BRITISH AIRWAYS: New first class seats for A380 in 2026

British Airways has announced a new First Class seat for its fleet of A380s to be retrofitted and in the air by 2026.

Let’s hope it puts to bed the old saying about British Airways First Class — that it was the best business class cabin in the sky.

As the sole European airline offering First class to the US from London, British Airways has collaborated with designers and manufacturers to create a seat that embodies modern British luxury.

Design and Features

The new First Class seat is part of the airline’s A380 retrofit, set to launch in mid-2026. The seat offers a 36.5-inch width and a 79-inch bed length, with features like a 32-inch 4K TV, adjustable lighting, and a privacy-enhancing cocooning wall. For those travelling together, a sliding divider allows for a shared space, and ‘buddy dining’ is possible with stowable tables.

Craftsmanship and Collaboration

British Airways worked with various British and Irish manufacturers to bring the new seat to life. Collins Aerospace, manufactured the seats. Other contributors include Muirhead for leather, Replin for fabrics, and Botany Weaving for carpets.

Passengers will have more personal luggage space, a criticism of its other Business Class cabins. The design also claims to incorporate British Airways’ Concorde heritage.

Customer Feedback and Service

British Airways claims the new design reflects customer preferences, with features like a fully rectangular bed. The airline claims committment to exceptional service, citing benefits like First Wing entry, exclusive lounge access, and priority boarding.

2PAXfly Takeout

The new British Airways’ First Class Suites will debut on the Airbus A380 from mid-2026. The refit will also see an upgrade of Business Class to the latest Club Suites. From glimpses of the ceiling in some of the images, it looks like the First Class cabin is to be relocated to the upper deck, like Emirates has. The First Class seat count is not known, so it may be greater or smaller than the current 14.

BA will also install this version of First Class on its yet-to-be-delivered Boeing 777-9 aircraft. Delivery of these aircraft is also timed for 2026

Lets hope that this completes the death of convict class in Business, and the old saying that British Airways First Class is the best business class in the sky!