British Airways Will Turn The A380’s Entire Upper Deck Into Business Class—Removing 88 Economy Seats

British Airways is removing 88 economy seats from each Airbus A380 and dedicating the plane’s entire upper deck to business class. They’re installing new first class suites, expanding premium economy by more than half, and building a Heathrow lounge with a dedicated Concorde space closer to the gates where many of their largest aircraft depart. It’s a substantial improvement for passengers buying the more expensive seats, and it’s long overdue. British Airways unveiled this first class suite nearly two years ago, and much of the aircraft layout had already leaked. Today’s announcements fills in the details and confirm that nearly half the seats on the refurbished aircraft will be above economy. It’s also interesting to see BA double down on the plane, when other operators are moving away from it. Qantas is accelerating the plane’s retirement. London Heathrow, though, was always one of the archetypal markets where an aircraft of its size was supposed to work because of strong demand and tight slot controls. The airline has released its full A380 cabin plans alongside the next phase of its Heathrow lounge investment. The first refurbished A380s are supposed to start entering service “in the coming months.” The new Terminal 5C lounge won’t open until the end of 2028. Here’s how the aircraft changes: Cabin Current Seats New Seats Change First Class 14 12 -2 Business Class 97 106 +9 Premium Economy 55 84 +29 Economy 303 215 -88 Total 469 417 -52 The layout reported after February’s seat map leak had 110 business class seats and 421 seats overall. BA now confirms 106 business seats. They’re promoting this as the world’s largest business class cabin, but they already have 97 business seats on the aircraft. The increase is nine. The much bigger change is replacing the inferior seats in the cabin with Club Suites, which is itself a seven year old product but one that finally gives every passenger direct aisle access and a door. I like Club Suite. I’ve flown it from Austin to London many times. The Club Kitchen rendering looks like a nicely finished snack and drink cabinet, but it doesn’t impress compared to some competitors or what BA used to offer. Premium economy is where most of the additional premium seats go. That cabin grows from 55 to 84 seats, a 53% increase. The new premium economy seats have privacy wings and larger entertainment screens. New bedding and pillows are coming, along with a reusable tote bag amenity kit containing Dr.PAWPAW balm, socks, an eye mask and a dental kit. Economy gets new seats, larger screens, fuller pillows and better blankets. BA says the seats will be wider, though I can’t imagine the difference is significant. And economy passengers lose the option of sitting upstairs where two-seat window pairs with storage beside them were the best way to fly BA without buying up to a premium cabin. With the new layout, 48.4% of passengers will sit in first class, business class or premium economy, up from 35.4%. BA is giving up 11% of the aircraft’s total seats to devote more space to focus on premium customers’ business. BA is already a premium-heavy airline, in a premium-heavy market, but when demand drops seasonally or in downturns they also need to discount heavily (especially for Europe-origin travelers). I’ve often booked BA despite an unexceptional experience because the schedule and award availability made it the best choice for my family. The new first class will have 12 suites, down from 14. This is the product BA showed in November 2024: a 36.5-inch-wide seat, a 79-inch bed, a 32-inch 4K screen, higher privacy walls and doors, and space for personal luggage. The partition between center seats opens for couples, and passengers can dine together with one person seated on the ottoman. This should be a better seat, but it doesn’t compete with the top of the market even among European carriers. However there are soft product changes in first as well: First dining changed October 1. A new “From the Grill” menu lets passengers choose proteins, sides and sauces. There are also new main courses, serviceware, Studio William cutlery and glasses developed with Richard Brendon and Jancis Robinson. BA names Bollinger La Grande Année among the Champagnes. New First bedding and sleepwear began October 1 on departures from Heathrow. There’s a new day blanket, cushion and navy sleepwear, with a mattress, cotton duvet and pillow for sleeping. Swaine amenity kits arrive October 6. These come in blue or cream and contain Wildsmith skincare products. The inbound rollout of the new First amenities follows over the coming months. Economy and premium economy bedding changes phase in during November. The new premium economy amenity kit follows the same timetable, across the long-haul fleet. A lounge at Terminal 5C has been sorely needed. Passengers departing C had to use lounges in the main terminal or at the B gates, and BA tells them to leave the lounge at least 40 minutes before departure. The new lounge will have airfield views, dining and work areas, showers and a 56-foot long bar. It will also have a separate Concorde lounge with dining for First passengers. BA also says every Heathrow lounge will be redesigned over the coming years. There’s a new joint British Airways–American Airlines First check-in facility opening at Terminal 3 this winter, available to First passengers, BA Gold members and above, and equivalent American elites. Lounge work is also underway in Boston and Newark, with Geneva and San Francisco due for refreshes in 2027. The Heathrow arrivals lounge will be rebuilt starting in early 2027 and is supposed to reopen in a year with a coffee bar and deli, larger dining areas, and a Concorde Arrivals area with private cabanas for First passengers. Topics on this page