Hainan Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft to feature the carrier’s new “Dream Feather” interior concept, with a particularly notable change being the addition of a new “Super Economy” class.
The new design concept has been developed in partnership with British design firm PriestmanGoode and includes changes to the airline’s cabins as well as its air-to-ground service supplies and logos.
So what does the new design entail?
The big change for the Dreamliner is that the formerly two-class aircraft now has a new third premium economy class offering billed as “Super Economy”. Designed in a silver-grey colour scheme, these seats are based on Rockwell Collins’ MIQ seat product and feature four-way adjustable headrests, a seven-inch seat recline, a handheld electronic device bracket, a 13-inch 1080p HD screen, and power and USB charging ports.
Here’s a picture of the off-the-rack Rockwell Collins MIQ widebody seat product:
And here’s a picture of the seats at a roadshow event at Shenzhen Bao’an International Airport:
Overall, the new-layout Dreamliner features 294 seats with 26 in the business class cabin, 21 in Super Economy and 247 in economy.
The business class cabin features Hainan Airlines’ newer seat products, the reverse-herringbone Super Diamond seats, also from Rockwell Collins. For the new Dream Feather concept (main picture), the seats have traded in their white, grey and red colour scheme for a brown and gold palette. Seats also have been given an enhanced 46-inch pitch while in a seated position, and are laid out in a 1-2-1 configuration, giving all passengers direct access to the aisles. The business class screens are 18-inch 1080p HD screens.
Here’s a photo of the new-look business class seat at the same roadshow event in Shenzhen:
As for the economy cabin, these are Recaro CL3710 slimline seats and feature a “Burgundy red” colour scheme. These seats have a seven-way adjustable headrest, an ergonomic waist-support cushion, book and newspaper holders, and a 12-inch 1080p HD screen. They have also been given a one-inch seat pitch (legroom) upgrade over its counterparts on older aircraft.
Where will the new Dream Feather Dreamliners fly?
Hainan Airlines plans to fly its new-design Dreamliners largely on domestic routes from Beijing, notably to Haikou, Sanya, Chengdu, Changsha, Guiyang, Fuzhou, Xiamen and other domestic cities. However, flights from Beijing to destinations in North America are also set to get the new-look aircraft.
What about the ground experience?
Beijing Capital Airport’s Terminal 1 and Xi’an Xianyang International Airport’s Terminal 2 have been given new “Dream Feather” designed Premium VIP Check-in areas. These are designed specifically for the use of business class passengers, Fortune Wings Platinum Card holders and other elite travellers.
What else?
Hainan Airlines’ new look for its Dreamliners is the latest in a series of enhancement the airline is making to its flight experience. Back in November, the airline unveiled its new line of business class bedding developed in partnership with hotel brand Sofitel, also under the “Dream Feather” concept.
