With 12 Airbus A380s in active service (according to airfleets.net), British Airways is currently the second-largest operator of the Airbus A380. However, there is a problem: The cabins are now 10 years old. Especially the tight business class in the 2-3-2 or 2-4-2 layout is not competitive by current standards.
However, this will not remain the case. British Airways continues to believe in the double-decker and will equip them with a new cabin. The plans, already announced in the summer, have now been specified. According to the announcement, the Club Suite in business class will be offered on all flights to and from London Heathrow by the end of 2026. The old onboard product will only remain on flights from Gatwick.
As British Airways exclusively deploys the Airbus A380 on long-haul routes from Heathrow, the announcement also means there is finally a schedule for the retrofitting of the Superjumbos.
Airbus A380 to Receive New Seats in All Travel Classes
The most significant difference in comfort is expected in the business class. The new seats are more spacious, provide more storage space, and have a larger entertainment screen. Additionally, there is a door for added privacy.
It remains unclear what passengers can expect in first class. A new seat has also been announced there for quite some time. In economy and premium economy class, no particularly significant improvements in passenger comfort are anticipated.
Conclusion
I am generally a fan of the Airbus A380 but consciously avoid it on British Airways. The comfort differences are too significant when I could alternatively fly in the excellent BA Club Suite (or at least with American).
The installation of new business class seats is, therefore, very welcome and cannot happen quickly enough. Waiting for up to three years for this is actually too long.
Translated by Ditmar