BA’s 10 abreast economy Boeing 777 September Update

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British Airways is now more than a third of its way through the refurbishment of its fleet of Boeing 777-200 aircraft at London Gatwick.

The main reason for the refurbishment is to increase the number of seats in the World Traveller economy cabin from 9 to 10 a row.

At the moment three class Boeing 777-200 are being refurbishment. For these aircraft, BA has also installed a new World Traveller Plus premium economy seat and increased the number of seats in this cabin. It has decreased the number of Club World business class seats. The in-flight entertainment system has also been upgraded. Four class Boeing 777-200 aircraft will also be refurbished, but the overall change in seating configuration is much more modest.

As at November 2018, six Boeing 777-200 aircraft, registrations G-VIIO, G-VIIP, G-VIIR, G-VIIT, G-VIIU and G-VIIX have been refurbished. Each refurbishment takes around four to six weeks.

The initial plan was that up to 25 Boeing 777s will be subject to “densification”. Given, from anecdotal evidence, there appears to be no adverse customer reaction, it is highly likely that this will be extended to many more aircraft. Heathrow based Boeing 777s are expected to be refurbished in 2019.

Seat maps for 3 class Boeing 777 aircraft

If you are flying on a non-refurbished 9 abreast 3 class Boeing 777 you should see the following seat map (pictured left below) for your flight in the Manage My Booking tool:

Club World – Rows 1 – 11 (48 seats)
World Traveller Plus – Rows 12 – 14 (24 seats)
World Traveller – Rows 16 – 40 (3-3-3 configuration)

If you are flying on a refurbished 10 abreast 3 class Boeing 777 you should see the following seat map (pictured right below) for your flight in the Manage My Booking tool:

Club World – Rows 1 – 4 (32 seats)
World Traveller Plus – Rows 10 – 16 (52 seats)
World Traveller – Rows 20 – 46 (3-4-3 configuration)

For passengers travelling with infants it is important to note that the refurbishment of aircraft does change the location of bassinet seats.

Seat maps for 4 class Boeing 777 aircraft

On 4 class Boeing 777 aircraft, the number of First, Club World and World Traveller Plus seats is unchanged. There is a relatively smaller increase in World Traveller seats on converted aircraft.

On which routes will the 10 abreast Boeing 777 operate?

BA has not officially confirmed the launch dates by route.

However, there are two ways of estimating:

1. Historical flight data provides a reliable indication of the routes on which refurbished aircraft, bar occasional substitutions, are currently operating.

2. Seat maps for future flights also show when routes are being sold with 3-4-3 seating in economy. However, this only indicates how BA is selling a flight. Just because a seat map for a flight is currently showing 3-3-3 seating does not mean it won’t ultimately be operated with a refurbished aircraft. Based on the roll out of refurbished aircraft to date, these flights will be operated with 3-4-3 seating before then.

If you have already selected a seat before online check-in opens, BA should notify you by e-mail if it has changed your seat more than 48 before departure. If BA changes your seat closer to departure, it should show in the BA app on your smartphone. Please see here for an exhaustive explanation of how and when you can choose your seat when flying on BA.

Gatwick – Antigua to Providenciales, Saint Kitts and Tobago

Flight BA2157 / BA2156 – This route now regularly operates with a 10 abreast 777.

Gatwick – Barbados

Flight BA2155 / BA2154 – This flight ordinarily operates with a First Class cabin. Seat maps are showing 10 abreast seating for many flights from February 2019.

Gatwick – Bermuda

Flight BA2233 / BA2232 – This flight ordinarily operates with a First Class cabin. Seat maps are showing 10 abreast seating for many flights from around April 2019.

Gatwick – Cancun

Flight BA2203 / BA2202 – This route now operates with a 10 abreast Boeing 777.

Gatwick – Cape Town

Flight BA2041 / BA2040 – This route shows as operating with 9 abreast Boeing 777 for the winter season to the end of March 2019. It then resumes for next winter on Monday 28 October 2019 and shows as operating with a 10 abreast Boeing 777.

Gatwick – Fort Lauderdale

Flight BA2169 / BA2168 – This route now regularly operates with a 10 abreast Boeing 777.

Gatwick – Kingston

Flight BA2263 / BA2262 – This route now operates with a 10 abreast Boeing 777.

Gatwick – Las Vegas

Flight BA2277 / BA2276 – This route is currently shows as operating with a 9 abreast Boeing 777 up to April 2019. Seat maps are showing 10 abreast seating for many flights from early May 2019.

Gatwick – Lima

Flight BA2239 / BA2238 – This route is scheduled to return for the summer season from Sunday 31 March 2019. Selected flights show as operating with a 10 abreast Boeing 777 from early July 2019.

Gatwick – Male

Flight BA2043 / BA2042 – This route is showing as operating with a 9 abreast Boeing 777 up to its suspension for the summer on Friday 29 March 2019. It is scheduled to resume on Sunday 27 October 2018, from when it will operate with a 10 abreast Boeing 777.

Gatwick – Mauritius

Flight BA2063 / BA062 – This route is showing as operating with 9 abreast Boeing 777 for all dates up to June 2019. Seat maps are showing 3-4-3 seating for many flights from July 2019.

Gatwick – New York JFK

Flight BA2273 / BA2272 – This route now operates with a 10 abreast Boeing 777.

Gatwick – Orlando

Flight BA2037 / BA2036 – This route now operates with a 10 abreast Boeing 777.

Flight BA2039 / BA2038 – This flight will operate with a 10 abreast Boeing 777 on select dates when it resumes from Sunday 31 March 2019.

Gatwick – Punta Cana

Flight BA2205 / BA2204 – This route now operates with a 10 abreast Boeing 777.

Gatwick – San Jose, Costa Rica

Flight BA2237 / BA2236 – This route shows as operating with a 9 abreast Boeing 777 up to late June 2019. Seat maps are showing 10 abreast seating for many flights from July 2019.

Gatwick – St Lucia – Grenada / Port Of Spain

Flight BA2159 / BA2158 – This route now regularly operates with a 10 abreast Boeing 777.

Gatwick – Tampa

Flight BA2167 / BA2166 – This route now regularly operates with a 10 abreast Boeing 777.

Gatwick – Toronto Pearson

Flight BA2271 / BA2270 – This route is scheduled to resume for the summer on Friday 3 May 2019, from when it will operate with a 10 abreast Boeing 777.

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