In today’s article we take a look at the new British Airways cabin interior in the wild, which I was recently lucky enough to fly on from Venice. The flight review can be read here.
In this post:
General Points
In March 2024 in London, British Airways unveiled a “£7bn transformation plan” at its ‘In the Skies’ event.
Part of this announcement was a planned upgrade to the short-haul interiors. Unfortunately, they have no plan to retrofit any of their existing aircraft. Instead, the new cabin will be delivered on all brand new Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft, with several deliveries happening this year and in subsequent years to come.
Other than the obviously improved aesthetics, the two standout features are that the Club Europe middle seat leather tray tables are back, and the overhead bins are larger.
During ex-BA CEO Alex Cruz’s cost-cutting reign, he thought it was a good idea to remove the tray tables to “save weight”, which really didn’t go down very well with many people. Personally, it’s great to see them back, albeit we had ours removed for this flight, which I will come on to later.
The other big benefit is larger overhead bins. Since British Airways introduced Economy Basic fares in 2016, there has been an ever-increasing demand for hand luggage only. This has put a lot of pressure on cabin crew who are forced to play Jenga with passengers’ luggage because the overhead space is always full.
There has also been a large increase in BA forcing you to check your hand luggage into the hold. They usually announce from the departure gate that anyone travelling, apart from those in groups 1, 2, and 3, has to check their bag into the hold. So bear this in mind when you book your tickets. If you aren’t a status holder and you’re flying economy, there will be a strong chance you will be ‘forced’ to check your hand baggage into the hold.
The good news is, BA have recognised this issue and introduced larger storage bins. These bins allow wheelie cases to be put in wheels first on their side, meaning you can stack more cases side by side. Once passengers are educated on how the new bins work, I’m sure there will be a slow but gradual improvement in overhead baggage space.
The other notable positive addition is that of the seat back power sockets. Every seat on the aircraft now has a USB-A and a USB-C charging point. The Club Europe cabins’ USB-C are 60W whilst in economy they are 15W. The idea is that more business travellers will be flying in the premium cabin, thus needing more power to charge items such as laptops.
Our Experience
Upon entering the aircraft, you notice improvements straight away. Not only did this one-month-old aircraft still have that new plane smell, but the galley also looks very welcoming with a lovely modern ceiling detail.
Walking down the aisle, you will notice nice blue mood lighting which really sets the tone and the size of the overhead bins are obvious, not too in your face though. My initial feelings looking around the cabin are that it has a very luxurious vibe. So far, so good.
Once sat in 2A and 2C, I took a proper look around. The seat back in front of me was obviously larger and everything seems thinner. The seat itself, the tray table, and the Club Europe middle seat table too.
The power sockets are high up on the left of the seatback, so no more banging your head trying to find them under your seat.
We were travelling with a toddler, so asked the crew if they wouldn’t mind removing the middle tray table so our child could sit in between us. He is only recently two, so we thought it would be easier, whilst he gets used to sitting in his own seat, that he was wedged between Katrina and I.
The crew had no problem with this and whipped it away speedily. I note that the previous version was designed in a way that folded underneath the seat, meaning they didn’t need to be stored, but the crew this time detached it and stored it in an overhead bin. I couldn’t see a way it could fold. There have been issues in the past with not being able to fold it away properly, so maybe this is why they have changed the way it works.
BA sometimes has 4 rows of Club Europe and other times has 12. If they don’t fold, it would be interesting to find out where they store multiple rows of tray tables. I assume in an overhead locker, which really wouldn’t be ideal seeing as they are trying to increase this space specifically for passengers’ bags.
The seat itself felt comfortable, if not a little on the harder side, but during the 2.5 hours I was sat on the seat, I never felt uncomfortable. The headrest does indeed allow you to adjust both the hight and the wings so that you can secure your head for sleeping.
The toilet was a nice upgrade too. It is larger and you can definitely feel the extra space. Again, with modern touches, it really makes a difference.
There was no Wi-Fi installed at the point of writing. I am informed it takes around 3 months from a new aircraft being delivered to Wi-Fi being installed.
Summary
I have to start by saying a massive congratulations to BA for this improved cabin. It’s a big step forward on the previous version, and it’s obvious that it was well thought out.
It’s a shame they won’t be retrofitting it across their short-haul fleet, so annoyingly, for years to come it’s going to be a lottery as to which version you’ll be on and as the older versions reach the near end of their life, there will be a huge difference between them.
27 comments
The factory fit power solution for the original NEOs got in the way of the middle table mechanism, not directly a weight saving initiative.
For the new seats, there is a compartment under the middle seat to store the CE table.
Really useful and interesting information. Thank you.
Not sure I would use the word luxurious to describe a CE cabin! Not sufficient leg room and reclining are problems that I would like to see addressed. My wish for a proper J short haul seat is probably pie in the sky!
I would also love to see this. See my comments to another reader on yesterday’s flight review where I suggest this.
