British Airways brings back Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur and reveals £7 billion product revamp
Gary NoakesBritish Airways is to reinstate flights to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, revamp first class and launch a new lounge concept as part of a claimed £7 billion spending programme.
BA will bring back flights to the Thai capital from 28 October but shift them from Heathrow to Gatwick on a reduced, leisure-focused frequency of three times a week. Kuala Lumpur will be served daily from Heathrow from 10 November.
The airline has also signalled its faith in first class, with BA being the only European carrier to offer it on transatlantic services. It said it expected to reveal a new First suite “at the end of 2025 into early 2026” as part of its Airbus A380 aircraft refurbishment.
Meanwhile, a new lounge concept will be unveiled in Dubai “later this year”, followed by Miami in 2025 and then Lagos and Seattle. The Dubai facility is in a new location and will be a bigger space.
Another investment is in short-haul, which will see new seating and bigger overhead lockers from May. Club Europe seats will see the return of the leather tray that sits between the aisle and window seat, while all short-haul seats will also be fitted with USB-A and USB-C charging ports.
“We’re on a journey to a better BA for our people and for our customers, underpinned by a transformation programme that will see us invest £7 billion over the next two years to revolutionise our business,” said Sean Doyle, BA chair and chief executive.
The airline is also working on a new website and mobile app, which it says will feature “deeper personalisation”.
Among its features, BA said the app would empower customers to self-serve if they wish, “taking control of and making changes to their journeys online, rather than having to call one of the airline’s customer care centres to alter their plans”. Initial changes will appear by the end of the year.
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