Revealed: British Airways’ new first class
BA says its fresh approach to first class is all about “taking luxury to new heights”.
British Airways remains steadfast in its belief there’s still a market for first class, despite business class continuing to close the gap – and its latest first class suites aim to prove that point.
The bespoke design centres on an ultra-wide 36.5” seat facing an almost-as-big 32” 4K screen, wrapped within a 60”-high curved wall with sliding doors for privacy.
At the touch of a button, elegant blinds slide down over all three windows for each suite.
And the middle seats go beyond a conventional divider: for passengers traveller together, the centre panel moves completely out of the way to create a shared lounge space, with the option of ‘table for two’ dining if one passenger sits on the ottoman.
British Airways, seat-maker Collins Aerospace and designer Tangerine also worked to ensure a 79” “fully rectangular bed, following customer feedback that replicates all the comforts of a home environment.”
There’s also an in-suite wardrobe with room for a compact cabin bag, allowing passengers to “simply wheel their luggage into their personal luggage space, making it even easier to settle in before their flight.”
Slide-out drawers provide storage for small items such as passports, reading glasses, phones, amenity kits and handbags.
As you’d expect, mod cons include AC, USB-C and USB-A power outlets along with wireless device charging and a touchscreen controller for all seat settings and inflight entertainment, as well as a handy Do Not Disturb indicator.
Soft sound-absorbent material lines the inside of each suite, adding to the sense of being cocooned in your own space.
All of BA’s new first class suites feature adjustable mood lighting with pre-set scenes such as relax, dine and cinema.
“The elegant curves throughout the cabin take inspiration from British Airways’ Concorde wings, giving a natural flow to the space and creating a welcoming environment,” the airline says, with the “ambient light with an eye-catching design that subtly references the airline’s speedmarque and further nods to Concorde.”
The bespoke design takes a ‘best of British’ approach by tapping UK suppliers of luxury leather for the headrest, seat surround, ottoman and cupboard interiors, where “the reveal of red leather with cream stitching reflects a bespoke Savile Row suit”.
Elsewhere in the new BA first suite is blended wool from Yorkshire and Dublin, and embroidery thread stitching from Lancashire.
British Airways’ new first class suites will make their debut on the Airbus A380 superjumbo from mid-2026, in a refit which will also upgrade business class to the latest Club Suites.
The noticeable camber of the cabin ceiling in some photos indicates the first class cabin has been relocated to the upper deck, although it’s not known if the number of suites has been reduced from the current 14..
The same first class suites are also intended to crown BA’s forthcoming Boeing 777-9 jets, the delivery of which is now expected to take place sometime after 2026.
26 Jul 2015
Total posts 80
The hard product looks like a big upgrade and quite nice, now they just need to work on their soft product.
30 Mar 2014
Total posts 21
Looks very impressive; let's hope the soft product matches up.....
28 Mar 2018
Total posts 34
The computer renders that include the over-head lockers show a notably curved roof by the windows.
Perhaps First Class is moving to the upper deck of the A380?
16 Oct 2012
Total posts 53
A vast improvement. Although I do see shades of SQ’s original Suites design. Although to be fare BA are not renowned for their innovation.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Nov 2016
Total posts 45
Not renowned for its innovation? It was the first airline in the world to introduce lie-flat business class
28 Mar 2018
Total posts 34
BA and it's predecessors have given the world the first full-length inflight film (1925), global alliances (since 1934 with Qantas), turboprops, jets, auto-landing, supersonic flight or jet-age beds in first and business.
The shame is that BA seems to have drifted from this rich history of service and technical innovation.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 May 2018
Total posts 13
Looks like a fusion of QR’s QSuites and Emirates F without the bling. Very nice. As noted by others, now the service to match is required.
25 Nov 2019
Total posts 13
Its a shame they seem only focussed on their First Class business, they are absolutely hopeless, and getting worse year on year, on every other aspect of their business.
Air Canada - Aeroplan
28 Feb 2015
Total posts 120
Every year I fly LHR to LCA (Cyprus), a 4.5-hour trip, in what European airlines laughably call Business Class seating (you know, Y seating with a vacant seat in the middle). I can't speak for long-haul, but on all these occasions the service and the food has been excellent.
17 Nov 2023
Total posts 45
Not a moment too soon!! But at least they're putting it on an Airbus, so that the inherent quietness of the aircraft matches the quality of the suite.
16 Feb 2024
Total posts 4
We just did the Sydney to London and back trip in BA First Class. Whilst the cabin is looking a bit tired we could not fault the service. The crew were wonderful in every aspect of service, the food was great and served with a smile. We look forward to the new look BA, hopefully not too far away.
28 Aug 2015
Total posts 24
Beaudy. A nice leather lined drawer to lose my passport in :)
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