British Airways has shown off the results of a multi-million-pound overhaul of its 12-strong A380 fleet, and the headline act is a First cabin designed to feel more like a boutique hotel room than an aeroplane seat. The first refurbished jumbos are due to enter service in the coming months.

The First cabin holds just 12 suites. Centre seats can be converted into a shared space by sliding away the divider, so couples or friends can dine together at stowable tables — what BA calls "buddy dining". Each suite comes with an in-seat mini bar for help-yourself snacks and drinks, new mattresses with a cotton duvet and redesigned pillow, navy cool-touch sleepwear and slippers, plus a separate daytime blanket and cushion. Amenity kits nod to vintage luggage and contain Wildsmith skincare along with a "circadian rhythm" collection aimed at keeping you hydrated and comfortable from departure to landing. The "From the Grill" dining concept and its matching drinks menu are already rolling out across BA's whole long-haul network.

Business class gets the blockbuster numbers. Club World on the A380 will have 106 single-seat suites filling the entire upper deck, making it the largest business class cabin in the world. BA has split it into four zones to avoid the aircraft-hangar feel, and added dedicated dwell areas and galley spaces so passengers can get up, stretch and grab a coffee without queueing in an aisle. Expect extra storage, tweaked seat functionality and amenity kits from British wellness brand anatomē.

Down the back, it's not just a fresh coat of paint. World Traveller (economy) passengers get bigger entertainment screens, wider seats and improved bedding, while World Traveller Plus adds privacy wings, even larger screens and a Dr.Pawpaw balm in the kit. BA boss Sean Doyle has framed the programme as a full reimagining of every cabin, from interiors and dining to service delivery.

Why should you care? If you've been sitting on Avios or eyeing a first class treat, this is a genuinely new product on routes where BA's A380s fly — think long-haul heavyweights like New York, Los Angeles, Singapore and Johannesburg in normal times. Even if First is out of reach, the sheer size of the new Club World cabin means more award and upgrade availability may filter through, and economy travellers get tangible upgrades rather than marketing spin. Worth checking which aircraft is operating your route before you book.