Finnair revolutionizes its fleet and introduces a never-before-seen business seat
In the coming months Finnair, a Finnish carrier participating in the OneWorld alliance, will completely renovate the interiors of its aircraft dedicated to long [...]
Finnair
Oneworld
In the coming months, Finnair, Finnish carrier that participates in the OneWorld alliance, will completely renovate the interiors of its dedicated long-haul aircraft. The company has a fleet consisting of two Airbus models: A330 and A350.
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Today, months later than originally planned, pictures were shown and the features of the new cabins were explained. This redesign involves renovating both business and economy cabins, as well as to the installation, for the first time on Finnair aircraft, of the premium economy section.
A major investment, more than $200 million, and a great deal of time spent conceptualizing and comparing with the famous aircraft seat manufacturer Collins Aerospace. A collaboration that has produced a revolutionary business class seat. It will be installed for the first time on the very A350s that Finnair will receive in the coming months, only later in the rest of the fleet.
What is so special about the new chair
That's exactly the point, it's not a seat like we are used to finding in airplanes. It is almost a bench, a fixed seat, set inside a shell that isolates the passenger from the aisle. As you can clearly see from the renders, the seat back is the seat shell itself, which means that it will not be reclining and at the same time the passenger will have much more space in width.
The cabin configuration will be 1-2-1, so all passengers will have access to the aisle and plenty of space in their own "sanctuary." There is no door to isolate the passenger, but the shell looks, judging from the photos, very tall and protective for the passenger.
The novelty lies precisely in the fact that the seat is not reclining, not at all. And it turns into a bed thanks to the extension of the mattress that allows the passenger to lie down completely. The seat thus turns out to be much more spacious; whether it will also be comfortable will have to be seen. The carrier has published a series of photos to show how each passenger will be much freer to find his or her preferred position.
In words, it could be an interesting choice, especially since in bed version it could be much more comfortable than traditional armchairs that tilt to become a bed. But, personally, on a 12-hour flight I so appreciate the ability to put myself in a more prone position than a classic seat while working on the PC or watching TV.
Of course, before making a full judgment, one must wait to try it and judge it not through photos or a promotional video.
Completing the new seat is an 18-inch screen and plenty of storage space for personal items.
For passengers traveling in the middle rows, no Honeymoon seats, but there is still a large divider to ensure privacy in case you do not know the passenger traveling next to you.
"Space is today's luxury, and we have devoted a lot of care and attention to detail to create the best business class seat for our customers. Both the seat and the entire business class experience are focused on comfort, space and customer choice, and it is the culmination of our design philosophy that will appear in all of our long-haul aircraft to redefine modern premium travel," these are the words of Ole Orvér, Finnair's Chief Commercial Officer.
The changes will not only be in the seat, but also in the service. The Finnish carrier's award-winning set has now become even better, and most importantly, the food offerings have also been completely revamped.
The new proposal includes a change of offerings in all flight classes and on all routes, including medium-haul routes. Personally, I am looking forward to Taste these dishes as the challenge in the skies is becoming increasingly gourmet.
