What happened
British Airways announced that as of May 6, 2026, it will stop placing headrest covers on seats in its Club Europe product (regional business class). The airline cites operational resilience, improved punctuality, and sustainability commitments as reasons, effectively reducing cleaning costs and simplifying cabin adjustments. Club Europe consists of economy seats with blocked middles and enhanced service; the covers previously served as a visual differentiator from economy. This is part of a broader trend of BA chipping away at short-haul premium experience through cost-cutting measures