British Airways trims A380 flights for cabin overhaul

British Airways plans a smaller Airbus A380 schedule from London Heathrow while its 12 superjumbos receive new cabins. From November 2026 through February 2027, the aircraft will make five departures per day across four destinations. Miami keeps an all-A380 operation. Singapore, Johannesburg and San Francisco will use the double-decker alongside Boeing 787-9, 777-200ER and 777-300ER aircraft. Compared with the same winter period a year earlier, the airline’s A380 flying will fall 28%. Los Angeles, Washington Dulles and Dubai were among the destinations served during that earlier season.

The makeover reduces each A380 from 469 seats to 421 while giving more room to higher-fare cabins. First class shrinks from 14 places to 12. Premium economy grows from 55 seats to 84, while economy drops from 303 to 215 and moves entirely downstairs. The revised aircraft will also feature what British Airways says will be the world’s biggest business-class cabin. The investment follows continued growth in premium international travel: IATA counted 109.7 million business- and first-class passengers in 2025, up 4.5% after an 11.8% increase in 2024. The work is intended to keep the fleet operating longer while aligning it with that demand.