[ad_1]
It’s not really a new idea, but airlines that offer business class services are considering re-opening doors to increase passenger privacy.
1. Privacy in the air
The Business Class doors on JetBlue’s Mint Premium planes debuted 10 years ago. Today, they are available on a dozen or more carriers, including Delta, All Nippon Airways, British Airways and China Eastern, with more serving each year. One of the main reasons cited by aerospace players is the increased privacy that passengers enjoy. Another reason is that it is mostly convenient, passengers sitting on the aisle do not have to worry about the congestion of the aisle that happens occasionally during the flight.
From First Class to Business Class, where Emirates’ full-height suite has set a new standard, there is undoubtedly a movement to increase privacy on planes.
Alastair Hamilton, Collins Aerospace’s vice president of aircraft seat sales and marketing
Hamilton said most business class seats have had privacy shells for several years now. “The addition of doors further enhances this sense of isolation, they are closed from the passage, especially when sleeping in the bed area,” he said.
Air France has become the latest to introduce business class seats with sliding doors on some of its long-haul flights. Starting in September, Air France will offer business class travelers aboard its B777-300s a sliding door on its new cabin, first on its Paris-New York service, with the rest of its B777-300 fleet to follow.
2. Added cost
For some airlines, an extra privacy layer is too expensive to join the trend when considering a gate — although the extra cost could bring in more revenue, as passengers seem to like the idea.
Gates have been missing for a few years, and year after year we’ve seen an ever-increasing proportion of airlines asking for gates in surveys or actual quotes – up to many airlines. I am asking him to ask for it now,” said Quentin Munier, executive vice president of strategy and innovation at Safran Seats. “The question is becoming less about having a door or not, but more about how to provide it in a smart and effective way,” he added.
Chris Brady, an industry veteran and founder of startup seat maker Unum, says airlines are divided on the issue. “I’m a little confused,” Brady told CNN. “I like it as a passenger door. I have found flying to be an incredibly unusual experience and I enjoy being alone, and the door helps. As a citizen I know they are tough,” which means more carbon emissions.
[ad_2]
Source link
