Hello British Airways Club Suite, Move over Club World

Hello British Airways Club Suite

After weeks of teases and rumours of actual product type, it is here! The wait is over and its safe to say British Airways has not disappointed in any way. The sharp folks analysing the teaser pictures were right.

It is a customised version of the Collins Aerospace Super Diamond, manufactured in Northern Ireland and customized by British Airways’ in-house design team.

Here is the official new British Airways Business class in all its glory..

British Airways has unveiled its new business class seat

Sleek hey?!

Features

To summarise here is what is different and great about this new product

– Roomy 1-2-1 layout, direct aisle access for all
– A reverse herringbone seat with 30 degree angle towards the windows so you can enjoy all the glorious views as you pass the world beneath
– A privacy door, essentially what equips the product to be labelled as a suite.
– Impressive 4k 18inch entertainment screen
– Gate to gate entertainment so you need not spend the first or last bits of the flight twiddling your thumbs
– 40% more storage space
– New vanity unit/mirror
– The seat measure 6 ft 6 in length and 21″

One notable feature lacking however is a Do Not Disturb in the suite. Perhaps that’s just not obvious from the pictures released.

Club World History

The vast leap forward shouldn’t really be a total surprise. For BA was once a leading pioneer of a business class features we take for granted today… the fully flat bed in the skies, which BA rolled out way back in 2000.

The second generation of this Club World flat bed was introduced in 2006, and not much as changed since.

Meanwhile, all other airlines, especially the Middle Eastern and Asian carriers have not only caught up but gone far beyond.

Debut

As planned this superb new suites will debut with the introduction of BA’s new A350-1000 in July, already an improvement in itself due to quoter engines, better air pressurisation.

Initial destinations

The first A350 with the new club suite will be deployed in a short 2 hour hop between London & Madrid
As is standard for aircrew training, equipment familiarisation phase for any airlines.

Beyond that the first proper routes are to be Toronto from 1st October and Dubai from 8th October.

Final thoughts

Have to give it to BA for finally producing something that can get us all exciting about premium travel. You can read more from their press release here

But I can’t help but wonder with the far less density on offer what that means for club suite prices if they can fit less of them?
In any case, even though my year is already booked out with travels I sure will try and fit something in to fly in those suites!