Airbus has confirmed that seat manufacturer EADS-Sogerma will offer an A350-optimised premium economy seat, offering an “innovative cradle seat”, with “a high level of comfort at an efficient pitch”.
The Celeste seat will be offered to carriers as part of the A350 XWB Catalogue, which also includes a premium economy seat manufactured by Zodiac Seats.
According to Airbus, EADS-Sogerma has optimised its Celeste seats for the forthcoming long-haul aircraft, offering “an innovative cradle seat which provides premium economy passengers with a high level of comfort at an efficient pitch”.
Qatar Airways is the launch customers for the Airbus A350 XWB, and this week the carrier announced plans to fit its A350 aircraft with the same On Air mobile phone and wifi technology as that already provided on its A320 and B787 aircraft (see online news April 8).
Qatar has a total of 80 A350s on order, with the first delivery expected next year.
In February Airbus confirmed that it has dropped plans to use lithium ion batteries in its forthcoming A350 XWB aircraft, following "continuing uncertainty over the battery issues with Boeing Dreamliner aircraft". The manufacturer has instead reverted to "proven and mastered nickel cadmium main batteries for its A350 XWB programme at Entry into Service".
For more information visit airbus.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
