The next generation in Airbus, Boeing single-aisle business class
Is this seat the next generation in business class for single-aisle jets like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 series?
It's the Vantage Solo, from Thompson Aero Seating, and will bring lie-flat beds and direct aisle access – traits typically associated with the best business class of large long-range jets – into the world of smaller single-aisle aircraft which often make up the domestic and short-range backbone of many airline fleets.
Thompson's Vantage Solo is breaking cover as several airlines begin to plan ahead for a game-changing business class experience on the likes of the Boeing 737-800 and 737 MAX families, and the Airbus A320neo and A321neo.
That includes Virgin Australia and Malaysia Airlines, although only Malaysia Airlines is confirmed as a Thompson Aero customer and could end up rolling out yet another Vantage-branded design on its forthcoming Boeing 737 MAX 10 fleet.
For its part, Virgin plans an all-new business class seat for transcontinental Boeing 737s flying Australia's east-west routes, which CEO John Borghetti says will represent a “quantum leap in domestic business class”.
Airbus customer preparing to fly Solo
Thompson is understood to have an Airbus A320-based launch customer lined up for the Solo, although company spokesman Andy Morris tells Australian Business Traveller "as usual, I cannot comment on any specific customer details."
The Solo adopts an angled herringbone-style layout...
... with each seat converting into a fully flat bed.
Each passenger also gets a small side console table and storage cubby (the door of which contains a small vanity mirror) and an inbuilt flat-screen monitor.
With the seats raked side by side, a privacy divider prevents peek-a-boo from the neighbours – although this can be retracted for sociability if you're travelling with a partner or colleague.
Other creature comforts include handy AC and USB power sockets and a stowage hook for headphones.
The seats themselves start as 21 inches (53.3cm) wide with a 33 inch (83.8cm) pitch.
There's obvious design DNA shared with other members of the Vantage family, although its siblings – including the Vantage XL, upon which Qantas based its Boeing 787 business class (below) – have a forward-facing orientation.
In some ways the Solo could remind travellers of Cathay Pacific's earlier high-walled business class seats (below), which Cathay codenamed FB1 or Hercules – although less-kind travellers referred to them as 'cubicle class' or even 'coffin class'.
Thompson's cred stretches back to the innovative Vantage chosen by US airline JetBlue for its transcontinental Airbus A321 Mint class, which sees each pair of business class seats followed by a single seat with sliding suite-like privacy doors...
... and more recently, the Vantage XL Suite used for Delta Air Line's new Airbus A350 Delta One business class suites.
Boeing is also spruiking Mint-style business class seating in promotional material for its 737 MAX jets, shown below.
While many airlines will continue to play it safe by installing conventional reclining business class seats in their single-aisle jets, it's clear that some are gearing up for a new dogfight for the hearts, bums and wallets of business travellers.
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
The only downside to this product is that inward-facing herringbone does feel a bit weird/awkward. But the product still looks great. You could even put suite doors on it too, which would help the privacy a bit.
Virgin Australia may be looking at this, absolutely. That said, BE/Rockwell Collins are apparently making a new version of the Super Diamond seat designed for direct-aisle-access/fully-flat-bed in a narrowbody. Since BE did their 777 The Business suite, I wouldn't be surprised if VA works with them rather than Thompson.
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
Also I hate to double post but I wonder if this product would be able to fit in the Bombardier C-Series. Its clearly fine in the A320 and B737 but the CS is 10" narrower than the 737... I guess you could adjust the angle but that would increase the necessary pitch if one wanted to keep the bed with the same...
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 619
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 619
@StudiodeKadent:
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2012
Total posts 318
The problem with the old Cathay business "Coffin" class was that while seated and while laying flat, there was no where for your elbow and shoulders to go except right up against the wall, making it very coffin like and claustrophobic. It looks like from the diagrams above, that the Thompson Vantage Solo design has put that into consideration with arm resting area, and also the side console table area, will also open up the space to one side while you are laying flat.
23 May 2012
Total posts 35
I love this. Interesting the commentary when VA first announced 'something new' in 737 J transcon, with a solid minority saying lie-flat it was 'unnecessary'. More likely these people don't actually fly transon for business reasons!
03 May 2013
Total posts 674
Despite being a terrible carrier, Delta has it down pat. Privacy door, direct isle access and forward facing. Say no more.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1374
I expect to see this on a Qantas A321neo within 5 years.
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 619
moa999:
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Jul 2011
Total posts 1374
Yes some assumptions, but they are group orders and I believe for the 320/321neo family - so it's very easy to do. (Indeed JQ already has a small number of 321s)
31 Mar 2016
Total posts 619
@moa999:
26 Aug 2012
Total posts 44
Some of this looks like the CX coffins that were not popular at all
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
Its the same basic type of seat. But there's adjustable privacy (so you aren't necessarily "coffined in"). Not to mention amenity on par with contemporary expectations.
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
02 Dec 2016
Total posts 47
Forward facing seats are still the best, in my personal opinion.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1557
IMHO it makes very subtle difference during take off and landing. Personally I have no problem. Plus face it - pax have far greater chances to receive less injuries in case of hard landing. Of course in case of very hard landing it irrelevant :-))))
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 May 2016
Total posts 8
Problem with these designs (VA, Finn Air) have similar is for tall flyers 6"6 who generally have feet sizes to match, is your feet will be locked into these little areas, which constrict movement and are under the TV so get very warm... They are a pain to deal with, but the new QF business is my personal favourite.
QFF
12 Apr 2013
Total posts 1557
It is cool, but I am curious how it will feel when all pax from rear of the plane will go through aisle during boarding.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer - Chairmans Lounge
01 Sep 2011
Total posts 415
Absolutely hated the Cathay coffins and think I'll feel same about these. Hated the window behind and felt claustrophobic.
18 Sep 2015
Total posts 135
Bring it on! The current domestic-standard J seats are only good for daytime short haul. We need something better now that narrow bodies are doing transcon and regional flights over seven hours, including overnighters. Remember when the domestic J class fare was unrestricted economy +15%? With J fares now as high relative to Y as they are we deserve better!
25 Feb 2017
Total posts 25
This Herringbone configuration is the Worst of 3 Worlds, No Double seats for Couples... Poor Window Vision... Herringbone Coffins.
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
"No Double seats for Couples"
The retractable privacy divider, along with the ability of the seat pan to slide forward, makes paired travel possible if the person in the "behind" seat has their seat set as far forward as possible. So this is better for couples than the original herringbone seats.
Malaysia Airlines - Enrich
01 Jun 2015
Total posts 28
Well, why not just install the "APEX SUITE" Business Class seat for all A320/A321Neo or B737/8/9/10Max, since both aircraft are big enough to fit in an LFB. That's it. It will makes everyone happy. ;)
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on The next generation in Airbus, Boeing single-aisle business class