In 1959 BEA required the Trident 1 to carry a payload of 15 500 lb (7 Mg), or 75 passengers mixed first and economy class, for 1000 statute miles (1609 km), i.e. London-Rome. It was to be tightly tailored to this requirement to achieve low operating costs, and to achieve this they decided on passenger amenity standards which were below those current today. For example, allowance was made for cold meals with coffee etc., not for hot meals. First class seating was 5 abreast, and economy class seat backs were fixed with no adjustment for recline. The aircraft was to be capable of cruising at 600 mph (268 m/s), the economical speed coming out at 585 mph (261 m/s), higher than any other jet.