British Airways plans record 106-seat business class on Airbus A380 jumbo jets

British Airways is building what it calls the "world's largest" business class cabin and ripping out dozens of coach-class seats, the starkest example yet of how airlines are betting their future on high-spending travelers.

The changes are part of a massive overhaul of the British Airways fleet and its ground services, including lounges at its London Heathrow hub.

Here's what's changing:

• British Airways will outfit its Airbus A380, the world's largest passenger plane, with a monster 106-seat business class cabin, up from the current configuration of 97 business class seats.
• First class will also be refreshed and will include 12 suites, down from the current A380 configuration of 14.
• Premium economy class will grow to 84 seats from 55.
• Standard economy seats will shrink to just 215 from 303.

Airlines have been spending years and hundreds of millions of dollars to expand their pricier seats, capitalizing on demand for roomier options and travelers' appetite for more luxurious trips.

Those more expensive seats command a premium. Even extra legroom on trips across the Atlantic can go for more than $200 per leg, with surcharges of more than $1,000 for premium economy seats after purchase.

The prices can be even higher if they're selected at booking. The top-end seats regularly run $5,000 and even well over $10,000 on lengthier flights.