A British Airways spokesperson has confirmed that the legacy airline will follow in the steps of budget carriers by installing seats that do not recline on services of up to four hours.
According to the Telegraph, BA will fit non-reclining seats on its 35 new A320neos and A321neos, which should be coming into service later this year. The new seats will be fixed at a “gentle recline”, eliminating the possibility of passengers encroaching on the legroom of the people sitting behind them.
The news comes after BA already said it would add an extra two rows of seats to the new aircraft by reducing legroom by one inch.
A BA spokesperson said: “These changes will also allow us to offer more low fares to customers.” The airline also claims it will install at-seat power throughout the aircraft, as well as onboard wifi.
BA announced last month that it would be offering new lower fare options through NDC in the first half of this year.
The airline has faced criticism over the last couple of years as it continues to introduce cost-saving measures, including axing free food and drink in economy class on short-haul flights in favour of a paid-for extra. The Telegraph says BA is reportedly reviewing other processes, such as its policy of selling duty-free items on short-haul flights.
Critics have said BA has been taking too many notes from its budget rivals since CEO Alex Cruz – former boss of Spanish low-cost carrier Vueling – was appointed in 2015.