Huge BA business class upgrade faces delays over fears crew can’t safely restrain drunk passengers in new seats
BRITISH Airways’ multi-million pound superjumbo refit faces certification delays over fears crew cannot safely restrain drunk passengers in its new business class seats.
The airline is in the process of upgrading its Airbus A380 fleet with its latest Club Suite, which comes with a sliding privacy door.
But the makeover could hit delays because of concerns over how staff would deal with an air rage passenger on the upper deck.
BA plans to move a small section economy seats off the top floor and replace them with a larger Club World cabin.
Its passenger restraint kit is understood to be approved for economy and premium economy seats – not the new suite-style business seats.
That could leave crew with a major problem if a passenger became violent or disruptive upstairs.
Sources said hauling a violent passenger down the A380’s narrow staircases could put crew and other passengers at risk.
The first aircraft are currently being worked on in Manila, Philippines, as part of the refurbishment programme.
Industry sources have also suggested there may be certification concerns over the weight of the new business seats, which include motors and sliding doors.
Extra weight on the upper deck could affect the plane’s payload limits.
However, any delay may also be linked to wider supply chain issues affecting premium aircraft seats across the industry.
British Airways said the A380 refit programme remains on schedule for 2026.
