Take Your Seats

Air New Zealand American Airlines

As the priorities of passengers change, airlines reveal their next-generation cabin designs, which value personal space and privacy above all else.

Travel has changed significantly over the past two years, with the global pandemic compelling passengers to consider whether they really want to spend hours in an enclosed cabin in such close proximity to others. With that in mind, airlines have been exploring ways in which to improve the in-flight experience, and it seems that many share a common goal. In addition to the norms of providing a comfortable stay, there’s a drive towards increased personal space, resulting in a host of innovations that put a physical partition between passengers for a heightened sense of privacy. AIR NEW ZEALAND GOES LUXE

Responding to “overwhelming customer feedback” on the importance of sleep and the need for more comfort and space, Air New Zealand has revealed it will offer a new Business Premier Luxe option from 2024. Designed with privacy in mind, the suite is conceived as an individual cubicle with a fully-closing door and a seat that reclines to a lie-flat bed. There’s also a spacious tabletop, large enough for two to dine together. The new offer accompanies other cabin-wide enhancements such as larger entertainment screens and the use of lightweight durable fabrics rather than leather, saving around 1kg in weight per seat to reduce overall carbon emissions. The airline’s new Dreamliners will also feature a grab-and-go pantry, the Skycouch, and the much-anticipated Skynest – the world’s first sleep pods for economy travellers. “New Zealand’s location puts us in a unique position to lead on the ultra-long-haul travel experience,” says CEO Greg Foran. “We have zeroed in on sleep, comfort and wellness because we know how important it is for our customers to arrive well-rested.”

Lufthansa Virgin Atlantic

AA INTRODUCES FLAGSHIP SUITE

Privacy defines the new premium seating options for American Airlines too, with customers set to experience “tailored luxury in their private retreat in the sky”. Due to be introduced on the Airbus A321XLR and Boeing 787-9 aircraft in 2024, the new Flagship Suite is designed by Teague to elevate the in-flight customer experience on long-haul international routes. It features a privacy door, chaise lounge seating and surfaces for working or dining, as well as expansive storage space. New Premium Economy seats will also offer more seclusion than the industry standard, thanks to the addition of winged headrests providing an element of privacy. Currently on order, the Airbus A321XLR will feature 20 Flagship Suite seats and 12 Premium Economy, while the Boeing 787-9 counts 51 Flagship Suite seats and 32 Premium Economy. Furthermore, the upgrades will be retrofitted to existing aircraft as part of a wider refurbishment programme; in all, Premium seating in AA’s long-haul fleet will grow more than 45% by 2026. LUFTHANSA UNVEILS ALLEGRIS

Marking the largest investment in premium products in the company’s history, Lufthansa has announced a new generation of seating options across all cabin classes, developed to make longhaul travel more comfortable. Collectively known as Allegris, the upgrades include Sleeper’s Row 2.0 – an economy-class reclining seat with foldout leg-rest and mattress – and the Business Class Suite featuring extended personal space and ample storage. The most superior is the First Class Suite with nearly-ceiling-high doors that can be closed for privacy. The concept is designed by PriestmanGoode and incorporates a large personal wardrobe as well as a 1m-wide seat that can be converted into a bed. “It’s an incredible product that represents a step-change in terms of privacy, comfort and the choices available to Lufthansa’s first-class passengers,” comments Daniel MacInnes, Director of PriestmanGoode. “The design team has successfully achieved the ambience of the most comfortable luxury space at home, but in the air.” In total, more than 100 Lufthansa aircraft will be kitted out with the new Allegris initiatives.

THE RETREAT SUITE BY VIRGIN ATLANTIC

And finally, proving that privacy and space are indeed the holy grail when it comes to cabin design, Virgin Atlantic has unveiled The Retreat Suite, the airline’s most spacious offer yet. Debuted on the hotly anticipated Airbus A330-900neo, which took to the skies for the first time in October, the concept is based on the idea of socialising in private. Developed by Virgin’s in-house design team in collaboration with Factorydesign, the enclosed suite features an ottoman that doubles as an extra seat, meaning that up to four people can comfortably dine, chat or play games in their own space. It also marks the entry-into-service of Thompson Aero Seating’s new Vantage XL model – a seat that converts to a fully-flat bed measuring a generous 77.9-inches – customised here to Virgin’s style specifications. The Retreat Suite joins other Virgin innovations such as The Loft – a social hub for eight passengers – and the new upper-class suites, which have a fully-closing privacy door and a do-notdisturb feature.