British Airways to launch new first class suites in late 2019?
By David Flynn, November 28 2018
British Airways looks set to follow its mid-2019 launch of new Club World business class seats with the reveal of new first class suites.
The first class suites are expected to debut on the airline's Boeing 777-300ER fleet by year's end and will be based on the first class of the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners (below), but with several noticeable improvements.
BA's Boeing 787 first class suite
These would replace the stylish suites of the Boeing 777s (below).
BA's Boeing 777-300ER first class suite
UK travel blogger Michele Robson reports a conversation with British Airways CEO Alex Cruz, with Cruz describing "an enhanced First seat based on the current (Boeing) 787 First seat" slated for those Boeing 777s.
Two Boeing 777-300ER jets will head into the refit hanger in the second half of 2019 to receive their first class upgrade along with the same all-new Club World seats as BA's forthcoming Airbus A350 jets.
However, there might also be fewer of those first suites on the Boeing 777s. The current first class cabin allows for 14 suites, but the revamp might trim this number owing to the increased size of the upgraded Boeing 777's business class cabin.
Australian Business Traveller has approached British Airways for further comment.
British Airways has previously confirmed to Australian Business Traveller that its A350 fleet will not include first class, instead topping out with the long-awaited successor to the current 13 year old Club World design and featuring direct aisle access, increased privacy and at-seat storage
Read more: BA confirms new Club World business class seat launching July 2019
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
28 Nov 2018
Total posts 1
I think it will still look business classish......
19 Aug 2011
Total posts 54
Typical BA clearly not looked at some of the other business class seats already out there. Doesn't even have closing doors. How can they even call it a suite? It would be an excellent business class product but stretching the truth as a "First Class Suite"
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Oct 2017
Total posts 93
Never been a fan of BA and neither are most of my British counterparts. No matter what hardware they replace, the service will always let them down.
20 Sep 2012
Total posts 75
The food may let them down. Generally the crew are excellent.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Oct 2017
Total posts 93
Got food poisoning once on British Airways business class.....Never again!!
12 Jul 2018
Total posts 3
Very much looking forward to seeing what the F changes will be like, as I've heard promising things about the new J-seats.
As well as incremental changes in the seat, there will be I'm sure be a change in the soft-product, to ensure it remains above club-world.
19 Aug 2011
Total posts 54
Indeed good stuff BA. If... you can get away with four across seating in First using a business class seat then six across in business and the punters think its good value it has to be good for the bottom line, if.
12 Jul 2018
Total posts 3
Based on the info about the new seat and it's origins, I doubt it will be 6 across/
25 Feb 2017
Total posts 25
If it does not have a door its not a suite..Its an enhanced Shell Seat. Even current CX and QF First Class SEATS are superior.
19 Aug 2011
Total posts 54
Same applies to their domestic and Europe flights where they call their cramped economy seats Business class and get away with it. At least the likes of Delta and United are trying to up their game when it comes to business class seats.
29 Jan 2012
Total posts 163
Not to be blunt, but compared to other airlines, BA's First seat is nothing more than J class with a fancy name. And their current J class reverse seating arrangement is an embarrassment. Maybe that is why they feel their First product is superior when compared. They had a good product in the 90's but not any more.
Sometimes I wonder what BA's management is thinking. Surely they compare the competition, but then again, maybe they have a clientele who do not know any better. When it comes to a real First class, BA could take a look at Singapore, Emirates, Qatar and Etihad.
BA's First is just not worth booking!
British Airways - Executive Club
29 Nov 2018
Total posts 1
Cabin crew can be best feature. Otherwise, mediocre product to include seat and food. Qantas, Qatar, and CX make the BA product look very sad.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Sep 2017
Total posts 162
Looks like some J/C products elsewhere.
12 Jul 2018
Total posts 3
That's a picture of the existing F product. I would expect a door to be included for additional privacy.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Nov 2018
Total posts 106
BA First is the best Business class seat in the market!
19 Aug 2011
Total posts 54
British Airways - Executive Club
18 May 2018
Total posts 8
So initial 4 A350 for BA will top out at J. The rest is to replace near end life 744 with super J.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Oct 2017
Total posts 93
No sorry but I don't think BA could do an F class certainly not like SQ as the 2 are miles apart. Just flew Euro intercity with BA and disappointed yet again. J feels like Y class and noticed poor Y have to buy bottles of water. Ryanair Easyjet = BA. Apologies but BA and SQ dont even belong in the same sentence.
British Airways - Executive Club
18 May 2018
Total posts 8
Travelwell, I agree that BA are no SQ. However, there's no reason why it couldn't work. Especially when BA, VS, AF, and LH all launching new J and F.
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