Asian passengers flying to Europe with KLM will soon be offered a new business class experience, following the launch of the Dutch national carrier’s revamped World Business Class cabin.
Featuring a new flat-bed seat, which reclines the full 180⁰, KLM said the new cabin was designed to “accentuate the at-home feeling” for passengers. Designed by B/E Aerospace, the new Diamond Seat will offer a fully-horizontal sleeping position, as will as greater privacy with a partition between the seats and the aisle. The seat also includes a personal TV screen and more storage compartments. As a result of the redesign, the number of seats in the World Business Class cabin aboard a Boeing 747-400 will be reduced from 42 to 35.
KLM has also teamed up with leading Dutch designer Hella Jongerius to upgrade the look and feel of its business class cabin. In addition to the new flat-bed seats, the cabin’s interior features new carpeting, panel decorations, curtains, lighting, blankets, cushions and upholstery.
“It is truly remarkable that KLM is open to this kind of approach for its interior. Aircraft interiors have to meet an unbelievable range of technical requirements. We achieved this by simplifying the new seat, changing its colour and upholstering it with high-quality textiles,” said Jongerius.
First to be fitted with the new cabin products will be KLM’s fleet of 22 B747-400s, with the first flight featuring the new World Business Class expected to take-off in July 2013. The airline will then start work on its 15 B777-200s.
