KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has asked leading Dutch designer Hella Jongerius to revitalise its World Business Class cabin interior across the fleet – including the introduction of fully-flat seats – and will begin converting the first aircraft in June 2013.
Erik Varwijk, Managing Director, said: “By choosing to work with Hella Jongerius, KLM is opting to engage a top Dutch designer to help make our Business Class passengers feel at home on board. As a designer, Hella has broad experience that she can apply to the needs of KLM and its customers, in accordance with the specific requirements for cabin interiors in the airline industry.
“Her previous projects demonstrate her ability to process such criteria into top-quality designs such as the ‘polder sofa’, which is both comfortable and beautiful. With her expertise and focus on quality, she is keenly aware of what makes a brand unique. An outstanding match!”
Hella Jongerius added: “It’s a brilliant opportunity for me to design the cabin interior and the new business class seat for KLM. The challenge is one of safeguarding individual comfort in amiable settings using innovations. In so doing, I can optimally combine traditional details, and my industrial textile and colour skills with high-tech functionality.”
KLM will begin revitalising the first aircraft in June 2013. The Boeing 747-400s will be converted first – a total of 22 aircraft. Further details of the design and the new seat will be published in the second half of 2012.
