British Airways unveils new cabin interior for European flights
By Chris C., June 17 2014
British Airways is updating its cabin interior on flights across Europe, unveiling new charcoal-grey leather seats.
Manufactured by B/E Aerospace, the slimline seats are being fitted to the airline’s Airbus A319, A320 and A321 fleet from this week, with upgrade works expected to take 12 months.
Complete with a four-way moveable headrest, the leather seats will appear in both Euro Traveller economy and Club Europe business class.
Much to the dismay of frequent travellers, BA isn’t dropping the never-used middle seat at the pointy end (below) – which ‘disappears’ when the armrests are moved closer together.
British Airways' current Club Europe seating
Instead, a new centre console is being fitted in Club Europe – perfect for nursing drinks and snacks – taking up the full width of the B and E seats.
With a moveable curtain, these seats can be converted to regular economy where passenger loads demand more space.
BYO inflight entertainment remains a necessity on BA’s shorter flights, so there’s also an eye-level tablet holder built into the seatback.
When complete, a total of 95 Airbus aircraft will feature the new British Airways European interior.
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Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Cathay Pacific - Asia Miles
25 Apr 2013
Total posts 542
The reason they can't move the armrests together is probably because of the adjustable headrests...
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1560
Those “convertible” seats are real rubbish. Cannot get who buying EuroBiz just to fly in Europe (i.e. not like first/last leg for intercontinental flight). Thankfully distances (and flight times) in Europe is nothing comparing to Australia.
Air China - Phoenix Miles
20 Dec 2012
Total posts 105
Once flew in AF's EuroBiz from Prague to Paris.
The A321 is full in both business and economy classes. The price is quite reasonable when offering a descent meal for 2 hours flight.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
Is it just me or will the new seats not even be "expandable" like the old CE seats, but will instead just have the detachable "workspace" and movable curtain?
Oh, man.
12 Jun 2013
Total posts 732
A descent meal? That's weird, they usually serve food during cruise.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
Dare I suggest the catering is so poor it begins one's descent into madness.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1560
Not only that - alcohol not on offer and if you like some, you have to specifically ask. It kinda embarrassing!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
Even more embarrassing is when they don't stock that drink anymore, e.g. campari.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1374
They may be rubbish compared to what we get in Australia...
But they are better than this new design (or what say Iberia has) where the arm rests don't move at all. All you get is a Y seat, with an empty seat next to you and slightly better food.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 May 2012
Total posts 76
im not a big fan of paying a high Business class fare for an economy seat, with lounge access and an inflight meal. Further the seat pitch is only 31-34 inches, the same as TG/MH/SQ economy. These new business class seats would look very stylish and confortable in a 2-2 layout with over 38in seat pitch.
21 Apr 2012
Total posts 3006
I rather like those seats.
Has anyone seen that BBC docu on BA? It was aired recently in the UK.
It really gave me an interesting insight into BA and particularly its cabin crew. It appears to be quite a strict regime. I wonder if Qantas can get away with some of the things they do.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
07 Jan 2014
Total posts 31
ATTN: Virgin Australia
Take note of the tablet holder in the seat! Great idea for flights where BYO entertainment is the only option.... ie pretty much all Virgin flights.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
22 Apr 2013
Total posts 143
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
01 Oct 2013
Total posts 92
It may be still a very crappy Eurobusiness product, but wowzers, look at that quality stitching and lumbar support of the leather seats... QF & VA, take note - BA knows how to do leather seating!
21 Dec 2012
Total posts 62
Chris, I read elsewhere claims of a 30 inch seat pitch for both cabins. If true, I would give Club Europe a pretty short life expectency, and significantly damage the connecting loads for long haul Club.
To me this is another example of how legacy carriers like BA and QF seem amazingly detached from their wants and needs of their customers, and unable to develop a strategy to compete against the competitors like Emirates.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2199
Don't worry, just watch the FT/BAEC board go bananas over it. They'll have a thread dedicated to watching which aircraft have the old 34" seats and the aircraft with the new (alleged) 30" seats. Just watch the wiki grow with more G-**** regos...
...after all, they managed to have a thread lamenting the loss of Campari from Club World.
QFF Gold QC gold
26 Nov 2012
Total posts 56
95 planes in 12 months sounds impressive
14 Jul 2016
Total posts 7
These seats is only a joke, flew today from LHR-CDG and this is satisfactory enough but the legroom was 0 and my Business worker were also stuck in another seats, I flew with other Euro airlines and have extra legroom with BA didn't offer that and worst than Norwegian. The food was poor and the seats was messy even. My advise - don't fly BA if you have any other choice (including great budget companies) as well !
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