In mid-2019, British Airways introduced an all-new business class product, which represents a massive improvement compared to the carrier’s previous product. As is often the case when airlines introduce new business class seats, the challenge is actually getting a plane featuring those seats.
While the airline had at the time outlined a rollout schedule for this new product, as you’d expect, the pandemic has delayed things a bit. So in this post I wanted to take a look at the current state of British Airways’ Club Suites rollout.
In this post:
What are British Airways Club Suites?
Club Suites is the name of British Airways’ new business class product. This cabin consists of reverse herringbone seats with doors — specifically, British Airways selected a modified version or the Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seat. This gives each passenger a fully flat bed, direct aisle access, and a privacy door.
This is an excellent product, among the best business class seats you’ll find out there. Read my review of British Airways Club Suites here.
While this is objectively a solid business class product, what makes it most exciting is how much of an improvement it is over British Airways’ old Club World business class. British Airways’ previous business class product consisted of seven to eight seats per row (depending on the plane and layout), and was among the tightest business class products out there.
You can always tell if your flight is scheduled to feature Club Suites based on the seatmap. If you’re flying a wide body British Airways jet and the seatmap shows four seats per row in business class, then your flight features Club Suites. Meanwhile if it shows more seats per row than that, then it doesn’t feature the new business class.
Of course keep in mind that last minute aircraft swaps can happen, especially for routes operated by planes that don’t have full product consistency.
Which planes have British Airways Club Suites?
Back in 2019, British Airways announced it planned to complete its Club Suites installation by 2025. At the time the airline shared the below graph about the rollout schedule.
As you’d expect, a lot has changed since then — British Airways retired the 747, the Boeing 777-9 is delayed until at least 2025, etc. So let’s take a look at the current state of British Airways introducing Club Suites.
I should mention that aside from routes operated by planes that exclusively have Club Suites, British Airways doesn’t really guarantee Club Suites on other routes. The exception is London (LHR) to New York (JFK), where the airline does consistently fly 777s with Club Suites.
All Airbus A350-1000s have Club Suites
All British Airways Airbus A350-1000s feature Club Suites. This was the first plane to feature Club Suites, and all planes have been delivered factory fresh with the new cabins. The airline has a total of 18 of these on order — 13 have been delivered so far, and we should see the remaining five join British Airways’ fleet in the next year or so.
All Boeing 787-10s have Club Suites
All British Airways Boeing 787-10s feature Club Suites, as they were all delivered with these cabins. Aside from the A350-1000, this is the only other plane to have 100% consistency when it comes to Club Suites. The airline has a total of 12 of these on order — five have been delivered so far, and you can expect the remaining planes to join the fleet in the next couple of years.
Most Boeing 777-200ERs have Club Suites
This is where it gets a little tricky. British Airways has 43 Boeing 777-200ERs — 28 of those are based at Heathrow Airport, while 15 of those are based at Gatwick Airport. British Airways doesn’t have plans to reconfigure the Gatwick jets anytime soon, since they operate leisure oriented routes.
So far 25 of the 28 Heathrow based 777-200ERs have Club Suites. One plane is currently being reconfigured, so that means only two Heathrow based 777-200ERs are in service with the old cabins. It’s expected that the remaining two jets will be reconfigured in the coming months. So the Heathrow 777-200ERs have a high percentage of Club Suites, while the overall 777-200ER fleet has a lower percentage with Club Suites.
Most Boeing 777-300ERs have Club Suites
British Airways has 16 Boeing 777-300ERs, and 10 of those feature Club Suites. It’s expected that the remaining planes will feature the new cabins by some point in 2023.
No Boeing 787-8s have Club Suites
British Airways has 12 Boeing 787-8s, and none of them feature Club Suites. It’s expected that retrofits on these planes will start in late 2023, though it could be 2025 before all planes are reconfigured.
No Boeing 787-9s have Club Suites
British Airways has 18 Boeing 787-9s, and none of them feature Club Suites. It’s expected that retrofits on these planes will start in late 2023, though it could be 2025 before all planes are reconfigured.
No Airbus A380s have Club Suites
British Airways parked its Airbus A380 fleet at the start of the pandemic, and only recently brought these planes back to service. Currently there are no firm plans for these planes to be reconfigured with Club Suites.
What about first class on planes with Club Suites?
This is a question that frequently comes up, so in the interest of being thorough, I figured I’d address it. For planes that have been reconfigured with Club Suites, what happened to the first class seats?
