South African Airways has based the cabin interior of its new Airbus A330s on that of its narrowbodies.
Flight Fleets Analyzer shows the Star Alliance carrier has since the beginning of December 2016 received three of the five new A330-300s ordered as part of a fleet modernisation programme.
London-based design agency PriestmanGoode – contracted by SAA to develop the aircraft's interior – says the business-class section features Thompson Vantage XL seats adapted such that their appearance is in line with that of business seats on the airline's A320 fleet.
In economy, SAA has opted to install seats supplied by Italian manufacturer Geven. These are likewise "carrying on the language of the A320 aircraft interiors", PriestmanGoode says. In 2014, the agency was engaged by SAA to revamp the narrowbody fleet's interiors.
SAA's long-haul fleet also includes A330-200s, A340-300s and A340s-600s. FlightGlobal understands that the new widebody interior is being installed on the A330-300s only.
The airline says a fleet and feasibility study is being conducted with the aim to retrofit part of the A340 fleet. "Timelines for the retrofit will be announced later in the year,” it says.
Updated on 9 February to add comment from airline on A340 fleet
Source: Cirium Dashboard
