Flying first class has never been this luxurious and with the launch of British Airways' new 787-9 Dreamliner.
The new carrier boasts of technologically enhanced first-class seats that can accommodate at least eight passengers out of a total of 14 first-class fliers. Passengers will be treated with a number of amenities such as a smartphone-like handset for controlling in-flight entertainment and for adjusting the seat's position. It can also be used as a secondary display, allowing passengers to watch two things at the same time, such as the media coming from the 23-inch fixed screen and the moving map coming from the handheld device.
Passengers will also be able to have more controls and added flexibility when they need to adjust their headrest and lumber support. They can also take advantage of the added storage spaces such as a personal locker with a fitted mirror and an extra space where they can keep their coats and jackets.
The new seat design, apart from being the work of U.K.-based design company forpeople, is also the result of the feedback gathered from customers.
"Our main aim was to improve upon every detail of the experience based on [the input we received], to deliver uncompromising comfort and consideration around the different modes of living a customer performs while on board, and [to give] customers the ultimate feeling of calm and control," said Richard Stevens, founder of forpeople and creative director of British Airways.
Stevens added that the people been invited to test the prototypes provided feedback on even the smallest details ranging from storage ideas to seat geometry.
The seat can also be folded down and transformed into a six-feet, six-inch fully flat bed. It has enhanced lighting options and made with soft leather with a diamond-patterned look.
Apart from the first-class amenities, flying the Boeing 787-9 also assures reduced jet lag because of the plane's cleaner air that comes with a lower cabin pressure. Another anti-jet lag feature is the plane's smoother and quieter flying experience because of its noise-reducing engines.
British Airways is currently promoting a sale on return flights to Abu Dhabi at around £2,546 ($3,900). Return flights from Heathrow to Delhi are likewise priced from £3,270 ($5,100). The 787-9 Dreamliner will commence its services on October 25 with the promotion running until Sept. 22. There are also return flights to Muscat at £2,878 ($4500). Both flights to Muscat and Abu Dhabi commence on Nov, 25.
British Airways plans to purchase a total of 42 Dreamliners for its fleet. The company will soon be adding new destinations for the next six months. These include Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) in December 2015, Austin (Texas, U.S.) in February 2016 and San Jose (California, U.S.) three months later.
