Aviation in 2024: Expect shiny new planes, seats and improved airports

CNN
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Passengers will fly with airlines that are moving ahead with their post-lockdown plans in 2024. That includes the rapid arrival of shiny new planes with new seat designs.

A scattering of new airports and terminals will change the situation in some key regions, but some routes and aircraft will be delayed until 2025 or later due to supply chain issues.

Before we look at aircraft deliveries and new seats, let’s start with the new airport and terminal.

Big new terminal and major upgrades to the airport

Abu Dhabi International Airport, home to Etihad Airways, has fully opened Terminal A at the end of 2023 after significant delays. This huge facility is a significant improvement and will allow Etihad Airways to offer significantly improved connections, more comfortable spaces for passengers and new lounges as it expands its operations for 2024. .

Meanwhile, at LAX in Los Angeles, the biggest news is outside the terminal. The airport’s Automated People Mover train system was completed over five years and with six stations, connecting the terminal with new rental car facilities, dispatch zones, parking garages, and the new Metro Transit Center station for local C and K metros. railway line.

This is a significant improvement and is expected to go a long way in reducing congestion at the airport when it opens in 2024.

A number of quality-of-life improvements will be introduced at airports around the world, including the addition of new baggage scanners that mean no need to take liquids or electronic devices through security lines, and greater airline-to-airline integration. It is expected that An airport app that reduces waiting times and speeds boarding.

The big news is in a small plane. Well, it’s not that small.

The Airbus A321XLR is the longest-range version of Airbus’ A320neo family of single-aisle aircraft. XLR stands for “extra long range” of 4,700 nautical miles, or approximately 9 to 10 hours of flight. After some delays, it is scheduled to begin flying at the end of 2024.

While the A320neo may be best known for its short flights of a few hours, the XLR version can fly as far as much larger planes and is more economical for airlines. Its extremely long range opens up many routes known as the “long and thin.” That is, routes where there is too little passenger demand for larger planes, but too far for earlier versions of smaller planes to fly.

“If all goes well, I think this aircraft will bring great convenience as it will significantly change the mix of destinations we fly to and potentially bring additional frequencies to existing routes.” said Flavien Tete. He is also the CEO of the popular aviation review website Flight-Report.com.

Relatively small planes compared to large wide-body planes “also provide shorter boarding and deplaning times,” Tete told CNN Travel. Narrowbody cabins weren’t necessarily designed for lie-flat seats or premium economy seats, and they weren’t actually optimized for lie-flat seats or premium economy seats. [previous] Narrow body fleet. So on the A321XLR, you can really see the brand new seats, the brand new atmosphere, and you’ll feel very comfortable. ”

On board the A321XLR, there’s big news in business class, similar to what JetBlue did with the Airbus A321LR (‘Long Range’) when it began service to Europe, with a large new Suites available. New suites like Stelia’s Opera and Safran’s Vue are coming, leapfrogging the old business class seats in terms of comfort.

In economy, you can expect fully functional seats with large entertainment screens, power sockets and onboard WiFi options that you’re accustomed to on long flights. Newer seats, such as the Recaro CL3810, shave off part of the support structure at knee and shin level to give you a little more legroom.

In Australia, Qantas plans to introduce its first A321XLR in 2024, and the airline has already begun introducing its first Airbus A220 aircraft, which will replace aging Boeing 717s and add to the regional experience. Adding space and functionality.

A fleet of new large planes means new seats and services

New planes with new cabins and seats on order are starting to arrive as airlines accelerate their exit from the pandemic recession.

Japan Airlines will begin operating its first Airbus A350-1000 in January 2024, initially on New York routes and then on Dallas-Fort Worth routes in the spring. Featuring a luxurious first class suite, large business suite, luxury premium economy and the most spacious economy seats in the sky, this is a plane to behold.

Also keep an eye out for, or listen to, the new headrest speakers on first class and business class seats introduced on these JAL A350s. This is Safran’s Euphony system, which automatically adjusts to take into account the noise in your room, so what you’re hearing won’t be heard outside your own suite. It’s not meant for listening to orchestral or cinematic masterpieces, but it’s great for falling asleep to documentaries or podcasts without a bulky headset (or if you’ve lost your Bluetooth earphones next to your seat).

Meanwhile, Lufthansa plans to modernize its in-flight experience with the introduction of the Allegris generation of products with new seats in First, Business, Premium and Economy. However, due to production delays, it may take longer to wait for your experience.

Air India is also introducing its first in-house designed A350, and immediately after the rebranding, the airline is sporting an adorable new aircraft livery and stunning new uniforms designed by fashion designer Manish Malhotra. The airline has several A350s scheduled for Russia’s Aeroflot in late 2023, but these will all be the first cabins designed by Air India, and all will feature new seats.

Emirates will also introduce its first A350 in mid-2024, which will feature new seats that have yet to be announced. The Dubai-based airline also plans to replace seats on its older Boeing 777 aircraft with a new business class product. Considering the age of these aircraft seats, it’s never too early.

American Airlines is adding to its list of new seats on both its small narrow-body and large wide-body planes.

More broadly, Airbus plans to increase deliveries of its NPS, or New Production Standard, A350, which has a slightly updated cabin.

For passengers, this means thinner side walls and more space for the galley kitchen, meal storage, restrooms and crew areas at the front and rear of the plane.

For airlines that maintain their current 3-3-3 seating layout, this is good news for passengers. The passenger compartment is 4 inches wider, giving him a little more shoulder room. However, some airlines, including Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, are reportedly adding a 10th seat to every economy row.

But it’s not all bad news for the economy. Air New Zealand will introduce SkyNest sleepers on flights to New York and Chicago in 2024, featuring six pods that will allow passengers to get some much-needed sleep. Airlines expect to charge between $400 and $600 for a four-hour snooze.

In the economy sector, Daniel Baron, managing director of Tokyo-based Lift Aero Design and an aircraft cabin designer, told CNN. Full lounges, fees for things that used to be free, and compact living spaces in economy class that are always full. ”

Barron predicts that “as a strategy to alleviate these pain points, airlines will invest more in the back of their buses with improved seat comfort, sleeker looks and free connectivity.” ing. Creature features include better seat cushions and brighter colors, plus a snack counter and mood lighting. It’s critical for airlines to provide specific and relevant enhancements that keep people interested in their planes. ”

All of these new aircraft mean airlines can choose to replace older aircraft or expand to new destinations.

Please pay attention to the schedule as it is announced, especially for intercontinental flights. There are a number of new non-stop flights on trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific routes that may be more convenient.