All British Airways 777s to get new business class suites this year
The crowded Club World business class cabin is being ditched for sleek new suites with sliding doors.
By David Flynn, April 7 2022
With British Airways once again flying to Sydney, by year's end the Boeing 777s which have long patronised the airline's BA15/BA16 Kangaroo Route will have ditched the crowded Club World business class cabin for the newer Club Suites introduced in mid-2019.
It's a welcome upgrade which will transform the business class experience on the 22-hour trek from Club World's odd forwards-backwards arrangement ..
BA's current and rather 'cosy' Club World business class seat
... to the elegance, personal space and privacy of the Club Suite.
If you're not already familiar with British Airways' Club Suite, the photos above tell much of the story. Gone is the dormitory-like 2-4-2 layout and the lack of personal space.
Every Club Suites passenger gets their own cosy cocoon with high walls, a sliding privacy door and ample room to spread out during the flight.
Other mod cons include several stowage nooks (one of which includes a mirror), a large 18.5-inch HD video screen which can be used on a 'gate to gate' basis, and even padding around the seat's 'shell' to reduce ambient cabin noise.
The Boeing 777's first class will also receive a makeover featuring refreshed Boeing 787-style suites with sliding privacy doors.
British Airways' new Boeing 777 First suite is an evolution of the Dreamliner's 'Prime' product.
Supplied by British Airways
Supplied by British Airways
In the process, the cabin will be trimmed from 14 seats to eight, which will allow more Club Suites to be fitted and bring the total business class seat count closer to that of the current eight-across Club World.
"When we launched our Club Suite product, it was a huge hit with our customers who loved the privacy the new seat offers" recounts Sajida Ismail, British Airways' Head of Inflight Product.
"We are focused on the roll out of this product and other cabin enhancements to ensure we deliver on our commitment to provide the very best British quality, style and comfort for our customers."
As part of the upgrade, the Boeing 777's self-serve Club Kitchen area will be modernised with chillers and built-in storage for snacks, drinks and other refreshments.
While BA continues to take delivery of new Airbus A350 and Boeing 787-10 jets with Club Suites installed at the factory, upgrades for the Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 are expected to follow in 2023, although there's been no announcement on when the Airbus A380 superjumbos will go under the knife.
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 478
Excellent news, I had the chance to try this in 2019 on one of the early London-Madrid A350 'testing flights' and it's a great seat, basically if you know Virgin's 'The Business' from the A330 and Boeing 777 then this is mostly the same seat but with some improvements all around plus of course the door. I closed the door for part of the flight and can see it'd be good of a night when you're trying to sleep, in the day you can leave it open unless you're in 'do not disturb me' mode.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
14 Jan 2014
Total posts 340
Took them long enough… I could see BA’s parent company using the old 8 across cattle but class seat in a low cost subsidy for long haul.. well I could see it IF they had the Chutzpah to think outside the box like that!!
Don’t count those chickens as they would say!!
29 Nov 2021
Total posts 3
BA isn't scheduling the 777 on the Sydney route in the next year, and the 789 refurbs are a couple of years away, so it's going to be a long wait!
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 478
BA still has the 787-9 showing for BA15/16 but schedules are known to change, especially these days, I would not be surprised if as demand picks up the 777 comes back sooner.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 467
If BA has provided the story to Executive Traveller - including the timings that are mentioned - then that's what BA is doing. Don't worry about what the published timetables say; the operating aircraft can be changed overnight!
Aegean Airlines - Miles & Bonus
16 Jul 2019
Total posts 31
Perhaps BA are trying to counter the fact that their 787s flying to Oz have the old product and not competitive against QF, SQ, QR, EK (A380s), EY, CX, JL, ANA etc - by reminding the market that the Club Suites exist. Let's see if they deliver though. I hope so as the new suite is pretty good.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
21 Jul 2019
Total posts 191
Even though it's only a total 'catch-up-to-the-rest-of-the-industry' move by BA (as opposed to something truly innovative and exciting), I'm still glad, as it gives me a reason not to avoid BA anymore. Also, seeing that BA is content to follow rather than lead, my prediction is this will be the basic seat BA hangs onto for the next two decades; regardless of whatever happens with the leading airlines.
03 May 2013
Total posts 680
When BA flies starts the SYD route with 787 or A350 and new suites I'll think about it. Until then BA is persona non grata as far as J goes on any itinerary I may have. What's the point of a new seat on a sub par 777?
QFF
19 Sep 2013
Total posts 206
Now if only BA will allow you to select your seat in advance without charging a extra large fee.
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
12 Sep 2011
Total posts 333
Looks like the current First Seat on the 777 ie glorified business class which was entirely unimpressive when i flew it once Sydney to Singapore - the only good thing was being able to use the Qantas First Lounge , and the new First seat looks the same except with doors - very claustrophobic no? I got finally used to doors in First with Swiss on their 777 , but their seats are much wider and longer. However I do like my Lufthansa First on 748 and (defunct A380) and defunct Qatar First on A380 - openair, non-claustrophobic and very roomy
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
19 Aug 2011
Total posts 165
It's about time, and hopefully the A380s and 787-8/9s are next. It will be the only reason 777s will be welcome back on the SYD route, as it will make BA actually competitive in business on the route. The only loss for BA Gold FFs is First Class capacity halving, meaning op-ups and reward seats will be rare indeed.
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