Airlines

Air France’s new standard of travel coming soon to the Airbus A350

Air France provided an exclusive first glimpse at its brand-new Business seat at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2023 in Hamburg (Germany). The seat incorporates a sliding door that allows passengers to create a completely private space and the seat converts into a full-flat bed reaching almost two metres in length..

It also features the highest industry standards in terms of comfort and on-board technology. The seats in the middle of the cabin are provided with a central panel that can be lowered to create a convivial area and make the most of the flight together, giving those travelling together a better sense of isolation.

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The new Airbus A350s that the business will add to its long-haul fleet between now and 2025 will include this seat, which was created specifically for Air France. The Airbus A350 will have new cabins in all travel classes in this configuration, including 48 Business seats, 32 Premium Economy seats, and 212 Economy seats.

Air France is pursuing the roll-out of its most cutting-edge travel standards in terms of in-flight comfort with this most recent strategic step in its march upmarket, expanding on what the firm has already implemented on 12 Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft.

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Air France has purchased a total of 41 Airbus A350-900s, which are currently being delivered at a steady rate. Twenty of these planes have already been delivered to the corporation. The first A350 with this redesigned cabin layout will be the 21st model, “Aix-en-Provence,” which will launch on commercial flights in July 2023.

The “three Fs” concept, which guided the design of the 48 roomy business seats, stands for Full Flat, Full Access, and Full Privacy. Full Flat refers to the seat’s ability to convert into a bed that is 53 cm broad and over 2 metres long. Passengers can now create a completely contained room that is hidden from other passengers in the cabin via a new sliding door.

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The largest business cabin on any Air France long-haul aircraft, each seat has a wide 20-inch 4K Ultra High Definition anti-glare screen, providing passengers with over 1,500 hours of entertainment on a cutting-edge graphical user interface. Passengers can use their own headphones to enjoy the entertainment system with to a Bluetooth connection.

There are 212 seats in the Economy cabin that were created in partnership with Safran Seats. Each seat has a 119 degree recline, a 46 cm wide seat pan, and 79 cm of legroom. The backrest’s cushions provide reinforced lateral support and have an ergonomic design. In addition to the USB-A port, the seat now has a USB-C port as well as a personal smartphone or tablet holder built into the backrest.

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.

Airlines

Air China Makes Landmark Deal: Orders 100 C919 Jets from COMAC

In a strategic move that could reshape China’s aviation industry, Air China has inked a monumental deal with Comac, signaling a significant shift in the nation’s commercial aircraft procurement landscape.

The agreement, valued at a staggering $10.8 billion based on list prices, entails the purchase of 100 Comac C919 jets, a resounding endorsement of the homegrown challenger to aerospace giants Airbus and Boeing.

The announcement, disclosed in a filing by Air China, underscores the airline’s commitment to bolstering its fleet with domestically manufactured aircraft. These C919 jets, slated for delivery between 2024 and 2031, are poised to amplify Air China’s operational capabilities and enhance its competitive stance in the global aviation arena.

The C919, a formidable competitor to Boeing’s 737 Max and Airbus’s A320neo, symbolizes China’s ambitious foray into the global aviation market. With Air China’s commitment to acquiring a substantial fleet of C919s, the aircraft is poised to carve out a formidable niche in the industry, challenging the dominance of established players.

Notably, Air China‘s existing fleet comprises an extensive array of Airbus and Boeing aircraft, showcasing its diverse operational portfolio.

With nearly 500 airplanes in service, including models from the A320 family and the 737 series, Air China’s decision to incorporate the C919 into its fleet underscores a strategic diversification strategy.

While Airbus has enjoyed notable success in China, buoyed by its local assembly line, Boeing has faced formidable challenges in recent years. However, Air China’s resolute investment in the C919 signals a paradigm shift, amplifying China’s quest for self-sufficiency in aviation.