In 2018, Business and First Class travelers in certain international routes have more freedom to customize their seats. While this first worked out well for domestic travelers, the Flynas passengers last summer likely felt almost unhindered. The demise of the transcontinental Airbus Business Class last June, however, may have turned that freedom into control. Now Flynas International, the airline that launched the first four A330s that serve routes in the U.S. and Canada, is rolling out larger seats, bigger galleys and even interactive, television-connected TVs that can control each other.
Courtesy of Flynas Airbus rolled out the first new-generation Airbus Business and First Class cabins in recent memory this summer. The larger, HD-capable TVs were accompanied by larger overhead storage compartments and a new, 4-by-6-inch gauge in their sidewalls. Like other Airbus A330s, the seats of the A330-200 that Flynas started operating this summer also feature reclining backrests, a seat on the center island and the ability to recline in air, which all help to accommodate larger passengers like me. The seats have a 71-inch pitch as well as custom headrests and legrests.
Courtesy of Flynas The first deck-seating area of the plane offers a thin but wide section of aisle, and seats close around to the wing, mimicking the raised portion of business class on Europe’s A340-600 planes. The seats also have electronically adjustable fore, back and sides.
Courtesy of Flynas The first deck of the plane is divided into two zones: One part houses one galley, snacks and the buffet. The other wing section of the plane is completely devoted to the first-class section.
Courtesy of Flynas Instead of aisle seats, the first-class seats on the A330 offer sliding doors that allow for closet access and storage space. Flynas says it was important to return to fliers the comforts of business class.
Courtesy of Flynas A United Business Class seat takes up the bulk of the space on the A330s. While a United Business Class seat does feature an aisle, the rest of the seats on the first-class section are long. Large bin space at the middle of the plane also makes travel possible for those who want to pack for travel.
Courtesy of Flynas On the upper deck, Flynas is installing seatback TVs and charging ports for travelers, in addition to an MRO service center to service the entire fleet. In addition, the first-class planes offer window positions that allow passengers to look out the window and see the curvature of the Earth. The first of six A330s that are the first of nine planes planned for Flynas’ fleet come in late 2018. They can seat up to 96 passengers in up to 44-inch seats, which can recline to 70 inches.
Courtesy of Flynas On the upper deck, first-class seats can take up nearly all of the space. A customer service center is also on the upper deck.
Courtesy of Flynas Flynas will offer Business and First Class seats on 16 of its U.S. and Canadian A330s, which come in three versions: a twin-aisle A330-200 (about 75 seats) and a two-aisle A330-300 (around 120). A second plane is scheduled to deliver to Flynas in the first quarter of next year.