- British Airways has today revealed all-new First, Club World (business), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy) cabins, building on the unveiling of its new First suite in 2024
- The ongoing multi-million-pound investment to enhance the onboard experience will be showcased on the first retrofitted A380 aircraft, taking to the skies in the coming months
- The A380 retrofit programme is one of the most extensive cabin transformations undertaken by any airline, involving the installation of more than 35,000 individual parts across each aircraft
- The transformation includes brand-new seats in every cabin with new in-flight entertainment screens, alongside redesigned galleys and stairways
- The aircraft will feature the world’s largest business class cabin, with 106 Club Suite seats spanning the entire upper deck, finished with new trims and detailing
- The aircraft will also feature a refreshed onboard experience, including new First and World Traveller Plus amenity kits, and new bedding in First, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller
- Specially trained First Service Specialist cabin crew will deliver the airline’s brand-new dining experience, available in every First cabin across its long-haul fleet
British Airways has today unveiled new cabins arriving on its retrofitted A380s, marking a major milestone in one of the most extensive cabin refurbishment programmes ever undertaken by an airline.
From nose to tail, customers will experience a transformed A380 aircraft, featuring redesigned interiors, new seats in every cabin and upgrades to the onboard experience, all designed to deliver greater comfort and a more premium end-to-end journey at 35,000ft.
The first completed A380 is expected to enter service in the coming months, marking the start of a fleet-wide transformation and forming part of the airline's wider investment in the customer experience.
Sean Doyle, Chairman and CEO at British Airways, said: "This is a major milestone for British Airways and the future of our A380 fleet, marking one of the most significant transformations we’ve ever undertaken on any aircraft.
‘We've completely reimagined the customer experience, introducing new and updated seats in every cabin, all carefully considered to deliver greater comfort and an elevated customer experience.
‘At the heart of the transformation is our brand-new First suite, but this investment goes far beyond a single cabin. From redesigned interiors and upgraded dining to new amenities and service delivery, every detail has been thoughtfully designed with our customers front and centre, helping them to have a more seamless and memorable experience when they fly with us."
Customers travelling in Club World (business class), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy) will benefit from brand-new seats and upgraded cabin interiors. Thoughtfully redesigned with customer comfort in mind, the airline’s herringbone design features throughout the cabins.
Every part of the aircraft has been refined, including galleys and stairways bringing a new look and feel to every space on board.
From seat details to galley finishes, the new interiors create a clear identity throughout the aircraft, building on the design concept first introduced to the airline's short-haul fleet in 2024 and now shaping the future of its long-haul cabins.
New cabins with added comfort in mind
World Traveller and World Traveller Plus
Customers in World Traveller (economy) will enjoy a refreshed experience, including larger entertainment screens, wider seats and upgraded bedding. The relaxing new pillows feature a contemporary herringbone pattern and additional filling for added comfort and support. Plusher blankets, designed for added warmth and comfort have also been introduced in British Airways’ signature blue with red Speedmarque detailing.
Customers travelling in World Traveller Plus (premium economy) will also benefit from a host of improvements designed to make every journey more comfortable and relaxing. Seats will feature larger in-flight entertainment screens and privacy wings, alongside brand-new bedding and pillows helping customers arrive feeling rested and refreshed.
Customers travelling in World Traveller Plus will receive a new reusable amenity kit, designed as a tote bag for onward travel and featuring a Dr.PAWPAW moisturising balm and travel essentials, including a dental kit, socks and eye mask*.
Club World
The A380 will feature an evolution of British Airways’ Club Suite (business class) showcasing a refreshed design with a contemporary colour palette inspired by the airline’s blue, red and cream accents. Shaped by customer feedback, the suite includes added storage, improved functionality and carefully considered features designed to make every journey more comfortable and intuitive.
The aircraft will feature the world’s largest business class cabin, including 106 Club Suite seats across the full upper deck. Spanning four distinct cabin zones, the carefully designed space will offer a more intimate feel, complemented by dedicated dwell areas, Club Kitchens and reimagined galley spaces that encourage customers to move freely and relax throughout the flight.
Customers travelling in Club World will also enjoy the airline’s latest amenity kits, available in four unique designs created by British artists, powered by art platform, Rise Art, and stocked with exclusive products from luxury British wellness brand, anatomē.
A new era of First
A defining feature of the retrofit is British Airways' new First suite, combining ultimate comfort and privacy with considered touches to create an elegant space for customers to relax and unwind.
Designed to evoke a modern luxury hotel feel, the airline’s First cabin combines home comforts with thoughtful British touches at 35,000ft. The seat has been brought to life by expert designers and world-class manufacturers from across Great Britain and Ireland.
For customers travelling together in the centre seats, the divider opens to create a shared lounge, while stowable tables allow them to enjoy ‘buddy dining’ with their travel companion.
British Airways has partnered with luxury British heritage house, Swaine, to create a bespoke unisex First amenity kit inspired by the heritage suitcases carried by early air travellers, available on board from 6 October**.
Available in two colours, royal blue and cream, the kit contains a selection of skincare products from Wildsmith, a high-performance skincare brand that supports skin health and wellbeing. The kit will include a bespoke Circadian Rhythm collection aimed at supporting hydration and comfort from day into night.
The products include a face mist, hand and body lotion, ceramide multi-balm, lip balm, face cream, and an overnight mask, all carefully curated to support hydration and rest at altitude.
Hotel-quality sleep at 35,000ft
Customers in First can relax under a brand-new woven day blanket, featuring an elegant herringbone design. The new blanket will be complemented by a navy-blue cushion with subtle detailing. The airline’s bespoke tartan will also feature on the new cool-touch fabric navy sleepwear, complemented by slippers, all available on board from 1 October.
