British Airways is rebuilding the cabins of its Airbus A380s around passengers who pay more. Business class grows to 106 seats, filling the whole upper deck, while standard economy shrinks by 88 seats.
British Airways is building what it calls the “world’s largest” business-class cabin on its Airbus A380 aircraft, and removing dozens of economy seats to make room, CNBC reported.
The change is part of a wider overhaul of the airline’s fleet and ground services, including its lounges at London Heathrow.
How the A380 Cabin Will Change
| Cabin | Now | New layout |
|---|---|---|
| First class | 14 | 12 suites |
| Business class | 97 | 106 |
| Premium economy | 55 | 84 |
| Standard economy | 303 | 215 |
The 106 business-class suites, which have sliding doors, will take up the whole of the A380’s upper deck, the airline said.
Taken together, the figures mean each aircraft will carry 417 passengers rather than 469, Standard economy loses 88 seats, while the other three cabins gain 36 between them.
Why Airlines Are Doing This
Airlines have spent years and hundreds of millions of dollars adding more expensive seats, as travellers show a growing appetite for roomier and more luxurious trips.
British Airways’ joint-venture partner, American Airlines, introduced a 70-seat business class on its largest Boeing aircraft last month.
“There is absolutely a customer who wants this and is prepared to pay a premium for it,” Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson told CNBC, speaking about demand on long flights.
What the Seats Cost
According to CNBC, extra legroom alone on a transatlantic flight can cost more than $200 each way. Top-end seats regularly sell for $5,000, and for well over $10,000 on longer flights.
Some of the new seats are so elaborate that deliveries of new aircraft have been delayed while airlines wait for parts or certification.
A Bet on the Superjumbo
The plan covers British Airways’ 12 A380s. It is also a vote of confidence in an aircraft that many airlines have retired in favour of smaller, more fuel-efficient jets.
The A380 is the world’s largest passenger plane. Airbus delivered the last one, to Emirates, in late 2021.
Image: A British Airways Airbus A380 (file photo, 2013). Photo by Julian Herzog via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0.