Page 11 - AAA SEPTEMBER - OCOTBER 2017 Online Magazine

COVER STORY CABINS

volumes would still grow despite a weak features previously seen only in first class upscale Thompson Vantage XL suite with
global economy, air fares were expected to and called Qsuite, the patented suite was privacy doors and these will be fitted to the
fall seven per cent in 2017 and would remain unveiled the airlines chief executive Akbar airline’s first A350s to be delivered in July.
depressed. Emirates gained its market Al Baker in a full mock-up of an aircraft. Each Also, Singapore Airlines will unveil the latest
position by offering for instance, In-Flight 79-inch lie-flat seat features hand-stitched version of its business class offering on the
Entertainment (IFE) at every seat, well ahead Italian leather and comes with a privacy next batch of five A380s to be delivered from
of the pack but the rest of the industry has screen that allows passengers to create their October.
caught up. “The trick now is to price match own private cabin. At 21.5 inches wide, they are Nonetheless First Class is still hanging on
and deliver more,” Clark told media at IATA. not the widest business seats in the sky but with a few airlines on key routes. Perhaps it is
“That is becoming more difficult these days, the suite features plenty of space for devices just the name, the status and the privacy that
because in the old days, we were the only kid and documents, USB and HDMI connectivity keeps it going, for many airlines business
on the block doing what we’re doing. Now, and a big 21.5-inch HD screen featuring the class products vary considerably across
there are others who are emulating us.” Not airline’s new Oryx One entertainment system the fleet. For instance, Business Class on
only are they emulating, they are going past with up to 3000 entertainment options. Emirates long-haul can be a 2-3-2 on the
Emirates, which insists on retaining its now Other features include special accent 777 or more private suites -without doors-
very dated business class offering on its lighting, a do not disturb indicator and on an A380. A total of 31 airlines still offer
huge 777 fleet with the now unpopular 2-3-2 moveable armrests. The airline also signaled First Class in name – but the offering differs
configuration. Last year at ITB in Berlin, the it would be offering “best-in-class inflight widely from United and American Airlines
airline unveiled a minimal modification of connectivity” from this northern summer. at one end and Etihad with its Suites and
that seat but did not change the layout. Qsuite is the result of two years of research Singapore Airlines at the other. But in a sign
However, the airline is upgrading its by Qatar and features centre seats that can of the times, 33 airlines now offer PY. Etihad’s
popular lounge on the A380. According to be transformed into a double cabin, with offering is well known for its opulence and
AirlineRatings.com‘s Consumer Editor Clive the first double bed in Business Class, or a Singapore Airlines plans to roll out its new
Doorman on premium economy the airline, space for four people called a “quad”. It will First Class in October with its new batch of
“May even decide to launch two different be retrofitted on existing aircraft from June A380s. According to Australian Business
forms of premium economy at once – an at an estimated rate of one aircraft a month. Traveller, the airline will move its First Class
economy-plus seat-only deal similar to The first aircraft to get the aircraft will be a to the upper deck but also cut the number of
“economy comfort” offerings popular among new Boeing 777-300ER on the Doha-London suites by 50 per cent to just six, although the
US airlines priced at 20-30 per cent above route from June with Paris and New York’s suites will be double the size. The airline will
best economy discount fares; and a fully- JFK next in line at yet-to-be-released dates. also move its First Class to the upper deck.
fledged premium economy similar to that The B777-300 will feature 42 business class AusBT also says that the new Singapore
offering by its joint-venture partner, Qantas, suites in a 1-2-1 configuration. With the quad, Airlines A380s will have an all premium upper
which usually sells at double the economy adjustable panels and TV monitors in the deck with 78 business class seats divided
discount rate or more.” “The new class of centre four seats allow passengers travelling into three cabins.
seating would offer more “pitch” per seat row together to transform the space into a
– typically 36-38 inches (91-95 cms) – with a private suite where they can work, dine and Change is Inevitable
wider seat (19 inches – 48 cms -- across) at socialize together. But the landscape is rapidly changing - yet
eight-abreast per seat row, instead of the The airline’s patented new Business again - in the form of airlines such as long-
squeezy 10-abreast standard economy seat Class QSuite, features the industry’s first- haul airlines such as Scoot and Air Asia X that
in the airline’s Boeing 777-300ERs, which are ever double bed in business class and privacy have premium offerings or regional business
just 17 inches (43 cms) wide,” said Doorman. panels that stow away, allowing passengers class at economy prices. Scoot is leading
in adjoining seats to create their own private the way with an all new fleet of Boeing 787s
Still Number One? room. Adjustable panels and movable TV and has two premium cabins. The Scoot-in-
According to many analysts such as Teal monitors on the centre four seats allow Silence cabin (where no children under 12
Groups Vice President of Analysis Richard colleagues, friends or families travelling are permitted) has extra legroom with 35-
Aboulafia, it is a great surprise that premium together to transform their space into a inch pitch is quite literally brilliant and sales
economy has taken so long to develop. “There private suite, giving them the opportunity to prove that it is popular with the travelling
has been a massive gap in the market”. And work, dine and socialize together. These new public. The other premium cabin is “Scoot
he asks why does First Class even exists features, the airline says provide the ultimate Biz” with black leather seats at a 38-inch seat
today. “It’s stupid, when you look at the customisable travel experience that enables pitch, with 8 inch recline and complimentary
current business class offerings.” And the passengers to create an environment that in seat power, in-flight entertainment (to
excellence of those offerings was highlighted suits their own unique needs. Another be streamed to your own device), and an
in March when Qatar Airways unveiled its airline to introduce sliding door business extendable leg rest. AirAsia X which plans
new Business Class at ITB in Berlin. Boasting class offerings is Delta Air Lines with its to return to Europe soon although no date
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