British Airways Is Building the Biggest Business Class Anywhere

British Airways has pulled the curtain back on a complete rebuild of its A380 fleet, and the headline number is 106. That is how many Club World business-class seats will fill the entire upper deck, which the airline says makes it the largest business-class cabin in the world. The 12 A380s are getting new seats in every cabin, plus new carpets, galleys and stairways.

Each refitted aircraft will carry 417 seats: 12 in First, 106 in Club World, 84 in World Traveller Plus premium economy and 215 in World Traveller economy. Club World is split into four zones with fully lie-flat seats, privacy doors, 17-inch screens, dedicated lounging areas and Club Kitchens. First gets sliding privacy doors, a stowable table and dividers that middle-seat passengers can open to share space, and at night crew make up the suite with a mattress and a lightweight cotton duvet.

Back in the cabin, the two lower classes get attention too. World Traveller Plus seats gain privacy wings, and both premium economy and economy get larger entertainment screens along with better blankets and pillows. The interiors share the airline’s herringbone pattern and a blue, red and cream palette.

BA showed renderings in early October and says the first refitted A380 returns to service in the coming months. Chairman and CEO Sean Doyle called it one of the most significant transformations the airline has done on any aircraft. The unanswered question for travelers is which routes get the new jets first, so keep an eye on the schedule before booking.

Sources: AirlineGeeks, TravelPulse