Conversion of A320 family completed

Austrian Airlines has completed the conversion of its type A320 aircraft to the new interior furnishings. As a result, the 21 aircraft of the A320 family now feature new, modern cabin fittings. By September 2011, Austrian Airlines will also refurbish its 11 Boeing 737 aircraft. That means the 32 aircraft of the medium-haul fleet of Austrian Airlines will be operational in the new interior design and fitted with the new, modern leather seats. In the first half of 2012 the A320 aircraft which Austrian Airlines only incorporated into its fleet in the course of this year, will follow. This means the airline has successfully implemented another key measure designed to improve its product quality.

New seat provides more legroom

The core element of the new cabin is a completely redeveloped seat with a light construction. The new seat offers a range of benefits: its magazine pocket has been moved upwards on the back of the seat, and the coat hook to the outer side. The seat’s innovative construction gives passengers – there will be minor differences depending on the aircraft type – up to 10 cm more space for the legs and knees. The seat is also between 3 and 5 kilos lighter than its predecessor. That will allow Austrian Airlines to save a total of 14,304 kilos of weight every year, reducing consumption of kerosene, providing a real environmental benefit. The new seat also takes up less space. Therefore an average of almost 5 additional seats can be installed in each aircraft. The seat is covered in high-quality leather.

The Austrian Airlines Executive Board, Peter Malanik and Andreas Bierwirth, said the following: “The new cabin is an important step for us: we improve the quality of our product for our passengers, we save fuel, we help the environment and we reduce our unit costs.”

The colour of the new design differs clearly from the previous Austrian image. The seats and carpeting are in an elegant grey, set off by accents in a typically Austrian red.