Page 28 - AAA MAY - JUNE 2014 Online Magazine

FEATURE SEAT DESIGN

Maximum Pitch

More seats, more comfort and more revenue By J K Chandra

the new GenerAtIon of jetlIners From a manufacturer’s perspective
entering service over the next few years, with regards to seating and in-flight
will offer passengers improved in-flight entertainment (IFE) systems Alan Pardoe,
comfort and entertainment options Head of Marketing, Communications,
like never before. The latest full flat Airbus tells AAA that, “The objective
Business Class seats, are the perfect is to offer a platform with all the
mix of sophistication and comfort and connectivity options that an airline may
have blurred the distinction between First require. Increasingly, 4th generation IFE
Class and Business Class. connectivity options will be available on
Airlines have begun to drastically all airbus platforms, though it will be the
reduce First Class seats on board aircraft customer decision to install a particular
and in some cases are doing away with system.”
them completely. On the other end of the Pardoe adds that he sees aircraft
scale, single aisle commercial jetliners featuring “an increased proportion of IFE
carry more passengers than ever before systems or some form of connectivity
yet offer passengers comfortable seats such as Wi-Fi access that will enable the
that are slimmer and lighter. Seat use of personal devices for entertainment
manufacturers continue to reduce seat and communication.”
weight using new materials and making Seatmakers are now showcasing new
them more space efficient by reducing generation Business Class seats that
their seat thickness. redefine the boundaries of comfort inside

28 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS MAY / JUNE 2014 WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM