British Airways has announced an array of new initiatives to modernise the airline, as it revealed a £7bn transformation plan at its ‘In the Skies’ event held in London.

Chairman and CEO Sean Doyle outlined his plan, which involves more than 600 separate actions including  modernising IT,  focusing on sustainability, as well as driving on-time performance.

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Significantly, the airline is to fit new short-haul seats as well as a new First suite. The passenger experience will be supplemented with a new website, mobile app and free onboard messaging as well as better connectivity for the cabin crew in order to get help from the ground to solve any problems that might arise.

Doyle explained that new short-haul seats and cabin interiors will feature on the next generation of British Airways’ Airbus A320neo and A321neos, with eight aircraft sets to arrive from May this year. The airline is working with suppliers from England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with the new short-haul Euro Traveller and Club Europe seats reflecting a ‘modern yet classic British interior’. The re-designed cabins will also be fitted with extra-large bins for overhead luggage.

Meanwhile, the new First Class suites will form part of the airline’s A380 refurbishment programme.