British Airways has introduced a radical new policy that will allow its cabin crew to rest in unoccupied first and business class seats during long-haul flights. The move, which affects certain aircraft lacking dedicated crew bunks, comes after weeks of negotiations with the British Airlines Stewards and Stewardesses Association (BASSA).
The change primarily impacts Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners and some 777-200ER models in BA's fleet that don't have separate sleeping compartments for staff. Until now, crew on these long-haul routes would take their rest breaks in curtained-off jump seats within the galley areas.
Under the new guidelines, staff using premium seats for rest will need to remove or cover parts of their uniform and use the bedding supplied for that cabin. The airline aims to designate these seats for crew rest whenever available, or staff can use any vacant customer seats across different cabins – as long as no passengers are inconvenienced.
A British Airways spokesperson said the adjustment is designed to support crew well-being, stating, "This small change will help ensure our crew colleagues are rested during long-haul flights so they can focus on delivering the premium level of customer service they are renowned for." Online aviation communities have welcomed the move, acknowledging the strenuous nature of long-haul flights without proper rest facilities.
This development follows other airlines exploring innovative rest solutions. In April, Air New Zealand announced its 'Skynest' concept – offering bunk beds for economy passengers on select ultra-long-haul routes from November, allowing them to lie flat – a different approach to improving the long-haul travel experience for those not in premium cabins.