(TAN): Vistara, the India-based full-service airline, has become the first carrier in South Asia to offer lie-flat beds on a narrowbody aircraft, the Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines joint venture firm said.
The airline received its first Airbus A321neo at the end of last week with such a configuration. The aircraft is part of an order of 50 from the Airbus A320 family signed in 2018.
Vistara CEO Leslie Thng said, “This new addition to our fleet reinforces our long-term commitment to international expansion plans, despite the challenges of the current times. The new cabin products on our A321neo aircraft truly complement our promise of providing a premium and world-class flying experience to travellers from and to India.”
“The A321neo aircraft ensures operational enhancement, cost effectiveness as well as reduction of carbon footprint for us while enabling extra payload capacity, greater fuel efficiency and higher range,” Thng said.
The new aircraft has a total of 188 seats – 12 in Business Class , 24 in Premium Economy and 152 in Economy. All of them feature four-way adjustable headrests and movable armrests. Vistara customers will enjoy seat-back entertainment and in-seat power/USB Charging Ports in every seat. The airline’s In-Flight Entertainment (IFE) system features a content-rich multimedia library that total up to 700 hours of content, a superior map experience with 3D flight path map and flight tracker. The aircraft is also equipped with wireless connectivity, which will allow passengers to access the internet through onboard Wi-Fi, 3G mobile data through GSM and GPRS for SMS and MMS services, subject to necessary regulatory approvals.
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Vistara’s Business Class seats on the A321neo are upholstered in premium, genuine leather that recline into fully-flat beds. They come with 16” High Definition (HD) touchscreen in-seat TV, a Video Handset to navigate the IFE system and generous stowage space. The seats in Premium Economy and Economy cabins are upholstered in high quality, breathable fabric that provide an airy, modern in-flight experience.
Vistara A321neo aircraft are powered by next generation CFM LEAP-1A engines that reduces noise footprint by nearly 50% and also emit less carbon. The powerful, in-built air filtration systems on this aircraft ensure elimination of viruses and bacteria to refresh the cabin air every 2-3 minutes.
“In these challenging times, differentiation through efficiency, product and customer mindset is what truly matters, and we are proud to see our A321neo as an essential cornerstone in meeting Vistara’s strategic objectives for the future,” said Christian Scherer, chief commercial officer, Airbus.
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The Airbus A321neo aircraft are intended for use on short to medium-haul international routes or destinations within seven hours of flying time. In March 2020, the airline inducted its first widebody aircraft, the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, for long-haul international operations.
Key features of Vistara’s new A321neo
Business Class:
- 12 lie-flat seats in a 2-2 configuration
- Seat Pitch: 63” | Bed Width: 20.05” (22.4” with armrest lowered) | Bed Length: 84” (82.19” in some rows)
- IFE Monitor Size: 16”
- IFE Touchscreen Video Handset
- Four-way headrest, headset hook, cocktail table, reading light, coat hook
- USB Port and 3-Pin charging point in every seat
- Control Unit for customers to control seat functions
Premium Economy:
- Exclusive cabin
- 24 seats in a 3-3 configuration
- Seat Pitch: 33” | Recline angle: 4.5”
- Increased leg-room ensuring a high level of comfort
- IFE Monitor Size: 10” (seatback monitor)
- Audio jack and recline control
- Four-way adjustable headrest
- Plentiful storage space
- USB Port and 3-Pin charging point in every seat
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Economy:
- 152 seats in a 3-3 configuration
- Seat Pitch: 28”-29” | Recline Angle: 3”
- IFE Monitor Size: 10” (seatback monitor)
- Four-way headrest for enhanced neck support
- USB Port in every seat and 3-Pin Power Outlet (two for every three seats)
In-Flight Entertainment and Connectivity:
- System Provider: Panasonic (IFE system eX1)
- In-seat touchscreen monitors in all three cabins with HD Display
- Content-rich multimedia library for customers to enjoy nearly 150 movies – Hollywood, Bollywood and Indian regionals; close to 500 short programs – Indian and Western; almost 250 Music Audio Compilations offering 2000 soundtracks from various genres
- Available Languages on IFE: English, Hindi, Simplified Chinese, and Japanese
- 3D Flight Path Map provides a superior map experience
- Flight Tracker and display of key flight data
- Types of Connectivity Services: Internet (onboard WiFi), SMS, MMS, 3G Mobile Data through GSM and GPRS
