British Airways has new renders out for the forthcoming first class suite that it plans to refit onto its Airbus A380s, and it looks superb. The seat is elegant, with a classic feel to it that looks immediately comfortable, secluded and plush.
It’s lightyears ahead of the airline’s current product in every way, and the airline — and its most lucrative customers — should be very pleased with it.
Let’s dive in further to the released renders.
BA says the seat is 36.5 inches wide, with a bed length of 79 inches (6’7”, or 2 metres), and its grey-blue leather armrests and headrest, together with the fabric seat coverings, make for an attractive whole.
The airline has worked with Tangerine as designers, Collins Aerospace as manufacturers, and suppliers that include several in the UK, including Muirhead, Replin, Amann, Trimite, MGR Foamtex and Botany Weaving.
In a pleasing addition, and elegantly for a modern first class convertible seat-bed (as opposed to separate seat-bunk style), centre pairs can retract the middle divider wall to create a duo suite.
It’s notable, though, that British Airways has not shown this in the almost-double-bed that the movable wall enables. Indeed, there’s no soft product shown with the exception of a single glass on the side table, so I’d expect further details to emerge between now and when the product is installed on its first refit aircraft.
The red pop also appears inside the sizeable wardrobe, accessible from the outside of the suite, with enough space to roll a carry-on straight on in while still hanging a full outfit above.
These red pops are great colour, materials and finish choices, as are the warm depth of the beige horizontally quilted fabric behind the passenger’s head, above which is featured the current Speedmarque motif — right above the head in selfie mode.
This horizontal quilting extends around the wall side of the shroud, as well as above the inflight entertainment monitor (an impressive 32 inches, even if some six feet away from the passenger).
Other attractive elements include the curved lamp above the dining table, which lends an attractive touch with another subtle wing motif, as well as the partner dining that the large footrest and extendable table enable.
Mood lighting settings, via the large tablet that docks in the aisle-side wall, include relax, dine and cinema. Next to the tablet are AC, USB-A and USB-C outlets, while a wireless charging point is in the side armrest table area.
It’s interesting that BA’s press release doesn’t mention the clearly visible mini-bar in the aisle-side wall, which seems to be split into two sections, one below for water and one above for snacks, which appear to include a bag of rainbow Skittles as well as a small jar of something else (perhaps nuts?) and a white bag that may well be potato crisps.
Also perhaps on the soft product side is what seems to be a high cabinet storage space in front of the mini-bar, which is neither mentioned nor shown.
That’s surprising: this seems to be a sizeable space in a useful spot, although at certain angles it does lean towards feeling like flying in a futuristic, designer kitchen with the work surface and storage cabinets both above and below. One to experience from the angle of the actual seat, for certain.
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All images credited to British Airways
