THE TELEGRAPH
After Concorde dipped its beak for the last time in 2003, British Airways first-class was the fanciest way to fly. Sir David Tang, the globe-trotting Hong Kong entrepreneur, used to boast that he lived “in Hong Kong, London and British Airways first-class”.
In the past two decades, however, the snazzy UAE-based carriers – Emirates and Etihad – have left BA in their vapour trails by offering customers vast suites, showers and a bar. Last night, BA got back in the game.
Sean Doyle, BA’s chief executive, unveiled a new first-class suite at the flag carrier’s headquarters near Heathrow. “It will take British Airways to the next level,” he said.
Doyle, working with Calum Laming, BA’s chief customer officer, and British and Irish designers and manufacturers, has followed the lead set by the Gulf carriers, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa and Qantas by creating a mini-room at 39,000ft for each first-class passenger. The walls of each suite are 5ft high and the door closes electronically for total privacy. You can change into pyjamas at night and get dressed again in the morning.
The new seat is 3ft wide and the bed is 6ft 7in long, with an ottoman that moves forward and backwards electronically so that travellers of any height can find the most comfortable position. The suite is big enough for two to dine together, one sitting on the seat, the other on the ottoman. When the seat reclines into a flat bed, it reveals a leather wraparound “head board”. Laming has chosen soft grey upholstery, cream fabrics and wood veneer to create a more homely feel than the outgoing suite – and to absorb sound. Silence is golden in first-class.
Each first-class suite has walls which are 5ft high
The television is a 32in 4K screen and the lighting can be adjusted to create whatever brightness you want. Modes include “relax”, “dine”, “twilight”, “sleep”, “wake” and “cinema”. Every suite features a glowing BA speedbird logo. The curves of the sideboard and the lamp were inspired by the wings of Concorde, Laming says.
