If you’re a plane geek, which we know you are just by being here – there hasn’t been a year this exciting in decades. This is the year of the business class door, and both of the UK’s major airlines have launched their own version of a business class suite.
With both seats unveiled, the race is on to get the seat into the hands of as many passengers as possible. British Airways surprised many by announcing Toronto and Dubai as initial routes, while Virgin Atlantic chose to dedicate all new Airbus A350 deliveries to conquer the contentious NYC market. Thanks to a generous inside source, it appears British Airways is turning up the heat on the NYC competition, bringing retrofitted Boeing 777’s with the new suite into service…
British Airways is currently retrofitting two Boeing 777 aircraft with the latest cabins, including the new Club Suite complete with privacy door. Customers traveling on the BA174 service on the 27th of October will be the first NYC passengers to experience the suite on the new route. This isn’t a one off either. Once the second Boeing 777 is retrofitted this year, it too will join the New York JFK- London Heathrow route.
Though aircraft changes do constantly happen, there are plenty of dates where passengers looking at JFK flights will be able to find the new and updated seat map available.
In other words, if you’re headed to New York after October 27th, the Boeing 777 may be the aircraft of choice, despite love for the Boeing 747 Queen Of The Skies. No 747’s will receive the new suites. If you’re looking for the new suites, do note that the flight numbers may vary by day, but they will absolutely be on a Boeing 777.
The battle for New York is officially on between British Airways and Virgin Atlantic.
Per communications seen by GSTP, British Airways is moving up the launch of Airbus A350-1000 service between London Heathrow and Dubai (DXB) by an entire month and then some. The flights will now begin September 2nd, 2019 rather than October 8th. The flight will operate services BA107 from September 2nd to the 30th, with the exception of the 7th and 8th, as well as BA106 from September 3rd through the 1st of October, with the exception of the 8th and 9th.
It appears that British Airways is trying to get these planes in full gear ASAP, and therefore they’re unlikely to remain on course between London Heathrow and Madrid Barajas for long. The first A350 inaugural flight is scheduled for August 5th, 2019, but it will be surprising if the airline keeps these planes on the route past the end of the month! Get on it, while you can…
Would of though they would have announced the new F seat by now if the flights are already being sold!
Hi Gilbert
Sorry if you’ve already addressed this but do we know (with more certainty?) what flights / flight numbers the A350 will be on for Madrid?
Thanks