Airlines

Iberia unveils the new Lavish cabin interior for its A350

This new-generation aircraft, equipped with the latest technology and designed to fly with maximum efficiency, is built with the most sustainable materials on the market and in this new standard

Iberia is the first airline to take delivery of Airbus aircraft with this new standard, with a reduction in weight and low-speed operational improvements.

The new Iberia A350s incorporate a new Business class seat with doors to give greater privacy to each customer, the seat when in flatbed mode is five centimetres longer than the previous ones.

Premium Economy Class provides added privacy thanks to the improvement of the headrests in the seat.

And the seats in the new Economy cabin are one centimetre wider and incorporate new storage for personal items.

The new IFE NEXT in-flight entertainment system boasts the latest Panasonic technology, a more modern, interactive, and intuitive design, 4K resolution, larger screens in Premium Economy and Economy and Bluetooth pairing is available at every seat.

The A350 Next has six different lighting environments to adapt the light to each moment of the flight. The bathroom surfaces are made from antibacterial materials, with contactless taps to provide greater hygiene.

Iberia has once more been the first airline to receive an A350 that meets a new Airbus standard, specifically the 4, 2022 standard, which includes upgrades that boost operational effectiveness and passenger comfort with bigger cabins.

This new-generation aircraft, equipped with the latest technology and designed to fly with maximum efficiency, is built with the most sustainable materials on the market and in this new standard, the weight has also been reduced by one ton.

Specifically, the new Iberia A350 boasts new flap positions that allow the pilot to select the optimal configuration for each takeoff; and the retraction of the landing gear is faster, which allows the airplane to reach a configuration that presents less aerodynamic resistance faster.

In addition to this, the weight of the empty aircraft in the factory has been reduced through structural improvements and lighter equipment, which increases its efficiency and also contributes significantly to improving its performance at the most demanding airports from an operational point of view, known colloquially as hot & high.

The incorporation of this new generation A350 aircraft means a new product and optimised travel experience for the passengers with a wider cabin, greater comfort and better features in all cabins -Economy, Economy Premium and Business.

Business Class

A new door provides a more private and exclusive personal space for each customer. All seats in this cabin have direct access to the aisle and in the central ones -known as honeymoon seats- there is an automatic divider. The seat, which has articulated leather headrests and more storage for personal items, converts to a fully flat bed, which is 5 cm longer than the current seat. The number of each seat is projected on the aisle floor, to make them easier to find in the dark.

Premium Economy

This class also now offers more privacy, thanks the addition of ‘wings’ to the headrest, which folds and adjusts on both sides for greater customer comfort, as a novelty, the seat includes a remote control for in-flight entertainment with a touchable navigation panel.

Economy Class

The cabin of the new Airbus A350 is wider at armrest level, which Iberia has taken advantage of (maintaining the number of seats per row) to increase the width per seat by one centimetre and improve the comfort for it’s customers. In addition, the headrests are articulated, folding, and adjustable on both sides, as in the Premium Economy cabin. Below the in-flight entertainment screen, the seats incorporate a stand to hold and charge personal electronic devices.

IFE Next on Bigger Screens

The other qualitative leap of these planes comes from a new generation in-flight entertainment system that Iberia developed in collaboration with Panasonic, known as IFE Next.

It incorporates a more modern, interactive, and intuitive design. Its platform uses the most advanced technological system in the industry, and the screens offer 4K resolution that protects users’ eyes and incorporate night lighting to avoid disturbing nearby customers.

Cosier Atmosphere

This new generation of A350 has six different lighting environments -wake up, meal, relax, sleep, boarding, take-off and landing-, which provide the appropriate ambient lighting for each moment of the trip in all cabins.

The bathrooms feature contactless taps and surfaces made with antibacterial materials that improve hygiene.

Take a virtual visit of the cabin here: https://iberia.3dseatmapvr.com/examples/a350next.html

Airlines

Singapore Airlines Ordered to Pay $3,580 to Couple over Faulty Seats

Image:Wikipedia

Following a dispute over defective seats during their voyage from India to Australia last year, Singapore Airlines (SIA) has been compelled to pay a sum exceeding S$3,500 to an Indian couple.

