Airlines

Airbus widens A350 cabin in mile-high real estate war

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Airbus quietly dropped a slogan that had it in a contentious elbow-space dispute with its archrival a decade ago when it unveiled a wider and longer cabin for its A350 in the race for wide-body aircraft sales with Boeing.

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The two aircraft manufacturers frequently argue over fuel efficiency. The most recent attack targets some of the world’s most valuable real estate: the large jet’s cabin, where luxury meets expense.

To make the A350s lighter and more flexible, Airbus announced in a blog that it was introducing a New Production Standard (NPS). The cabin will be lengthened by moving a bulkhead, constricting the cockpit, and removing four inches from interior walls.

The Airbus upgrade, which is crucial for the resurgent wide-body jet market competition, allows up to 34 more seats to reach more than 400 on an A350-1000 compared to the 406-seat Boeing 777X. Additional seats have two effects on airlines: they can increase revenue if they are filled, and they lower the cost per seat, which can lower prices and influence the type of aircraft that an airline chooses to purchase.

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Nine 18-inch wide seats are currently found in each row in the majority of A350 economy cabins. This will be increased to 18.7 inches by the A350 NPS.Seats are 17 inches wide on airlines that opt to add an extra seat to make a row 10 abreast. According to industry sources, this makes it simpler to sell the A350 to major carriers who are discontinuing the 16.4-inch seats available in the 10-row A350’s current model.

Airbus was promoting 18-inch seats while the 787 had nine instead of eight seats in a row, which was hurting sales of the A350. In order to compete with Boeing for seats, Airbus struggled with its large aircraft.

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Airlines

British Airways Unveils Its Brand-New First Class Cabin for the Airbus A380

British Airways has introduced its brand-new First Class seat, blending sleek design with expert British craftsmanship. Reflecting modern British luxury travel, this new cabin is part of the airline’s Airbus A380 retrofit plans, set to take flight in mid-2026.

The updated First Class cabin has been crafted to feel like a modern luxury hotel in the sky, complete with cozy touches and thoughtful British details.

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Designed by top experts from across Great Britain and Ireland—including London, Glasgow, West Yorkshire, Kilkeel, and Dublin—the seat reflects the best of British design and quality.

Features and Comforts
The new First Class seat is ultra-wide at 36.5 inches, with a bed length of 79 inches for ultimate comfort. It includes:

A multi-purpose ottoman and stowable table.
A 32-inch 4K TV screen.
Adjustable mood lighting with modes like “relax,” “dine,” and “cinema.”
A cocooned 60-inch curved wall for privacy while maintaining a spacious feel.

Passengers traveling together can enjoy a shared experience with a sliding divider that creates a lounge-like space. The stowable tables also allow for “buddy dining,” where two people can dine together.

The cabin’s flowing curves, inspired by the iconic Concorde wings, create a welcoming and stylish environment. Additionally, passengers can now wheel their luggage directly into their personal storage space, making settling in easier.

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British Airways carefully considered customer feedback when designing this cabin. The seat includes practical storage and features like a fully rectangular bed for home-like comfort. Every detail, from usability to elegance, has been designed to enhance the travel experience.

British Airways is proud to be the only UK-based European airline offering a First Class product across the Atlantic. british airways premium economy and First Class travelers enjoy exclusive perks such as stylish seats, access to luxury lounges, fast-track security, and the First Wing at Heathrow. The airline ensures a premium experience from booking to landing.

This cabin upgrade is part of British Airways’ £7 billion investment in improving customer experiences. The airline has already introduced over 120 initiatives, including new short-haul seats, free onboard Wi-Fi messaging, and refreshed lounges worldwide.