British Airways has unveiled its new First Class seats, as part of the airline’s £7 billion overhaul of the onboard experience across its fleet. 

The flagship carrier said the product will emulate ‘the atmosphere of a high-end hotel’, complete with a wider and longer seating area and a sleek, stowable table. 

There will also be a 32-inch 4K TV, a multifunctional ottoman, and a 60-inch curved wall surrounding each seat for optimal privacy. 

Passengers travelling together can also reserve the centre seats, which feature a sliding screen that, when opened, forms a shared lounge. 

The stowable tables can be used for communal meals, should clients wish to dine with their companions on the flight, while a personal luggage locker allows guests to access their belongings more conveniently. 

Other luxury touches include adjustable ambient lighting, mechanical window blinds and soft panelling for improved acoustics. Guests can control many of these functions through a wireless panel, which also includes a ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign that prevents unnecessary interruptions from staff or other passengers. Another tasteful touch is the 79-inch rectangular bed, which has been installed in response to customer requests for a more homelike environment.

The news comes as British Airways launches three new routes to Italy, the single biggest European market it flies to. 

British Airways partnered with design agency Tangerine and Northern Ireland manufacturer Collins Aerospace RTX to create the upgraded seat, which will be introduced on its refurbished fleet of 12 double decker Airbus A380s.

The new cabin forms part of the airline’s A380 retrofit plans and is expected to take to the skies in mid-2026, although British Airways has yet to reveal which exact routes will feature the First Class seats. 

“We’re incredibly proud to launch the next era of First that pushes the boundaries of comfort, luxury and modernity, taking into consideration customer preferences and expectations to the finest detail,” said British Airways’ chief customer officer, Calum Laming.

“This coupled with our incredible colleagues delivering a world-class service, following the launch of our First Service Specialists scheme, as well as the many benefits of flying First such as First Wing entry, access to our award-winning lounges including our Concorde Room and priority boarding, means we truly believe we offer a winning combination in delivering an extraordinary experience for our customers.”