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Inside British Airways new A320neo aircraft with its super-thin seats and power sockets

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As I mentioned earlier in the week, the first brand new Airbus A320neo short haul aircraft is now in service with British Airways.

This is the aircraft with the super-thin seats in the rear half as well as no video screens and – in Club Europe – no console table.  It has gained power sockets, with full plugs and USB sockets in the first half and USB sockets towards the rear.

I have been sent a few official pictures which give a better impression than the photo I ran earlier in the week.

Here are three shots of the new style seating at the rear.

The first picture is the key one.  You can see from this image how amazingly thin the seats are:

British Airways A320neo

and

British Airways A320neo

and

British Airways A320neo

Here are the power sockets, at the front (USB and 3-pin):

British Airways A320neo

…. and at the back (USB only):

British Airways A320neo

…. and one of the two narrow loos:

British Airways A320neo

At the moment this aircraft is mainly operating out of Terminal 3, but more are on the way so you will find yourself on one sooner rather than later.  For Summer 2018, airlineroute reports that you will find the aircraft flying:

  • London Heathrow – Budapest
  • London Heathrow – Lisbon
  • London Heathrow – Madrid
  • London Heathrow – Warsaw
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Comments (87)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Rob says:
    21 Apr21 April 09:38

    You need to get in rows 1-12.

    • Peter K says:
      21 Apr21 April 12:25

      But that costs extra…. Oh yeah, I forgot, though people say they would pay extra for a better service they in reality won’t…

      • Mark says:
        21 Apr21 April 14:47

        Not necessarily. Club Europe probably doesn’t go far back even at maximum rows. Am I right in thinking the number of CE seats is constrained by the catering provision on these aircraft?

        In reality of course you’d probably be lucky to get one unless you select seats before check-in (especially if you’re on an HBO fare and don’t get a choice at check-in). So that means either status or paying…. bronze or equivalent status will have some value here for the free seat selection 7 days out.

        Row 12 is the best place to be, more than ever now. IMO worth the premium seat selection price on longer routes if you don’t have status.

  • Nick says:
    21 Apr21 April 10:34

    Does anyone else remember the fuss BA made over the ‘iPad holders’ when they introduced them? Wow that lasted long!

  • Alexey says:
    21 Apr21 April 10:47

    https://www.fastcodesign.com/90168628/the-airplane-saddle-is-a-standing-seat-for-super-economy-flight

    is that the next step ?

  • Volker says:
    21 Apr21 April 11:57

    Maybe a reason to fly from/to/via LCY in the future? Until the Embraers are fitted with the thin seats, too…

  • Dave says:
    21 Apr21 April 12:01

    Off topic but could someone confirm if the Curve card ATM withdrawals are calender month or every 30 days? I.e. could I take cash out on the 31st March and again on the 1st April or do I need to wait until the 30 April?

  • Leo says:
    21 Apr21 April 12:11

    What’s the legroom like on these things? The easyjet ones look ok.

  • Jorge says:
    21 Apr21 April 12:24

    They just keep giving you reasons to fly with LCCs don’t they? The only reason I considered to flight with BA was the “more-comfy-than-average” seats. Now they are not only pricier than other competitors, they also don’t offer any advantage for flying with them so I’ll just avoid them unless there isn’t a better alternative.

    Basically they give you Iberia Express seats for BA prices :facepalm

    • Pier75 says:
      22 Apr22 April 22:14

      Are these BA flights going to be cheaper, given the constant reduction in comfort?
      And yes I now use Easyjet for short-haul European flights, BA does no longer offer any value for money. Iberia Express leg-room is worse than Easyjet, in my experience. I’d like to try Norwegian.
      Semi-OT: I’m flying with BA LHR to Boston in October on a 747, I’m scared it will be a dreadful experience…

      • Combat Johnny says:
        23 Apr23 April 08:41

        I flew Norwegian to Madrid in October and was very impressed

  • the_real_a says:
    21 Apr21 April 12:27

    I have flown this seat in Asia and its really not as bad as i expected. The seat profile is on a slight recline so if you find yourself pushing back the seat by 1-2″ then you should find the profile adequate. I find the usable space of the seat is MORE than the current version – you just need to ensure you are sat properly in the chair (as with all ergonomic seating) – don’t slouch. The padding on the base is too thin and does get uncomfortable – but no more than today’s seat.

    Also – on two occasions on BA i have had the flight attendants tell me to not to charge my phone unless i’m using it in my hand. Totally ridiculous.

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