The number of passengers travelling first and business class with British Airways saw a significant increase last month, it has been revealed.

Announcing its traffic figures for September, the airline said that premium travel on its services rose by 6.6 per cent during the month, while economy class travel fell by two per cent.

Total traffic measured in revenue passenger kilometres also decreased by 0.7 per cent last month, the carrier stated.

"The outlook for long-haul premium travel continues to be encouraging," British Airways said in a statement.

In related news, it was recently announced that the airline is to acquire 12 Airbus A380 and 24 Boeing 787 aircraft between 2010 and 2014 for use on its long-haul routes.

British Airways offers a range of economy and business class flights to New York, Washington, Miami, Dublin, Perth, Toronto and a number of other destinations around the world.

• Qantas developing new business class services
• Eastern Airways most punctual scheduled airline
• Etihad experiences busiest day ever
• Singapore Air receives fifth A380
• Bmi planning more Heathrow to Saudi Arabia flights
• New bmi flights from Edinburgh to Copenhagen
• United Airlines opens new Chicago O'Hare lounge
• Etihad boosts Heathrow-Abu Dhabi flights
• American Airlines to test inflight broadband
• Awards recognise best of Asia