Gallery: Premium seats give passengers a new ride

American Airlines is giving customers a suite new ride. With new deliveries of its Airbus A321XLR and Boeing 787-9 aircraft, beginning in 2024, the airline will unveil new Flagship Suite premium seating and a reimagined aircraft interior for its long-haul fleet. Flagship Suite seats will offer customers a private premium experience with a privacy door, a chaise lounge seating option and more personal storage space. Customers will enjoy tailored luxury in their private retreat in the sky in American’s premium cabin.
 

LOT Polish Airlines selected Recaro Aircraft Seating’s CL6720 (pictured), PL3530, and CL3810 seats in the business, premium and economy classes, respectively, for its eight Boeing 787s. The delivery of more than 2,000 passenger seats is scheduled to begin in Q3 2026.
 

Startup BermudAir, which plans to launch Embraer E175 service Aug 31 between Bermuda and the US East Coast, will feature Factorydesign’s all-business “aisle-class” seating configuration, which will debut Nov. 1.
Once the new aisle-class suites are installed, passengers can expect a 1-1 configuration featuring plush recliners, a privacy wall, a personal workspace and dining area, plus personal carry-on baggage storage within each suite. 
 

Hong Kong-based Cathay Pacific Airways said it plans to introduce a new business class seat—Aria Suite—on its Boeing 777-300ERS in the 2024 second quarter, without releasing any other details.
 

Saudia Arabia flag carrier Saudia unveiled a range of new business and economy seat models for its upcoming fleet, and to retrofit its current fleet, as part of an array of innovative initiatives aimed at revolutionizing the travel experience. These proposed models are intended to be installed in Saudia’s forthcoming fleet of Boeing 787s, set to join the fleet starting in 2025. The total number of aircraft to be received is 39. The airline is also undertaking continuous developmental projects for its current fleet of Airbus A330s and 777s, which involve implementing guest feedback to retrofit the existing blue seats and an upgrade of the inflight entertainment systems with a new system called BEYOND. 
 

United Airlines has added braille to its aircraft interiors, the first US airline to do so. The airline currently has equipped about a dozen aircraft with Braille markings for individual rows and seat numbers as well as inside and outside the lavatories. United expects to outfit its entire mainline fleet with Braille by the end of 2026.
 

United Airlines has introduced a new domestic first-class seat that includes a wireless charging station in every arm rest. The new United First seat—which also features vegan leather upholstery, 13-inch seatback screens and 18-inch tray tables, Bluetooth connectivity, privacy screens and an ergonomist-designed cushion—debuts on its first 737 in July, and customers will continue to see it rollout this summer. The airline expects the new seat to be on 200 domestic planes by 2026, including 737 NGs, A321neos and 737 MAXs.
 

KLM Royal Dutch Airlines introduced new World Business Class (WBC) seats on its Boeing 777 fleet. These broader seats, in a 1-2-1 configuration, have a sliding door ensuring greater comfort and privacy. The Jamco Venture seats and their fittings are 10-15% lighter than other business class seats in this market segment.
 

Recaro Aircraft Seating will outfit the CL4710 business class seat on Sichuan Airlines’ new fleet of 10 Airbus A319neos. First delivery of the aircraft will take place in May 2024.
 

Airbus announced at the Paris Air Show that it has developed an immersive remote collaboration concept, which is expected to transform and boost the way Airbus defines aircraft cabins by enabling live and more interactions with customers in an immersive virtual world. 

The “Airbus immersive remote collaboration” solution is planned for industrialization on the A320 family by 2025, opening the door to more mixed reality industrial applications for other commercial aircraft and on helicopter programs.
 

Recaro Aircraft Seating unveiled its newest seating solution to increase cabin efficiency on Airbus aircraft. The first-of-its-kind overwing exit seat, the X-Tend Seat, allows for an increased pax count while maintaining the 13-inch EASA & FAA requirement for passeway. 

The X-Tend Seat targets short- and mid-range economy cabin configurations for narrowbody Airbus aircraft. With an easy-to-use extended seat bottom, the X-Tend Seat offers passengers a premium seating experience while simultaneously increasing passenger efficiency throughout the cabin.

With the X-Tend Seat, passenger capacity of an A320 will increase from 190 to 194 pax. This innovation optimizes cabin space and aligns with sustainability goals of airlines as it can efficiently reduce the number of flights an aircraft takes without sacrificing comfort for passengers.
 

Vietjet and Safran Seats signed an agreement to equip up to 24,000 Economy class seat Z200 for 120 Boeing 737 MAX fleet. The first aircraft are planned for deliveries to Thai Vietjet starting mid-2024. The Z200 is the latest addition to Safran Seats range for short- and medium-haul economy class seats. This new generation is one kilogram lighter than the previous one and will highly contribute to the airline long-term sustainability objective; in reducing fuel costs and carbon emissions.

