Airbus has launched the widebody A330-800neo and A330-900neo, which the manufacturer says will enhance the onboard passenger experience through a raft of inventive features.
The A330 cabin will be optimised to offer up to ten additional seats on the new A330neo, with the 18-inch wide seats remaining, while mood lighting and full connectivity will be offered to improve cabin ambience and ensure passengers can stay connected while they are in the air.
Airbus has also stated that the passengers “will be able to enjoy a 21st century onboard experience with, for example, fourth generation in-flight entertainment (3D films)”, although this development will very much rely on the IFE suppliers themselves and their plans in this area.
AirAsia X has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Airbus for 50 A330neos. The first delivery is scheduled for late 2017, and Group CEO of AirAsia, Tony Fernandes, has labelled it a “phenomenal aircraft” that “becomes a critical piece of our strategy”.
Airbus’ Head of Cabin Design to speak at FTE Global 2014
Ingo Gäthje, Head of Cabin Design Office, Airbus, will address delegates at FTE Global 2014, which will take place in Las Vegas from 24-26 September 2014. In the ‘Customer experience director head-to-head’ session, he will join other leading industry figures to debate the question: ‘What are the next steps that are necessary to achieve an onboard passenger experience transformation?’.
Ingo will also take part in the Cabin Integration Symposium at FTE Global 2014, where he will be joined by senior speakers from the likes of Emirates, Inmarsat, Gogo, OnAir, Global Eagle, Honeywell, Panasonic, Lumexis, Acro, Recaro and Zodiac Aerospace.
» View the full FTE ‘Up in the Air’ conference agenda
» Register to attend FTE Global 2014
