Here are some more details on BA LGW shorthaul fleet plans. BA will transfer a further 5 ex BD A319's to LGW at the start of the S14 schedule. Taking the number of airbus aircraft based at LGW to 12 (9 x A319's, 3 x A320's). The 10 leased aircraft will arrive between late October and June 2015. No exact delivery dates are currently available. Below is a list of the A320's that are to be leased and there current operational status. Have listed the aircraft from oldest to youngest (current age of aircraft is also shown in brackets)
TC-OBH - (12yrs 9mths) ex Onur Air - wfu 31OCT13 and currently stored ??
TC-OBI - (12yrs 8mths) ex Onur Air - wfu 01NOV13 and stored at WOE since 24FEB14
PT-MZX - (12yrs 4mths) ex TAM - Unsure if still in service
PR-MAB - (12yrs 3mths) ex TAM - Unsure if still in service
PR-MAC - (12yrs 3mths) ex TAM - Unsure if still in service
PR-MAD - (12yrs) ex TAM - Unsure if still in service
PR-MAE - (11yrs 8mths) ex TAM - Unsure if still in service
HA-LPF - (11yrs 7mths) ex Wizz Air - Aircraft still in service
HA-LPE - (11yrs 4mths) ex Wizz Air - Aircraft still in service
HA-LPD - (11yrs 3mths) ex Wizz Air - Aircraft still in service
A fleet of 25 Airbus aircraft will be based at LGW by June 2015. The fleet will made up of the 14 A319's (3 ex BA mainline fleet and the 11 ex BD aircraft ) and 11 A320's (10 x leased and G-MEDK). G-TTOB and G-TTOE are expected to return to the LHR fleet once the last A320's enter service.
BA's plan to begin fitting new refurbished cabins to all there shorthaul airbus fleet beginning next month. The refurbishment program will involve:
- Removal all seats seats, carpets etc
- Removal of either a wardrobe or galley from the majority of aircraft
- Deep cleaning of cabin, galleys and washrooms
- Washrooms will undergo refurbishment with new sinks and better lighting
- New carpets, curtains, side wall covering and new cabin and side wall lighting
- Higher density cabins will be fitted using the new lighter and thinner Pinnacle seats (fitted on to G-EUYO onwards).
The 11 ex BD A319's fitted with high density cabins. These aircraft will still undergo the refurbishment program. However no galley or wardrobe will be removed. The new standard configurations will be:
A319's G-DBCA-K - remain unchanged 144Y
A319's G-EUPA-Z & G-EUOA-I - Will increase from 132Y to 143Y (Row 24 will only have 5 seats due to crew seat location)
A320's (G-MEDK, G-MIDO/S/T/X/Y only) - Will increase from 168Y to 174Y
A320's (G-EUUA-Z & G-EUYA-Z) - Will increase from 162Y to 174Y
A321's - Will increase from 188Y to 206Y (to be confirmed)
BA will fit the new cabins to the leased A320's prior to them entering service.
The remaining 14 A319's and 1 A320 will undergo refurbishment before the start of the S15 schedule