British Airways, with 12 active jets, is the third-largest operator of the Airbus A380. Unlike some other airlines, the British carrier seems to have a longer future planned for the superjumbo. Last year, British Airways announced its intention to refit all A380s with new seats.
In business class, the well-known Club Suite from other aircraft will be introduced. However, it remained unclear what passengers could expect in first class. Today, British Airways has revealed the secret, offering a first look at the new first-class seat, which is set to debut in mid-2026.
The New British Airways First Class Seat
The new first-class seat for the A380 has been developed in collaboration with seat manufacturer Collins, which also designed the British Airways Club Suite (Super Diamond). There will be eight first-class seats in total, down from the previous 14. The numbering, from rows 1 to 2, suggests that the first-class cabin will remain on the lower deck. This, however, has not yet been confirmed. The computer-generated images apparently do not depict an A380 and therefore provide no information about the number or position of the seats.
The seat itself will measure 2 meters in length and 92 cm in width. However, this width appears to refer to the overall space from wall to wall, rather than the seat itself. For added privacy, the A380 will now feature closable doors. The wall between the seat and the aisle is 152 cm high and, according to British Airways, equipped with special soundproofing.
In the middle of the cabin, a partition can be fully opened. The individual seats are arranged facing straight forward, rather than angled toward the windows as seen in business class. A small ottoman allows for the possibility of dining with a companion, though the setup doesn’t look particularly comfortable in photos.
Additional amenities include a 32″ screen, a wireless 10″ tablet for control, as well as power outlets and USB charging ports (type C and A). Each seat also features a private wardrobe by the aisle with space for a trolley and coat hooks. British Airways states that the seat design was inspired by the Concorde. The images released showcase an undeniably elegant design with shades of grey and brown dominating the aesthetic.
A mock-up of the cabin has reportedly already been created and displayed, with a few impressions available via The Points Guy.
Service Starting Mid-2026
According to British Airways, the refitted Airbus A380s featuring the new cabins (including the business class Club Suite and the new first class) will take to the skies starting mid-2026.
This raises the question of whether the timeline for upgrading all A380s is achievable. British Airways had initially stated that all long-haul flights to and from London Heathrow would offer the new business class by the end of 2026. This would mean that all A380s would need to be retrofitted between mid- and late-2026. Delays, at least, cannot be ruled out.
Source: British Airways press release
Cover Picture: © British Airways