Aviation

FlySafair blazes trail with new aviation innovation

FlySafair blazes trail with new aviation innovation

Johannesburg, 1 April 2018. South African low-cost carrier, FlySafair, has today unveiled a new innovation that is sure to take global aviation by storm. FlySafair has been widely commended for having changed the South African domestic aviation industry for the better.

Since launching in October 2014, the airline has managed to reduce fares on some routes by as much as 32% and has been rated the most on-time airline in the world for two consecutive seasons by international aviation data company, OAG.

The airline has also been recognised as a true innovator, having been the first to launch a fully-responsive website to optimise the mobile sales experience, as well as the first in South Africa to accept credit card payments for catering purchases during flight. But FlySafair clearly isn’t done yet.

“This latest innovation is very exciting to us, because it not only helps us to provide better service for our customers, but it also puts a truly South African mark on the face of global aviation,” says Kirby Gordon, Head of Silliness and Distraction at FlySafair.

“Keeping our costs as low as possible has always been a key focus for us and this solution was right in front of us all along. Like literally right in front of us – attached to the Fortuner on the R24 heading to the airport,” says Gordon.

In a bid to reduce weight on board from luggage, the airline has partnered with aviation engineering company, VentertjieVlieg, to develop an aircraft trailer that can be hitched to Boeing 737 aircraft. Inspired by the iconic South African Venter Trailer and complete with wings and a vertical stabiliser, the trailer allows for luggage to be removed from the aircraft hold and placed in the trailer, effectively reducing the load on the aircraft.

Aviation

Airbus Enhances A350 Cabin with 10-Abreast Seating

Airbus has announced a new partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer, to supply upgraded economy-class seats for the A350 widebody series.

This collaboration, unveiled at the 2024 Airshow China, focuses on developing a newly designed economy seat tailored for the A350‘s New Production Standard (NPS) cabin.

One of the key features of the NPS cabin is the ability to accommodate 17-inch wide economy seats, compared to the previous 16.5-inch wide seats that airlines were limited to in the A350’s earlier configurations.

British Airways Unveils Its Brand-New First Class Cabin for the Airbus A380

This change is made possible by the expanded space in the NPS cabin, which is 35 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the previous version. This extra space is achieved by slightly moving the cockpit wall forward and shifting the rear pressure bulkhead back by one frame.

The wider cabin allows airlines to add up to 30 extra economy seats without compromising comfort. For airlines opting for a 3-4-3 seating layout, the 17-inch wide seats are an excellent choice for a more comfortable passenger experience. However, some airlines, such as Iberia, may choose to retain a 9-abreast layout with wider seats for added comfort.

The NPS cabin also offers enhanced flexibility for airline operators. One major advantage is the ability to easily switch between a 9-abreast and 10-abreast seating configuration without requiring significant downtime for aircraft reconfiguration. Airlines can use the same seat rails, tracks, and IFE interfaces, making the transition smoother and quicker.

Etihad Airways Unveils 10 Exciting New Routes for 2025

In addition, the design of the floor attachments and air-conditioning systems has been optimized for 10-abreast seating, meaning airlines can upgrade their cabins without needing to make substantial modifications to the aircraft’s structure.

Though it’s still unclear when Jiatai’s economy-class seats will be officially added to the A350’s Buyer Furnished Equipment (BFE) catalogue, the collaboration marks a significant step toward enhancing the A350’s cabin offerings.

With this partnership, Airbus is providing more seating options for airlines, ensuring that they can meet diverse customer needs while improving overall operational efficiency.