The delivery date of the first Airbus A350-900XWB (A359) for China Airlines (CI) is quickly approaching. Today, the Taiwanese airline officially unveiled the cabin designs of this game-changing aircraft type. Configured as a 306-seater, the aircraft will be able to accommodate 32 passengers in Premium Business Class, 31 in Premium Economy Class, and 243 in Economy Class, including 12 Family Couch seats. Nonstop routes from Taipei to Amsterdam, Rome, and Vienna will be the first long-haul routes to see the new product after its first delivery in July 2016.
Back in 2015, when China Airlines released teaser-statements on its upcoming Airbus A350-900XWB, the aircraft was described to have a “cheerful” and “joyful” interior. After having our hands on the latest cabin pictures, >talkairlines compared the simulations to the Boeing 777-300ER interiors. While the seat cover-design and color combinations of Premium Economy and Economy Classes are extremely similar on both aircraft types, there are significant differences in the Premium Business Class cabin and carpet. Let’s take a close look at what differentiates the A350 from the 777.
In Premium Business Class, China Airlines chose to continue utilizing the Super Diamond model from B/E Aerospace. The hardware, along with the personal table lamp and 18″ PTV screen, is almost identical with that of the 777. The configuration is 1-2-1 abreast and each seat can be converted to a 78″ fully flat bed. However, the seat covers feature a light color palette. In comparison, 777 seats are decorated with some rather dark shades. Also interesting is the lamp design-difference. On the 777, the lamp has a dark gray stand; on the A350, a metallic gold stand instead.
The carpet design is also notable. On the 777 and other aircraft types, China Airlines has been conservative while choosing carpets. Unicolor has been typical across the carrier’s fleet. Yet, this is about to be changed. On the A350, the carpet has a pattern that is similar to overlapping polka dots. The negative spaces are lightly colored while the positive spaces are dark. This powerful contrast creates a fun and exciting visual effect. Another non-conventional approach can be seen on the suite shell, which features dark patterns on a light base-color.
Sky Lounge is not absent on the A350. However, it now bears a different name. “Sky Bistro”, the A350-version of the acclaimed 777 Sky Lounge, is similar to its sister product in food and beverage offerings. However, the space design has drastically changed. On the 777, the sides of the Sky Lounge offer coffee, snacks, and books while the main area has fruits, alcoholic beverages, and instant noodles. On the A350, all options will be integrated and offered together at the main area. The sides will only be decorated with the lounge name and quotes. This change is likely due to space constraints.
In Premium Economy Class, China Airlines has once again chosen the fixed-back Zodiac AIRgo FX Premium seats. There is no significant design changes and the appearance of the seat is almost identical with that on the 777. However, due to the width of the A350 cabin, there will be one less seat in each and every row. On the 777, Premium Economy Class has a 2-4-2 layout; on the A350, an alternative 2-3-2 layout is chosen. Each customer will get to enjoy 129° of recline, 20″ of width, and 39″ of pitch. There will also be 12″ PTV screens installed at every seat.
In Economy Class, China Airlines will be offering slim-line seats in a 3-3-3 layout. Following the Airbus 18″ Industry Width Standard, the China Airlines A350 Economy Class will provide customers with more comfort: 116° of recline, 18″ of width and 32″ of pitch. Another good news is that the seats will have higher seat pockets. This, along with the slim design, will further contribute to overall spaciousness and make the customers feel like the pitch is 34.5″. Besides the typical Economy Class seats, there will be 12 Family Couch seats on the front right section of the cabin.
China Airlines will also be introducing new boarding and embarking music along with a scent, specially created for the carrier. Moreover, the mood-lighting on the A350 is more advanced than that on the 777. New technologies will allow vibrant colors and endless combination-possibilities. One interesting mood lighting theme is “Chinese New Year”, in which the design will create an illusion of red lanterns being hung over head. Other special A350 elements include quieter cabins, panoramic windows, and larger overhead luggage compartments. The aircraft type will also have in-flight connectivity (Wi-Fi), which will be complemented by the power and USB outlets at each seat.
Applause for Ray Chen, the chief designer for the new lounges and cabin interiors, who has once again delivered an exceptional product for the Taiwanese national carrier. Over recent years, China Airlines has been rapidly transcending into a designer brand. The latest effort is the establishment of the new Brand Development Department. Aware of how cooperations with design firms, branding consultants, and suppliers are more important than ever, the carrier hopes to utilize this new department for brand strategies, management, and consistency. We are certain that these efforts, along with the new hardware products and nonstop routes, will allow China Airlines to transform into one of the premium global airline brands.
After its first delivery in July 2016, the China Airlines Airbus A350-900XWB will initially be deployed on short-haul regional routes, such as that to Hong Kong. By year-end, long-haul routes, such as those to Amsterdam, Delhi, and Rome, will be flown with the A350. Other destinations, including Vancouver, Honolulu, and those in Oceania, are also expected to see the China Airlines A350 in the near future. The A350 is also anticipated to enable the launching of new routes to Seattle, Milan, London, and a Spanish destination, either Barcelona or Madrid.
>Talk Airlines
