Europe is probably the least competitive region in the world when it comes to the quality of seating provided on continental flights. Just about all aircraft feature tightly packed seats, no seat back entertainment, and no proper business class seat (but rather just economy seats with a blocked middle). While I know some people disagree, personally I’d take business class within the United States over business class within Europe any day of the week.
Along those lines, British Airways is making updates to the cabins of its narrow body jets. The seats have some minor differences compared to the previous product, so let’s take a look at what’s changing. I first wrote about this in early March (when it was announced), but the first aircraft with new interiors is now in service, and we have some “real” pictures.
British Airways’ new short haul Airbus seats
British Airways is introducing the Collins Aerospace Meridian seat as its new short haul product, in both Club Europe (business class) and Euro Traveller (economy class). What changes will passengers notice?
- The seat has new stitching and a new pattern, which adds a bit of pizzaz to the cabin
- For passengers in Club Europe, this product features the return of the tray on the middle seat; this is something that British Airways otherwise eliminated years ago
- All Club Europe seats feature 60W USB-A and USB-C outlets, while all Euro Traveller seats feature 15W USB-A and USBC outlets; in the process, the airline is eliminating AC power outlets, which are currently in the forward rows of some aircraft
- These planes feature Airbus’ Airspace cabins with larger overhead bins, but that’s something that British Airways has already started rolling out on some aircraft
- While you’ll find the same seats in Club Europe and Euro Traveller, there is marginally more legroom ahead of the exit row
You can find some pictures and a video of the new seats below.
With new seats being installed, the overall cabin capacity is remaining the same. The Airbus A321neos with the new configuration also feature 220 seats, with the option to adjust the size of the business class cabin based on premium cabin demand for a particular flight.
Which planes have British Airways’ new short haul seats?
This new product is being installed on all newly delivered Airbus A320-family aircraft, as of the spring of 2024. British Airways recently took delivery of its first A321neo with the new cabins, which has the registration code G-TNED. Beyond that, the airline has 12 Airbus A320neos and seven Airbus A321neos on order, which should be delivered in the coming months. All of those planes will feature the new cabins.
Unfortunately British Airways doesn’t have plans to retrofit any existing aircraft. British Airways currently has nearly 120 Airbus A320-family aircraft, so it’ll truly be luck of the draw whether you get these new cabins. The lack of consistency will no doubt be disappointing to some.
Bottom line
British Airways is introducing new cabins for its short haul aircraft. With this, we’re seeing the introduction of new seat patterns, USB-A and USB-C outlets at every seat, and middle seat trays in business class.
This has now debuted on the first Airbus A321neo, and you can expect it on all Airbus narrow body deliveries going forward. Unfortunately there are no plans to retrofit existing aircraft, though, so your odds of getting the new cabin are quite low.
What do you make of British Airways’ new short haul cabins?
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