British Airways plans 106-seat business class on Airbus A380 jets

British Airways is building what it calls the “world’s largest” business class cabin and ripping out dozens of coach-class seats, the starkest example yet of how airlines are betting their future on high-spending travelers.

The changes are part of a massive overhaul of the British Airways fleet and its ground services, including lounges at its London Heathrow hub.

Here’s what’s changing:

• British Airways will outfit its Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger plane, with a monster 106-seat business class cabin, up from the current configuration of 97 business class seats.
• First class will also be refreshed and will include 12 suites, down from the current A380 configuration of 14.
• Premium economy class will grow to 84 seats from 55.
• Standard economy seats will shrink to just 215 from 303.