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JetBlue's new A220-300 features There are six rows of ‘Even More Space’ seating,

JetBlue unveils A220-300 onboard customer experience

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JetBlue's new A220-300 features There are six rows of ‘Even More Space’ seating,

JetBlue has revealed the custom-created cabin design of its new Airbus A220-300, having taken delivery of the first of 70 earlier this month.

“With the A220 we’ve taken a state-of-the-art aircraft and added our award-winning touch to bring to life an experience only JetBlue could dream up,” said Jayne O’Brien, head of marketing and loyalty, JetBlue. “We look forward to welcoming customers onboard our newest aircraft, with incredible onboard comfort, one-of-a-kind design elements and unparalleled entertainment and connectivity.”

JetBlue’s A220 is outfitted with 140 Collins Meridian seats, offering an expanded width of 18.6 inches, the widest available for a single aisle aircraft and the widest in JetBlue’s fleet. In a first for the airline’s fleet, seating is arranged in a two-by-three configuration.

There are six rows of ‘Even More Space’ seating, each with enhanced cushion comfort and adjustable headrests with premium Ultraleather, a softer, more breathable vegan leather material.

A contoured seatback design at knee level creates additional living space for every customer, whilst the custom designed seatback storage with mesh pockets is perfectly sized for water bottles and loose items.

Additionally, there is easy-to-reach in-seat power, featuring AC, USB-A, and USB-C ports.

The in-flight entertainment system is courtesy of Thales AVANT, which at each seat provides a 10.1 inch, 1080P high-definition screen, offering 30 channels of DIRECTV with DVR-like pause and rewind functionality, full seasons of shows, hundreds of movies, and premium content from HBO & SHOWTIME. Picture-in-picture function and an enhanced, 3D flight map offers multiple ways to track time to destination. Personal handheld device pairing capabilities for use as a remote or gaming controller is also present.

An expanded Fly-Fi connectivity from Viasat provides coverage to nearly the entire JetBlue network.

Other aspects include bigger windows for better views and creating an overall spacious feel; more spacious overhead bins for additional carry-on bag capacity; custom LED mood lighting designed with lighting scenarios that change with time of day or phase of flight; redesigned front galley partitions to enhance customer privacy near crew workspace; lavatories featuring subway tile patterns – a nod to being New York’s Hometown Airline – and gender-neutral signage unique to JetBlue. There are also custom-created front and rear wall panel patterns, which incorporate dots and dashes from Morse code “to spell out something fun”.

January 15, 2021
Emirates has unveiled its new Premium Economy product on its latest A380

Emirates unveils Premium Economy

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Emirates has unveiled its new Premium Economy product on its latest A380

Emirates has unveiled a brand-new Premium Economy for its A380, as part of a wider product enhancement and refreshed look across all cabins onboard its newest A380 aircraft.

Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline said: “The Emirates A380 is already one of the most sought-after travel experiences in the skies, and now we’ve made it even better. While others cut back, Emirates is working hard to restore the products and services that we’ve had to suspend or adjust due to pandemic precautions and introduce new offerings and enhancements. True to our fly better promise, Emirates continues to invest to offer our customers the best possible experience.”

Emirates’ remaining order of five A380s will be delivered with premium economy cabins over 2021 and 2022. Emirates’ premium economy seats will also be installed on some of its Boeing 777X aircraft which are only due to join the fleet in 2023. Emirates is considering plans to retrofit its existing A380 fleet.

The premium economy cabin, located at the front of the main deck, with three lavatories dedicated to customers offers 56 seats in a 2-4-2 cabin layout.

A customised seat design from Recaro, based on the PL3530, the seat offers a pitch of up to 40-inches, 19.5 inches wide, and reclines 8 inches. According to Recaro, its PL3530 design team prioritised state-of-the-art features like the ones found in upscale German cars and combined it with the spirit of Dubai. The seat features a bronze trim, a distinct finish, and a cream-coloured leather dress cover, complete with a one-of-a-kind anti-stain leather with stitching and a wood panel finishing similar to Business Class.

First deliveries of the seats began in Q4 2020, and at least 250 shipsets will ultimately be installed on Emirates’ fleet.

The seat’s ergonomics offers best of comfort with its recline and movable calf rest enabling a highly relaxed lazy position, additional storage compartments, and six-way adjustable headrest also contribute to passenger sleeping comfort.

