British Airways unveils updated A380 First Class cabin
British Airways' A380 First Class with seating from Collins Aerospace
British Airways has unveiled its new First Class cabin as part of the airline’s A380 retrofit plans, expected to enter service in mid-2026.
The airline’s updated First Class offering has been designed to provide the feel of a modern luxury hotel, alongside home comforts and thoughtful British touches, the press release said.
The new seat is ultra-wide (36.5 inches), with a bed length of 79 inches and features a multi-purpose ottoman and stowable table, a 32-inch 4K TV screen, adjustable mood lighting including scenes such as “relax,” “dine” and “cinema.” The adjustable seat is located within a cocooned 60-inch curved wall for passenger privacy.
For passengers travelling together in the centre of the cabin, the divider slides open to create a shared lounge space, and the stowable tables mean customers can enjoy dining together in the seat with their travel companion. The curves throughout the cabin draw inspiration from British Airways’ Concorde wings.
The suite features an ambient light with a design that references the airline’s speedmarque and further nods to Concorde. The suite features 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, while enhancing the sense of privacy. Passengers can also use the seat’s “do not disturb” functionality on its wireless control tablet.
“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,” said British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer, Calum Laming. “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.”
The airline listened to colleague and passenger feedback to shape design elements and specific features of the updated First Class cabin, such as the in-suite luggage stowage. The airline also introduced its fully rectangular bed following passenger feedback that replicates all the comforts of a home environment.
The airline also worked closely Collins Aerospace RTX business, to create the First Class seat, following its involvement in crafting British Airways’ Club Suite and short-haul aircraft seats earlier this year.
