Airbus has just unveiled a pretty jaw-dropping first class cabin concept, designed specifically for the A350-1000. However, will any airline actually ever introduce this?
Continue reading: Airbus A350 First Class Master Suite Concept: Cool, But Is It Practical?
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Unrelated to this, @Ben, but I traveled with AV yesterday and toothpaste made a glorious return to their amenity kits! (I know how worried you were about this, LOL)
I like your idea of combined suites in F. Isn’t that one of the design concepts that CX is considering for their new F?
I disagree and think Airbus should do the exact opposite . That double suite already in service with Lufthansa allegris needs to have the world’s most wafer thin privacy wall installed so they can fly 4 solo passengers when necessary.
“Master” suite or bedroom terminology is offensive because of the master/slave duality.
I was thinking of LH's double suite and I really struggle to find a senario that you would want to be two in the middle suite vs two in business class. MAYBE if it was two for one. Even my kids would rather have each a screen in J than to be squeezed in F.
But I agree with you Ben that if two normal suites could be combined then it would be great. You would not feel like you are giving up anything, but actually getting a bonus "couple" experience.
The sad fact is that the double suite in J is a better solution for couples than the F double suite...
Where is the dedicated lavatory? All I can see from the top view render is an empty space behind the frosted glass divider.
One might want to enquire as to how popular the EY Residence is before making the same mistake again.
Having flown the EY A380, twice in F, the Residence was unoccupied on both occasions.
Talking to others about it, their experience was the same, no one has been aware of it being occupied.
All who have actually seen the bed arrangement agree that one sided access is not worth considering.
The AF New La Premiere configuration, plus the other operators who offer a combined configuration are possibly correct.
It is only offensive to those who are inclined to look for any excuse to challenge the English language.
Fifteen years ago we were hearing how first class was going the way of the dodo, yet it's had a resurgence and is now more spacious, comfortable, and expensive than ever. I think this Airbus concept could work. All you need is are routes with enough customers willing to part with the cash to make it viable. Installing super-deluxe cabins and filling them with redemptions, upgrades, and staff on ID90 tickets won't cut it. Air France and a couple of others have realised this, which is why the bar for first class redemptions is set so high.
@Davis
The English language is blessed (or some might say cursed) with words that have multiple meanings. In most cases the meaning of the word is easily determined from the context. I suggest you worry about more pressing issues, and if you are looking for some just look towards the nation's capital.
Isn’t the combination of 1A/3A to form a double suite what SQ did years ago on the A380 while still maintaining the flexibility to sell both independently?
What's more mysterious to me is why AF could not find a mechanized way to lower the center partition of the center seats (resp. elevate the chaise longue above the partition when extended to bed) so that the suite can cater to both doubles and solos.
The tech exists, Singapore used it. Why did Air France consider it impractical ?
I wonder if this is insight from returning F customers. When asked of they prefer 2 single beds or a 150cm double bed, I would assume someone making enough money to shell out 40k for airfare on any regular basis is not really interested if the bed is not king sized.
The target audience seems to be people who want to fly private but there's just the two of them and/or the flight exceeds the range an appropriately sized jet. In that case or where complete privacy once onboard is paramount this sort of arrangement would be compelling.
Is the privacy compared to more traditional offerings like La Premiere that are targeting the same customers enough that it makes economic sense is the question. But what's clearly on both airlines and manufacturers mind exploring the market segment where this matters. No wonder given even moderate sized jets run $10,000/hr while those capable of transoceanic travel are 2-5 times that and are wildly oversized for one person or a couple. So if an airline determines it otherwise isn't routinely able to sell more than 3 seats in First Class at full fare I can see how this could be attractive to them.
Going private is wildly more expensive, not as spacious and can't fly the route nonstop. On the other hand the passenger gets to fly when they want to and directly to their destination even when that and/or their origin aren't major hubs.
I can imagine there are quite a few public figures who are wealthy but not wealthy enough that they don't think twice, or can't afford, a quarter million dollars or more to hop of to Europe but want to be completely away from other passengers prying eyes, even if those are just a couple of other First Class passengers.
I disagree. First should be more unique and rare. Maximal one row and four pax. This cabin suite concept of Airbus, LH, EK and similar airlines is the future of premium travel. The cattles should fly business class.
Yes CBK, as do EY, we have tried both and quite like both for slightly different reasons. However, the SQ A380 is the most practical for us to depart from LHR to SIN nonstop.
The AF B777 New La Premiere suite might change all that.