Kuwait Airways has just added a new aircraft variant to its fleet, and along with that, the airline has also quietly introduced a new business class product (thanks to Julia for flagging this).
In this post:
Kuwait Airways acquiring seven Airbus A330-900neos
Kuwait Airways is currently modernizing its fleet, though I can’t say that I find the strategy to be very logical. This is a boutique carrier with just a few dozen planes, but despite that, the airline lacks a cohesive strategy. While the Boeing 777-300ER is Kuwait Airways’ flagship aircraft, the airline is modernizing its fleet with all kinds of Airbus variants, including the A320neo, A321neo, A321LR, A330-800neo, A330-900neo, and A350-900.
In 2020, Kuwait Airways became the global launch customer for the rare A330-800neo, and the airline has taken delivery of four of these jets. Now Kuwait Airways is taking delivery of seven A330-900neos, which is the slightly larger and longer range version of the jet.
Kuwait Airways has taken delivery of its very first A330-900neo in December 2024, and it has the registration code 9K-APJ. Kuwait Airways’ A330-900neos feature 278 seats, comprised of 32 business class seats, 21 premium economy seats, and 225 economy seats.
Kuwait Airways rolls out new business class suite
Kuwait Airways has introduced a new business class product on its Airbus A330-900neos, which is also the first time the airline is introducing suites with doors. Based on the video of the aircraft, it would appear that Kuwait Airways has selected the Vantage XL seat with doors for its A330-900neos.
This is virtually identical to what you’ll find on the same aircraft of Delta, ITA Airways, and Virgin Atlantic.
Kuwait Airways is trying to reinvent itself, and back in early 2023, the airline revealed plans to introduce this new business class seat, along with rolling out new uniforms, and more.
On the A330-800neo, Kuwait Airways’ business class product is the Collins Aerospace Super Diamond seat, which is a pretty standard reverse herringbone product.
Either of the A330neo business class products are way better than Kuwait Airways’ 777 business class, which consists of Collins Aerospace Diamond seats, in a 2-2-2 configuration. The irony is that the 777 is the flagship aircraft operating the longest routes (it also has first class), so the carrier has its weakest business class product on the planes operating the most important routes.
Bottom line
Kuwait Airways is taking delivery of seven Airbus A330-900neos, complementing the carrier’s existing A330-800neos. While I’m a bit puzzled by the carrier’s overly diversified fleet modernization, it’s always exciting to see an airline getting new jets.
Kuwait Airways’ A330-900neos also feature new business class suites with doors, which is the first time the airline has rolled out a product like this. I’m always happy to see an airline invest in passenger experience, though it still seems like the airline is a bit all over its place with the approach it’s taking.
What do you make of Kuwait Airways’ new A330-900neos?
If they want any chance at competing with ME3, they need to serve alcohol.
Highly unlikely. That’ll probably happen around the same time El Al starts flying on Saturday.