Editor’s comment: Aapravasi Ghat

By April 26, 2019 April 1st, 2020 General News

Inflight editor Alexander Preston summarises the latest happenings across IFEC and cabin technology.

Air Mauritius has become the first airline in the world to operate both the A350 XWB and A330-900neo aircrafts.

I was fortunate to be invited to witness the delivery of its new A330-900neo to Heathrow last week, a day before it began commencing scheduled flights to London from Port Louis. Next Friday (3 May) sees all flights from London Heathrow to Mauritius be operated by the A330-900neo.

There is nothing quite like being one of the lucky few to be first on a new aircraft, especially one that’s flown in direct from Airbus’ Toulouse headquarters. The smell of new interiors, shiny paintwork and an enthusiasm from all crew members… for an hour or so at least, it really did feel like I had the run of a toy shop!

Of the 288 cabin seats on board, 28 are Stelia Equinox business class seats offering a full flat bed and featuring Thales’ state-of-the-art AVANT entertainment system, with Avii handset and an individual 15.4-inch HD LED screen and aisle access. Each seat has in-seat power courtesy of Astronics, privacy screens, and a for a lucky few, the ‘Honeymoon seat’, allowing a couple to relax on a ‘double bed’. Inflight blankets are supplied by John Horsfall.

Passengers flying economy class will enjoy 18-inch-wide Recaro CL3710 seats, individual Thales 11.1-inch HD LED screens.

The entire cabin boasts full LED ambient lighting and IFC, currently offered free, provided by SITAONAIR.

As Somas Appavou, CEO of Air Mauritius said: “The A330neo offers similar levels of comfort as the A350 XWB, which has received very favourable feedback from our guests. I strongly believe that with the addition of the A330neo to our fleet, Air Mauritius will further reinforce its focus and emphasis on the customer, who are the very core of our business model.”

Ian Nash, regional manager of UK and Ireland for Air Mauritius added: “We are confident that this new cutting-edge aircraft will provide the perfect start for our passengers to begin their holiday to Mauritius and are proud to be the first operator to introduce this aircraft to the Indian Ocean on our route from the UK. Air Mauritius is renowned for providing guests and visitors to Mauritius with a welcoming experience that reflects the culture and hospitality of our beautiful island, as soon as they step on-board. The quality of the new onboard product will perfectly complement the warm Mauritian welcome as well as our diverse menu choice and quality service.”

With this new addition, Air Mauritius is rapidly becoming L’étoile et la clé de l’océan Indien.


The editor’s comment is published weekly as an accompaniment to the Inflight e-newsletter. If you do not currently receive our email updates, you can subscribe here.

Leave a Reply