British Airways staff may now sleep in first-class seats on long haul flights

British Airways cabin crew can now sleep in empty business and first-class passenger seats during long-haul flights.

Crew will be given the additional rest areas on planes without dedicated crew bunks following talks with the cabin crew union, the British Airlines Stewards and Stewardesses Association (BASSA).

The airline confirmed that the change will apply to a small number of long-haul aircraft in the BA fleet. This includes BA’s Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners and some 777-200ERs that are not configured with crew bunks.

Previously, crew flying long-haul on these models took their rest breaks in curtained-off jump seats in the galley.

According to a post on Flyer Talk last week, staff will be required to “remove or cover uniform items and to use the bedding provided for that cabin”.

It added that seats will be dedicated for crew rest where available, or staff can use vacant customer seats in any cabin, provided they haven’t asked passengers to move.

One user on the forum commented: “I can't see an issue with them doing it, the potential problem I see is passengers thinking it's ok to disturb them if they want something.”

Another wrote, “I think it's a great idea. I know it's not technically breaking any rules to fly a 78X to SEA, for example, but without bunks it must be so tiring.”

A spokesperson for British Airways said: “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."

The Independent has contacted BASSA for comment.

In April, Air New Zealand announced an innovative way for economy passengers to sleep on long-haul flights with bunk beds on board.

The airline opened bookings for its “Skynest” seats, which will allow economy class passengers to lie flat on flights, on 18 May, with travel from November on select ultra-long-haul flights between New York and Auckland.

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