BA reveals Airbus A380 superjumbo flight plans

Travellers should have plenty of legroom when British Airways
becomes the first UK carrier to fly the world's biggest passenger plane.

BA is due to take delivery of the first of its Airbus A380 superjumbos in July 2013 as part of a £5 billion, five-year programme of investments.

Today, the airline announced that its double-decker A380s will fly with 469 passengers - fewer than the number operated by some other superjumbo airlines.

BA has ordered 12 of the A380s whose wings are made in the UK and which first entered service in 2007 with Singapore Airlines.

On BA's superjumbos there will be 14 seats in first class on the main deck which will also have 44 club world (business class) seats as well as 199 seats in world traveller (economy).

On the upper deck there will be 53 business class seats, 55 seats in world traveller plus (the premium economy class) and 104 seats in economy.

Much of the pre-publicity for the A380 focused on the fact that the planes would carry around 555 passengers.

However, the carriers that have taken delivery of them have flown them with fewer passengers than that.

BA also announced today details of the in-cabin facilities of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner - the first of which will arrive with BA in May 2013.

The Dreamliner is seen as a particularly "green" aircraft, with increased fuel economy and very much the shape of flying to come.

BA has ordered 24 Dreamliners and will have four of them by the end of 2013.

The airline said the first eight of its Dreamliners will carry 214 passengers. There will be 35 club world seats, 25 world traveller plus seats and 154 economy seats.

Passengers on both new planes will have extra large screens in all cabins and an easier to use entertainment system. They will also be able to connect to personal devices such as laptops.

BA will take delivery of a further A380 in August 2013 and another one in October 2013. The airline is also due to receive two more Boeing 777s next autumn.

BA will announce the routes the new aircraft will operate in spring 2013.

PA