Bangkok--10 Oct--Star Alliance
STAR ALLIANCE SELECTS B/E AEROSPACE TO SUPPLY
LONG-HAUL ECONOMY CLASS SEATS
Air China, Austrian and Lufthansa as Launch Carriers
Star Alliance has selected B/E Aerospace as its development partner for the Star Alliance long-haul economy seat programme. This joint procurement initiative is aimed at providing member airlines the opportunity to offer their economy class customers superior ergonomic comfort, modern design features and best-in-class technology. To this effect, both a base and advance version of the seat are being developed. Air China, Austrian and Lufthansa will be the initial member carriers to place these seats on their long-haul fleets, with first deliveries scheduled to begin in 2012.
Jeffrey Goh, Vice President Legal and Corporate Services, Star Alliance, said: “Star Alliance has again set an industry trend by becoming the first alliance to partner with an airline seat manufacturer to deliver product innovation to its member carriers. With this initiative we demonstrate that our member carriers can continue to offer differentiated products while at the same time working together to drive synergies, lower costs and enhance the passenger experience.”
The vendor selection process was coordinated by Star Alliance and included initial market research along with joint customer trials conducted in both China and Germany earlier in the year. The new seat will benefit member carriers, offering shortened delivery lead times, reduced development expenses and competitive pricing as well as the unique features that will make up the two versions of this seat.
About Star Alliance:
The Star Alliance network was established in 1997 as the first truly global airline alliance to offer worldwide reach, recognition and seamless service to the international traveller. Its acceptance by the market has been recognised by numerous awards, including the Air Transport World Market Leadership Award, Best Airline Alliance by both Business Traveller Magazine and Skytrax. The member airlines are: Adria Airways, Aegean Airlines, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Blue1, British Midland International, Brussels Airlines, Continental Airlines, Croatia Airlines, EGYPTAIR, LOT Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, SWISS, TAM Airlines, TAP Portugal, Turkish Airlines, THAI, United and US Airways. Avianca-TACA, Copa Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and Shenzhen Airlines have been announced as future members. With a fleet of more than 4,000 aircraft the Star Alliance network offers over 21,200 daily flights to 1,185 airports in 185 countries.
About B/E Aerospace
B/E Aerospace is the world's leading manufacturer of aircraft cabin interior products and the world's leading distributor of aerospace fasteners and consumables. B/E Aerospace designs, develops and manufactures a broad range of products for both commercial aircraft and business jets. B/E Aerospace manufactured products include aircraft cabin seating, lighting, oxygen, and food and beverage preparation and storage equipment. The Company also provides cabin interior design, reconfiguration and passenger-to-freighter conversion services. Products for the existing aircraft fleet - the aftermarket - generate approximately 50 percent of sales. B/E Aerospace sells and supports its products through its own global direct sales and product support organization.