Latest news with #SafranUnity
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
This Start-up Airline Just Unveiled a Luxe Business Class to Compete With Emirates
The trend these days among a number of air carriers is to raise business class to a level that competitors call first class. Start-up airline Riyadh Air plans to follow that game plan with its initial fleet of Boeing 787-9 airliners, scheduled to start operations by the end of 2025. Unlike other cash-starved start-ups, Riyadh Air will have the backing of the Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which means extremely deep pockets to create a first-class experience at business-class rates. 'We want to bring back grace, beauty, and charm,' Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas tells Robb Report. 'We want a modern-day version of TWA or Pan Am at their height in the 1960s, like Leonardo DiCaprio in Catch Me if You Can, but with a modernistic twist.' More from Robb Report Inside This Family's 7-Year Voyage Around the World Aboard a 146-Foot Explorer Yacht A Trio of Luxury Residential Developments Are Unveiled Along the Red Sea How the Layali Diriyah Pop-Up Is Redefining Luxury Retail-in the Saudi Desert The executive team has taken a pedantic interest in meticulously crafting the image of the airline, from liveries that resemble a rock band's private jet, to the spiffy, almost futuristic crew uniforms it introduced at Paris Fashion Week. But beyond the public-facing aircraft and staff, its business-class section is a tasteful collection of colors and materials, shaped into what Douglas calls a 'signature geometry' loosely inspired by a Bedouin tent that adds subtle curves across the business-class area. 'It has an obsessional level of detail throughout,' Douglas says. 'We believe the cabin is going to stand out from the crowd because of its elegance and refinement. We call it the art of design.' The cabin's design by PriestmanGoode is full-out luxe in the business-class section, including the four Business Elite seats and 24 other Business seats. The lighting is subtle, and the details of the seating areas include rich-purple textures as well as indigo, mocha, skyline blue, lavender. The stitching in the upholstery is reminiscent of a supercar, and the mocha-hued stoned accents with gold veins in the side rests and tray tables deliver a tasteful, subtle blend with the overall design. The Business Elite seats in the first row have two seats that can be combined into a double bed, and the section also features a 32-inch 4K OLED IFE screen, which Riyadh refers to as the 'world's largest business class screen,' compared to 22 inches in standard business. All seats are configured 1-2-1, with a seat width of 22.5 inches, a 78-inch fully flat bed, and 52-inch-high walls with sliding privacy doors. The airline is particularly proud of the Safran Unity seats, which include built-in speakers from Devialet, to offer an immersive surround-sound experience in the headrest that doesn't travel to other seat areas. Riyadh will be one of the first to offer the ergonomically advanced Safran Unity seats, which made their debut in Japan Airlines's first-class section this year. Riyadh is also calling itself the world's first 'digital-native' airline, which refers partly to free Wi-Fi across the cabin, via Viasat onboard streaming, but also to the customer experience of booking a flight. 'We wanted to be a start-up that embraces technology in a different way,' says Douglas. 'We're now in what we call our 2.0 version and will be releasing the 3.0 version in a few months. That will make us more like what you do with Amazon and its shopping basket.' The system will allow passengers to book as a single party as well as experiences at the destination like visiting a museum or art gallery. The company declined to reveal its initial destinations until it opens its platform for booking at an undisclosed time, but Douglas says the list should include capitals of Western Europe and North America. Its central hub will be Riyadh. The start-up eventually plans to have 100 destinations around the world as it transitions to the country's primary carrier. On an as-of-yet-unannounced aircraft type, Riyadh plans to introduce a first class section that is even more lavish than its business class. The rise of a contemporary start-up airline coincides with Saudi Arabia's plan to expand its tourism base as the Kingdom attempts to move its image away from a wealthy but inward-focused country to a more modern, moderate version. The long-term goal is to supplement oil revenues with tourism. A recent report said that after opening its borders in 2019, Saudi Arabia has seen annual tourist visits growing from 17.5 million in 2019 to 30 million last year. Best of Robb Report The 2024 Chevy C8 Corvette: Everything We Know About the Powerful Mid-Engine Beast The World's Best Superyacht Shipyards The ABCs of Chartering a Yacht Click here to read the full article.
