The race to attract high yield traffic is intensifying with sister companies Air France and KLM completely separately announcing major upgrade schemes to be implemented over the next two years.
Air France is introducing a new shell style seat for its business passengers travelling in the long haul Espace Affaires cabin. The first aircraft, a brand new Boeing 777 just delivered, was fitted in production and plans call for 25% of the fleet to be completed by May of next year. With a reclined length of two metres (69”) the seat is claimed to be one of the longest on the market although it does not go completely flat with a 5% inclination. Width-wise, at 61 cm (22”) it is certainly bigger than the previous AF offering. There is a second set of built-in controls to enable passengers to adjust the seat without having to sit up. A wider folding table has been introduced; plus a step to access overhead baggage compartments more easily.
During the coming two years, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will invest more than E100m in the replacement, renewal and upgrading of exteriors and interiors aboard the KLM and KLM cityhopper aircraft. The entire KLM fleet will be fitted with what the airline terms is ”a fresher, more modern interior”. Lighting as well as the colour and design of carpets, curtains and partitions have been carefully co-ordinated. Key aspects of seating comfort will be improved. New seats will be installed aboard the Boeing 737-800 and 900 fleets, and in World Business Class (WBC) aboard the Boeing 747-400 and subsequently the MD-11.
The interior and exterior of KLM cityhopper”s 18 Fokker 100s, 21 Fokker 70s, and 14 Fokker 50s are to be fully revamped. The aircraft will be fitted with new interiors (carpets and curtains) and the exterior will be repainted to match the livery of the KLM fleet.