BA gets set for A350 era

Delivery of the first of 18 Airbus A350-1000s for British Airways is now due in the third quarter of next year, the airline said last week. A total of four of the aircraft are expected to join the fleet by the end of 2019.

CEO Alex Cruz told the IAG International Airlines Group Investor Day the aircraft would be the first to feature BA’s new Club World seat but there will be no First Class cabin. The new aircraft will accommodate 331 passengers, similar to the airline’s four-class Boeing B747-400s.

The current high-density versions in the BA fleet have 343 seats, including 14 in First Class, 52 in Business Class, 36 in Premium Economy and 243 in Economy. Cruz said the new Airbus was "likely to operate" on the same routes as the B747s.

He added BA planned to increase slightly the number of Business Class seats, with a larger increase in Premium Economy seats and slightly fewer in Economy Class compared with the B747.

Plans call for four A350-1000s to be fitted with the layout next year, he says while two four-class B777s will also be completely refurbished, also with the new Business Class seat but with an upgraded smaller First Class cabin.

www.britishairways.com

Index/Home page
 

OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum

Robert Shaw, Burgess Hill

Interesting. As a BA Executive Club member I wrote both to Customer Services AND Mr.Cruz FIVE weeks ago, neither has even bothered to answer me. From my experience they now allocate you a seat opposite to your preference ! No doubt hoping you will purchase a seat of your preference. Official policy ?