BA to squeeze in more seats on Gatwick 777s
Still reeling from criticism for downgrading its in-flight meal services, British Airways has now confirmed plans to add an extra economy seat in each row of its Gatwick-based Boeing 777 aircraft.
From 2018, the airline will add a 10th seat in each row, giving economy cabins planes the 3-4-3 lay-out already used by many of its competitors.
It said the move would help make it more competitive and keep down fares.
Unveiling the plans at the IAG Capital Markets Day, it hinted the move would help it compete with the likes of low-cost rival Norwegian on transatlantic routes.
BA boss Alex Cruz told investors the ‘densification’ of the aircraft would bring seat costs below Norwegian’s 787.
The changes will mean an extra 52 seats will be squeezed in, bringing the total to 332 seats, although the number of toilets will stay the same.
Club World cabins will be reduced from 40 to 32 seats, World Traveller Plus will double to 48 seats, and 36 extra seats will be added to World Traveller economy seats.
The re-fit will also include a few of the B777s operating out of Heathrow.
BA said it would also be fitting new larger entertainment systems and would be investing in its long-haul business class.
Meanwhile, BA will be installing an extra two rows of seats across its short-haul A320 and A321 fleet.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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