Swiss International Air Lines is launching what it says is a unique seating concept for its international Business Class cabins which will give corporate travellers a ”bed above the clouds.”
The lie-flat seats will be 2m long and feature air cushions which allow seat hardness to be set to meet individuals” wishes and needs. Developed by Swiss-based design company Lantal, there is nothing else like it in the world according to the carrier.
Each seat is extremely light ” the air cushion alone makes them 4 kilos lighter than a conventional foam-padded one ” and this will save Swiss more than 650 tonnes of fuel a year, lowering CO2 emissions and cutting fuel bills.
In addition, seats will contain an integrated massage function, USB and iPod sockets and bigger 16.9 format in-flight entertainment screens.
The seat was unveiled yesterday (21 May) at the Swiss Senator Lounge at Zurich Airport, which is split in three sections ” for Business Class, Miles and More Senators and First Class.
”We are proud to have developed this global seating innovation,” said Swiss CEO Christoph Franz, ”and we are delighted to be the first airline in the world to offer these substantially-enhanced levels of on-board seating and sleeping comfort.”
Work will begin installing the revamped Business cabin from spring next year, with around one third of the carrier”s long-haul fleet offering it by the end of 2009.
The new Airbus A33-300s - joining the fleet from the 2009 - will also feature the seats.