BA to strip business class

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The near future could see an end to business class seats on some of the largest British Airways (BA) planes.

The airline has also hinted that it might need to raise more finances if the downturn carries on the way it has been. The chief executive of BA, Willie Walsh said that the company was currently looking at the layout of some of their jets as business class travel has been hit the hardest in the recession. The Boeing 747s have the flat bed seats in business class which take up a lot of space.

“There has been a structural shift in our premium markets. Fewer business travellers will choose the premium cabins, and those who do will pay less. Hanging on in there and just hoping for old high-roller times to return is the road to oblivion,” said Mr Walsh to the shareholders at their annual general meeting earlier this week.

According to the chief executive offering only economy seats from Gatwick Airport was also another possibility for the future.

The higher end of travel like first and business class account for around 45 per cent of BAs revenue, so when businesses are cutting back on travel that just leaves first class for the majority of the money.

Thanks to www.guardian.co.uk for the above quotes, for more information on this article please visit their website.

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