Austrian Airlines debuts first upgraded A319!

[AA 1818]

Austrian Airlines completed its first cabin retrofit on an Airbus A319, the first of its short- and medium-haul A319/320/321 and Boeing 737-600/700/800 fleet to be reconfigured by installing new seats (ATW Daily News, Oct. 5). By September 2011, all 32 narrowbody aircraft will offer the new cabin features.

“The new seats allow us to save a total of 14.034 kg of weight (all 32 aircraft together) and save fuel,” Executive Board Member Andreas Bierwirth told ATW in Vienna. The new seats offer up to 10 cm. more seat pitch. OS will install one additional row on every aircraft. The number of seats will increase to 138 seats (A319), 200 (A321) and 138 (737), on average.

OS also announced that it will upgrade its catering service by offering hot meals in economy class, except on domestic routes and short international flights. Separately, Bierwirth told ATW its 24 Fokker 70/100 fleet will see no cabin upgrade due to the age of the aircraft. “By 2018, we will see a total replacement of all Fokkers,” he said.

http://atwonline.com/eco-aviation/ne...-retrofit-1123

Great news for OS! I can't wait to see the new products. Oh, and interesting move to see them re-introducing hot meals in coach!

[TAP-A343]

LH is installing the same seats in its short-medium haul fleet including the B733s and B735s.

As for the hot meals or improved catering, I think it's one of the best ways to fight the LCC's.

[SAMRPICS]

Interesting, not sure there are orders yet announced to replace the Fokker equipment so i wonder whether they are going to order Embraer's or the Bombardiers C-Series.

[LH-B744]

New seats for OS A319s, so maybe they come over here for a short visit.