Vietjet has chosen options dedicated to passengers’ connectivity needs aboard the aircraft. This seat include a Portable Electronic Device (PED) holder and USB ports and combines comfort, lightness and durability. Especially, the Z200 Efficient+ configuration brings to airlines an optimized total cost of ownership thanks to its low weight, parts quantity reduction & ease of maintenance.
 

Recaro Aircraft Seating and Embraer agreed to develop a Supplier Furnished Equipment (SFE) catalogue of seats for E1 and E2 aircraft at the 2023 Paris Air Show. The SFE catalogue will include the bestselling BL3710 and SL3710 economy class seats, and will be available for linefit and retrofit configurations. Development of the SFE catalogue will kick off in Q3 2023. Seats will become eligible for offers in mid-2024. The companies said that airlines and lessors with short lead times will benefit from the catalogue’s pre-certified seats and quick turnaround time.

Available for passengers in any class, Qantas has unveiled the first inflight Wellbeing Zone on the Airbus A350 “Project Sunrise” service from Sydney to New York and London flights, which will begin in late 2025.

Located between the Economy and Premium Economy cabins, the Wellbeing Zone is a space where passengers can follow specially curated guided movements on large monitors and enjoy a selection of healthy refreshments.
 

Recaro Aircraft Seating was selected to equip the Qantas A350 economy cabin with the brand-new CL3810 seat. This is the first time the award-winning CL3810 will be used on record breaking non-stop flights from Australia to any city in the world. 

The airline is slated to take delivery of its first A350 in late 2025, a total of 140 seats to be installed on each of the 12 A350-1000 aircraft and are a part of “Project Sunrise.” 

Pitched at 33” with a generous 6” recline, the CL3810 has a six-way adjustable headrest, articulating seat pan for added comfort when reclining, and custom-shaped cushions to provide long-haul passengers with an enhanced sleeping experience. Built with a lightweight structure, the CL3810 is nearly 15% lighter than its predecessor. The seat also offers passengers extra knee space. 
 

Expliseat has inked a partnership with Jazeera Airways, becoming the launch customer for Expliseat’s TiSeat E2 model for the Kuwait-based airline’s Airbus A320 family. By 2024, Expliseat will deliver 2,000+ seats for Jazeera’s nine A320s, including an A320neo and two A321s.
 

Vietnam Airlines has launched its newest travel offer: SKY SOFA, now available on its routes connecting Paris-CDG, Frankfurt and London to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Since 1 April 2023, the SKY SOFA service offers Economy Class customers the opportunity to enjoy an additional relaxation area. In exchange for purchasing a ticket in Flexible Economy Class or Classic Economy Class, passengers will receive two additional seats for their exclusive use. Starting at €400 ($429), the airline said this travel option is designed to provide an “exceptional level of comfort during the flight and enhance the travel experience.”
 

Emirates Airline has launched new, refreshed Airbus A380 premium economy cabin interiors on US services to New York JFK and San Francisco in May. The Dubai-based UAE carrier has plans to debut the new premium economy cabin on flights to Houston and Los Angeles in June and July, respectively. 

The refurbishments include a blend of beautiful designs and new colour palettes, evident throughout the aircraft, in the carpeting, wall panels, and wood finishings, to name a few of the aesthetic enhancements that can be enjoyed by passengers in all travel classes.    
 

Utah-based LCC Breeze Airways has unveiled Breeze Ascent, its rebranded Airbus A220 first-class product. Breeze Ascent features an affordable, improved onboard experience that includes new onboard drinks and snacks, plus improved Wi-Fi from Viasat, which should be completed by early 2024.
 

Azores Airlines has partnered with STG Aerospace to feature a new liTeMood cabin lighting experience for the Portuguese carrier’s Airbus A320 family fleet. The unique cabin mood lighting—Rainforest—is said to portray the unique natural beauty of the Azores islands throughout the cabin with an extensive blue and green palette that recalls the landscape of the archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean.
 

Hawaiian Airlines has unveiled its Boeing 787-9 interior and new class of premium service—the Leihōkū Suites, in partnership with Adient Aerospace. Hawaiian says guests that fly its new 787s, entering service beginning early next year on select routes, will be “immersed in cabin design elements that evoke Hawaiʻi’s rich natural world through bold textures, island-inspired sunrise and sunset lighting and sinuous ocean and wind patterns.”

Hawaiian’s 300-seat 787 features its newest premium product, Leihōkū (garland of stars): 34 suites that envelop guests in a tranquil, elegant space with fully lie-flat seating, an 18-inch IFE screen, personal outlets, wireless charging and direct aisle access. Set in a 1-2-1 configuration with doors, the suites can offer privacy or a shared experience, with combined double seats allowing couples to fall asleep while gazing at a starlit ceiling.
 

