AMERICAN AIRLINES
UNVEILING DATE February 12
AVAILABILITY B787-8
PRODUCT LAUNCH DATE June 2 (international launch)
LAUNCH ROUTE Dallas–Beijing; Dallas–Buenos Aires
CABIN Business class
INFO For the Dreamliner, AA has has decided to go for a similar business class product than those seen on its refitted B777-200 aircrafts. The business class cabin consists of 28 full-flat seats and will be configured with a 1-2-1 layout. The product will feature 15.4-inch Panasonic touchscreen monitors, power outlets and USB ports.
WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT IT Don’t change something that isn’t broken. In our opinion, AA offers one of the best long-haul business class product when compared to other North American carriers, so we're pleased to hear the latest product will keep all the same winning characteristics with the added bonus of an expanded seat width.
SINGAPORE AIRLINES
UNVEILING DATE February 3
AVAILABILITY A380, B777-300ER, A350
PRODUCT LAUNCH DATE August 9
CABIN Premium economy
LAUNCH ROUTE Singapore–Sydney
INFO Premium economy will be configured in a 2-4-2 set up on all aircraft models. Featuring a width ranging between 18.5 and 19.5 inches, and an eight-inch recline, the seat also offers a 13.3-inch full HD monitor, which the airline boasts as being “the largest in its class”. Do note however that only the B777-300ER and A350 aircraft will offer touchscreen capabilities for the IFE screen.
WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT IT The extra large IFE monitor is sure to be a crowd-pleaser, while we also love the sleek look of the product. The seat may be grey, but it definitely isn’t boring!
KOREAN AIR
UNVEILING DATE February 4
AVAILABILITY A330, B777-300ER, B747-8, B787-9
PRODUCT LAUNCH DATE February 4
CABIN Business (Prestige) class
LAUNCH ROUTE Seoul–Guangzhou; Seoul–Singapore; Seoul–Hanoi
INFO Designed to optimise space and comfort, without compromising on privacy, the new “Prestige Suite” may be configured in a 2-2-2 layout, but Korean Air has designed it in a way every single passenger to enjoy direct aisle access. In addition, the armrest s able to slide out of sight when the seat is reclined into its full-flat mode. This allows the seat to have an expanded width of 22.5 inches (full flat mode), as opposed to the previous 21 inches (seat mode).
WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT IT The new design is a significant step up from the existing Prestige Sleeper seat (Check out the upcoming May issue of Business Traveller Asia-Pacific for a Tried & Tested review). We really like the way each seat has been positioned that allows for direct aisle access, along with the added panels that provide privacy for each passenger.
VIRGIN AUSTRALIA
UNVEILING DATE September 25, 2014
AVAILABILITY A330, B777
PRODUCT LAUNCH DATE 2015
CABIN Business class
LAUNCH ROUTE TBD
INFO Designed by Tangerine London and manufactured by B/E Aerospace, the new business class suites convert into 80-inch lie-flat beds or can be adjusted into a number of different positions to maximise passenger comfort. Positioned in a 1-2-1 configuration, the seat offers direct aisle access and includes: a unique table holder, a 16 to 18 inch touch screen for entertainment, multiple lighting settings and storage space.
WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT IT We’ve fallen in love with the sleek design and black and silver colour scheme. If there was ever a seat that we could describe as “cool”, this would be it.
CATHAY PACIFIC
UNVAILING DATE TBD
AVAILABILITY A350
PRODUCT LAUNCH DATE February 2016
CABIN Business class
LAUNCH ROUTE TBC, but according to the airline the A350 will be used to open up routes to secondary European cities.
INFO There aren’t any official pictures of the new design but Cathay Pacific has stated that the new business class product on the A350 will be an “evolution of [the] current [Zodiac Cirrus] seat”. Having been popular with customers, the airline is unlikely to make any drastic changes to its upcoming premium product.
WHAT WE LIKE ABOUT IT It’s still early days, but CX has really gotten us pumped up for the enhanced seat. Furthermore, we have learnt that the airline is working with Porsche Design Group to look into the designs for its A350 cabins.
Clement Huang
