British Airways has unveiled plans for a new Heathrow lounge and upgrades to four cabins for its retrofitted Airbus A380 aircraft—its First, its Club World business-class cabin, its Traveller Plus premium-economy cabin and its World Traveller economy-cabin.
The first completed A380 retrofit is expected to enter service "in the coming months," the carrier announced Monday.
The aircraft will include 12 new First-class seats that British Airways first announced in November 2024. For customers traveling together in center seats, the privacy divider opens to create a "shared lounge." First customers also will have a new woven day blanket, cushion, new sleepwear and slippers.
These amenity updates became available on Oct. 1 for all long-haul outbound flights from London Heathrow. Beginning Oct. 6, First-class passengers will receive a new amenity kit from Swaine. All First-class amenities will be introduced on inbound services "over the coming months," according to BA. Additional First amenity items, such as mouthwash, a comb, razor kit and pen, will be available upon request.
British Airways also has upgraded its First-class dining across its entire long-haul fleet and added a "bespoke mini bar" into the seat, with a selection of snacks and still and sparkling water.
The A380 business-class Club World cabin will include 106 "Club Suites" across the full upper deck. The new seats will have a "refreshed design," added storage and "improved functionality." Club World cabin customers also will receive a new amenity kit with products from Anatomē.
The World Traveller Plus cabin will feature 84 premium-economy seats with larger in-flight screens than currently available, privacy wings, new bedding and pillows, and a new amenity kit designed as a tote bag and featuring Dr. Pawpaw products.
There will be 215 economy seats in the World Traveller cabin. Customers also will see larger in-flight screens than in current economy cabins, wider seats and "upgraded bedding," including a new pillow and "plusher" blankets.
The A380 retrofit and other cabin upgrades are part of a "multi-million-pound investment to enhance the onboard experience," according to BA.
New, Upgraded Heathrow Lounges
British Airways plans to open at the end of 2028 a new lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5 C gates. There will be views of the airfield and concourse area, dedicated areas for dining, relaxation and work, a 17-meter bar and pre-flight shower facilities.
The space also will have a dedicated Concorde lounge with private concierge service, "elevated dining" and "added privacy" for First-class customers.
The new lounge will be part of a redevelopment of the Terminal 5 Arrivals lounge. Refurbishment work is scheduled to begin in early 2027 and be completed by the end of that year. It will include a coffee bar and deli, larger dining areas, quiet relaxation zones and dedicated work booths. There also will be 59 shower rooms, premium shower suites and shared dressing and preparation areas.
Customers traveling in Club World will have access to the newly redeveloped Arrivals lounge. First-class customers will have access to a new Concorde Arrivals experience, with private cabanas and dining areas, according to BA.
Customers traveling in business class and Silver members of the British Airways Club loyalty program and above will have access to the new Terminal 5 C lounge.
In addition, British Airways in collaboration with American Airlines will introduce a new First check-in experience at Heathrow Terminal 3, set to open "this winter." It will be available to customers traveling in First, British Airways Club Gold members and above, and equivalent American Airlines members.