal here, but the idea is that it’s a refreshed design with a new color scheme, inspired by the carrier’s blue, red, and cream accents. The new business class seats will reportedly have more storage and improved functionality, but otherwise British Airways is light on details here. There’s also going to be a Club Kitchen snack bar area.
Lastly, British Airways is also promising “brand-new seats and upgraded cabin interiors” in World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy). However, the airline hasn’t released many additional details there, beyond the below renderings. However, we do know both cabins will be entirely on the lower deck, since the upper deck will be dedicated to business class.
How British Airways’ Airbus A380 seat count will change
For context, British Airways’ Airbus A380s are currently configured with 469 seats, including 14 first class seats, 97 business class seats, 55 premium economy seats, and 303 economy seats.
Once the planes are reconfigured, capacity will be decreased to 417 seats, including 12 first class seats, 106 business class seats, 84 premium economy seats, and 215 economy seats.
As you can see, this will be a massively premium A380 in terms of the layout, as the airline will have an extra nine business class seats and an extra 29 premium economy seats, though in the process it’s losing two first class seats and 88 economy seats.
Admittedly we knew the airline would lose some cabin density, given the awful old seats that British Airways had in business class on these planes. At least the cabin layout will be much more logical, with business class on the upper deck, and first class, premium economy, and economy, on the lower deck. Compare that to the current setup, where part of business class, premium economy, and part of economy, are on the upper deck, and first class, part of business class, and part of economy, are on the lower deck.
Anyway, I’m happy to see British Airways’ A380s getting a totally fresh life. After all, at the start of the pandemic, British Airways grounded its A380 fleet, as several airlines did. However, in the years since, the planes have been flying around in simply horrible condition, so it’s great to see that they’ll go from the worst planes in the fleet, to probably the best.
The only thing I’d mention is that the upper deck of the A380 isn’t as wide as the lower deck, so I’m curious how spacious the reverse herringbone seats feel, given that width can really impact comfort there.
Bottom line
British Airways is starting the process of fully overhauling its Airbus A380 cabins, with the first jet currently being retrofitted. We knew the airline would introduce a new first class product, but we’ve now learned a bit more.
British Airways is also introducing an updated version of its Club Suites business class product, as well as new seats in premium economy and economy. When you combine the general comfort of the A380 with these updates, it should be a pretty nice ride! I’d expect that these new cabins will also be what’s installed on the carrier’s Boeing 777Xs, if/when those planes are delivered.
What do you make of British Airways’ updated A380 cabin interiors?
Happy to see this project rolling (I thought it was due to start months ago).
I do wonder about the cabin crew staffing levels needed to properly service 106 business passengers...
Once flew KE’s A380 on the upper deck, which is also a full-business configuration. Priority boarding lane for 94 C passengers was already tiring enough. Meal service felt very much like economy, while crews were trying their best serving 94 business passengers. It was a quite an experience!
It’s a huge improvement across the board. You mentioned that the BA seats might be tight on the upper deck — I can’t imagine it being all that bad since QR also has Super Diamond seats on their upper deck J. Anecdotally, the A380 felt more cramped than their A350s with Super Diamond seats when I flew both back to back. But — at least according to Aerolopa — the A380 actually has an extra...
It’s a huge improvement across the board. You mentioned that the BA seats might be tight on the upper deck — I can’t imagine it being all that bad since QR also has Super Diamond seats on their upper deck J. Anecdotally, the A380 felt more cramped than their A350s with Super Diamond seats when I flew both back to back. But — at least according to Aerolopa — the A380 actually has an extra inch of pitch over them. They’re the same width but the A350 has a slightly longer bed (82in vs 80in). The lower ceilings, smaller bins and windows will definitely give the impression it’s less spacious. But absolutely a solid product (and will be even more so with BA given the added privacy/newer everything).
I am not sure "World's largest business cabin" is the plus point they seem to think.
I travelled on a 777-300 fairly recently, and service was super long for business class. The whole (large) cabin was being served from a single galley, and so the cabin crew spent most of their time running up and down the aisle rather than attending to customers.
Admittedly I was near the rear of the biz section, but...
I am not sure "World's largest business cabin" is the plus point they seem to think.
I travelled on a 777-300 fairly recently, and service was super long for business class. The whole (large) cabin was being served from a single galley, and so the cabin crew spent most of their time running up and down the aisle rather than attending to customers.
Admittedly I was near the rear of the biz section, but I couldn't even get a second glass of wine with my meal.
So unless they come up with a better plan, it is going to be a mess
Nick.
They keep same slow service design and carry on slowly in their calm 787-8 Club suites.
