Hong Kong to Launch British Airways’ Programme of Innovations In Asia

British Airways announced today that Hong Kong is the launch market in Asia for its HK$7.6bn cabin and service innovations. The first aircraft with the revolutionary flat bed in Club World business class and an improved World Traveller economy class has already touched down in Hong Kong. Other cabin improvements to First and a groundbreaking new class offering passengers even more choice than conventional airlines, will be progressively introduced on the Hong Kong route.

“We are launching our biggest ever programme of product and service innovations, both on the ground and in the air,” said Freddy Li, Country Manager Hong Kong, British Airways. “We asked thousands of our customers what we do well and where we need to improve. This HK$7.6bn investment demonstrates British Airways’ commitment to service excellence and we are delighted that it will be available in Hong Kong this month.

“It is also exciting to see British Airways setting new benchmarks and industry standards for commercial aviation,” Mr Li added.

British Airways’ revolutionary Club World bed, the world’s first fully flat business class bed is already available on the Hong Kong route. The airline’s new HK$2.5bn lounge in the sky’ cabins feature a new armchair-style seat which transforms to a 6 ft bed at the touch of the button. New Club World comes complete with all the trimmings–in-seat power for laptops, in-seat phone, personal televisions, flexible dining and adjustable footrest and headrests to enable business class passengers to sleep, eat, work or be entertained.

World Traveller Plus is a separate cabin set in between business and economy class. This new cabin creates a spacious, quieter, value added economy product with a new specially designed seat, a more generous seat pitch and width than World Traveller, and a choice of 12 entertainment channels. The idea for the new HK$1.9bn cabin came from British Airways’ passengers who asked for additional comfort but at value-for-money prices.

British Airways’ World Traveller economy class has also been ‘relaunched’ with a HK$1.9bn investment. The new cabin now offers 12 channel seat-back video screens, new ergonomically designed seats and inventive menus.

A further HK$250 million has been spent on updating the airline’s First class cabin. This includes a larger personal television screen, the choice of 45 videos on demand, luxurious cabin trims and contemporary tableware.

“These are exciting times for everyone at British Airways, particularly for us here in Hong Kong. All our front line staff, from 121 Chinese cabin crew to 230 airport and telesales staff, have participated in new service style training to complement the ‘hard’ product,” said Mr Li.

“We also will be showcasing these new products and services at a reception later this month when our premier customers, industry and trade partners will have an opportunity to ‘touch and feel’ these products first hand as well as quiz our executives and brand managers on these innovations,” said Colin Roy, Sales and Marketing Manager East Asia.

The new Club World and World Traveller cabins are currently available on British Airways daily BA28/27 daily Hong Kong-London service. World Traveller Plus will be progressively introduced. Other investments include upgrades to Concorde, Club Europe and the airline’s network of lounges.

British Airways commenced service to Hong Kong in 1936. Today the airline offers 21 flights per week comprising of two daily services to London, three times weekly to Taipei and four times weekly to Manila. British Airways services connect in London to 168 destinations in 87 countries.