Business travel agents have applauded British Airways’ £600m investment in new products including its new fourth class of cabin.
World Traveller Plus is situated between BA’s economy and business-class cabins and is aimed at full-fare paying long-haul economy passengers who want to have more leg space and a better choice of food than regular economy passengers.
The airline will also introduce the world’s first fully flat bed on long-haul flights for BA’s Club World passengers.
GBTAchairman Don Lunn said:”The bed in Club World is very stunning. I was able to lie down in it and it was comfortable.”
Advantage Travel Centres business development manager Norman Gage said:”I applaud BA for consistently attempting to raise the standard ofservice.”
BA will also revamp Concorde and first-class cabins, and upgrade its check-in desks and lounges.
BA head of sales UK and Ireland Tiffany Hall said the products are aimed at enlarging the airline’s share of business travellers.
She said:”World Traveller Plus is aimed at the cost-conscious business traveller who feels that Club is too much money but who does not like travelling in the back where space is constrained.”
She denied that BA wants to alienate its leisure travellers.
“We will still have 80% leisure travellers so we are not saying goodbye to them at all, we just want to shift theemphasis towards business travellers.”