British Airways has demonstrated its A380 First Class suite, scheduled to enter service in 2026.
The newcomer will be built by Collins Aerospace and features a 36.5″ wide seat in a cabin that features an electric sliding door. Seats in the centre aisle have the option of connecting to the adjoining suite through a second sliding panel.
Panasonic IFE includes a 32″ TV with the option to connect the passenger’s own headphones via Bluetooth. A separate touch screen tablet allows the user to control the functions of the suite.
The suite also includes a cupboard for the passenger’s carry-on luggage. This removes the need for overhead storage and creates a more spacious feeling.
Other features include window blinds, activated by buttons on the internal control panel for all three windows per seat. The soft panelling inside the seat also helps with acoustics and absorbing sound, which adds to the sense of being in a cocooned, private space. Customers can also use the seat’s brand-new ‘do not disturb’ functionality on its wireless control tablet, which notifies crew if they wish to maximise their rest on board.
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British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer, Calum Laming, said: “We’re incredibly proud to launch the next era of First that pushes the boundaries of comfort, luxury and modernity, taking into consideration customer preferences and expectations to the finest detail.
“This coupled with our incredible colleagues delivering a world-class service, following the launch of our First Service Specialists scheme, as well as the many benefits of flying First such as First Wing entry, access to our award-winning lounges including our Concorde Room and priority boarding, means we truly believe we offer a winning combination in delivering an extraordinary experience for our customers.”
Launched at an event held in the airline’s Waterside headquarters, the update is part of the airline’s A380 refit programme, which in turn is part of a £7billion transformation plan. This includes brand-new short-haul seats, free Wi-Fi messaging on board to refreshing its lounges across its global network.
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