British Airways flyers… get ready for a new and improved service across the board from the UK’s national carrier.
BA has unveiled a comprehensive plan to revamp its services and operations, committing a whopping £7 billion (around AU$13.5 billion) to its transformation efforts.
British Airways Chairman and CEO Sean Doyle outlined the modernisation strategy at the first ‘In the Skies’ event in London, emphasising the airline’s commitment to delivering top-notch customer experiences, upgrading IT infrastructure, fostering employee pride, and prioritising sustainability and punctuality.
“We’re on a journey to a better BA for our people and for our customers, underpinned by a transformation programme that will see us invest £7 billion over the next two years to revolutionise our business,” Doyle said.
“We’re going to take delivery of new aircraft, introduce new cabins, elevate our customer care, focus on operational performance and address our environmental impact by reducing our emissions and creating a culture of sustainability.
“We’re also heavily investing in the development of a new ba.com website and app and are laser-focused on transforming our business and fixing any pain points for our customers.”
Among BA’s big plans are:
First-class innovation
British Airways will unveil a new and exclusive First suite, debuting at the end of 2025 as part of its A380 aircraft refurbishment.
Cabin upgrades
The airline will introduce new short-haul seats and cabin interiors on its Airbus A320neo and A321neos, featuring modern yet classic British designs and extra-large bins for overhead luggage.
New lounge concepts
British Airways is set to introduce new lounge designs, starting with Dubai and Miami, offering enhanced amenities and features to elevate the customer experience.
Improved connectivity
Starting 3 April, Executive Club Members can enjoy free messaging via wi-fi on British Airways flights, enhancing in-flight connectivity. Additionally, the airline has introduced wi-fi-enabled customer care solutions, empowering crew members to address issues promptly during flights.
A digital overhaul
British Airways is set to revamp its digital platforms, including the website and mobile app, to offer enhanced personalisation and user experiences. The new ba.com is currently undergoing testing and will provide customers with greater control over their journeys, enabling self-service options and itinerary modifications online.
Operational enhancements
The airline is investing £100 million in machine learning, automation and AI technologies to streamline operations, improve efficiency from bookings to baggage handling and enhance on-time performance. Predictive tools are also being deployed to anticipate delays and analyse real-time data for better decision-making.
Expanded routes
Flights to Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur will resume in October and November, demonstrating BA’s commitment to expanding its network in Asia. The carrier will also add new routes to Abu Dhabi, Agadir, and Izmir, Turkey, catering to diverse travel needs.
Infrastructure investment
BA plans to create 350 new roles at Heathrow Airport to enhance the customer experience and invest in new equipment for smoother operations, including baggage handling.
IT infrastructure upgrade
With a £750 million investment, the airline aims to transition 700 systems and thousands of servers to the cloud by early next year, ensuring robust and scalable IT infrastructure.
Sustainability focus
In line with its commitment to sustainability, British Airways aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 or sooner. The airline’s parent company, International Airlines Group (IAG), has signed a significant SAF purchase agreement with ‘Twelve’, reducing lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90 per cent.
Australia has become the UK’s second most valuable visitor market for the first time after Aussie travellers hit British shores in record numbers last year.
“We’re thrilled to see Australia deliver this unprecedented quarterly result, becoming Britain’s second most valuable source market for the first time across any quarter,” VisitBritain Country Manager for Australia and New Zealand Maria Sykes said.