British Airways will be…

Forty-nine per cent owned by Qatar Airways. The Gulf super-connector, seven-time winner of the Skytrax “World’s Best Airline” award, already has a 25 per cent stake in IAG, BA’s parent company. And passengers will see the benefit, with the new joint venture offering a premium service to almost anywhere on the planet from twin hubs in London and Doha.   

Virgin Atlantic will be…

Working even more closely with Delta, which already owns 49 per cent of the carrier. It might also be in partnership with EasyJet. Virgin needs a short-haul feeder partner and easyJet a long-haul partner in order to grow. Such a move could see Virgin return to Gatwick. It pulled out during the pandemic.

First-class cabins will be…

Rarer, found only on super-premium routes, such as London to New York, Los Angeles, Singapore, Dubai and Cape Town. They will also be smaller – six to eight seats at most – and more like private jets, with sofas that turn into beds. 

Singapore Airlines’ Suites Class, which offers double beds, and Etihad’s Residence, a 125 sq ft private apartment with a living area, bathroom with shower, and double bed in the nose cone, show the way.  

Business class cabins will be…

Smaller, as business travel declines relative to leisure travel, and all about privacy. With even “How ya’ goin’?” Qantas and “party-on!” Virgin Atlantic installing doors in business class, prepare to be put in a box with a flat bed whether you like it or not.