British Airways confirms first class suites axed from Airbus A350s
By David Flynn, November 8 2018
British Airways has confirmed that its forthcoming Airbus A350-1000 jets won't feature a first class cabin.
The first of BA's 18 Airbus A350-1000s will arrive in July 2019 and mark the debut of an all-new business class seat – an long-awaited successor to the current 13 year old Club World design, which will offer direct aisle access, increased privacy and at-seat storage
Read more: BA confirms new Club World business class seat launching July 2019
However, that's as premium as A350s' pointy end will get. During its annual Capital Markets Day presentation to London's financial community, British Airways indicated that these A350s will have only three classes – Club World business, World Traveller Plus premium economy and World Traveller economy – with the first two seeing a new seat design.
A spokesperson for British Airways has since confirmed this to Australian Business Traveller, saying "At the moment all 18 A350s we have on order will be three class."
The A350-1000s are intended to provide an "efficient replacement" for BA's oldest Boeing 747s, which feature a first class cabin of 14 'open suites', although the Capital Markets Day presentation also revealed plans to extend the life of the jumbo jets by retaining an additional five more of the hump-backed planes through to 2020.
BA will embark on a 'product upgrade' to first class but this isn't seen as heralding a new suite as much as "new food, bedding and amenities from May (2019)", according to the airline.
Earlier this year, speaking at a UK business leaders event in London, BA chief executive office Alex Cruz confirmed that following the rollout of its new Club World business class seat, the airline will turn its attention to first class.
Cruz suggested the challenge will be "to conceive the new first class experience of the future” – but with less reliance on the 'hard product' of the seat and its surroundings and more on 'soft product' such as meals, drinks and overall service as a differentiator.
Meanwhile, BA's bête noire Virgin Atlantic will also pull back the covers on its own next-generation Airbus A350 business class seat in mid-2019 with plans for a new Upper Class design.
“We’ve seen it, I’ve sat in it, it’s a fantastic seat,” says Virgin Atlantic exec Oliver Byers. "It’s exactly what you would think Virgin Atlantic is in terms of the look and feel, the design, the feel of the cabin and the warmth of the environment."
Read more: Virgin Atlantic plans all-new business class for Airbus A350s
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
25 Oct 2017
Total posts 61
Becoming a world wide trend. Mustn’t be profitable.
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
London has the most premium traffic in the world, and BA has a somewhat less decadent First product compared to many other airlines with a First, so I don't think its unprofitable. Perhaps they think that their First product is going to be cannibalized by the new Business. Or perhaps the A350-1000 is going to serve a different role in the fleet... as a 'higher-capacity lower-yield' type jet (although that would imply being based at Gatwick rather than Heathrow... aren't the A350-1000s meant to be based at LHR?).
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Mar 2014
Total posts 131
Wow this is a surprise move. Hopefully there are two configs for the A350s. I can't imagine a trans-atlantic offering without first class!?!?
30 Jul 2015
Total posts 104
BA flies dozens of jets transatlantic and worldwide sans F class!
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
26 Oct 2014
Total posts 12
I can't believe it. BA has been dragged down since Walsh (ex Qantas) took over.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
10 Oct 2018
Total posts 3
I think you’ll find that you’re getting your Irishmen mixed up...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Nov 2016
Total posts 44
Willie Walsh has never worked at Qantas.
18 Nov 2017
Total posts 3
Based on a couple of recent experiences, BA First won't be missed by me. The hard product on the A380 was ok, but the rest of the experience was totally sub par. Once was bad enough. Twice, let's not bother again. Too much choice these days to go back a third time for another disappointment.
British Airways - Executive Club
18 May 2018
Total posts 8
All A350's are for LHR. Plus, they have only said initial 4 will not have F class.
01 Aug 2018
Total posts 4
Are we not simply transitioning back to 20 years ago? Business is the new first, premium the new business?
26 Nov 2016
Total posts 7
British Airways is seriously capitalizing their market position. Sub-par service but flyers don't have much choice, thanks to LHR and corporate contracts.
BA is frequently selling First class for about 200-300€ more than their Business class so they know already that they don't have real First class product any longer. And as a passenger I agree, the only reason I'd choose BA nowadays is the price.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Aug 2014
Total posts 19
Good riddance skybed, you make every business class ticket feel like a complete rip off
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
11 Nov 2016
Total posts 44
Skybed is the older Qantas business class seat, nothing to do with British Airways.
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
26 Oct 2014
Total posts 12
Sorry about Walsh, however, he engineered merger talks between BA & Qantas, where he would become CEO of merged Airline.
British Airways - Executive Club
18 May 2018
Total posts 8
I was apologising for mistake saying Walsh was once at Qantas.
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