The big squeeze on the highly competitive trans-Atlantic market is set to continue next summer with British Airways bringing in new “densified” Boeing 777-200 aircraft from May.
BA is joining a number of airlines, including Cathay Pacific, that are moving to 10-across economy seating on B777s. They join airlines such as Air New Zealand, Emirates, Etihad and American Airlines.
Originally designed for nine-across economy seating, much of the global B777 fleet now has the denser configuration as airlines try to accommodate a new era of lower fares and increased competition on many routes.
In the case of BA, the move will see an extra 52 seats added to the three-class plane as the seat count rises from 280.
It comes as the British carrier is also introducing higher-capacity Airbus A320s with the number of seats increasing to 180 from 168 and A321s with 218 seats, up from 205.
The move is designed to increase “capital efficiency’’ and keep seat-costs comparable with aggressive competitors such as Norwegian, which operates fuel-efficient Boeing 787s across the Atlantic.
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The airline said when the move was revealed in 2016 that it was making the change to bring it into line with its competitors.
“As part of the update, we will also be fitting new entertainment systems,’’ it said at the time.
“British Airways continues to offer customers a generous hand baggage allowance and complimentary food and drink on all our long-haul services.”
The “elbow wars” begin on routes from London Gatwick to Caribbean and US destinations from early May, according to website Routesonline.
The first currently scheduled departure is May 7 between Gatwick and the Jamaican capital of Kingston.
This will be followed that month by Gatwick-Punta Cana, Gatwick-Orlando and Gatwick-Cancun.
Gatwick-Tampa will join in June, Gatwick New York (JFK) in July and Gatwick-Fort Lauderdale in September.
The change sees BA adopt a 3-4-3 configuration in the “densified’’ B777s compared to 3-3-3 in the older planes.
This often involves the introduction of narrower seats, although BA has yet to update its seat maps to include the new configuration.
Seats on the airline’s current three-class Boeing 777-200s are either 17.5 (44.5cms) or 18.1 inches wide with a 31-inch seat pitch, according to SeatGuru.
