British Airways will begin flying its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and London Heathrow in February 2016. Austin will be the first North American city to receive this variant of the aircraft and to offer British Airways’ newly redesigned first-class cabin.
British Airways
Service between Austin and London first started in March 2014 using the 787-8 Dreamliner. This October, operations will temporarily switch to a Boeing 777, which will introduce British Airways’ first-class product to Austin for the first time. The larger 787-9 is scheduled for delivery this month. Being about 20 feet longer than the 787-8, the 787-9 allows British Airways to include dedicated first-class cabins on these long-haul flights. The typical 787-9 layout for this route will seat 127 passengers in World Traveller (economy), 39 in World Traveller Plus (premium economy), 42 in Club World (business), and 8 in first class.
The 787-9’s improved cabin environment helps reduce the effects of long-haul travel. With lower cabin altitude, increased humidity and advanced ride-smoothing systems, passengers often feel less fatigued and experience reduced jet lag compared with older aircraft types.
British Airways’ new first-class suites emphasize comfort and personal space. Features include ambient lighting, additional storage, a personal suiter, and discreet charging ports. A smartphone-style handset complements a 23-inch widescreen monitor, enabling passengers to operate entertainment and view multiple items simultaneously. The aircraft supports gate-to-gate entertainment, so screens may remain in use throughout the flight except where safety regulations require otherwise.
For corporate travelers, American Airlines’ Business Extra program allows members traveling on British Airways, Iberia or American Airlines to collect and redeem credits across all three carriers, providing coordinated benefits that help businesses manage travel budgets. In addition, British Airways Vacations offers combined flight and hotel or flight and car packages, plus optional sightseeing tours, city passes and theater tickets to simplify trip planning.