Air Côte d’Ivoire took delivery of a new Airbus A320 at Toulouse on Monday. Whilst this isn’t headline news in itself… there’s something else to this release that is.
Air Côte d’Ivoir Airbus A320 – Image, Airbus.
The interesting news is what’s in the plane itself – and the seats.
For some time now, I’ve been talking about the Stelia Aerospace Celeste seat, and pondering why no-one has yet brought it.
The Stelia Aerospace Celeste demonstration seats at Aircraft Interiors Expo 2017 – Images, Economy Class and Beyond.
Well it seems Air Côte d’Ivoire has taken the plunge, and has become the launch customer of the seat.
Avec son nouvel @Airbus A320 @AirCI_Officiel devient la cie de lancement du siège CELESTE de @STELIAAEROSPACE pour sa classe Affaires #PaxEx pic.twitter.com/V8hV9Y59VO
— Flight-Report ✈ (@flight_report) July 17, 2017
Congrats @AirCI_Officiel We are proud to be part of your great success with our #Celeste #Premium #businessclass seat for Single Aisle pic.twitter.com/5yY0qmAv0m
— STELIA AEROSPACE (@STELIAAEROSPACE) July 18, 2017
There will be 16 business class seats in a 2-2 formation and 132 Economy Class seats in a 3-3 formation.
I’ve written about the Celeste before – and why airlines should queue to buy it. And if you try it – you’ll come to the same conclusion I’ve had over its comfort.
Air Côte d’Ivoire currently operates four Airbus A319s and two A330s on leasing contracts, with this the third plane to join the fleet. The airlines operates 25 different domestic routes in West Africa and Central Africa (20 international routes and 5 domestic route).
Whilst I’m happy for Air Côte d’Ivoire for the delivery of their new aircraft – I’m even more delighted that Stelia Aerospace will be able to demonstrate their Celeste seat in the real world.
And hopefully more airlines will buy the seat.
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