In recent years Air Seychelles has reconfigured its route network and fleet opting for narrow-body aircraft over their long haul routes, relying on their strategic partnership with Etihad to feed the traffic to their tropical paradise home.
With this repositioning comes a new breed of aircraft for the carrier, the A320neo which will operate the airline’s longest routes now. Therefore the carrier wanted to opt for a more comfortable cabin, while being cautious of weight to ensure the maximum possible range. “Our inspiration for the cabin was the stunning natural beauty of the Seychelles, and the spirit of its people, who are proud of their airline and the warm hospitality they provide, said Daniel Baron, LIFT Strategic Design’s managing director who created the new cabin design. “They are keen for the cabin to communicate this pride.”
“The Seychelles faces fierce competition from other tropical island destinations,” said Baron. “Our goal was to design a truly bespoke cabin that would stand out in a big way and be unmistakably Air Seychelles. Given that the airline is oriented toward inbound tourism, being able to leverage the cabin as a tool in marketing communications is supremely important. Therefore, much consideration was given not only to the ambience on board, but also to creating designs that will stand out on social media.”
Considering the limitations of the hard product, the end result is certainly smart and colourful. LIFT developed the bespoke designs around the airline’s iconic palette of blues, greens and reds. In Business Class, a handsome beige and black fabric with pronounced texture lends a high-end resort feeling. The main seat fabric is complemented by a headrest in a saturated deep red. In economy class, seat fabrics in shades of green and blue were inspired by the exquisite color contrasts found in the sparkling sea of the Seychelles.
The front and rear walls of the cabin feature a soft gradient from yellow to blue, evoking the rays of a tropical sun over the country’s crystal waters. A pearlescent palm pattern completes the elegant, layered look, communicating quality through attention to detail. The result is a vibrant, tropical ambience whose patterns and textures reflect both airline and destination.
Air Seychelles similarly unveiled the new uniform design for its Cabin Crew members. Inspired by the calm blue ocean of the archipelago, the stylish new uniform seen in the aisles of the modern A320neo and current A320ceo aircraft comprise of an elegant turquoise ensemble reflecting the natural landscape and surrounding of the islands ecosystem.
The unique omate scarf and tie, designed by Alyssa Adams one of the best local artists in the Seychelles, has been enthused by rays of the tropical sunlight glazing unto the flamboyant lily flowers gently floating on a rippled pond depicting the movement of the sea. Capturing the natural colors of nature, the vibrant scarf also portrays the unique values, warmth, and culture of the Seychellois hospitality.
While obviously we would have loved to have seen wide-bodied aircraft with exquisite lavish interiors, this approach is certainly more economically minded, allowing the carrier the opportunity to have a long-lasting future. The end result, however is solid and reflective of the Seychellois Creole spirit.
TheDesignAir 
I like the cheerful colours of the uniforms but quite frankly, they are do not look well tailored. Look at the jacket (strange cut at the chest) or the far too tight skirts with crumpled hems.