Each seat has a 13.3” screen and easily accessible in-seat charging points, a wide dining table and side cocktail table.

Until more Premium Economy seats enter its inventory, the airline intends to offer these as spot upgrades for its valued customers on a discretionary basis.

The aircraft’s 14 First Class private suites have also been widened and taller doors, for even more privacy and comfort.

Cabin detail and finishes have also been refreshed with new motifs and colours, including modern fittings in the Shower Spa.

Emirates has retained its A380 Business Class seats which offer direct aisle access for every passenger, reclines to a fully-flat position, and offers personal mini bars, ample personal storage and a high degree of privacy.

All 76 seats have been refreshed to feature champagne-coloured leather covers and wood finishing, inspired by executive jets, similar to the Business Class on Emirates’ Boeing 777 Gamechanger aircraft.

The same classic colour scheme has also been applied to the Onboard Lounge at the back of the upper deck, for the exclusive use of First and Business Class passengers.

The airline has also replaced all 338 Economy seats onboard its newest A380 with ergonomically designed seats that come with full leather headrests and flexible side panels which can be adjusted vertically for optimum support. Each features a wood grain finish on tray tables, as well as a 13.3” personal screen.

Throughout the A380 interior, customers will see new finishes and design touches featuring the Ghaf (prosopis cineraria) tree motif, as well as the clean and airy champagne colour scheme with wood panelling and bronze accents from Emirates’ latest Boeing 777 Gamechanger interiors.

All cabin classes are equipped with the latest generation of Emirates’ ice in-flight entertainment system offering improved and superior image quality. Each in-seat screen will feature ultra-wide viewing angles, a capacitive touch screen, LED backlight and full HD display.

January 14, 2021
Uganda Airlines A330-800neo galley

Uganda Airlines A330-800neo takes flight with Bucher kit

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Uganda Airlines A330-800neo galley

Uganda Airlines has taken delivery of its first Airbus aircraft, an A330-800neo.

The aircraft, one of two A330s ordered by the airline, includes fully customised galleys, stowages, and partition walls from Bucher.

Business class includes flower holders, as well provision to easily adapt the galley layout for new catering requirements in the future, such as the increase of oven capacity or installation of wine chillers.

Commenting on the news, Ephraim K. Bagenda, Director of Maintenance, Uganda Airlines commented: “I am delighted that Bucher delivered extraordinary galleys and stowages to Uganda’s new A330-800neo aircraft. The news is a testament to the quality products and service that Bucher is renowned for and marks the start of our working relationship together. We look forward to welcoming our passengers in these beautiful aircrafts.

December 23, 2020
Safran and 3M partner on cabin hygiene

3M and Safran to design cleaner aircraft interiors

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Safran and 3M partner on cabin hygiene

3M is to collaborate with Safran Cabin as part of the ‘Travel Safe’ initiative Safran Interior companies, which aims to verifiably elevate the hygiene of aircraft interiors.

“Today, passengers choose their airline – considering not only safety, interactivity and connectivity, but interior hygiene assurance,” said Stephen Shafer, Vice President and General Manager of 3M’s Automotive and Aerospace Solutions Division. “The most important factor is the protection of travellers and their families, and 3M continues to apply its technology to enable passenger safety in the skies. Safran is a leader in the industry and we have great synergy between the two companies.”

Safran will certify 3M technology that enhances cleaning and protection features of aircraft cabin equipment and provides the capability to mitigate or improve the removal of bacteria and viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. These solutions can be permanently embedded into aircraft interior surfaces during the manufacturing process, or they can be applied to upgrade existing interiors.

“Clean interiors are an industry imperative, and we have with 3M an innovative partner and expert in cleaning, disinfection and protection, who can blend the latest in clean technology with the specialised plastics, decors, and composites used in aircraft interiors,” said Norman Jordan, CEO of Safran Cabin.

It’s expected that these new aerospace materials will be available in 2021.

Image: Courtesy Rogoziensk/ CAPA Pictures/Safran

November 26, 2020
HeadZone by factorydesign

HeadZone heads towards commercial availability

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HeadZone by factorydesign

Factorydesign has partnered with Global Aviation to produce and distribute HeadZone, following ‘significant’ interest from airlines.

