Curves&comforts

Air France was determined to create a new travel experience for its guests, designing its latest cabin concept around the passenger, and with the focus on all the latest technology and its maximising sustainability credentials.

The rethink for long haul cabins on the B777300 ER was designed to provide a greater sense of privacy and new features in Business; bigger seats with 124-degree recline in Premium, and new ergonomically-designed, reinforced seatbacks in Economy. Customers in all cabins were given access to Air France Connect the, carrier's connectivity plan, with the option to send and receive messages and access information about flight connections for free. Two additional paid-for connectivity options are also available.

The Air France team worked with all stakeholders including experts in the customer experience, architecture and design, IFE and connectivity, engineering and production, operations and crew, working through multiple supplier workshops to find the best solutions. Whenever possible, Air France chose materials that were lighter, natural or locally sourced.

Red acccent detail

Interior design

As customers board the aircraft, they are greeted by a back-lit winged seahorse, embodying the company's founding myth and rich history. The seats’ padding adds softness and makes the cabin feel cosy. Wool, brushed aluminium and full-grain French leather give a soft and natural finish set off by the embroidered detail of the company’s trademark red accent.

The Business seats are cutting-edge reverse herringbone design with significantly more foot room than seen before. The embedded technology includes wireless charging and Bluetooth audio, and ambient lighting is synchronized to dim when the seat reclines. For passengers travelling together, the centre seats include a privacy panel that can be dropped. First row seats have a huge space in front. All long-haul Business cabins will have fully-flat beds by the end of 2023 (90% today).

The seat was designed and assembled in France by Safran and features fabric woven in Germany (Bavaria). Leather features use Carriat (supplied and use by the most famous luxury design houses of France).

The Premium seat was assembled by Recarro in Germany, and features fabric by Botany, a longtime, high-end expert partner of Air France.

In Economy, the new experience, refined and evolved the established cabin by systematically questioning every detail, every seam, to push up the quality of the product. Light and durable materials were used for the headrest/cover which, as elsewhere, was decorated with the red embroidered detailing.

Comfort

In the Business cabin (48 seats), the airline’s iconic redesigned seat features more enveloping curves and extra comfort. This seat’s design is based on the 3-Fs concept – Full Flat, Full Access and Full Privacy. This means the seat transforms into a real bed almost two-metres long; provides all passengers direct access to the aisle; and ensures optimal privacy. A new sliding door allows passengers to create a totally private space.

In the Premium cabin (48 seats), Air France has introduced its latest recliner-type seat model (already available on its Airbus A350) while further improving comfort and offering 96cm leg-room. The seatback reclines to 124 degrees and has been widened to provide greater privacy.

In the Economy cabin (273 seats), the seats were chosen to meet the highest standards of comfort on the market. Each has a wide 43cm seat pan, a 119-degree recline and 79cm of leg-room. The backrest is ergonomically designed to offer reinforced lateral support.

Technology

By the end of 2023, the entire fleet will be equipped with inflight wifi (97% today). Business seats feature a wide 17.3-inch 4K high-definition anti-glare screen with a noise-reducing headset, a new Bluetooth connection for use with own headphones, and power sockets. In Premium Economy and Economy, the seats have a 13.3inch 4K high-definition screen with the option of a Bluetooth connection, offering over 1,500 hours of on-demand entertainment. In Premium, a noisereducing audio headset is integrated into the seat and there are USB A and C ports. Economy backrests have a USB A port. •

2023 Cabin Concept Award Entry

AIR NEW ZEALAND seeks to create the 'best flying experience on earth' with its Manaaki brand promise

Memorable & fresh

Air New Zealand is redefining the onboard customer experience with a focus on the future and its ‘Manaaki –taking care further’ brand promise. The carrier has redesigned its product offer through an innovative FACE programme (Future Aircraft Cabin Experience), tasked to deliver the 'best flying experience on earth'.

After 18 months of customer research, the team identified customer-driven innovations in product and experience to roll out from 2022 on the new B787 aircraft. All are designed to deliver a step change, putting people at the centre of the business and delivering a new level of care across all touchpoints. The team was empowered to think outside the norm and push the boundaries.

The concept is built around a new brand promise of ‘Manaaki – taking care further than any other airline on earth’ and includes new propositions for each cabin: Business Premier – ‘A world apart’; Premium Economy – ‘A little luxury’, and Economy – ‘Cabin of possibility’. Complementing these was a brief "to follow the creative territory of ‘The Land of Flight'", referencing native New Zealand flora and fauna and in particular the tui bird, whose colours and characteristics are reflective of New Zealand.

Cabin of possibility

Catering

All cabins offer a memorable, contemporary new dining experience, sourcing the finest fresh produce from the home nation.

In Business, meals begin with an amuse bouche, raising perceptions; followed by a choice of entrée and opportunities to customise the main meal ie choosing a superfood salad and adding a choice of protein. Breakfast is now a brunch-style offering, including creamy mushrooms, eggs benedict and espresso coffee.

Premium Economy offers entree, main meal and dessert of Business quality on fine china; while in long-haul Economy investment was made to increase the quality of the main meal. In shorthaul, the culinary team developed contemporary café style offerings and high quality bakery items.

The new serviceware collection uses E-Lite ceramics which have the same strength as bone china but weigh less.

The design has organic forms and playful touches. Economy serviceware has moved to sustainable single-use materials - bagasse and birchwood.

Interior design

The tui bird, ferns and native bush inspired the bespoke textures, patterns and colour paletteincluding iridescent teals; pearlescent whites and abstract macro feather patterns. The interiors include unexpected details revealed over time - patterns, textures and fibres that come to life under the curated ambient lighting, and cabin scenes that evolve through a flight. There are playful lavatory laminates and each cabin seat now has it’s own distinct identity.

Service/crew

Post-Covid, Air New Zealand has reset service, shifting crew mindset and actions from minimal contact to a focus on service delivery excellence. Crew were involved in every aspect of the reset with trials, feedback, training and engagement to focus on genuine, human interactions.

Comfort

In response to customer research the airline developed the Skynest concept – a world first innovation that offers a lie-flat rest experience comprising six bunks in Economy (pictured). This will deliver an affordable, restful and unique experience for long-haul in 2024. In Business the core need of sleep is delivered through a new Sleep Ritual service of amenities and supportive IFE.

Technology

A new IFE supplier, delivering on new B787 aircraft from 2024, will allow the airline to develop connected apps and content to support and entertain. Zentertainment will expand and digital menus will tell the stories of the food including via videos. Bluetooth audio will be available across the aircraft to pair with passenger devices. In Business, remote control access and second screens will be added along with ambient lighting features.

Csr

One of the airline’s key metrics for programme success was a reduction of weight while retaining operational durability. The new serviceware is 20% lighter and 28 million SUP items were replaced with bagasse and birchwood items. New blankets are a modacrylic and new pillowcases 100% RPT. •