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Inside the entrance to Tangerine, a small design agency at Southwarku, South London, sits a historic object. This is an example of the first business class airline, introduced by British Airways 25 years ago, innovation that was revolutionary at the time, but is now common.
Air Force moved on and Ba, which once called “the favorite of the world’s airline”, must regain his halo. The airline hopes to improve the quality of service and restore the prestige with An investment program of £ 7 billion. Many rests on a tangible symbol of dedication to luxury: a new seat for first -class passengers on some routes, which also designed tangerine.
The new BA apartment has a wide seat that turns to bed 2 meters long, closed behind a curved wall with a built -in cabinet to hang clothing and store a suitcase on wheels. The apartment, which will appear on the Airbus A380 aircraft next year, has been made by Collins Aerospace in Northern Ireland, with skin and fabrics of various suppliers in the UK.
Ba did not in investment in the first -class trip and joined the offer of “Seats to Seats” to his richest customers pioneering Gulf Airlines, such as Emirates. Last week, Air France introduced its new first -class apartment called La Première, which extends for five windows, with an armchair and lightness that turns into a bed. There will be only four of them in the cabin.
BA’s choice of designer partner is a confirmation of impact in the design of aircraft seats in the London studio, including Tangerine, Acumen, PriestMangoode and JPA Design. They compete with others such as Teague in the United States -in the design of the design in Switzerland, who worked on Air France Suite, but the UK is still a leader in this curious business.
This could be reflected by British affinity for folding products, such as Brumpton Bicycles, and for tickling puzzles: the design of the aircraft seat includes the entry into the small, curved space. “Some countries are Fire, but British design is incredibly genius,” says Matt Round, creative director of Tangerine. London is also known for its design universities, especially at the Royal College of Arts.
But the city’s geography and BA role in London to New York Rout are a key factor, especially for business and first-class sitting. Almost twice the premium passengers fly to London and from New York or Paris (more than 300 flights BA should have landed at Heathrow on Friday, when the fire temporarily closed the airport for flights).
Ba encouraged agencies like Tangerina and Acumen, which made her first flat -class seat 30 years ago. They are experienced in working with airlines, manufacturers and regulators, which is difficult for new participants. The seats not only have to be comfortable and luxurious, but also strict safety and collision tests.
It is only when I talk to the aircraft seat designers, as I did recently in Tangerine, does he get a sense of intricate their task. The sliding doors are placed well according to the passenger to convey a sense of privacy; The suitcase space in the dressing room is invisible under the armrest; The folding table is placed at 45 degrees to remain clean from the crucial air opening.
First -class apartments can cost more than £ 300,000 each for making and installing, not counting development costs: it is a large investment for a product that few customers will experience. But the halo effect is bright: Etihad’s “Flying Campaign Reeal” for his first -class “The Residence” cabin, which he partly designed by Acumen, changed his picture.
Will the new first -class apartment have a similar impact on that club headquarters a quarter of a century ago? This is a little probably, given that they are of some rivals, including Air France’s La Première, already bigger and more luxurious. “This is a beautiful product that gets a lot of basics, not the best in the world,” says Ben Smithson, an older writer for The Points Guy, a tourist guide.
But this time it doesn’t have to change the world. Gulf Airlines had to push the boundaries of luxury to convince passengers to fly through their centers, but a subtle apartment with “thoughtful British touches” can be enough for BA. “This is about setting the stage for impeccable service, no widest place,” says Dan Flashman, a leading apartment designer.
Meanwhile, the Halo PREMIUM FLY EFFECT USE British Studies for Industrial Design as well as airplane. Tangerine has now created seats for the next Shinkansen -O’s Shinkansen Train from Tokyo to Morioka. London designer niche traveled far.
