British Airways Just Unveiled a New First Class Suite with Extra-wide Seats and a Privacy Wall— See Inside

26.11.2024 - 18:37 / travelandleisure.com / Calum Laming

British Airways will introduce a new, extra wide first class suite on planes between the United States and London, making a trip across the pond even more luxe. 

The new seat, which British Airways told Travel + Leisure is expected to hit the skies in mid-2026, will feature a 36.5-inch-wide seat in soft gray that converts into a 79-inch-long rectangular bed that will surely help travelers beat jet lag on red eye flights to Europe. The suite includes a separate ottoman, a 32-inch 4K TV screen, and a 60-inch curved wall for privacy.

The new first class suites will be available as part of the airline’s plans to retrofit its Airbus A380 aircraft.

Courtesy of British Airways

“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,” British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer Calum Laming said in a statement shared with T+L. “This coupled with our incredible colleagues delivering a world-class service… means we truly believe we offer a winning combination in delivering an extraordinary experience for our customers.”   

Courtesy of British Airways

The suite’s new features extend beyond the seat itself, allowing travelers to customize the experience with adjustable mood lighting offering “relax,” “dine,” and “cinema” modes, as well as choose to spend time with others thanks to a sliding divider that can open to create a shared space. And for passengers who want some alone time: the seat features a new “do not disturb” option on the wireless control tablet.

Courtesy of British Airways

Part of the Oneworld Alliance, British Airways operates direct flights to several major cities in the U.S., including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Boston, Houston, Atlanta, San Diego, Washington D.C., and more. Next year, the airline also plans to open a new club lounge at Miami International Airport (MIA).

The carrier intends to operate its highest number of flights from North America to London next summer complete with 28 extra flights per week.