Air France this morning (September 21) unveiled a €110 million makeover of its business class seat, though it remains angled lie-flat.
Air France says that the new seat has “a new seat structure, offering a lie-flat seat-bed measuring over two metres in length, simpler and more practical controls, new storage space and a new screen in 16:9 format.”
Over the next three years, some 40 Air France aircraft (Airbus A330 and A380, Boeing 777) will be equipped with the new cabins.
The new seat is still built into a fixed shell structure and has an integrated fixed footrest “which offers the passenger a more stable sleeping position when adjusted into the bed position. New relaxation positions, with legs extended, are now also possible including during taxiing, take-off and landing.”
Other features include a “softer” leather headrest, preset positions allowing for the seat to be converted into “a near-horizontal bed, over two metres in length, making it one of the longest beds on the market, and 61 cm wide.” And a new 15-inch video screen, in 16:9 format, featuring the latest-generation in-flight entertainment system offering over 500 hours of programming.
The seat also has a 110 volt plug, compatible with six or seven different plugs, including European and American models, a directional reading light and noise reducing headsets. Amenities include a kit containing travel socks, a sleeping mask and earplugs, a shoe bag and shoe horn, earphone covers, a toothbrush, comb and a Clarins skincare product.
Air France says that this summer it had 101 long-haul aircraft, representing 4,650 business class seats. The business class cabins range in seating capacity between 30 and 80.
For more information visit airfrance.com.
Report by Tom Otley
Facts and figures
- 73% of the customers are men
- 70 % travel on business
- Over 50% of customers have connecting flights at Paris
- 80% are aged between 30 and 60
- 37% of customers are French, 21% North American, 20% European, 10% African-Middle Eastern and 7% Asian.