When it's time to sleep, crew will prepare the suite with a luxury mattress, lightweight cotton duvet and newly designed pillow, carefully developed to offer the ideal balance of softness and support, helping customers secure a great night’s sleep and arrive feeling refreshed at their destination.
Restaurant dining in the sky
The airline’s refreshed First dining service offers customers greater choice, using fresh flavours and new dishes that reflect the best of British produce.
The new dining experience will be available across the airline’s entire long-haul fleet from 1 October. A new ‘From the Grill’ concept means customers can create their preferred meal from a selection of premium proteins including British roast rack of lamb, grilled salmon, sides and sauces, as well as a selection of Signature Mains for a more personalised dining experience.
For added convenience, a bespoke mini bar has been integrated into the new First seat, giving customers easy access to popular refreshments throughout the flight, including a selection of premium snacks and still and sparkling water.
The new dining experience is complemented by contemporary stoneware and fine bone china, bringing a refined, restaurant-inspired feel to every course. A dedicated beverage menu features premium Champagne such as Bollinger La Grande Année, alongside a curated gin selection, such as Classic Gin Tonic, Rosemary & Orange, Spanish Flair as well as 0.0% Gin & Tonic. Customers can also enjoy a refreshing Showerings triple vintage cider as refined alternative to wine.
Every detail has been carefully considered, from cutlery designed by Studio William to wine glasses developed in collaboration with Richard Brendon and internationally renowned wine expert, Jancis Robinson.
Bespoke serving pieces featuring the iconic British Airways speedmarque add thoughtful finishing touches to the experience, alongside interactive dining elements including pinch pots, a dual-purpose stand for afternoon tea and a signature serving tray.
A new standard in service
The refreshed experience is supported by British Airways’ updated First Service Specialist (FSS) training programme, now being rolled out to all First-trained cabin crew.
Designed to enable a more personalised service, the programme helps crew respond to individual preferences while delivering the warm, intuitive and attentive hospitality that defines First.
Across the Customer Experience
British Airways has unveiled the next stage of its Heathrow lounge transformation, with this announcement marking the first phase of a wider programme that will see every lounge at Heathrow redesigned over the coming years.
Elsewhere, the airline has invested in new aircraft, technology, and improved operational performance to become one of the best performing global airlines – all aimed at delivering a better experience for customers at every stage of their journey.
ENDS
*The new World Traveller Plus amenity kit and bedding, alongside the World Traveller bedding, will be available on all long-haul aircraft as a phased introduction throughout November.
** First sleepwear and bedding, including the day blanket, will be available on all outbound long-haul flights from London Heathrow only from 1 October, followed by the First amenity kit from 6 October. All First amenities (including the amenity kit) will be introduced on inbound services over the coming months.
Notes to Editors:
- The refurbished A380 will feature four cabins across its two decks, with 12 seats in First, 106 in Club World, 84 in World Traveller Plus and 215 in World Traveller.
- Additional travel essentials, including mouthwash, a comb, razor kit and pen, will be available on request in First.
- Wildsmith amenities will be introduced in British Airways’ Concorde Room, First and Club (business class) lounges over the coming months.
- British Airways and Swaine have created a bespoke limited-edition British Airways Oxford holdall. Every piece is made to order and entirely handcrafted in the Swaine workshop in Mayfair. It will be available to order from 2 November with more detail on its website soon.
- Inside the airline’s First amenity kit are six Wildsmith formulations selected to support skin during air travel by replenishing hydration and supporting barrier repair across time zones. Hand & Body Lotion and Hydrating Face Cream replenish moisture after overnight water loss. Face Mist refreshes, while the Hydrating Lip Balm helps maintain comfort in the dry cabin environment. As the body moves towards its natural night-time repair phase, Hydrating Overnight Mask and Ceramide Multi Balm replenish and support the skin.
About Swaine
Swaine is Great Britain’s oldest luxury brand, established in 1750 as whip and saddlery makers. Today, Swaine includes Swaine & Adeney leather goods (Est. 1750), Brigg Umbrellas (Est. 1836), and Herbert Johnson Hatters (Est. 1889).
Since 1750, Swaine has stood firm as the bastion of British heritage, setting the standard for refined craftsmanship and carrying it proudly into the modern age. Its legacy is woven into every handcrafted item it produces - each piece a testament to the passion, skill and tradition of its artisans. Swaine’s ethos is rooted in these foundations: to create the most exquisite and refined British handcrafted goods for the most prestigious and discerning clients - pieces to be treasured for generations.
Swaine’s fully integrated Mayfair workshop stands as a striking testament to this enduring craftsmanship - making Swaine the only British heritage brand still handcrafting its goods in the heart of Mayfair.
About Wildsmith
WILDSMITH is where science meets nature in pursuit of wellbeing. Drawing inspiration from the physiology of trees and the recognition that, as in nature, humans thrive on balance, the brand creates an integrated system of performance skincare, body treatments and wellbeing experiences, crafted to restore balance and support the body's natural circadian rhythms.
Inspired by nineteenth-century botanist William Wildsmith, whose pioneering work shaped the renowned arboretum on the Heckfield Estate in Hampshire, the philosophy continues at The Bothy by Wildsmith, a destination for deep rest and regeneration at the heart of this landmark estate. Serving as a living laboratory, it brings together science-backed formulations, nature-inspired practices and a holistic approach to support skin health, wellbeing and a deeper connection with the natural world.
