British Airways’ new R1bn (£100m) first-class cabin will operate on South African routes in the first quarter of this year, according to Regional Commercial Manager for Africa, Ian Petrie.
He says South Africa is a key route for the upgraded, more contemporary product as BA is the only carrier to provide a direct first-class service between South Africa and London. The new First cabin has already been fitted on 12 aircraft and will be rolled out on BA’s entire long-haul fleet by the end of the year.
Petrie says the new First product is more like an “intimate private-jet experience”. “Each individual suite has its own personal wardrobe, a leather-bound writing desk that converts into a dining table and an improved bed with a wider mattress. The service style has been adapted and is attentive without being overbearing, and flexible so that customers can eat, sleep and work whenever they want to… it is the ultimate business tool enabling you to continue on board the meeting you were having in the First lounge, and even dine with a colleague.”
Other customer service upgrades include mid-air email and text services on UK to US flights and a Smartphone App that allows access to all flight details. Iphone users can download an App to display new mobile boarding passes.
