Cathay Pacific’s new Airbus A321neo made its first flight this week, featuring a nose-to-tail interior design by JPA Design. The design project included business class and economy seating, as well as galleys and washrooms, with a high degree of customisation to suit the brand and its customers.
JPA customised the business-class seats with a revised literature pocket to “significantly improve” foot space and make egress easier, and an enlarged centre divider to increase personal privacy.
For the economy seats a bespoke seat trim design with a leather-covered adjustable headrest was created, as well as an integrated stand for devices, a bottle holder, easily accessible USB ports for charging personal devices.
For the overall cabin interior an LED cabin lighting programme was created to improve passenger comfort and well-being, and a colour palette and material selection created to align with Cathay Pacific’s design language across the brand, including its airport lounges. The JPA team selected warm and sophisticated tones, with ‘real’ materials such as wood and leather finishes used.
The aircraft also features what is claimed to be the world’s first full-cabin 4K ultra-high-definition IFE, giving stunning resolution, colour depth and contrast. Supplied by Panasonic Avionics the NEXT systems offer simplified seat integration and incorporate on-demand services with one of the largest movie and TV libraries available on a regional single-aisle aircraft.
The 4K seatback screens also include Bluetooth audio streaming, enabling passengers to enjoy content in 4K using their own Bluetooth-enabled headphones.
The 4K IFE experience will feature in all cabins on Cathay Pacific’s A321neo fleet. The economy class seats will feature 11.6in displays, with 15.6in screens in business class.
