Turkish Airlines has announced plans to launch a new premium economy product, Comfort Class, by the end of this year.
The new class will be in addition to the airline’s economy, business and first class offerings.
In a statement, the Turkish carrier said Comfort Class combines “the affordability of economy class and the comfort of business class”.
Comfort Class will offer internet access and live television on an individual screen stowed in the arm, while passengers can also plug in their own USB devices or iPods.
The Comfort Class seats, to be found on all the airline’s new Boeing aircraft, will have a pitch of 116cm and a width of 49cm.
Turkish Airlines said it will launch the new class by the end of 2010, on three routes: Istanbul to Beijing, Sao Paulo and Toronto.
From the first half of 2011, this will be expanded to a further three routes (Shanghai, Guangzhou and Los Angeles) and from the second half of 2011 to New York, Tokyo and Hong Kong.
The launch of the new class is part of a rebrand for Turkish Airlines.
London-based Priestmangoode has revealed a redesign of the airline’s interiors, which will be installed in all 105 new aircraft on order and retro-fitted across existing Airbus and Boeing aircraft.
As well as the new premium economy offering, Turkish Airlines has updated its economy class product with new seats in nine different colours, which the design company said reflect "the colours and visual richness found in Istanbul".
With the new aircraft, the airline hopes to double the number of flights it operates by 2015, focusing on transatlantic routes to the Americas, as well as Asian and African destinations.
Turkish Airlines currently operates a fleet of 147 aircraft.
www.turkishairlines.com