It’s a pity that they did not include like in quite a number of new seats on other airlines a tablet/phone holder since these days pax are expected to bring their own entertainment.
Cheers!
I have also heard a lot of feedback from travellers who would have liked a separate cup holder. One that folds from the tray table without having the tray table down.
100% agree with Mike, an obvious ommision.
As per Greenpen, we can all dream they would have opted for PE style seats to be used on their 3 to 6 hour flights at least.
Iberia have lie flat on their new a321neo xlr
I would be a customer for sure.
I have a return trip to Cyprus in a couple of weeks and would have loved more space and a bigger seat.
Thanks for the review. I note you were in row 2. Are you able to cover the position in row 1 – power, coathook, trays, bins, etc. BA.COM seems to put gold card holders in row 1 by default, but on current layouts I tend to change this to row 2 at the small risk of poorer meal options!
I always get allocated row 1 if it’s available at time of booking but I am one of those who prefer row 2 or 3 so I move. I have always got my food choice in row 2 or 3 and I have the benefit of stretching my legs fully out in front should I wish to. Also being able to hang my iPad on the back of the seat is a bonus.
I don’t know the answers to your questions but I will try and find out.
Hi Donald,
I have just had it confirmed from a member on FlyerTalk forum that
“The table comes out of the armrest. The power supply is between the seats at floor level. The coat hooks fitted to the seats on the front row are for the use of the second row, ask the crew to hand up any jackets”
I hope that helps answer your questions.
I don’t always fly CE on short haul and would like to know if this cabin has the last row with a window or if it’s like the 321 which has taken away the window. I know you’re thinking ‘what idiot would ever want to sit there anyway’ but with my claustrophobia and struggling with people around me, I take the back row, on the aisle, if I travel in economy. Not being able to see out of a window is very difficult and being a terrible flyer, it’s a miracle that I even fly!
Hi Dawn,
Firstly, well done on not letting claustrophobia or dislike to flying hold you back from travelling That’s amazing.
I don’t know the answer to your question but I will do my best to find out for you.
Happy travelling!
Thank you! For many years I didn’t, but finding Amex/Avios/ and all the blogs I have been enjoying long haul in Business since 2014! It’s the only way I can keep flying, so it’s thanks to Michelle, yourselves and others who put the info out there in the first place 🙂
We will absolutely be bringing you lots of what you are used to.
I have just had it confirmed from a member on FlyerTalk forum that the last row doesnt have any windows, just like the A321neos.
I hope that helps you to avoid this row.
thanks for letting me know 🙂
I agree with every word in your report Eugene. I have flown 125 CE sectors in the past year, but being in my usual seat in this latest cabin was, somehow, hugely better than all of the rest. So, I congratulate BA too.
Wow thats a lot of flights.
I’m glad you agree with me. It’s a fresh new look and a large improvement. There really isn’t much to dislike.
Keep them coming BA!
The launch of ah economy hand baggage only fare was a complete mis-step by BA and has led to ridiculous amounts of baggage in the cabin.
It is often the case I am asked to move my small computer backpack from the bin to aid someone else down the aisle with an oversized carryon. I now refuse point blank. I’m not paying for a business seat to put my bag under the seat and restrict my floor space.
Trying to redesign the bins for this mis-step is completely retrograde and self-fulfilling. What is needed is more rigourous implementation of cabin baggage rules by check in and gate staff.
I have seen this play out several times too!
I’m a regular flyer on the LHR to IST/SAW route and while these are “nice” improvements, there is still no entertainment, not even a drop-down map to keep me amused.. Club seats are IDENTICAL pitch and width as Economy and they are really not that great on a 4+ hour flight.
Compare that to THY who put on a 777 with its 180 degree lie flat beds, far superior food and a full entertainment programme.
Before you ask, I have a zillion Avios and goodness knows how many upgrade vouchers, I pay for the flights myself so I’m stuck with what is on offer.
Please Turkish Airlines, switch to OneWorld, or BS switch to Star Alliance.
It was mentioned on FlyerTalk that the A319s with the ex-BMI cabins (G-DBC* series) will be refurbished by the end of this year, and most likely the G-EUY* series (A320s) will be refurbished next year along with the A320/321neos.
This would be great if true although I have not seen anything concrete just yet.
The term “polishing a turd” comes to mind
Club Europe in that guise (Same legroom as economy) is always going to be a joke.
Hi Eugene,
Good luck with you new endeavour and thanks for the reviews you posted so far.
My I please just ask you to take a bit of care with grammar? Your son could not possibly be stuck ‘between Katrina and I’, only between ‘Katrina and ME’ (ME being you of course).
Sorry for being pedantic, but these small issues turn my stomach when I read, haha.
Maybe it’s just ‘I’.
Looking forward to all your future posts!
Kind regards
Frank
I promise to take care of spelling, ‘may’…
Hi Frank.
Easily done, isn’t it! It was my second article. I’m sure with time I will improve.
Thanks for reading.
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