There’s a new First suite due to take flight in 2026.
British Airways’ First Class Suite has undergone several iterations. The precursor to the current seat was launched in 2010, with a facelift in 2015, and then an improved suite with a privacy door was launched in 2020. It’s a good seat, but it shows its age. BA’s First was a market leader, but it’s now closer to some airlines’ business class seats than First.
What’s happening to First Class?
Back in late 2024, British Airways announced a new First Class suite. It’s the most significant upgrade to First in the last decade, and it acts as confirmation that BA still see a future in that cabin. They are one of the few European carriers with First Class. Many airlines have elevated their Business class and removed First from their planes.
The new First suite looks outstanding. The cabin is clad in dark colours, as is the outer shell of the suite. Inside, it’s lighter, with oatmeal fabrics and walls. The arms of the chair, and the headrest are a dark rey, as is the footrest that becomes part of the lay-flat bed.
The cabin will be in a 1-2-1 layout, with every suite having aisle access. The two suites in the middle of the cabin will have a full-height door between them.
Typically, middle seats will have an opening that allows couples to create a shared space. This is usually at table height, allowing you to see and talk to a travelling companion. The new BA First Suite allows you to walk between the two middle seats, if you so wish.
Inside the suite, there are splashes of red colour. Firstly, in the luggage and suit cupboard.
And there’s more red in the hangbag or laptop bag storage inside the suite.
Which planes have the new First Class?
In 2026, the new First will launch on retrofitted A380s. The airline has twelve of these, and they will be upgraded between 2026 and 2028.
There is no indication of which routes will get the new suite first. BA currently flies the A380 to five destinations.
- Miami (twice daily)
- Johannesburg (twice daily)
- Dubai (once daily)
- Los Angeles (once daily)
- San Francisco (once daily)
The A380 will also have its business class cabins upgraded to the Club Suite, taking BA closer to their whole fleet having a single business class seat.
Whilst BA still has a First cabin, the number of First Class seats available across its fleet has reduced since the 747 was retired. The A380 has the highest number (fourteen), whilst the 777 and 787 have just eight.
Not all 777’s and 787s have a First cabin either. The Gatwick-based 777s do not. BA’s 787-8 is a three-class cabin (Economy, Premium, Business).
The second plane to get the suite will be the new 777X. These are expected to be delivered by Boeing in 2027 at the earliest. This plane is DELAYED.
BA has also said that the 777-300 will not get the new first suites anytime soon. They were recently upgraded to the 2020 version, so they are likely to be the very last plane to be updated.
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