The US Patent and Trademark Office has published details of an application made by British Airways (BA) earlier this year for next-generation business class seats in its Club World class.
Patented Club World seat
According to the design, the new seats will feature a herringbone configuration and provide direct access to aisle. This marks a distinct contrast to the carrier's existing "yin yang" configuration — whereby seats are arranged eight across 2-4-2 with one facing forwards and the other backwards.
1-1-1 three-across layout
The new design bares a resemblance to Virgin Australia's A330 business class seat but is angled towards the aisle. The herringbone design also evokes similarities to Cathay Pacific’s old business class “coffin” seats and the existing premium products by Air New Zealand, although BA has included a side panel that will ensure better privacy for passengers.
1-2-1 four-across seating
The patent also details that the new design can be configured into both a 1-1-1 and 1-2-1 layout. Presumably, the carrier will fit its smaller widebody aircraft (e.g. B767 and B787) with the former, while the larger jets (e.g. A380, B747 and B777) will sport the latter.
For more information, visit britishairways.com
Clement Huang
Patented Club World seat
According to the design, the new seats will feature a herringbone configuration and provide direct access to aisle. This marks a distinct contrast to the carrier's existing "yin yang" configuration — whereby seats are arranged eight across 2-4-2 with one facing forwards and the other backwards.
1-1-1 three-across layout
The new design bares a resemblance to Virgin Australia's A330 business class seat but is angled towards the aisle. The herringbone design also evokes similarities to Cathay Pacific’s old business class “coffin” seats and the existing premium products by Air New Zealand, although BA has included a side panel that will ensure better privacy for passengers.
1-2-1 four-across seating
The patent also details that the new design can be configured into both a 1-1-1 and 1-2-1 layout. Presumably, the carrier will fit its smaller widebody aircraft (e.g. B767 and B787) with the former, while the larger jets (e.g. A380, B747 and B777) will sport the latter.
For more information, visit britishairways.com
Clement Huang 
