Jun 16, 2014, 7:00 am
Last edit by: TCX69
In late 2014/early 2015 British Airways has refurbished all of its A320 and A321 fleet (ex-bmi aircraft are not to be refurbished, and A319 conversions are still undergoing--see below) to an interior of:
The Shorthaul Boeing fleet (Gatwick 737s, Heathrow 767s) will not be refurbished. These aircraft will remain with a business class seat pitch of 34", width of 19.5" and recline of 4.5", and with an economy class seat pitch of 31", width of 18" and recline of 4.5".
The ex-bmi A319 and A320 aircraft will not be refurbished. These aircraft will remain with a seat pitch of 30", width of 18" and recline of 3" in both business and economy.
Mainline BA Shorthaul Airbus Seat Pitch Changes
A319 business class from 34" to 30"
A320 business class from 34" to 30"
A321 business class from 34" to 30"
A319 economy class from 31" to 29"
A320 economy class from 31" to 30"
A321 economy class from 31" to 30"
Mainline BA Shorthaul Airbus Seat Width Changes
A319 business class from 19.5" to 17"
A320 business class from 19.5" to 17"
A321 business class from 19.5" to 17"
A319 economy class from 18" to 17"
A320 economy class from 18" to 17"
A321 economy class from 18" to 17"
Mainline BA Shorthaul Airbus Seat Recline Changes
A319/A320/A321 business class from 4.5" to 3"
A319/A320/A321 economy class from 4.5" to 2"
The A320 aircraft fitted with in flight entertainment (IFE) will continue to offer it for use on selected flights of 3 hours and over (Band 4) – ATH/IST/LCA. These aircraft no longer offer in-seat power.
Detailed description of the new seats and cabin design, courtesy of lhrsinsyd
New seat plans
courtesy of TCX69
Completed Aircraft - 28 Apr 16
courtesy of TCX69
A319
All Complete
A320
All Complete
A321
All Complete
- Business class (Club Europe/CE) seat pitch of 30", width of 17" and recline of 3";
- Economy class (Euro Traveller/ET) seat pitch of 29-30", width of 17" and recline of 2".
The Shorthaul Boeing fleet (Gatwick 737s, Heathrow 767s) will not be refurbished. These aircraft will remain with a business class seat pitch of 34", width of 19.5" and recline of 4.5", and with an economy class seat pitch of 31", width of 18" and recline of 4.5".
The ex-bmi A319 and A320 aircraft will not be refurbished. These aircraft will remain with a seat pitch of 30", width of 18" and recline of 3" in both business and economy.
Mainline BA Shorthaul Airbus Seat Pitch Changes
A319 business class from 34" to 30"
A320 business class from 34" to 30"
A321 business class from 34" to 30"
A319 economy class from 31" to 29"
A320 economy class from 31" to 30"
A321 economy class from 31" to 30"
Mainline BA Shorthaul Airbus Seat Width Changes
A319 business class from 19.5" to 17"
A320 business class from 19.5" to 17"
A321 business class from 19.5" to 17"
A319 economy class from 18" to 17"
A320 economy class from 18" to 17"
A321 economy class from 18" to 17"
Mainline BA Shorthaul Airbus Seat Recline Changes
A319/A320/A321 business class from 4.5" to 3"
A319/A320/A321 economy class from 4.5" to 2"
The A320 aircraft fitted with in flight entertainment (IFE) will continue to offer it for use on selected flights of 3 hours and over (Band 4) – ATH/IST/LCA. These aircraft no longer offer in-seat power.
Detailed description of the new seats and cabin design, courtesy of lhrsinsyd
New seat plans
courtesy of TCX69
Completed Aircraft - 28 Apr 16
courtesy of TCX69
A319
All Complete
A320
All Complete
A321
All Complete
New Shorthaul Cabins
Sep 15, 2014, 7:37 am
#751
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
Posts: 12,551
I have operated four flights with the new seating and I have to say that most customers really do like the new seats and find them more comfortable. I have only had one customer say he did not like them and he was rather tall and sitting in CE. In general the reaction has been very positive contrary to what I read on here, so I do very much doubt that there will be a reversal.
It would probably also be positive from passengers who do not travel regularly on BA and compare it to the LCC's.
For CE passengers there has been a marked reduction in legroom.
Plus domestic/status passengers who select forward seats that used to have extra CE legroom there has been a marked reduction in legroom.
