The new product announcements just keep coming from airlines this week. Japanese carrier All Nippon Airways (ANA) has unveiled all-new cabins and seats with which it is updating its long-haul fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs.
The airline commissioned architect Kengo Kuma and British designers Acumen to completely redesign 12 of its aircraft. The first of the newly outfitted planes will begin flying from Tokyo-Haneda to London Heathrow using flight numbers NH211 and NH212 beginning August 2 with daily operation beginning at the end of the month or the beginning of September. Until then, it will operate on even-numbered days in August and odd-numbered days in September.
Explaining the move, ANA Executive Vice President Hideki Kunugi said, “Our partnerships with Mr. Kuma and Acumen illustrate that ANA has sought out the input of the most influential voices in the design community for these innovative new cabin design….In order for ANA to continue to lead and set the global standard for comfort and convenience, we knew that it would be necessary to integrate the latest insights from design professionals as we sought to redesign the flight experience and elevate every aspect of travel for our passengers.”
To that end, the airline unveiled brand-new looks not only for its much-lauded first and business-class cabins, but also in economy and premium economy. The driving aesthetic was a combination of Asian and Western elements. Architect Kuma said, “My work is about understanding how space is used and creating the most comfortable conditions in any environment. I enjoyed working with ANA and Acumen to combine the best of Eastern and Western design traditions and create a finished product that sets a global standard by embracing Japanese heritage and international outlook.”
The new first-class seat has been dubbed, “THE Suite.” Each aircraft will have just eight of these luxurious mini-cabins laid out in two rows of four seats each, with a 1 – 2 – 1 footprint. The airline says that the sleek design and muted palette were inspired by Japanese luxury hotels. Among the new features are closing doors and almost unbelievably large 43-inch entertainment monitors that are the first personal screens on a commercial airliner with 4K resolution. Middle seats will be separated by a large partition that can be raised or lowered depending on passengers’ preferences.
Known as “THE Room,” the new business-class product represents a much-needed refresh to the airline’s decent but dated seats. Inspired by multi-functional Japanese living spaces, seats in THE Room are being billed as twice as wide as ANA’s previous seats thanks to double-wide sofa-style chairs. They are arranged in rows of 1 – 2 – 1 seats, where rows are alternately forward and backward-facing. Each seat has direct aisle access and a closing door. Three different wood grains inspired by contemporary Japanese homes – rosewood, light Japanese ash, and dark Japanese ash – have been added as finishes to lend the cabin and seats a sense of greater warmth.
Both business- and first-class seats will feature new Panasonic lights that were custom-designed for ANA with the idea of evoking a natural sunrise. Passengers will also be treated to bespoke bedding and mattress pads provided in partnership with Nishikawa.
The seats in premium economy and economy have also been redesigned with new upholstery embroidered with traditional Japanese patterns that tell a story known as “the Journey,” to reflect guests’ experience over the course of the flight. The prints include a tatami mat pattern to signify welcome, and an arrow motif as a subtle reference to the movement of flight. Each seat will also have an improved touchscreen monitor and a six-way adjustable headrest.
Even the aircraft’s entrance will have a new look and has been reconceived to resemble the reception area of an upscale hotel, with welcome monitors and a food service area that embodies the Japanese philosophy of hospitality, or “Omotenashi.” The idea was to give passengers more space and freedom to move around and explore the cabin in flight. While doing so, they can help themselves from mini-fridges stocked with snacks and drinks.
“Our work focused on transforming the cabin experience by fusing the rich history and culture of Japan with modern design principles and technologies,” said Ian Dryburgh, Founder and CEO of Acumen. “Combining our expertise in aviation interior design with the renowned visionary approach of Kengo Kuma, together we have created a striking cabin that has elevated the ANA customer experience to its highest level across all classes.”
To go along with the new hard products, ANA is also updating its meals and amenities with new tableware debuting on flights this fall, and the ability for business-class passengers to preorder meals from six options on flights from Japan to Europe and North America.
Flights aboard the airline’s first refreshed Boeing 777-300ER from Tokyo Haneda to London Heathrow start at $1,491 in economy, $2,687 in premium economy, $4,346 in business class, and $12,300 in first class round-trip this summer.