HeadZone is a passenger-focused solution, which can either be distributed by the airline as a complementary item or sold for revenue gain. Primarily designed for short-haul airline routes for seats without IFE, it allows any passenger to simply and immediately create this important space with a product made from recycled material, that is a simple to manufacture, portable and both user and environmentally friendly.

HeadZone has now been developed to fit a range of different short – and long-haul airline seating options including those with headrests.

HeadZone can be customised at the request of the customer and, being manufactured from cardboard, is fully recyclable.  Foldable and easy to package, HeadZone represents a reusable low-cost solution without the use of myriad plastics.

HeadZone is available in a range of different options which can be printed on all its surfaces to incorporate and support client branding.  This offers the opportunity for advertising and can provide an additional revenue stream for the airline.  Antibacterial coating can also be included at an additional cost.

November 16, 2020
FACC Airspace cabin entrance area with Helo Lighting

FACC delivers first entrance area for the new A320 Airspace cabin

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FACC Airspace cabin entrance area with Helo Lighting

Long-term Airbus partner, FACC, has delivered the first complete entrance area of the A320 Airspace cabin.

In mid-2018, Airbus commissioned FACC to develop and produce the entrance area of the Airspace cabin for the A320 models. After an intensive development phase, the first article parts have now been delivered to Airbus in Hamburg.

The cabin solution comprises the entire lining of the entrance and door area in the front, middle and rear sections of the aircraft. It includes the integration of the lighting system, Hero Light, newly introduced by Airbus in the airspace cabin, which extends from the entrance area via the main cabin to the rear service area of the aircraft cabin.

“The new concept enables us to significantly reduce service costs for our customers. In addition, we have geared the component design of the entrance area towards high volumes and modern production processes. The Airbus and FACC teams worked together perfectly during the entire development phase,” said Andreas Furthmayr, Vice President Cabin Interiors of FACC AG.

The first shipset comprising an Airspace entrance area and Hero Lights has now been delivered to Airbus in Hamburg, where it will be installed in a serial aircraft under the supervision of FACC. This is followed by the ramp-up of series production. The scope of the project ranges from the development and the entire procurement to production and the associated logistics.

November 12, 2020
ELeather HQ

ELeather launches new collaboration hub

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ELeather HQ

In response to queries from designers asking about the best use of ELeather, the newest colour matching techniques, and upholstery and interior design trends, the ELeather team has launched a dedicated design support service, ‘Design for Good’.

Intended as a platform for collaboration, Design for Good provides access to relevant information and a file library.

The service includes a designer toolkit, where designers can visualise how engineered leather could look in their application. By signing up for free, designers will receive access to 3D rendering files for all grains.

“Modern consumers crave unique experiences only available through high performing and more environmentally friendly solutions,” said Nico den Ouden, Chief Commercial Officer at ELeather. “Yet many designers are unaware of how to get the best out of innovative materials such as engineered leather. ‘Design for Good’ was created to help designers understand how to use responsibly produced yet robust materials.”

November 3, 2020
Klaus Koester Greenpoint Technologies CEO

Greenpoint Technologies appoints new CEO

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Klaus Koester Greenpoint Technologies CEO

Klaus Koester has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Greenpoint Technologies and the Custom Cabin Division of Safran Passenger Solutions. Koester succeeds former Greenpoint CEO Scott Goodey, who retired after nearly twenty years with Greenpoint and more than thirty years in the aviation industry.

Koester will be based at Greenpoint Headquarters in Bothell, Washington, while overseeing all Safran Custom Cabin companies in Washington and Texas.

October 20, 2020
JAMCO hands-free door lock and handle

Jamco and ANA test hands-free lavatory door

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JAMCO hands-free door lock and handle

Jamco Corporation and All Nippon Airways (ANA), have unveiled a hands-free lavatory lock knob and door handle, developed jointly as part of the ANA Care Promise and Jamco’s “Project Blue Sky” initiative respectively.

The solution allows passengers to use their forearm or elbow to open the door and return to their seats with their hands remaining clean.

According to Jamco, the hands-free lavatory lock knob and door handle are low-cost items which don’t burden airline operational budget and can be installed simply over night by airlines to the existing lavatories without major modification.

ANA is the development partner for the hands-free products, expected to be launched soon as the first operator.

Jamco’s hands-free lavatory door system is the only product worldwide to roll out a demonstration with an airline, having been tested at Tokyo Haneda Airport in August, and well-received by the majority of passengers.

October 6, 2020