Economy passengers on ultra-long-haul flights will have an option to at least lie down for part of the trip with Air New Zealand’s (ANZ) “Skynest” bunk bed cabins that will allow them to pay NZD$400-$600 ($253-$380) for a four-hour nap in the sky.

ANZ’s Skynest, which is planned to roll out in September 2024 on its Boeing 787 ultra-long-haul routes to destinations from Auckland such as New York and Chicago, will be a six-pod configured sleep zone that offers sessions for economy passengers to lie down when traveling long haul. 
 

Recaro Aircraft Seating’s BL3710 economy seats have entered into service on IndiGo’s Airbus A321neo. Deliveries of the BL3710 will be installed on a fleet of 75 A321/A320neo aircraft. Each A321 can seat 232 passengers. The seats weight less than 10 kg per passenger.
 

Dubai-based carrier flydubai has unveiled “The Business Suite,” a highly customized premium business class seat based on Safran’s VUE platform. Flydubai's interpretation of VUE will be introduced to a select number of the carrier’s fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. The new premium business class offering will initially be introduced on aircraft operating on longer haul flights.

Flydubai is the launch customer of this new seat for the platform. The first aircraft is expected to enter into service by end of the year.
 

Etihad Airways introduced a suite of new products at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai in early May. The UAE-based carrier’s Boeing 787 business cabin features a customized version of the Elements seat manufactured by Collins Aerospace. The new seats will provide guests with a comfortable and spacious environment with added privacy provided by a suite door. It provides the latest in IFE technology from Safran. New features include Rave Ultra 4K 17.3” monitors, Bluetooth headphone pairing, and the option to pair personal phones and tablets to the screen and use as a remote.
 

Mirus Aircraft Seating’s Hawk economy seat was selected by Bolivia’s flag carrier, Boliviana de Aviación (BoA), for its latest Boeing 737-800 aircraft deliveries. The seats will be delivered and installed in March and April 2023.

The Mirus Hawk is a lightweight, slimline and cost-effective economy seat designed to enhance the passenger experience by maximizing comfort and living space and improving the appearance of the cabin through its modern and contemporary design. The ultra-lightweight seat also lowers the cost of ownership to the airline through reduced fuel burn and the Mirus Care Warranty. 
 

The Recaro Aircraft Seating (Recaro) CL6720 business class seat with doors took flight in Iberia’s A350 cabin on the route from Madrid to Buenos Aires in January 2023. A total of 31 CL6720 seats are outfitted in the A350 business class cabin. The premium economy and economy cabins are also fully equipped with the Recaro PL3530 and the CL3710, respectively.

Iberia is the launch customer for the new business class seat. Each CL6720 features sliding doors for extra privacy, ample living space with a 79-inch-long full-flat bed, and is configured in a honeymoon layout with electronic full-length privacy dividers for the center seats and direct aisle access. Each CL6720 projects the seat number on the cabin floor. 
 

Lufthansa subsidiary Swiss International Air Lines has unveiled “SWISS Senses,” a new cabin design concept designed to support well-being. The new concept—for First-, Premium Economy- and Economy Class cabins—are designed by PriestmanGoode and will be offered from 2025 on Airbus A330-300 long-haul flights.

Pictured, the SWISS First Class cabin offers total privacy with lockable sliding doors, spacious wardrobes and a color concept that exudes comfort and warmth.

All seating classes will feature new Human Centric Lighting which helps reduce jet lag’s effects. A new state-of-the-art inflight entertainment system with bigger screens and connection options for personal devices will also be provided in all travel classes.
 

Recaro Aircraft Seating’s SL3710 economy seats take flight for the first time on HK Express’ A321neo. The maiden flight will take place in April 2023.

This is the first-ever order of RECARO seats by HK Express, and with the upcoming retrofit, the total seat order exceeded 4,000. The lightest seat in the RECARO portfolio, the SL3710 was customized for HK Express with a custom-made artificial leather dress cover and advertising frame on the backrest.
 

Qantas revealed its new business- and first-class seats for Project Sunrise, which operates direct 18-22-hour flights between the east coast of Australia, Europe and North America. For each aircraft, Safran Seats will supply 52 business class suites with a door. Qantas selected Unity, the latest addition to Safran Seats’ business class portfolio. Unity provides a wide seat and a parallel, rectangular bed to ensure utmost comfort on the longest travel routes. There are multiple options for the stowage of personal items, including console “cubby” stowage, under ottoman bag stowage, a large literature pocket and a closed accessory case. It also features plentiful surface space with a large console and large single piece dining table.

