For years, BA’s famous advertising campaign proclaimed the company to be ‘the world’s favourite airline’.
But in a move that may test the patience of its loyal fliers, British Airways will now squeeze long-haul passengers into seats that are almost ten per cent smaller.
The airline, which has come under pressure from budget carriers, will squeeze an extra seat into each row.
It announced a makeover this week for the World Traveller section on its Boeing 777 routes from Gatwick to North and South America.
British Airways will now squeeze long-haul passengers into seats that are almost ten per cent smaller in a move that may test the patience of its loyal fliers
However, the UK’s largest airline failed to reveal that passengers flying in economy will have to squeeze into smaller seats.
The size of long-haul seats will be reduced by 1.5 inches, but will see 12 more seats added, according to industry experts.
The World Traveller section – the company’s full-service economy class on flights beyond Europe – will now have ten seats in every row, instead of nine.
It will move from a 3-3-3 to a 3-4-3 seating layout, The Daily Telegraph reported.
BA insisted its ‘elegant new seats’ would have TV screens that are 50 per cent larger.
But it is feared that the changes could make passengers feel uncomfortable on flights of up to 11 hours.
The airline, which has come under pressure from budget carriers, will squeeze an extra seat into each row, with ten seats instead of nine
The refurbished aircraft will fly as far away as Jamaica, the Dominican Republic and Cancun in Mexico.
The design will be rolled out next year to all BA long-haul flights from Gatwick.
The airline announced on Monday that it was planning to launch no-frills ‘basic economy’ fares on its long-haul flights.
The tickets are expected to be between ten and 20 per cent cheaper, but do not include seat selection or checked-in luggage.
BA said in a statement: ‘In April 2018, we will be introducing a new long-haul basic economy fare on selected transatlantic routes.
The airline announced on Monday that it was planning to launch no-frills ‘basic economy’ fares on its long-haul flights
‘The new fare will give customers a lower price point and more choice.’
The airline also promised that within the next two years wireless internet will be accessible on all flights. The changes come after they announced a series of changes due to competition with budget rivals.
BA stopped free food on its short-haul flights in 2017.
The same year it revealed that it was reducing legroom from 30 inches to 20 inches on its A321 and A320 Airbus aircraft.
Fresh flowers in the first class toilets were also scrapped.