British Airways (BA) has unveiled several images of its upcoming first class product on the B787-9.

The Oneworld member has 22 B787-9s on order and will be the first European carrier to offer a first class product on the Dreamliner, something pioneered by China Southern back in 2013.

This will complement the eight B787-8s it currently operates, which only sport a three-cabin layout – Club World, World Traveller Plus and World Traveller.

New first class seat 

So what do we know of BA’s new first class seat? At first glance, the new design bares some resemblance to the existing Zodiac cirrus seats offered by Cathay Pacific and American Airlines on business class.

Arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration, all seats are forward facing and angled towards the side. However the BA first-class product appears to boast better privacy given that the front of each seat is partially enclosed off.

First class cabin on the B787-9

The airline has outfitted each seat with three storage areas: an ottoman located next to the adjustable footstool; a suit compartment accessible without having to leave the seat; and a locker at eye-level for smaller items.

Tray-table 

The first class seat will also come with a 23-inch IFE screen, just slightly smaller than that offered by Etihad Airways and Singapore Airlines (both 24-inches).

Browsing through the entertainment content can be done using the touchscreen controller, with a display attached so that passengers can watch one item on the handset itself and another on main IFE screen.

IFE and touchscreen controller 

BA is expected to take delivery of its first B787-9 in the coming weeks, with the aircraft due to begin active service on October 25 with five-weekly flight to Delhi (see here).

britishairways.com