In first class, Safran will supply six bespoke suites per aircraft. Each suite includes a fixed bed with an adjustable backrest and a separate seat. There are numerous stowage areas designed for passengers to be able to unpack in their suite, with a wardrobe, vanity cupboard and pyjama drawer. There is a substantial table to allow dual dining, a touchscreen suite controller and 32-in. screen.
 

Dubai-headquartered all-premium leisure carrier Fly BeOnd plans to launch Airbus A321neo operations from the Maldives this summer, using aircraft configured with 68 Optimares lie-flat seats. BeOnd is positioning itself as a boutique airline, offering a “first-class travel experience,” with more direct scheduled flights to the Maldives than any other operator. BeOnd’s A321neos will operate in an all-premium class configuration with no middle seats. 

Previously known under the project name of ‘Arabesque,’ BeOnd began detailing its ambitious plans in early 2022. The startup aims to create a network 60-80 destinations from the Maldives, growing to a fleet of 32 aircraft and up to 2,500 staff over the next five years. 

The onboard product will include carbon-fiber hardshell lie-flat Vivaldi business class seats, designed by US branding agency paulwylde and Italian seat manufacturer Optimares. 
 

Condor’s new Airbus A330neo long-haul aircraft offers business-class passengers four Prime Seats in the front row of the cabin, a bigger bed, a “visitor” seat, an extra-large 24-inch 4K monitor and other benefits. Business class also offers Safran Skylounge Core fully-lie-flat sleeper seats, which can be converted into a 6.5-ft-long flat bed. 
 

Taiwan-based Starlux Airlines’ Airbus A350 fleet began flying Collins Aerospace’ Elements suite on flights early this year. Elements is a premium Business Class suite that can be further enhanced to a First Class offering without decreasing passenger count. In addition, the new features Collins’ Secant Luminous Panel, which brings to life unique artwork created for the Starlux brand.
 

Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) embarked on the Premium Economy Class installation program for its Airbus A340-300 fleet in December 2022. The first aircraft was completed and flew from Zurich to Johannesburg at the end of January 2023. All four SWISS Airbus A340s will feature the popular new class of travel by April. From the same date, Premium Economy Class will also be newly bookable for SWISS services on the Zurich-Johannesburg, Zurich-Hong Kong and Zurich-Chicago routes.

SWISS has already installed Premium Economy Class throughout its Boeing 777-300ER fleet, whose first aircraft was completed at the end of February 2022. SWISS was the first airline in the Lufthansa Group to introduce the best-in-class Premium Economy seat, which has a pitch of almost a meter (3.2 ft.) and its 48-centimeter (1.6 ft.) width.
 

Kuwait Airways will implement seat design changes for the different travel classes aboard the Airbus A330neo, which will roll out in the middle of next year. The airline has a total of seven A330-900s on order and has taken delivery of four A330-800s.

According to CEO Eng. Maen Razouqi, the Elite Class will have seats that can be converted into fully flat seats, equipped with an 18-inch screen, as well as USB type A and C ports, in addition to wireless charging and Bluetooth service.

Comfort+ or Comfort Plus classes, which are characterized by the possibility of reclining up to 10 inches, providing a footrest for more comfort, a control unit and privacy divider features for the headrest and equipped with 18-inch screen with USB Type A and C inputs.

Comfort Class, that are characterized by reclining up to 6 inches, with an articulated seat base and U-Dream headrest, in addition to providing 12-inch screens and USB port of Type A and C.
 

The Recaro Aircraft Seating (Recaro) CL6720 business class seat took its first flight in Air China’s A350 cabin on the route from Beijing to Chengdu on Jan. 20, 2023. In addition to the CL6720 seat, Air China also selected the Recaro PL3530 and CL3710 for the A350’s premium economy and economy cabins, respectively.
The “mini-suite in the sky” was first unveiled in 2020 and was built to enhance the travel experience with additional privacy features and premier living space. With the lightweight structure, combined with the efficient seat configuration, the CL6720 can save airlines thousands in fuel costs and help reduce their carbon footprint. The Air China customized seat features include a Chinese-style lamp in each suite, upper stowage with a uniquely-crafted drawer, specially-made privacy dividers, and an Air China customized inner soft-touch back-shell.
 

The first Boeing 777-300 ER equipped with Air France's latest long-haul cabins took off from Paris-Charles de Gaulle to New York-JFK Jan. 20, 2023. Named "Fontainebleau," this aircraft serves Rio de Janeiro airport in Brazil and Dakar. 

In the Business cabin (48 seats), the airline’s completely redesigned iconic seat features even more enveloping curves and extra comfort. This seat’s design is based on the 3 “F”s – Full Flat, meaning that the seat transforms into a real bed almost two meters long, Full Access, providing all passengers direct access to the aisle, and Full Privacy, ensuring optimal privacy.