Airbus is set to enhance the cabin experience for passengers of two Asian airlines through significant retrofit contracts involving both wide-body and narrow-body aircraft. The European aircraft manufacturer has signed a Letter of Intent with Taiwan’s China Airlines to upgrade the cabin interiors of its A350 fleet. The retrofit will include the installation of new premium business class, premium economy, and economy class seats across 15 of its A350-900 aircraft. Additionally, the upgrades will feature state-of-the-art In-flight Entertainment (IFE) systems and comprehensive inflight connectivity.
Cristina Aguilar, senior vice president customer services at Airbus, noted, “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.”
Simultaneously, Airbus has entered into an agreement with Thai Airways to retrofit its fleet of 20 A320ceo aircraft. This marks the first cabin retrofit by Airbus for a single-aisle fleet in the Asia-Pacific region. The retrofit will introduce 12 reclining business-class seats in each aircraft, offering a backrest that reclines up to eight inches. This enhancement aligns with Thai Airways’ efforts to improve passenger comfort, following the integration of Thai Smile Airways into its operations earlier this year.
“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,” said Chai Eamsiri, CEO of Thai Airways.
Upon completion, the A320s will feature a new two-class configuration, transitioning from an all-economy layout that accommodated between 168 to 174 passengers. The new configuration will include 12 business class and 144 economy seats, reflecting a strategic shift towards enhancing service quality on short-haul routes. This move underlines a broader trend within the aviation industry towards upgrading existing fleets to meet evolving passenger expectations for comfort and connectivity.