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Hyderabad ruled in favour of Ravi and Anjali Gupta, who on May 23, 2023, had problems with their business class seats that were meant to automatically recline on their flight from Hyderabad to Australia via Singapore.

Reports from media outlets in India highlighted the discomfort experienced by the couple, who were compelled to endure the entire journey without the benefit of reclining seats, despite having paid a significant amount which cost around 66,750 rupees (S$1,090) for each ticket, lodged a complaint during the flight, expressing their dissatisfaction with the situation.

Singapore Airlines initially offered compensation in the form of 10,000 KrisFlyer miles per person, which was declined by the passengers. As reported by CNA, Singapore Airlines apologised for any difficulty the technical failure may have caused and acknowledged the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission of Hyderabad’s ruling.

SIA clarified that while the automatic recline feature on Mr. and Mrs. Gupta’s seats experienced a glitch, the manual recline function remained operational during the flight from Hyderabad to Singapore.

Regrettably, due to a fully occupied flight, SIA staff were unable to arrange alternative seating within the business class cabin. However, the airline asserts that its crew diligently monitored the couple’s comfort throughout the journey, offering to manually adjust the seats as needed.

Airlines

Cathay Pacific asks business class customers to bring their own cutlery

In an innovative move towards sustainability, renowned Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific has recently floated an unconventional idea to its business class customers.

Bringing their own cutlery sets onboard. This initiative, revealed through a member survey circulated within the airline’s “Cathay Lab” community – a platform comprising frequent business class travelers – has stirred a wave of curiosity within the aviation industry.

With sustainability becoming an increasing concern in aviation, Cathay Pacific’s survey aimed to gauge passengers‘ willingness to partake in various eco-friendly practices during their journeys.

Among the initiatives presented, including refilling reusable water bottles and recycling plastic, the prospect of bringing personal cutlery garnered significant attention. Some members expressed practical concerns, questioning the feasibility of carrying cutlery through airport security and the potential inconvenience for passengers unaware of regulations.

Others suggested that Cathay Pacific should simply provide reusable cutlery onboard instead. Furthermore, there were suspicions among some respondents that the BYO cutlery proposal might be a precursor to introducing additional charges, with one user humorously envisioning a scenario where the airline lends cutlery sets for a fee.

Despite the skepticism surrounding the proposal, Cathay Pacific’s exploration of innovative sustainability measures reflects a broader industry trend towards environmental consciousness.

Airlines

Air India and IndiGo’s Joint Initiative, Plans for 170 Wide-Body Aircraft

In a bold move that underscores their confidence in India’s burgeoning aviation sector, Air India and IndiGo have revealed ambitious plans to acquire a combined total of up to 170 wide-body aircraft.

This strategic investment marks a significant shift in the country’s aviation landscape, as it brings European aircraft manufacturer Airbus into a domain traditionally dominated by American giant Boeing.

With India positioned as one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation markets, the timing couldn’t be more opportune for such expansion endeavors. The aim is clear: to elevate India’s status as a global aviation hub by enhancing connectivity through direct flights between Indian cities and international destinations.

Currently, a substantial portion of India’s international air traffic relies on overseas hubs, particularly in the Gulf region. IndiGo’s announcement of firm orders for 30 A350-900 aircraft, with an option for an additional 70, signals its commitment to capturing a larger share of the long-haul market.

Meanwhile, Air India’s comprehensive order, unveiled last year, encompasses 70 wide-body planes, including a mix of A350 and Boeing 787 models.

Recognizing the potential for disruption in the long and ultra-long haul segments, aviation consultancy CAPA India has emphasized the pivotal role Indian carriers can play in driving innovation and transformation.

With the current combined fleet size of Indian airlines exceeding 700 aircraft, the stage is set for Air India and IndiGo to spearhead a new era of growth and connectivity in the Indian aviation sector.