Taiwanese start-up airline Starlux Airlines has unveiled its cabin design and seat products for its A321neo aircraft, as well as new staff uniforms and a fragrance produced exclusively for the airline.
Cabin interior and seat products
The airline said its first A321neo will be delivered at the end of this month. The 188-seater narrow-body aircraft will feature two classes, with eight business class seats and 180 economy class seats. The cabin interior and seating of the airline’s A321neos were both designed by Designworks, a BMW Group company.
The design of the business class cabin is inspired by the “majesty of the galaxy” with “relatively dark and elegant colours”. The cushions and privacy dividers between the seats (see the main picture) feature classical dark grey and rose gold, which the airline said “adds a futuristic, hi-tech touch to the back shells”.
The business class seats are laid out in a 2-2 configuration. The seats can be transformed into 82-inch (208 cm) fully flat beds (see the picture above), which the airline said is the first of its kind for a narrow-body aircraft seat in Taiwan. According to the airline, the seat width is 20.19 inches and the seat pitch is 63 inches.
The seat control panel can be found beside the headrest. Each seat is equipped with a 15.6-inch 1080p in-flight entertainment system. An individual reading light, USB ports and sockets are also available.
Meanwhile, the economy class seats, laid out in a 3-3 configuration, feature bright and natural colours, as well as “ultra-thin” seatbacks designed to increase legroom. The airline says that for economy class, the seat width is 18.36 inches, the seat pitch is 31 inches and the seat recline is five inches.
Each seat is equipped with a leather headrest, which the airline says is “rarely seen” on a narrow-body aircraft, and a 10.1-inch 720p in-flight entertainment system. There are also USB and single earphone ports.
Complimentary wifi service will be available throughout the whole aircraft as well.
Fragrance
Starlux Airlines has also developed an exclusive fragrance called “Home in the Air” in partnership with local perfume manufacturer P.Seven.
The airline says the “Home in the Air” fragrance “evokes the tranquility of home and the expanse of the galaxy”, with notes of various woods and leather as well as the aromas of iris and violets.
Passengers will not only encounter the new fragrance on Starlux flights, but also at the airline’s ticketing counters and lounges. It will also be featured in the hot towels for business class passengers upon boarding, as well as in the lotion and hand wash in economy class.
Uniforms
The uniform collection for cabin and ground crews, designed by Taiwanese designer Sean Yin, combines fashion elements from the 1940s and 50s with “space-age accents”, and features natural gold and space silver tones. Starlux employees also provided opinions and suggestions regarding the design of the new uniforms.
“For me, Starlux is a luxury brand — not just another airline. I wanted to combine a classical airline look with modern touches to create chic but practical fashions unlike anything that has been seen before,” said Yin.
The airline says the new uniform collection features many functional innovations. For example, the traditional pilot hats have been replaced by more casual caps with the winglet pattern of the Starlux logo. Both male and female cabin attendants will be carrying the same attaché case, which can be used to carry an iPad and A4-sized files and can be worn either as a handbag or a crossbody bag.
What’s more, male airport agents and cabin crew will wear standing-collar shirts without neckties. Badges with the slogan “Safety is our attitude” are displayed on the uniforms of pilots, engineering and maintenance staff as well as ground handling staff to remind them of their commitment to safety.
Starlux Airlines plans to begin operations in January 2020. The start-up airline has already agreed to lease 10 A321s, and confirmed an order to buy another 17 A350 aircraft.
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific previously reported that it had received approval from local transport authority for 13 routes to Japan and Thailand.
