In response to customer demand, Emirates is introducing flat-bed seats with more personal space in Business Class, plus enhanced private suites for First Class passengers. There will also be more legroom in Economy – and the industry's largest TV monitors in all three classes. The new onboard product will make its first appearance on the Dubai-based carrier’s Boeing 777-300ER ULR (Ultra Long Range) aircraft being delivered this month, and on its 777-200LRs, the first of which are due for delivery in August. Over the next 18 months, Emirates will receive 24 new aircraft fitted with the product. It will also be implementing a programme to retrofit its existing Boeing 777 long-haul fleet. Says Tim Clark, the airline’s president: “Our premium customers tell us they want more personal space, particularly on long-haul travel, and these considerations have been key in the development and refinement of our product.” It represents a huge investment for the airline, with the enhancements to the First Class cabins costing US$150 million over an 18-month period. This figure will be further increased by the improvements in other classes of travel and the retrofit programme. The airline has been working closely with aircraft and seat manufacturers to provide a “corporate jet quality” feel to the new First Class cabin. The private suites will be larger, with extended floor space, extra stowage room for hand baggage, and a larger personal wardrobe. They also feature leather upholstery and an elegant walnut finish. With no overhead bins, the high cabin ceiling adds to the sense of space. Travellers can also relax at a new communal bar area. New Business Class massage seats recline to a lieflat 78in bed. The seats ensure maximum personal space, with privacy dividers, and allow passengers to recline fully without encroaching on the traveller in the row behind. In Economy, Emirates’ new generation seats are designed to provide more legroom and comfort. The seats come with adjustable winged headrests, wide flat footrests and articulated seat bottoms for greater comfort. The introduction of the latest inflight entertainment system also removes the need for boxes beneath seats, thus increasing legroom. Passengers in all three classes will be able to tune into more than 600 channels of entertainment-ondemand. The latest movies and music albums will be dished up on digital wide-screen LCD touchscreens which are among the largest in the skies – 23in in First; 17in in Business; and 10.6in in Economy. In a three-class configuration, Emirates’ new Boeing 777s-300ERs (ULR) will offer eight private suites in First Class, 42 lie-flat seats in Business, and 304 seats in Economy; and its 777-200LRs will feature eight First Class private suites, 42 lie-flat seats in Business, and 216 seats in Economy. Silverjet steps up services
Silverjet, which later this month steps up its all-Business Class service between London Luton and New York Newark, has ordered two aircraft capable of serving more long-haul, but as yet unspecified, destinations. The carrier has signed a letter of intent to acquire the Boeing 767-200 extended range wide-body aircraft for delivery next March, increasing the fleet to five.
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