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British Airways is now approximately two thirds of the way through the refurbishment of its fleet of Boeing 777-200 aircraft at London Gatwick.
The primary reason for the refurbishment is to increase the number of seats in the World Traveller economy cabin from 9 to 10 a row.
As at November 2019, ten three class Gatwick Boeing 777-200 aircraft (registrations G-VIIO, G-VIIP, G-VIIR, G-VIIT, G-VIIU, G-VIIX, G-YMMB, G-YMMC, G-YMMD and G-YMMF) have been refurbished as have three four class aircraft (G-VIIV, G-VIIW, G-VIIY). BA is expected to complete the Gatwick refurbishment this year.
On three class aircraft, BA has installed a new seat in a now larger World Traveller Plus premium economy cabin. It has decreased the number of Club World business class seats. The in-flight entertainment system has also been upgraded and it is a radical improvement on the previous system.
The remaining refurbished aircraft are four class Boeing 777-200 aircraft. The overall change in seating configuration is much more modest.
This year, BA will also begin refurbishing its Heathrow based Boeing 777s. Two four class aircraft will receive a full refurbishment. This will include a smaller First Class cabin with 8, rather than 14, seats and an entirely new Club World cabin.
Given BA sees the need for seating configuration in World Traveller to be “competitive”, it’s expected that many more Heathrow based 777s will be refurbished.
Seat maps for 3 class Boeing 777 aircraft
If you are flying on a non-refurbished 9 abreast 3 class Boeing 777 at Gatwick 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 at Gatwick 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 are unchanged. There is a relatively smaller increase of 12 World Traveller seats on refurbished aircraft.
On which routes will the 10 abreast Boeing 777 operate?
BA has not officially confirmed the launch dates by route. However:
- Historical flight data provides a reliable indication of the routes on which refurbished aircraft are currently operating.
- Seat maps for future flights also show when routes are being sold with 3-4-3 seating in economy. However, 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.
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. This route now regularly operates with refurbished aircraft.
Gatwick – Bermuda
Flight BA2233 / BA2232 – This flight ordinarily operates with a First Class cabin. Some flights are now operating with refurbished aircraft.
Gatwick – Cancun
Flight BA2203 / BA2202 – This route now operates with a 10 abreast Boeing 777.
Gatwick – Cape Town
Flight BA2041 / BA2040 – This route resumes for the winter on Monday 11 November 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 until its suspension from Saturday 7 September 2019.
Gatwick – Kingston
Flight BA2263 / BA2262 – This route now operates with a 10 abreast Boeing 777.
Gatwick – Las Vegas
Flight BA2277 / BA2276 – This route has historically operated with non-refurbished aircraft. Some flights from May 2019 are showing seat maps with 10 abreast seating in economy.
Gatwick – Lima
Flight BA2239 / BA2238 – This route has historically operated with non-refurbished aircraft. Selected flights show as operating with a 10 abreast Boeing 777 until its suspension for the winter on Friday 25 October 2019. It then resumes on Sunday 29 March 2020 from when it will operate with refurbished aircraft.
Gatwick – Male
Flight BA2043 / BA2042 – This route is scheduled to resume for the winter on Sunday 27 October 2019, 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 flight now operates primarily with a 10 abreast Boeing 777.
Flight BA2039 / BA2038 – This flight now operates with a mixture of refurbished and non-refurbished aircraft.
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
Flights BA2269 / BA2268 & BA2271 / BA2270 – The majority of flights are expected to operate with a 10 abreast Boeing 777 is until the route is suspended for the winter on Sunday 29 Septemer 2019.
Is it going to be a new refurbished 777 to Mauritius this October 2020. I was hoping it would have been a refurbished one last but alas. I can hardly watch the screen as it is so small which makes the 12 hour flight rather boring. Let’s hope this Oct would be a refurbished one.
Yes, the Gatwick refurbishment programme is now complete. BA is now refurbishing Heathrow based 777 aircraft.