Gulf Business
20-04-2025
- Business
- Gulf Business
Riyadh Air unveils luxe cabin interiors ahead of launch
Images: Riyadh Air Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia's ambitious new airline, has unveiled its highly anticipated cabin interiors, aiming to redefine the premium travel experience ahead of its inaugural flights set for later this year. Positioning itself as the world's first digital-native airline, Riyadh Air is taking a bold 'no legacy' approach as it blends high-end design, advanced technology, and deep cultural inspiration across all cabin classes aboard its Boeing 787-9 fleet. Innovative and exclusive interiors The newly revealed interiors emphasise luxury, comfort, and technology, with bespoke seating layouts and immersive entertainment systems designed to elevate the guest journey from booking to arrival. Riyadh Air's cabin designs are set to feature consistently across the fleet to offer a unified, quality experience. 'Riyadh Air has always promised to deliver a world-class experience for our guests and the unveiling of our cabin interiors makes this ambition a reality,' said the airline's CEO Tony Douglas. 'From the ergonomic and luxurious fabrics in the seats to the high-end technology used in the entertainment systems, every facet of the cabins has been chosen to deliver relaxing luxury.' Cabin layout and features The airline's Boeing 787-9 aircraft will accommodate 290 guests across four distinct classes: Business elite: Four seats in a private '1-2-1' layout using the Safran Unity Elite seat, featuring 52-inch-high privacy walls, sliding doors, and 78-inch lie-flat beds. A center double-bed option is available. Business Elite seats Business class: 24 seats also in a '1-2-1' layout, using the Safran Unity model with similar specifications, including 22.5-inch width and 78-inch bed length. Premium economy: 39 seats in a '2-3-2' configuration with Recaro PL3530 seating, 38-inch pitch, 19.2-inch width, and expansive 15.6' 4K OLED touchscreens. Economy: 223 seats in a 3-3-3 layout featuring Recaro R3 seats with a 31-inch pitch and 17.2-inch width, each equipped with a 13.3' 4K OLED screen. All cabins will include next-generation entertainment systems, customizable lighting, and ergonomic comfort. Riyadh Air's interiors incorporate a refined color palette — featuring dark indigo, mocha gold, lavender, and skyline blue — reflecting Saudi heritage and Riyadh's cultural identity. — Riyadh Air (@RiyadhAir) Technology-driven guest experience As part of its digitally native strategy, Riyadh Air will offer free high-speed Wi-Fi via Viasat for all loyalty members, with full gate-to-gate streaming, browsing, and gaming capability. Live TV streaming on seatback screens will also be available. Riyadh Air is also the first to adopt Panasonic Avionics' Modular Interactive (MI), a cutting-edge IFE design tool allowing rapid updates to match passenger trends and seasonal promotions. A standout feature is the collaboration with Devialet, the French acoustic pioneer, integrating high-fidelity sound into Business Elite and business class headrests, offering immersive audio without the need for headphones. Attention to detail Premium cabin finishes include mocha gold and veined stone accents, with privacy-focused design elements and expanded personal storage. Premium economy seats offer calf rests, side table extensions, and four USB-C charging points. Economy guests benefit from six-way adjustable headrests and two USB-C ports per seat. Lighting adjusts throughout the flight to align with natural circadian rhythms, enhancing onboard well-being and creating a calming ambiance. Riyadh Air: Recent milestones Riyadh Air, which recently obtained its The airline is also preparing to unveil Version 3.0 of its digital guest journey, aligning with its vision of seamless and intuitive travel.
Zawya
19-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Riyadh Air reveals world class guest experience with striking interior cabin designs
Eye-catching interiors combine high-quality finishes with the latest technology Business Elite and Business – Safran Unity seats in a 1-2-1 fully flat-bed layout with a length of 78 inches and width of 22.5 inches. Premium Economy seating in a 2-3-2 layout with a seat pitch of 38 inches and width of 19.2 inches. Economy cabin, in a 3-3-3 layout with a 31-inch pitch and width of 17.2 inches. Large 4k OLED entertainment screens in all classes, with a 32-inch screen in Business Elite, the world's largest Business Class screen. Industry leading lighting and audio which includes integrated suite lighting and embedded headrest speakers for Business and Business Elite. Free high-speed Wi-Fi for all cabins (available when signed up to Riyadh Air's loyalty program). All cabin interiors are identical across Riyadh Air 787 wide-body fleet. A refined visual experience down to the last detail and thoughtful designs will elevate every journey – Lavender tones bring elegance to Economy, while rich Mocha Gold metallic elements add class and sophistication to Premium classes. Each seat is ergonomically crafted with plush foam, premium home-inspired fabrics, and tufted stitching designed for deep, restorative comfort whether you're sitting or sleeping. