Airbus Interiors Services is introducing a new concept in first class wher the passenger is given both a seat and a private sleeping area.
In a new way to exploit cabin space, the "Day & Night" layout features a 2 m (6.6 ft.) long "real bed," Airbus said. The "night" area also has stowage space and an entrance.
The "day" living zone's main two components are a seat and a dining and working table. An adjustable partition allows to make it a two-guest table. Both areas include inflight entertainment equipment. The total surface stands at 3.4 sq. m (36.6 sq. ft.) per person.
The new product is currently in development. Airbus estimates it could deliver, for aircraft integration, in 18-24 months. The actual lead time
depend "on the airline's requirements complexity."
From the manufacturer's standpoint, a benefit will be found in certification. The seat is much less complex than existing first-class seats, making iteasier to meet the 16g-shock criterion in particular. The bed, meanwhile,will not be used during the climb or approach; safety requirements are thus not as stringent as for a seat.
As a result, Airbus expects the weight of a complete Day & Night suite will be lower than that of a standard first-class seat.