As air travel becomes more dynamic by the day, international airlines introduce classy amenities to attract customers, who are even ahead of them in terms of innovations and the likes.
For instance, Economy class usually consists of uncomfortable cramped seats that follow a standard row format, but that is changing now because air travel has evolved.
Several airlines have introduced economy seats that can be converted to flat beds, and some have taken that even further.
Some airlines offer an economy class family Couch, with three economy seats that adjust into a flat bed to accommodate family and friends.
The seats come with a mattress protector, pillows, blankets, and a toy for young travelers.
There is no doubt that airlines are coming up with creative new seating arrangements in economy class
The seats are a good option for people who may need to do work or catch some sleep in privacy.
Offered for its premium economy class, the seating provides the option for comfortable seating without having to pay for business class.
For instance, Lufthansa created slimmer seats that are made with a mesh fiber instead of traditional foam padding to allow for increased leg room.
As well, the magazine slits are found at the top of the seat back to give you more knee space. It also offers a premium economy class that features lots of leg room at just a little more than economy class prices.
Also, Delta Airlines has its economy comfort class, which offers priority boarding, 50 percent more recline, four more inches of legroom, and adjustable headrests and footrests.
Singapore Airlines’ premium economy class seats are 19.5 inches wide, with increased leg room, 8 inches of recline, and a calf- and footrest.
As for Arik Air, West Africa’ largest carrier in fleet size and operations, so many innovative amenities are available on its long haul flights.
For instance, passengers can enjoy 50 percent more legroom than in competitors’ cabin and with a seat pitch of 34 inch.
There are individual’s 10.2 inch video monitors at each seat apart from full Audio Video On Demand system with a wide selection of films, short programs and audio.
Apart from this, the seats are equipped with in-seat power that passengers can deploy for their personal use.
To lighten your mood, there are big blankets, pillows and amenity kits provided to make your journey more comfortable. As for your menu, there are three course meal with a selection of African and international cuisine on all flights.
There are also additional light snack service on longer flights apart from a selection of wines, beer and soft drinks. Amenities available on Arik Air short haul flights include comfortable seat pitch up to 34 in on many of the aircraft on its fleet.
There are also complimentary snacks and soft drinks regardless of time of day on all flights.
In July this year, Arik Air, was ranked as one of the top ten airlines in the world to offer most comfortable economy class seat.
No doubt, the airline carved a slogan to describe its economy cabin thus: ‘what we call economy, others call premium economy’.
It goes to add that ‘the legroom in our economy cabin is among the most generous in the world’.
Whether premium economy or economy, the name does not matter, what matters most to guests is the legroom that give them enough to stretch their legs and body.
According to a report by www.airlinequality.com Arik Air was among ten airlines in the world that offers the most comfortable seats in Economy Class on its wide-body aircraft for medium and long haul flights.
The report notes that whereas the majority of airlines around the world offer 31 to 32 inches with some offering even as low as 29 to 30 inches, Arik Air is one of the “elite few that still provide a comfortable 34 ins seat pitch where travelers will enjoy greatest comfort”.
Other Airlines rated in this category are: Qatar Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, Thai Airways, Asiana Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Saudi Arabian Airlines, Air China, Garuda Indonesia, and Korean Air.
Chris Ndulue, managing director, Arik Air, who commented on the development, noted that the rating is an established fact added that all Arik Air Aircraft are configured specifically to provide more legroom whether in Economy or in Business/Premier class.
Ndulue continued “Our Business class and Economy class cabins are designed to provide a generous legroom.
’’Our Premier class seat actually converts into a full flat bed for maximum comfort. In fact, the comfort we offer our guests cuts across our network whether you’re flying domestic, regional or intercontinental. At Arik Air, comfort and safety remains our topmost priority”, he said.
The Arik brand is synonymous with efficiency, customer-commitment, adherence to aviation polices and standards and an avant-garde in providing quality aviation services
Arik Air operates mainly from two hubs at Murtala Mohammed Airport Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja.
It operates a fleet of 28 state-of-the art regional, medium haul and long haul aircraft including two Airbus A340-500 making the airline the first operator of the wide bodied aircraft in Africa.
The airline currently serves 19 destinations across Nigeria as well as Accra (Ghana), Banjul (Gambia), Dakar (Senegal), Freetown (Sierra Leone), Monrovia (Liberia),Cotonou (Benin Republic), Abidjan (Cote d’Ivoire), Douala (Cameroon), Luanda (Angola), London Heathrow (UK), Johannesburg (South Africa) and New York JFK (USA).
The airline operates a combined number of about 120 daily flights from its hubs in Lagos and Abuja, and has been Africa’s fastest growing airline for the last three years.
SADE WILLIAMS
