The 7 Aircraft Used By British Airways For Flights To The US

UK flag carrier British Airways operates a handful of routes to destinations across the United States, serving all from its hubs at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and London Gatwick Airport (LGW). These nonstop flights provide passengers from across the United States with the opportunity to fly directly to the United Kingdom and provide one-stop access to dozens of destinations in the British Airways network.
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As these are all dedicated long-haul transatlantic routes, British Airways exclusively serves these routes with a fleet of widebody aircraft, all of which are equipped with the carrier’s premium products. Let’s take a deeper look at British Airways’ transatlantic operations, and examine the seven different aircraft types that are in the airline’s fleet, with statistical insight provided by the aviation database Cirium Aviation Analytics.
7 Airbus A380-800
Number of aircraft in British Airways fleet: 12
Number of monthly flights: 248 Number of monthly seats: 116,312 Number of monthly available seat miles (ASMs): 572,080,572
The British Airways fleet is one of the few left to operate the Airbus A380 and uses the jet to serve a few US destinations including Miami International Airport (MIA) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO), among others. Interestingly enough, the airline does not typically use its highest-capacity widebody to serve destinations like New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), which it typically serves with multiple smaller jets.
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The British Airways Airbus A380 is equipped with a massive 469 seats, making it one of the most dense A380 configurations used by any airline. The plane offers First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy-class cabins spread across its two passenger decks.
6 Boeing 777-200ER
Number of aircraft in British Airways fleet: 43
Number of monthly flights: 780 Number of monthly seats: 201,480 Number of monthly available seat miles (ASMs): 804,045,588
The Boeing 777-200ER is one of the most-used aircraft by British Airways for flights to the United States, as well as across its long-haul network. In the United States, it serves multiple destinations, including Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), which sees two daily flights to London.
Photo: The Global Guy | Shutterstock
The airline’s 777-200ER jets come in a variety of configurations, which offer between 235 and 332 seats. These aircraft feature a variety of First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy-class cabins.
5 Airbus A350-1000
Number of aircraft in British Airways fleet: 18
Number of monthly flights: 432 Number of monthly seats: 142,992 Number of monthly available seat miles (ASMs): 669,387,920
A next-generation widebody jet boasting top-tier fuel efficiency, the Airbus A350-1000, is used by British Airways to serve several destinations across the United States, primarily cities that see lower levels of traffic demand. For example, the jet is used on flights from Heathrow to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Denver International Airport (DEN).
Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock
The Airbus A350-1000 is only used by British Airways in one configuration, with 331 seats. This includes 56 lie-flat Business class seats, 56 Premium Economy seats, and a large economy cabin with 219 seats.
4 Boeing 777-300ER
Number of aircraft in British Airways fleet: 16
Number of monthly flights: 346 Number of monthly seats: 87,884 Number of monthly available seat miles (ASMs): 382,566,672
The Boeing 777-300ER, once a major piece of the British Airways fleet, is now a relatively smaller element and serves just a handful of destinations in the United States. Currently, the carrier uses the jet to serve destinations like New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
All British Airways 777-300ER aircraft are equipped with 256 seats. These seats are spread across a four-cabin configuration featuring First, Business, Premium Economy, and Economy-class cabins.
3 Boeing 787-8
Number of aircraft in British Airways fleet: 12
Number of monthly flights: 205 Number of monthly seats: 43,390 Number of monthly available seat miles (ASMs): 171,200,570
The UK-based flag carrier has long been a fan of the Boeing 787 family, and it has operated all three of the jet’s different variants for years now. The smallest of these is the Boeing 787-8, which it uses to serve several lower-demand destinations across its network, including Nashville International Airport (BNA).
Photo: sockagphoto | Shutterstock
The 12 787-8 aircraft in the British Airways fleet are equipped with two configurations, one with 214 and another with 204 seats. These both feature Business Class and Premium Economy seating, in addition to an Economy cabin.
2 Boeing 787-9
Number of aircraft in British Airways fleet: 18
Number of monthly flights: 87 Number of monthly seats: 18,792 Number of monthly available seat miles (ASMs): 70,879,752
The middle child of the Boeing 787 family, the 787-9 is widely touted by operators as the most efficient. Nonetheless, it is the least-used aircraft by British Airways for US-bound flights, only serving a few destinations including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA).
Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock
The airline’s small fleet of 787-9 jets is equipped with a single 216-seat configuration. These aircraft feature First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy-class seating.
Related British Airways Boeing 787 Diverts To Halifax Amid Cabin Smoke The cabin was inspected upon landing, but no trace of active fire was discovered.
1 Boeing 787-10
Number of aircraft in British Airways fleet: 11
Number of monthly flights: 392 Number of monthly seats: 100,352 Number of monthly available seat miles (ASMs): 396,158,976
The most-used variant of the Boeing 787 family by British Airways for flights to the United States, the Boeing 787-10, is the highest-capacity variant of the family. This aircraft is used to serve multiple destinations, including Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH).
Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock
British Airways currently only has 11 of the type in its fleet, but it has outstanding orders for seven units, according to manufacturer Boeing. All 787-10 aircraft are equipped with a 256-seat configuration that features First, Business, Premium Economy and Economy-class seating.