Luxury beds in BA business class to New York

© BA

British Airways has kitted out Boeing 747s with an upgraded business class for flights between London Heathrow and New York JFK.

The new Club World cabins, which include new luxury beds, feature on 96 services per week between the two cities.

Six feet long and 25 per cent wider, the new beds are fully flat and can also be adjusted to a "z" position, which allows the body to assume a posture similar to that used in zero gravity, ideal for relaxing and watching movies.

Passengers will also benefit from larger ten-inch screens with an extensive range of films and TV programmes. Pause, stop, fast-forward and rewind functions are available.

These new features will be presented against a Club World background that the airline says is "reminiscent of an exclusive London club, filled with quality fabrics and mellow personal lighting, which create an atmosphere of elegance and class".

Opaque privacy screens have also been included, along with quilts, linen and pillow fabrics in the traditional Osborne and Little damask design.

For the convenience of business travellers, passengers will also get the use of a laptop locker, an in-seat power socket and an onboard kitchen where they can enjoy snacks between meals.

"Research has shown us that our business customers want a home away from home with all of the comfort, privacy and flexibility that one would expect from a plush five-star hotel," said BA commercial director Robert Boyle.

"We are absolutely thrilled with the new improvements and can't wait to welcome our business flyers onboard to enjoy the new Club World."

Three BA Boeing 747s are being fitted each month with the new Club World facilities. The £100 million overhaul is expected to be finished by the middle of 2008.

British Airways' makeover comes at a time when long-haul carriers are endeavouring to make their business class products more attractive.

BA's main British rival on the London to New York route, Virgin Atlantic, has made a huge number of improvements to its own business class, which it calls Upper Class, offering.

Temporary offerings at its Upper Class Clubhouse at Heathrow Airport have included personal styling consultations, a sunglass clinic, and a "mind gym". Onboard offerings include amenity kits designed by Oswald Boateng, which contain designer travel wallets and other luxury items.

Both Virgin and BA were praised highly by Forbes for their business class service last year, and the market has recently become even more vibrant with the launch of several business class-only airlines such as MAXjet and Silverjet.

© Adfero Ltd