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia — Riyadh Air, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's innovative new airline, set to take flight later in 2025, is redefining aviation travel with the unveiling of its stunning cabin interiors. The 'no legacy' carrier which is seen as the world's first digital-native airline has revealed its first cabin layouts which blend luxury and comfort to deliver a unique and market-changing premium experience. Innovative technology integrated into elegant designs will set a new standard in comfort, convenience, and style. The use of color and materials which reflect Saudi heritage combined with a deep attention to detail alongside unique technology and wonderful amenities will make flying a pleasure from Economy through to Business Elite. Riyadh Air has taken an industry-leading approach to the quality and comfort levels of its seating and the new interiors will ensure a consistent product throughout its Boeing 787 fleet, providing reassurance to guests. As an airline with no legacy and the largest industry start-up in a generation, Riyadh Air is gaining a reputation as a digital native, revolutionizing the guest journey from booking to onboard and will launch Version 3.0 of its digital journey in the coming months as it moves closer to a ready to sell date. Tony Douglas, Riyadh Air CEO said: 'Riyadh Air has always promised to deliver a world- class experience for our guests and the unveiling of our cabin interiors make this ambition a reality. The design, layout, and features of our new cabins are carefully crafted to ensure flights are as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. From the ergonomic and luxurious fabrics in the seats to the high-end technology used in the entertainment systems, every facet of the cabins has been chosen to deliver relaxing luxury'. Cabin Layouts in Detail: Riyadh Air's Boeing 787-9 fleet configuration will accommodate 290 guests: Business Elite (4 seats) and 24 in Business, both in a 1-2-1 fully flat-bed layout using the Bespoke / Purpose Built), Safran Unity seat with a length of 78 inches and a width of 22.5 inches, all featuring 52-inch-high walls and sliding privacy doors along with adjustable privacy dividers between center seats. Premium Economy accommodates 39 seats in a 2-3-2 layout with a seat pitch of 38 inches and width of 19.2 inches. Economy will have 223 seats in a 3-3-3 layout with a 31-inch pitch and width of 17.2 inches. The cabins feature some of the largest touchscreens in the air all featuring 4K OLED technology, including 32' monitors in Business Elite, 22' in Business Class, 15.6' in Premium Economy, and 13.3' in Economy. Additionally, Business Elite features a double bed in the center front seats while all seats in Business Elite and Business feature A/C power and two USB-C and one USB- A charging points. Premium Economy guests can look forward to privacy head wings, increased seat storage, versatile and expandable side table design, refined recliner lounge comfort with calf rest and 4 USB-C charging points, while the signature theme of all cabins is a distinctive canopy twist design that evokes the elegance of traditional Arabic tents. Economy will have 6-way adjustable headrests and 2 USB-C charging points. Cabins in Detail: The design philosophy blends intelligent design, ergonomic comfort, and thoughtful details. Carefully selected materials, curated lighting, and a cohesive color palette come together to create a cabin that feels naturally inviting and unmistakably luxurious. Refined details tell a deeper story. Mocha Gold and veined stone accents in premium cabins offer a subtle, elegant contrast to rich purple textures. A thoughtfully curated palette: dark indigo, mocha, iridescent tones, skyline blue, sunset peach, and lavender, evoke a rich sophistication, seamlessly weaving the identity of the city of Riyadh into a modern expression of luxury felt throughout every cabin. Lighting works in harmony with your journey, subtly shifting to support your natural rhythm and elevate every moment. With refined materials and nuanced color variations throughout, comfort and style come to standard. Onboard High-Speed Wi-Fi: As a digitally native airline, Riyadh Air loyalty members will enjoy Viasat's seamless, free onboard streaming, social scrolling, web browsing, and gaming onboard, available from gate to gate (where permitted). Customers who sign up for the airline's loyalty scheme will receive free Wi-Fi. Viasat's network will enable Live TV on the aircraft's seatback screens, providing a variety of news and sports channels for guests' enjoyment. Unique Audio Offering: Riyadh Air is also proud to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with Devialet, the high-end French innovator redefining sound. Together, they're bringing Devialet's signature acoustic technology directly into Business Elite and Business class headrests, delivering immersive, high-fidelity sound without the need for headphones. The carrier will also be the first airline to launch Panasonic Avionics' fully integrated in-flight engagement (IFE) interactive design and publishing tool - Modular Interactive (MI), a full-featured interactive design tool which offers a quick and easy way to respond to the latest guest trends and provide seasonal updates and promotions. The unveiling of the cabin interiors is part of Riyadh Air's broader strategy to become a leading global airline, connecting Saudi Arabia to the world with the highest standards of quality and customer care. With a fleet of cutting-edge aircraft, exceptional service, and a world-class flying experience, Riyadh Air is poised to make its mark on the global aviation landscape. Having recently received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC), taken delivery of its first technical spare aircraft, it is set to announce its network and first flight date in the coming months. Seat Specification: Business Elite – 4 seats in Row 1 Seat Model Safran Unity Elite Configuration 1-2-1 Width 22.5' Pitch 45' Bed Length 78' IFE Monitor 32' 4K OLED screen Privacy 52' Walls Charging A/C Power and 1x USB-A, 2x USB-C Business – 24 seats in seven rows Seat Model Safran Unity Configuration 1-2-1 Width 22.5' Pitch 45' Bed Length 78' IFE Monitor 22' 4K OLED screen Privacy 52' Walls Charging A/C Power and 1x USB-A, 2x USB-C Premium Economy – 3G seats in six rows Seat Model Recaro PL3530 Configuration 2-3-2 Width 19.2' Pitch 38' IFE Monitor 15.6' 4K OLED screen Charging 4x USB-C Economy – 223 seats in twenty-six rows Seat Model Recaro R3 Configuration 3-3-3 Width 17.2' Pitch 31' IFE Monitor 13.4' 4K OLED screen Charging 2x USB-C
