British Airways' flying Bentley

29.05.2020 09:36

For all its well-publicised hiccups, Boeing's 787 Dreamliner commercial jet is undeniably amazing, a technological tour de force with a lightweight composite structure, a dazzling glass cockpit and a host of features — like a lower-pressure cabin designed to reduce jetlag — aimed at making long-distance air travel more pleasant. And because this is no ordinary jet, 787-flying airlines have stepped up their game when it comes to creature comforts. This week, British Airways, which has ordered 22 examples of the 787's stretched version, the 787-9, offered a sneak peak of its entirely reimagined First Class cabin.

Working with the UK-based industrial design house Forpeople, BA solicited feedback from its regular first-class customers — many of whom, no surprise, park luxury automobiles in their garages. As such, the airline's new First cabin comes off looking, feeling and functioning quite a bit like a Bentley. There is a raft of new technology, such as a haptic 'jog-knob' controller for the seat and lighting functions, and an equal helping of classic luxury touches, including surfaces wrapped in fine hide and trimmed with brushed metal. All in all, the seat — or "suite," as BA prefers to call it — looks like a very fine place to while away a few airborne hours.

BA will start flying the 787-9 between London and Delhi on 25 October, with several new routes following during the next six months, including Abu Dhabi and Muscat, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Austin, Texas, and San Jose, California.

Round-trip fares between London and Delhi start at £2,747 (about $4,240).

(BBC)