Airlines

Check out Air Canada’s first upgraded Airbus A321 with an all-new interior and cabin

ANA Turns Aircraft Seat Covers into Slippers as Part of an Upcycling Initiative to Reduce Waste

Cabin improvements include larger overhead bins, new seating, and a state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system
Industry-first exterior cameras on a narrow-body aircraft provide customers real-time, high-definition flight views on IFE seatback screens
Aircraft will serve as an onboard trial environment for new technologies such as Bluetooth audio at seatbacks and free high-speed Internet available to all customers

Customers on board Air Canada flight AC692 operated by Fin 451 (C-GITU) on Saturday got an aerial view of the takeoff with new exterior cameras linked to the aircraft’s seatback entertainment system.

The new camera capability, a first for a narrow-body aircraft, is one of numerous advancements announced with the airline’s first updated Airbus A321, which has been overhauled from nose to tail.

Air Canada is investing in customer comfort throughout its fleet of Airbus A321 and A320 aircraft, which will include a new cabin interior, new technologies and services such as Bluetooth music, and free high-speed internet sponsored by Bell.

Highlights of new cabin features:

Larger overhead bins – Latest Airbus Airspace XL design, the largest overhead bins in-class that will also be installed on the Airbus A321XLRs.
Upgraded seating – Presents a standardized product across the Air Canada narrowbody fleet in both Business Class and Economy. The new seats are designed to optimize passenger personal space, improve ergonomics, and provide more storage giving customers a more comfortable experience.
Bluetooth audio – Air Canada’s newest IFE system will feature a Bluetooth-enabled seatback monitor. Customers will be able to connect their personal headsets while watching video on demand, live TV, or listening to podcasts or music. This initiative helps reduce usage of single-use headphones and supports Air Canada’s sustainability objectives in reducing waste.
New exterior cameras – Customers can now watch their flight live thanks to a new first-in-class narrowbody tail and belly camera system providing high-resolution, real-time video of the aircraft exterior.
Full colour LED mood lighting – New cabin lighting system will allow different ambiances to be set depending on time of day and phase of flight.
Fast and reliable Wi-Fi – Upgraded satellite-based connectivity.
Power options at all seats – All customers have access to power outlets, USB-A, and USB-C.

Air Canada’s remaining 14 Airbus A321s and eight A320s will be upgraded beginning in the fall and continuing through the end of 2025. Customers will benefit from an improved narrow-body cabin experience, similar to that of the Airbus A220 and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that make up the majority of Air Canada’s narrowbody fleet.

The new cabin also reduces the overall weight of the A321 by approximately 240 kilograms, which reduces fuel consumption for the entire fleet by more than 2.4 million litres once the work is completed and GHG emissions by 6,256 tCO2 equivalent per year, or the equivalent of the electricity used annually by 4,185 Canadian homes.

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.