Sep 15, 2014, 7:50 am
#753
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Mucci de la Cuisine Aérienne du Réseau Courte Durée de British Airways
Posts: 4,704
For the majority on the plane the seat pitch has not decreased (except for the A319) and the actual legroom has possibly increased due to the thinner seats as well as the cabin being much newer, so I'm not surprised that the general reaction is positive.
It would probably also be positive from passengers who do not travel regularly on BA and compare it to the LCC's.
For CE passengers there has been a marked reduction in legroom.
Plus domestic/status passengers who select forward seats that used to have extra CE legroom there has been a marked reduction in legroom.
It would probably also be positive from passengers who do not travel regularly on BA and compare it to the LCC's.
For CE passengers there has been a marked reduction in legroom.
Plus domestic/status passengers who select forward seats that used to have extra CE legroom there has been a marked reduction in legroom.
After reading FT, I was expecting a lot of complaints but I can honestly tell you that even after my asking them for their views, the majority, bar the very tall man, were very positive, even those sitting in CE.
Sep 15, 2014, 7:54 am
#754
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Brighton and Hove, UK
Programs: LH FTL, BA Silver, Thameslink Delay Repay
Posts: 1,248
But even during boarding/disembarking, I just flat out dislike the lighting - the blue when you're trying to settle down and get comfortable in your window seat looks like those anti-drug abuse toilet lights:
Sep 15, 2014, 8:01 am
#755
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: Mucci de la Cuisine Aérienne du Réseau Courte Durée de British Airways
Posts: 4,704
Thanks for the clarification, maybe they were indeed set incorrectly. I do seem to recall them being switched to the golden light at some point.
But even during boarding/disembarking, I just flat out dislike the lighting - the blue when you're trying to settle down and get comfortable in your window seat looks like those anti-drug abuse toilet lights:
But even during boarding/disembarking, I just flat out dislike the lighting - the blue when you're trying to settle down and get comfortable in your window seat looks like those anti-drug abuse toilet lights:
Sep 15, 2014, 8:38 am
#756
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: UK
Programs: I go wherever the content takes me.
Posts: 5,698
New Shorthaul Cabins
Just sat down in 3F. It's fine. No idea what the fuss is about.
I'm not a tall guy but I am a 34" inside leg. Not even near touching the back of the seat in front.
I'm not a tall guy but I am a 34" inside leg. Not even near touching the back of the seat in front.
Sep 15, 2014, 9:22 am
#757
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: UK
Programs: BAEC Silver
Posts: 162
For me personally, it is a major reduction in the product I've gotten used to. That said, since my first try of it, I haven't had a problem getting a seat in row 1. As long as that continues then i'll be a happy customer
Sep 15, 2014, 9:27 am
#758
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Canterbury, UK
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Diamond + Ambassador, Accor Gold, Avis President's Club, Heathrow Rewards
Posts: 2,471
I'm afraid overall the reduction in seat pitch is a pretty big deterioration of the CE product IMHO. SH travel was grim enough as it is compared to CW or F on LH, and it seems to continue to spiral downwards.
Sep 15, 2014, 9:38 am
#760
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,930
Sep 15, 2014, 9:42 am
#761
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: All over the place often South Wales and Lake District
Programs: BA Gold for Life Accor Platinum
Posts: 4,552
I agree with a lot of what you say but I have been asking GCHs who are seated in CE and unlike all of you on here that are completely interested in every little detail about BA, many just assume it is a new aircraft and some have not even noticed the difference.
After reading FT, I was expecting a lot of complaints but I can honestly tell you that even after my asking them for their views, the majority, bar the very tall man, were very positive, even those sitting in CE.
After reading FT, I was expecting a lot of complaints but I can honestly tell you that even after my asking them for their views, the majority, bar the very tall man, were very positive, even those sitting in CE.
Sep 15, 2014, 10:21 am
#762
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: BA LifetimeGold GGL/CCR
Posts: 1,140
I have operated four flights with the new seating and I have to say that most customers really do like the new seats and find them more comfortable. I have only had one customer say he did not like them and he was rather tall and sitting in CE. In general the reaction has been very positive contrary to what I read on here, so I do very much doubt that there will be a reversal.
Sep 15, 2014, 10:44 am
#765
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,930
If you have short arms, yes but it will be a bit tight. If the seat in front is reclined then no, you will likely be unable to read the screen.