Airbus has recently secured cabin retrofit contracts with two Asian airlines, for A320 and A350 aircraft.
The aircraft manufacturer has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Taiwan’s China Airlines to retrofit its A350 cabins with a new cabin layout, cabin hardware, and state-of-the-art amenities.
Under this agreement, Airbus Services will oversee the installation of China Airlines’ latest premium business class, premium economy class, and economy-class seats on its fleet of 15 A350-900s. The upgrades are intended to create an enhanced travel experience across all cabin classes, and will also include the latest IFE systems and full inflight connectivity throughout the aircraft.
“The airline’s existing layout had already been one of the most luxurious in the industry, and we are excited to support China Airlines to elevate this to yet another level,” said Cristina Aguilar, senior vice president customer services at Airbus.
Thai Airways A320 cabin retrofit deal
Airbus has also reached an agreement with Thai Airways, to retrofit its fleet of 20 A320ceo aircraft with reclining business-class seats, marking Airbus’ first-ever cabin retrofit for a single-aisle fleet in the Asia-Pacific region.
This retrofit programme aligns with Thai Airways’ commitment to enhance passenger comfort and experience, following the integration of its former subsidiary, Thai Smile Airways, into the parent company at the beginning of this year.
Under this agreement, Airbus Services will oversee the installation of 12 business-class seats on each A320ceo. Featuring a backrest that reclines up to eight inches, these seats will offer passengers a relaxed sitting position. The retrofit project is slated to commence by the end of the year.
Upon completion, the A320s will transition to a two-class configuration, comprising 12 business class and 144 economy seats. This transformation marks a change from the previous all-economy class configuration, which accommodated between 168 to 174 passengers.
Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways said, “The acquisition of 20 A320 aircraft from Thai Smile Airways has benefited Thai’s route network, as well as strengthened our fleet efficiency and enhanced our competitiveness in the market. The fleet will serve Thai’s domestic and regional operations, aiming to provide customers with seamless and convenient flight connectivity. In addition, the retrofit of reclining business seats in the aircraft will offer passengers with more comfort while their travel experiences will be elevated and enhanced throughout their flight journey.”
