Star Alliance has chosen B/E Aerospace as the development partner for its long-haul economy seat programme, with Lufthansa, Air China and Austrian the first member carriers to take the new seat.
The announcement follows customer research and trials by Air China and Lufthansa earlier this year, as reported by Business Traveller (see online news March 24).
The joint procurement initiative is designed to offer all Star Alliance members a standardised base for their long-haul economy seats, which according to the alliance will feature “superior ergonomic comfort, modern design features and best-in-class technology”.
B/E Aerospace is developing a base and advance version of the seat, and Air China, Austrian and Lufthansa will be the first Star carriers to fit the product to their long-haul fleets from 2012.
Jeffrey Goh, Vice President Legal and Corporate Services, Star Alliance, said that the initiative would allow member carriers to “continue to offer differentiated products while at the same time working together to drive synergies, lower costs and enhance the passenger experience”.
The alliance said that the new programme would offer “shortened delivery lead times, reduced development expenses and competitive pricing as well as the unique features that will make up the two versions of this seat”.
For more information visit staralliance.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
