Market Update: Summer updates: ANA to refit its long-haul flights with new seats – Full Analysis

All Nippon Airways Co. (ANA) has unveiled new seats for economy, premium economy and business class passengers on its long-haul flights aboard its midsize aircraft, which are to be installed starting this summer.

This is the first time that the airline is adding partitioned cubicle-style rooms to business class seats on planes of this size as the option was previously limited to its large aircraft. 

The new business class seats, dubbed “The Room FX,” were designed specifically for midsize B787-9 planes. ANA collaborated with French seat manufacturer Safran Seats S.A. and another firm.

An electric recliner setup has been replaced with a slightly sloped backrest for creating a wider space and increased comfort.

Meanwhile, the seat pitch in premium economy is increasing by about 5 centimeters, while new economy class seats will add 2.5 cm of space around the knees.

The updated seats are being introduced on long-haul aircraft for European and North American routes, the company added.

“We want to appeal not only to customers going back and forth between Japan and elsewhere but also to those transferring in Japan,” said Keiji Omae, chief of the customer experience promotion office.

photo 1: Planned to be installed from this summer, All Nippon Airways Co.’s new economy class seats add 2.5 centimeters of space around the knees. (Takashi Yoshida)

2: All Nippon Airways Co.’s new business class seats will be installed in midsize aircraft used for long-haul flights from this summer. (Takashi Yoshida)

3: All Nippon Airways Co.’s new premium economy class seats to be added to planes starting this summer. (Takashi Yoshida)

video: All Nippon Airways Co. shows media representatives its new seats for long-haul midsize aircraft on March 12. (Takashi Yoshida)