- British Airways 777-200ERs have the same first class seats as before, so it’s interesting that there are doors at the seats in business class, but not in first class; the cabin has been reduced in size from 14 seats to eight seats
- British Airways 777-300ERs have new first class seats with doors, which represent a marginal improvement over the old product; the size of the cabin has also been reduced from 14 seats to eight seats
- British Airways 787-10s have the same first class seats that you’ll find on 787-9s
- Airbus A350-1000s don’t have a first class cabin
Bottom line
British Airways has made good progress with rolling out its Club Suites business class product, though the airline is still quite a ways from offering this product consistently. Currently you’re guaranteed Club Suites on the A350-1000 and 787-10, you’ll most likely get Club Suites on the 777-200ER and 777-300ER, and you won’t get Club Suites on the 787-8, 787-9, and A380. In late 2023, 787-8s and 787-9s should start to get Club Suites.
If you are flying British Airways business class, it’s definitely worth seeking out the new Club Suites product.
What’s your take on British Airways’ Club Suites rollout schedule?
They are swapping out the 787-10 to a 777-2 on the SEA/LHR route later this year. While I am hoping the new suites are 100% by then, the biggest pain now is rise the cabin pressure altitude on the 777. The dreamliners are just fantastic - I have never arrived in such good shape, little to no bloating, no dry skin, feel like I get over jet lag quicker.
I am flying today 4th March LHR to ATL and it has the old product…. ATL used to have the A350 which was amazing but sadly I seem to be on the last 777-200 that doesn’t have the suite. Gutted!
BA is still swapping out aircraft last minute far too often that you can't have confidence you will have the suite and not the truly diabolical old seats. Until all aircraft are upgraded, it really isn't worth the risk, in my experience. That they think they can sub in those dreadful seats on JFK-LHR, shows just how much a CMA investigation is needed into BA and the competitive landscape.
Flying SFO-LHR at the end of May - fingers crossed for new club suite! Booking map still showing old layout, hopefully that isn't a done deal! :(
Would appreciate your thoughts on this- flying on March 12 out of LHR to PHL on BA 777-300. When I booked, and on google flights it just showed the old business class seat. Now on google it shows the suite. On BA it’s still showing the old layout. Any thoughts on if there’s going to be an equipment switch or if it’s just a google glitch?
"British Airways doesn’t have plans to reconfigure the Gatwick jets anytime soon, since they operate leisure oriented routes"
Is this still true in 2023?
If they are replacing the old first on 777-300 it’s not a “marginal improvement”. It’s huge. So thanks for the good news!
Those old 2010 “wingback” seats with swing out ife screens are ancient worn out crap. Every one I’ve sat it was frayed, stained, chipped, broken, with wobbly tables and 1990’s quality lcd tv. Gross. Hardly a first class experience. The newer first seats on 787-9 & -10 are fine. W/doors even better!...
If they are replacing the old first on 777-300 it’s not a “marginal improvement”. It’s huge. So thanks for the good news!
Those old 2010 “wingback” seats with swing out ife screens are ancient worn out crap. Every one I’ve sat it was frayed, stained, chipped, broken, with wobbly tables and 1990’s quality lcd tv. Gross. Hardly a first class experience. The newer first seats on 787-9 & -10 are fine. W/doors even better! You can change into pajamas in your seat and don’t have to stand in someone else’s pee in the lav.
I would still opt for the old first with no door on a plane versus club suites. Don’t get me wrong, love the club suites but the first cabin is small and private and you get Concorde room access. I don’t often close the door on club suites as find it a bit claustrophobic but a great product and massive improvement.
Flying BA F on the 787-10 tomorrow. Crazy that the J cabin has doors but the F cabin does not!
You are getting a very good and very new plane and cabin. I think I would prefer a 787-10 first class over 777-300 first w/doors as it’s basically the same seat in a far superior plane (higher cabin pressure, quieter, newer etc. )
Am excited to try the doors though!
I'm flying BA 297 LHR-ORD in August, according to BA it it will be on 777 but when i choose the seating it is still the ugly business class, i HATE BA old business class.. crossing my fingers they will reconfigure all the 777 by August!
I am surprised that you have information about BA retirement of the A380 as this time last year they were talking about a refit with the new club suite and first class product beginning early this year, I do hope your wrong and they continue to fly the A380 for years to come.
Clicked on this post mainly to see the new photos of the 777, which are excellent as always (always love the snaps of cabins "below" the one you've booked, which is business class in this case)
@ Alvin | YTHK -- Hahaha, always impressed by how observant you are.