The rollout of the New British Airways Club Suite product was teased at the IAG Capital Markets day on Friday.
And for those who are expecting a swift roll-out of the airlines new Business Class product, settle in – it’s going to be a good six years until it’s complete.
Long rollout is long – Image, IAG via their Capital Markets day presentation
The Club Suite is a customised variant of the Collins Aerospace SuperDiamond, with of course a door on it in 1-2-1 formation. It rolled out as part of the Airbus A350-1000 launch
Because doors are a thing in Business Class seat these days.
The roll-out is going be slow to the end of the year – with around 5% of the fleet done (with A350s and Boeing 777-200 being refitted.
In 2020, the Boeing 787-10 will join the fleet with seat installed – alongside other A350 deliveries. The Boeing 777-3000ER fleet will also start the refit programme. In addition, the A380 will also be refitted – indicating they will be hanging around the BA fleet for some time to come.
Meanwhile, those who love the Boeing 747-400 will note that these aircraft will NOT get the new seat – rather, they will have the old Club World seat until the type’s retirement by 2023.
But don’t forget the seat counts…
One thing that IAG is proud of however, is the density of the seating as this lovely slide shows
The breakdown
Image and Data, IAG via their Capital Markets day presentation, Quick Microsoft Excel Cut and Paste – Economy Class and Beyond.
The main changes have come from a shrink of the First class cabin (loosing 6 seats), extending the Club World cabin into that space, and of course – introducing 3-4-3 seating down the back of the aircraft for a net loss of 1 seat on the frame – yet delivering more Club capacity.
You can also see how much density British Airways could cram into a business class cabin – with 8 across seating in Business Class.
What to do?
If you’re booking seats on British Airways and want to try out this new seat watch the routes and equipment over the next year or so. That’ll dictate what seat you’ll get (be it the old Ying/Yang Club World or the new direct access Club Seat).
Even if you’re in Economy/World Traveller – watching these seat maps will be important – so you can find out of your aircraft will have 3-3-3 down the back… or the dreaded 3-4-3…
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