New First Class Suite planned for British Airways A380s

British Airways will refresh the first class cabins beginning with its A380 fleet. The new seats are expected to fly in 2026, offering increased space, comfort, and privacy on board.

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. – Calum Laming, British Airways’ Chief Customer Officer

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The new seat is both wider – 36.5inches – and longer – a bed length of 79inches – than the current iteration. It keeps the ottoman for buddy dining, with the whole thing ensconced behind a 60″ high wall for privacy.

On the entertainment front the seat includes a 32″ display, plus a digital control tablet. Power for passenger devices is provided via a universal AC outlet plus both USB-A and USB-C. Wireless device charging is also included.

The higher walls mean no overhead bins in the cabin, but passengers will still have plenty of space for their belongings. A small closet is included in each suite.

In the prior generation of the suite a divider between the center pair of seats provided privacy. In the new iteration it provides both privacy and access, going all the way to floor level rather than only half-way down.

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British Airways worked with a number of UK and Ireland-based partners to bring the new seat to life. The initial concept was developed by Tangerine Design, with manufacturing handled by Collins Aerospace‘s Kilkeel facility. This is the first time Collins has manufactured a first class seat at its Northern Ireland site.

Fabric, padding, stitching, and trim are provided by Muirhead, Replin, Amann Group, Trimite Global Coatings, MGR Foamtex, and Botany Weaving. All of those companies operate in the UK and Ireland.

In addition to the updated A380 layout the new seat is expected to fly on BA’s 777X fleet, whenever Boeing gets around to being able to deliver that to airlines.