British Airways will convert London Gatwick fleet to “High Density Economy”

RoutesOnline discovered that British Airways will install high density seating on its London Gatwick aircraft.

• Boeing 787-9 will arrive with smaller first-class cabin
• Boeing 777 will be converted to 10-abreast
• Airbus A319 reduced from 44 to 26 by 2021
• Airbus A320 and A321 converted into the “max”-capacity: 180 and 218 economy class seats

The high density Boeing 777-220ER aircraft will be introduced into service in May 2018. Other European airlines like SWISS already configured their A320 aircraft into a “MAX”.

So onto the routes – and all from London Gatwick in the first instance. These are based on when RoutesOnline, and in order of deployment

• London Gatwick – Kingston – Commences 7th May 2018, initially operating Mondays and Wednesdays, switching to Mondays and Fridays on 10th September 2018
• London Gatwick – Punta Cana – Commences 8th May 2018, operating three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays
• London Gatwick – Orlando – Commences 11th May 2018 on Fridays aboard BA2037/2036. During the Summer period between 8th June and 8th September, this will operate Fridays and Saturdays
• London Gatwick – Cancun – Commences 12th May 2018 once weekly on Saturdays, with an increase in use to three times a week from 20th June 2018 operating Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays
• London Gatwick – Tampa – Commences 7th June 2018, twice weekly on Thursdays and Sundays
• London Gatwick – New York JFK – Commences 8th July 2018 with a daily service
• London Gatwick – Ft. Lauderdale  –  Commences 13th September 2018 operating Thursdays

Read more: Uhoh: First British Airways routes announced with High Density seating