The Hindu Business Line : Flat seats, mobile phones for passengers on board

Comfort zone
IndiGo will put into service its Airbus A-320 aircraft with redesigned interiors.
Indian to offer in-flight entertainment in July.
Kingfisher Airlines plans to introduce the use of mobile phones on board.

New Delhi June 23 After wooing passengers with cheap fares, the domestic airlines are turning their attention to making the in-flight travel experience even better.

Jet Airways that is to launch flights to the US in August will introduce fully flat seats in economy class, a luxury so far enjoyed by the first and business class passengers.

As the launch customer for Recaro, a global company for aircraft seats, Jet Airways will be the first airline globally to install this new economy seat with a pitch of 32 inches. Unlike conventional airline seats, as the backrest reclines, the seat moves forward to create a recline angle of 130 degrees, and an ergonomically correct seating position.

The introduction of these seats is part of the airlines' plans for penetrating the international market.

Similarly, from Sunday, low-cost airline IndiGo will put into service its Airbus A-320 aircraft with redesigned interiors. "The new A-320 will have additional space, redesigned overhead cabins, ceilings and windows. The changes not only allow passengers to carry larger bags onboard — although not huge ones — but also provide more shoulder room at the window seat," the IndiGo President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Bruce Ashby, told Business Line.

The state-owned Indian too, is not lagging behind. The airline will induct the first aircraft offering in-flight entertainment in July. The airline plans to offer six channels that apart from offering music, television serials and movies, will also include a map showing the exact position of the aircraft.

SpiceJet is already operating aircraft with Winglets that provide better fuel efficiency, increase the range and also cut down the noise inside the aircraft, said Mr Siddhanta Sharma, the airline's Chief Executive Officer.

"In the last decade, the average age of the aircraft operated in India has come down by half to about 3.5 years. The aircraft have become more fuel efficient and cabins quieter," Mr Sharma pointed out.

And this is not all; the good times in the sky are set to roll on. Kingfisher Airlines, which currently offers live television feed on nine of its 16 aircraft and plans to have the entire fleet covered by the end of the year, is also planning to introduce the use of mobile phones on board.

"To further enhance guest experience we are working on allowing them to use their mobile phones on the aircraft not only to make calls but also send and receive SMS," said Airline's Vice President, Mr Hitesh Patel.