KLM Royal Dutch Airlines yesterday (19th March) presented its new World Business Class cabin interior, featuring the new fully-flat seat and cabin interior that aims to accentuate an at-home feeling for Business Class customers. 
First up for redecoration will be KLM’s fleet of 22 B747-400s – with the first flying in June 2013 and all completed by April 2014. A slightly adapted seat will then be fitted to the B777-200 fleet commencing summer 2014. The number of seats in World Business Class will be reduced from 42 to 35 aboard the B747-400.
KLM teamed up with Dutch top designer Hella Jongerius to introduce a brand-new atmosphere, furnishings and style in World Business Class. In addition to the new fully-flat seats, the interior features new carpeting, panel decorations, curtains, lighting, blankets, cushions and upholstery.
The new 2.07-metre long fully-flat seat is based on the Diamond Seat manufactured by B/E Aerospace and the seat position in the cabin and the partition between the 17” seat-back television screens ensure greater privacy for passengers. There are also storage compartments in the seats beside the passengers and under the television screens.
Hella Jongerius has blended warmer and darker colours into the existing colour range making the KLM blue sparkle even more. The five new colours are aubergine, dark brown, midnight blue, cobalt and dark grey.
Peter Hartman, President and Chief Executive, said: “I am convinced that this contemporary design will be greatly appreciated by our most valued customers and live up to their needs and wishes. Even in times of financial difficulty, KLM continues to invest in customer comfort. I am proud of this superb and unique result: an entire World Business Class cabin created by a leading Dutch designer. In this way, we aim to give our passengers that warm at-home feeling.”
“It is truly remarkable that KLM is open to this kind of approach for its interior,” said designer Hella Jongerius. “Aircraft interiors have to meet an unbelievable range of technical requirements. We achieved this by simplifying the new seat, changing its colour and upholstering it with high-quality textile.”
