British Airways is planning to increase the number of seats on its Boeing 777 economy class flights from 280 to 332, by adding an extra seat per row.

Currently passengers find nine economy seats per row, but the new proposals would mean shrinking seating space to create 10 seats per row and an extra 52 seats in the cabin.

The refurbishment will also include new entertainment systems, with bigger screens according to a company statement.

"We are flying more customers than ever before to our expanding network of destinations," a BA spokeswoman said.

"To meet this demand, we are updating our Boeing 777 cabins to bring us into line with many of our competitors and allow us to offer even more low fares."


The chief executive of British Airway's parent company IAG, Willie Walsh, told investors: "We're responding to a market opportunity."

He said the move would allow BA to "lower the average cost per seat, charge a lower price and stimulate demand".