The Hindu Business Line : Passenger comfort, the new mantra for airlines

AI, Indian plans
Indian plans to have live television feed on its new aircraft.
Air India is working on a number of initiatives for the 68 new Boeing aircraft that will begin joining the fleet later this year.

New Delhi , Nov. 26

With demand for seats on international airlines jumping by leaps and bounds , several leading airlines are looking at making the flight of the passenger more comfortable.

While the Dutch airline KLM has announced that it would invest more than 100 million in the replacement, renewal and upgrade of the exteriors and interiors of its fleet, British Airways, earlier this month, unveiled its £100-million next generation business class flat bed that is 25 per cent wider and offers more privacy and more storage space.

The make over being planned by KLM would see its entire fleet being fitted with a fresher, more modern interior including lighting colour and design of carpets, curtains and partitions.

"We expect that this substantial investment will boost passenger satisfaction and comfort ratings," said the airlines' Executive Vice-President, Commercial, Mr Paul Gregorowitsch.

British Airways officials indicated that the changes made in the business class beds were part of an investment programme for products and services that includes enhancements not only of the first class cabin but also introduction of an on-demand in-flight entertainment system in every cabin across the long-haul fleet.

The two-state owned airlines, Indian and Air India, are also working to make their flights memorable.

While Indian plans to have live television feed on its new aircraft, Air India is working on a number of initiatives for the 68 new Boeing aircraft that will begin joining the fleet later this year.

Similarly, Singapore Airline (SIA) has tied up with French fashion house Givenchy to provide amenities especially designed for passengers flying on board the Boeing 777-300 Extended Range aircraft, which are scheduled to begin operations later this year.

In addition, all SIA flyers can look forward to a larger number of on-demand entertainment and information options apart from greater interactivity on larger, high-resolution screens across all three cabins as the airline will launch the new eX2 in-flight entertainment system by Panasonic Avionics Corporation.

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