Iberia has launched a new premium economy seat which will be fitted to 37 of its long-haul aircraft from next summer.
The seat will be wider than the current economy seat at 19 inches, and seat pitch will be 37 inches.
Seat recline will also be increased by 40 per cent compared to economy, and the premium economy seat will feature a larger IFE screen (13 inches compared to nine in economy).
Other features will include adjustable head and foot rests, noise-cancelling headphones, and an “exclusive amenities kit”. Premium economy passengers will also benefit from priority boarding and disembarkation, an extra suitcase allowance, upgraded dining options and “other privileges”.
The new cabins will gradually become available from summer 2017, with eight Airbus A330-300s and 13 A340-600s due to be refitted. In addition the carrier’s 16 new A350-900s will be factory-fitted with the new seat when they are delivered from 2018.
Details have not been given on how the new product will be configured on the above aircraft.
The first routes to feature the new seat will be from Madrid to Buenos Aires, Lima and Chicago next summer, and Iberia says it will be the first airline to affer a premium economy cabin on direct flights between Spain and Latin America.
Announcing the new product, Executive Chairman Luis Gallego said:
“Premium Economy is an initiative included in our Plan de Futuro aimed at increasing revenues. It will give Economy passengers an additional option for greater comfort and extra services on long flights.”