Having flown on two full 777 J cabins recently, despite their best efforts, it's been a disorganized mess. I worry about service on these larger A380 cabins.
That also looks to be the new largest Premium Economy cabin after SQ reduce PY on their ULRs.
But those boxy small and thick IFE screens are over a decade old. Collins should have updated the design with the larger slimmer IFEs from Elements.
BA was never going to be the world's most "wow" seats. But the size of the J cabin should at least mean there is decent award availability on the A380 routes.
Award ‘availability’ was hardly the problem with BA… it’s always been the surcharges. (Like, ‘oh, cool 55K in J TATL… plus $1,500…’)
They obviously think they can sell them all for cash rather than points, or they wouldn’t bother installing such a massive cabin.
Any clarity on a retrofit timetable for the 380? Looking at July 2027 for a F-class flight. Probably toon soon?
Chill out, gentlemen, jeez. BA is BA, it's never going to be exciting or amazing. But they are keeping the A380 for a while and are replacing obsolete seats with decent modern day seats. That's pretty much the absolute top you can expect of them, and by those meager standards they are more then delivering. Kudos, I'd say.
Underwhelming (yawn). I’ve flown over 50 long haul flights in business class. Traveling is exciting and aspirational for young people. High income working professionals and retirees want to travel in comfort.
At this point the seasoned avgeek is flying international first class exclusively. (Not BA though)
Congrats
"British Airways will debut an all-new first class product, featuring proper doors"
Not just doors, but PROPER doors!
Don't know why, but I find this blog's preoccupation with airline seat-doors to be so funny. lol
*staring while slowly closing suite door*
I believe BA will be the first airline to have reverse herringbone seats on the upper deck? I have long been thinking if a reverse herringbone seat could make use of the wider knee level compared to the shoulder level on the upper deck, i.e. the space currently used for the windowside storage compartments, and make the footwell larger. Unfortunately from the rendering seems like BA is keeping that storage. Had it removed those, the...
I believe BA will be the first airline to have reverse herringbone seats on the upper deck? I have long been thinking if a reverse herringbone seat could make use of the wider knee level compared to the shoulder level on the upper deck, i.e. the space currently used for the windowside storage compartments, and make the footwell larger. Unfortunately from the rendering seems like BA is keeping that storage. Had it removed those, the cabin width at footwell level would be comparable to 787/350, instead of the 330 level as of now.
Qatar has reverse herringbone on their A380 upper decks
I'm not a fan of herringbone seating. It looks and feels awkward. Plus, most business class seats that align with the fuselage seem roomier and can have larger video monitors.
The club suite needed a v2.0 and this looks perfectly fine. Amazing how the existing club suites are showing their age. My guess is that it will feel like the existing club suites on the A350 (which definitely feel a bit narrower... probably because they are a bit narrower).
Nice that BA will keep it's 12 A380s around. Will be interesting to see how they deploy them once they actually are up to standard.
Almost forgot BA even still operates the a380. Saw it in MIA (and SFO?), but it’s never been in the NYC-area (with BA on regularly scheduled service). Eh, that’s fine; JFK did used to get the Concorde… I guess near-hourly 787, 777 is fine.
That first class seat looks a lot like the current Emirates F seat to me. Not a bad things really, and a large upgrade on the current seat but it is interesting that the evolution they're performing in F is to move to a seat that Emirates has flown for well over 10 years now.
For Premium Economy the main improvement they need isn't hard product but soft product. There's almost no differentiation between...
That first class seat looks a lot like the current Emirates F seat to me. Not a bad things really, and a large upgrade on the current seat but it is interesting that the evolution they're performing in F is to move to a seat that Emirates has flown for well over 10 years now.
For Premium Economy the main improvement they need isn't hard product but soft product. There's almost no differentiation between economy and the biggest change they can make would be to have dedicated crew and catering (like Emirates do)
BA has quite an improved Premium Economy soft product, as the two entrees being business class dishes. Also I find the current seat very comfortable. I am not sure if the future hard shell seat will match the current comfort.
The Premium Economy on the top deck of the A380 is a great experience.
106 biz seats, great. Just a larger chance to be ignored.
Ehem. It’s still lie-flat. Upstairs. Still better than “World Traveler” or whatever they’re calling long-haul economy these days.
I mean, he is right , today you won't be ignored in J because you're always looking directly at teh face of the person diagonal from you in that ridiculous set-up
Hooray! Finally a British Airways change we can be enthusiastically proud about. I really hope it delivers something as decent as it looks in those renderings. It doesn't look industry leading, but at least it'll be competitive and better than the current state of affairs.