The Best Seats On British Airways’ Airbus A380s

When it comes to the overall passenger experience, bigger is almost always more better. In that case, the largest passenger jet – the famous Airbus A380, should be the most comfortable aircraft for passengers regardless of short- or long-haul journeys.

While there is some truth to the statement, it always boils down to the cabin class and the type or location of the seats chosen. With 12 superjumbos in its fleet and no retirement plans anytime soon, British Airways offers various cabin products for passengers to choose from. But which are the best seats for solo travelers? Let’s find out.

When choosing in first class…

When paying such a high price for the seat and accompanying status and benefits, flying in first class does provide the best overall seats in the entire Airbus A380. Although this first class cabin on the superjumbo is not the best across British Airways’ comprehensive fleet, all the seats are wide and extensive, with ample space and privacy.

Photo: British Airways

All are also equipped with the same vast variety of amenities and software in a 1-2-1 layout, but the best seats with utmost privacy would be Row 1 at the front. However, this row is usually only allowed to British Airways Executive Club Gold card members, so the next best option is Row 2.

If flying in Club World…

Should the associated point or cash price for first class become outrageous or if availability is limited, passengers might opt for British Airways’ business class, named Club World. When flying in Club World on the Airbus A380, passengers could find themselves in a dilemma choosing between sitting on the upper deck with a 2-3-2 layout or the lower deck with a 2-4-2 configuration.

Photo: British Airways

For passengers who prefer a better view with a window seat and direct aisle access along the upper deck, seats 53A, 53K, 59A, and 59K are their best bets. If seating along the lower deck is preferred, still with a window view plus direct aisle access, 15A and 15K are the best choices.

Options for premium economy…

Situated on the upper deck of the Airbus A380, the British Airways premium economy cabin, also known as World Traveller Plus, is configured in a 2-3-2 passenger layout. This makes the superjumbo one of the best aircraft within the flag carrier’s fleet for passengers flying in this cabin class, as almost all other aircraft have a 2-4-2 layout (the other exception is the B787, which also features a 2-3-2 format).

Photo: British Airways

To get optimal space with the best views and minimal disturbances, the front row of 61 is ideally the best for solo travelers, specifically seats 61A and 61k. For those who prefer skipping the views, seats 60D and 60F would be their best bets. Either of these seats has ample legroom space and is easily accessible without disturbing neighboring passengers should the lavatories be required during flight.

Finally, in economy class…

Not forgetting British Airways’ economy class cabin, World Traveler, seats are split between the upper and lower decks of the flag carrier’s Airbus A380s. For the upper deck, the economy seats are installed in a 2-4-2 layout configuration, while the lower deck seats are sectioned in a 3-4-3 layout.

Photo: British Airways

Going with the same logic of the upper deck providing the best views with a less dense cabin layout, the best seats are certainly upstairs. As you may have guessed, sitting in the front row would provide slightly more legroom for passengers, so seats 70A, 70K, 80A, and 80K are ideal. For those preferring to sit below, any seat in row 20 is an excellent choice, in addition specifically to 25D, given the absence of seat 24D.