Trinity Airways (formerly T'way Air) will debut the Optimares SoFab seat on its new A330-900neos: fully flat, but with no recline and no entertainment screen.
Much prefer 'premium' seats that partially recline on the way to lie-flat (like most lie-flat; the Zip Air example, even if it doesn't have IFE/AVOD screens), over what Finnair (and now Trinity) has. Even SQ's older J has that 'fold down' to lie-flat.
Yes finally someone who can properly articulate SQ J seat as "fold" rather than "flip".
I'd say, anything less than 180 degrees is a fold (and those SQ J aren't going more than 100 degrees); whereas, anything greater than 180 degrees is a flip. Purists will require 360 for a flip. Bah!
Reminds me of the bare bones Air Asia X A330 business class. now that was a fun ride! everything was an add on, even basic food!
I actually like the seat a lot. As mentioned, the general layout is quite similar to Finnair's business class seat and I don't mind the missing entertainment screen. I usually bring my own entertainment. Of course, the missing flight map will be an issue for some. Offered at the correct price, I would book it.
It remains to be seen if it offers the same comfort like the Finnair seat, which is great. The lack of a screen is really irrelevant for me, I have not watched a movie on a plane for at least 20 years.
Those Finnair seats (AirLounge by Collins Aerospace) really are 'love it or hate it' aren't they? While you seem to 'love' them, I gotta say, it just didn't 'do it' for me. Much preferred their regular lie-flat (Cirrus III by Zodiac on some of their a350, or Vantage by Thompson on some of their a330).
"Trinity Airways" sounds like they should have their fortress hub in Vatican City.
No entertainment on a long-haul? Buckle up liver, there's work to do
I wonder if they'll strategically regret not installing more of these in the future. 12 seems like way too little, even if they're an LCC.
The trend seems to only be increasing more premium seating over time. I'd say 20+ would be the right amount here.
Finnair's version is great, so this looks quite interesting to me - if it's executed as well!
Honestly if the pricing matches the lack of bells and whistles, I think it's a great idea! For a lot of people, the most important parts of a business class seat is the ability to lie down, and having a fair amount of space for yourself without someone reclining on you, etc. I'd totally be down to bring my own entertainment or even food if it's significantly cheaper than regular business class on other airlines.
Agreed. Usually lie-flat products on LCC are priced comparably to premium economy on a legacy carrier, and given the choice, I would take the lie-flat seat any day for long haul.
Agree, but the pricing must match what you're getting. A comfortable private lie-flat seat is by far the most important part of long haul business. Plus the food on some carriers is so bad it's basic inedible anyway.
As others have noted, entirely depends on the execution – the seat and an of itself actually looks pretty appealing, and the idea of an affordable flatbed (and presumably BYOD entertainment) on the longer flights that they operate is pretty appealing… sort of wish AS had pursued the strategy in the US to better compete in the transcontinental market with the differentiated product/price point relative to the other majors).
This looks like a pretty brilliant design. Assuming it’s comfortable, if you can design a seat without the complexity, weight, and maintenance headaches of motors and actuators, what’s the downside? Plus all that stuff takes up a lot of space that could now be usable.
One of the drawbacks of most standard lie flats is if I want to get my shoes or my charging cable (etc), it’s 20 seconds of holding down a button to get the seat up.
If the price is right, I’ll buy myself a nice iPad or iPhone Duo and load it up before the flight. I love the trend of low cost carriers getting into the flat bed game. You can keep your caviar and champagne. Just give me a place to lie down!
This will be all about the bedding. Based on the video it looks as if there are decent sized gaps which may prove uncomfortable without a good mattress pad. Also there is a lack of cushions visible in the cabin photo, again an essential element for such a seat.
Would not be opposed to trying it, especially if the price is right.
This will be an interesting test for the Flat Bed Or Nothing crowd here. How much are you willing to give up for a flat bed?
Is there in-seat power at least? TransPac is a long flight on an iPad battery, and airlines are increasingly cracking down on using power banks in flight.
Agreed. In a TPAC, I am okay with no entertainment if I get a comfortable seat and in seat power. Also, will this be substantially cheaper than other options? If I am paying the same price, I'm picking the seat with recline and entertainment. If its considerably cheaper, I would consider this.
These seats were probably designed by Finnair
Perfect design IMO. When I board, I do not even eat meal, I recline and try to sleep for 8 hours+ . No wifi, no movies, no amenity kit, no meals, nothing but time away to move from one city to another. I believe this is amazing even if it were more money.
I have flow the Zip Air "business class" seats and have no issues with them particularly when I pay $2k USD for a lay flat seat.
I don't care about seat back entertainment anyway, especially if I plan to just sleep through most of the flight.
I can't imagine how this (or Finnair) seat can be comfortable for a longish daytime flight. 8-11 hour redeye - sure, just go to sleep. But a daytime flight going north/south/west? No, thanks. I would prefer something with a deep recline and a place to put up my feet. Seatback or armrest of the seat in front of you don't count, for the fans of the dearly departed Spirit.