British Airways recently announced in an interview with The Sunday Times that it will invest hundreds of millions of pounds in the renovation of 12 Airbus A380. Sean Doyle, the company’s CEO, hopes that the process will result in the planes offering an excellent onboard product and extending the aircraft’s life.
As detailed by our associated media, Aeroin, the plans include improvements to the existing First Class seats, the new and popular Business Class Club suites, as well as the installation of the newly created Premium Economy and Economy product. With the advent of the Club Suites, passengers have direct access to the aisle and more space and privacy.
This renovation will change the flight experience with British Airways on the A380, especially on routes to the United States.
British Airways never seriously considered retiring the double-deckers during the pandemic. The high number of seats will be quite profitable at the overcrowded London-Heathrow airport. However, the company has not yet announced when the renovation will begin.
According to Doyle, the renovation should offer «an exceptional flight experience» onboard these aircraft.
British Airways incorporated its first A380 in July 2013 (G-XLEA), while the last one (G-XLEL) entered the fleet in June 2016. On average, they are 9.3 years old. Their configuration is 14 seats in First, 97 in Business, 66 in Premium Economy, and 303 in Economy.
A380 Flights
British Airways deploys its A380 fleet to nine of its main long-haul destinations from London/Heathrow.
According to information gathered by Aviacionline through Cirium, the A380 flight schedule in July is composed as follows:
- San Francisco: one daily flight.
- Chicago/O’Hare: one daily flight.
- Miami: one daily flight.
- Johannesburg: two daily flights.
- Washington-Dulles: one daily flight.
- Dubai: three weekly flights.
- Dallas/Fort Worth: one daily flight.
- Boston: one daily flight.
The A380 represents 15.4% of the capacity offered (ASK) with British Airways’ widebody fleet, almost one percentage point ahead of the A350 (14.1%) and behind the 777 (45.4%) and the 787 (25.1%).
Starting in November, British Airways will also deploy its A380s to Los Angeles with a daily flight.
The rest of the airline’s widebody fleet consists of 14 A350-1000s, 43 Boeing 777-200s, 16 777-300ERs, 12 Boeing 787-8s, 18 787-9s, and 7 787-10s.
