China Southern will pick up the keys to its first Airbus A350 in June, with a new business class seat (but no first class) taking price of place at the pointy end.
The former SkyTeam member has released onto Chinese social media network Weibo these two 'sneak preview' photos of its Airbus A350 business class cabin, which will feature 28 lie-flat Recaro seats in what's become the standard business class configuration of a 1-2-1 layout.
The staggered arrangement sees some travellers sitting immediately next to the window and others directly at the aisle.
Recaro's catalogue images of the standard model seat – which it spruiks as offering "an exclusive hotel room feeling above the clouds" – offers a little more visual detail, although China Southern's choice of colours and trim is clearly different.
Recaro lists options for the seat as including a 'closed stowage compartment for personal valuables' as well as 'shoe stowage', although it's not yet known if China Southern has ticked those boxes.
The Guangzhou-based airline plans to begin Airbus A350 flights between Guangzhou and Beijing in July 2019, before adding international routes as more of its 20 A350s roll into the hangar.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
30 Jun 2016
Total posts 51
the tv to seat angle looks very strange in those photos
02 Jan 2019
Total posts 9
I'm sure the screen swings out after take off, as it does on many airlines' seats with this type of configuration:)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
16 Jan 2018
Total posts 125
It will be frustrating for those wanting gate to gate entertainment. Also crew has to do the safety presentation instead of showing it on screen as most airlines are starting to do these days. My flights to Bali from Singapore had no one showing it on SQ - just the video.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Apr 2017
Total posts 134
Not necessarily. Have been on flights where the crew actually come along and extend the screens for the safety video, then go around and close them afterwards.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 Sep 2011
Total posts 77
No update on whether China Southern will join a new alliance having departed Skyteam?
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
24 Jan 2013
Total posts 30
why does the "aisle seat" havea smaller side screen" the window "aisle"?
16 Nov 2018
Total posts 28
China Southern has "magical" taste in colours. The interior looks 10 years old instantly.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
11 Mar 2015
Total posts 191
yes indeed the colors are awful-should have used the original one not this ugly 60's blue
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