AIX is back in full swing again this year, with swathes of innovation from humble amenities to brand new seats. While there’s more about all of that to come over the coming weeks and months on the site, TheDesignAir is pleased to announce that Air France revealed its brand new A350 cabins that will enter the fleet later just next month.
The seat is similar to the 777, but offers a few passenger enhancements including a new seat interface tablet next to the vanity unit. While the existing A350s won’t be retrofitted, the next 20 aircraft will feature this new interior comprising 48 Business seats, 32 seats in Premium Economy and 212 in Economy. The seat will also provide greater synergy with the 12 777s also being rolled out with the new interior.
Specially designed for Air France, this new product has been created in collaboration with STELIA Aerospace, Airbus Atlantic’s commercial brand, Mark Collins from Design Investment, and SGK Brandimage, a design and branding consultant.
As customers board the aircraft, they are greeted by a backlit winged seahorse, embodying the company’s founding myth and rich history. The cabin’s large windows are equipped with automatic window blinds, allowing passengers to adjust the intensity of the lighting during the trip.
Wool, brushed aluminium and full-grain French leather are the noble, soft and natural materials chosen by Air France for the manufacture of its seats. The seat’s padding adds softness for enhanced comfort. Each seat is also embroidered with the company’s trademark red accent.
The personal storage unit is slightly different to the 777 which is flush to the seat architecture, this one sadly sticks out a little bit, losing some of the previous elegance to the design. However, as usual it accommodates a noise-reducing headset, a vanity mirror and customers’ personal belongings. A second storage area has been added at the foot of the seat with sufficient space for a small travel accessory.
The front row seats in the Business cabin aren’t business plus per se but do have extra footwell space (and we mean buckets of space) for enhanced comfort. Another new feature on each front row seat is an individual closet featuring a vanity mirror and additional storage space.
Constantly adapting to offer the highest standards on the market, Air France has equipped its latest Business seat with the most cutting-edge technology. Each seat features a wide 20-inch 4K Ultra High-Definition anti-glare screen – which is currently the largest across Air France’s long-haul fleet. Bluetooth connection allows passengers to enjoy the entertainment with their personal headphones.
A new touchpad screen allows passengers to browse the different programmes and easily control their environment, from adjusting the position of their seat to adapting the light intensity. A “do not disturb” feature is also available on the screen, informing the crew that the customer wishes to rest.
But, what of First Class? We’re reliably informed we should see a new product revealed in the coming months although details and any hints of what to experience are scarce. But its not just the front of the cabin that the carrier is focussing on.
The Premium Economy cabin has 32 seats designed with Collins Aerospace. Air France offers a brand-new recliner seat model already available on its first Airbus A350 and on the 12 Boeing 777-300 ER currently being refurbished. Each seat offers 94 cm legroom and a wide 48cm seat pan. The seat back reclines to 121 degrees and has been widened to provide greater privacy and comfort.
The seat cushions have been redesigned and now extend up to the shoulder level for an even softer sensation. They are upholstered in a navy-blue herringbone fabric with a specially refined finish. The 4-position headrest can be adjusted to suit all tastes. A noise-reducing audio headset, plenty of storage space, an individual reading light and USB A and C ports complete the package.
The seats in these two cabins are equipped with a wide 13.3-inch 4K Ultra High-Definition anti-glare screen with Bluetooth connection, ideal for enjoying the on-demand entertainment with personal headphones. A new feature allows customers to connect their personal device directly to the in-seat screen and use it as a remote control or to browse the programmes available alongside the content displayed on the main screen.
In economy each Safran seat has a wide 18-inch seat pan, a 119 degree recline and 31-inch of legroom. The backrest is ergonomically designed with cushions offering reinforced lateral support. The seat has two new features – a personal smartphone or tablet holder integrated into the backrest, and a USB C port in addition to the USB A port.
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“While the existing A350s won’t be retrofitted, the next 20 aircraft will feature this new interior…”
Hate that. If Air France is going to do it, they should do it right. Which means retrofitting the current A350 fleet. (’cause Canada won’t see the upgraded interiors!)
Kenneth in Nova Scotia
Love it, but wont the white areas get dirty fast? Planes get banged up pretty quickly and passengers are now a messy bunch…i can see stains everywhere.