Finnair is investing in its products, with announcement it is to introduce a Premium Economy product in its long haul cabin, and updating the interiors of its ATR72 fleet operated by NoRRA.
Finnair Airbus A350-900 Marimekko – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
The move to install a premium economy product follows what its Joint Venture partners are doing, and adding a true “premium economy” seat as opposed to extra space economy (called Economy Comfort) that is installed currently in its long-haul fleet.
No hard details have been revealed about its new premium economy product, apart from the airline saying the “Premium Economy class will feature highly customised designs for Finnair and provide customers with increased space and comfort along with an enhanced service offering. ”
The airline currently going through how the service is going to be designed, as well as cabin and prices – with details to be revealed at a later point in time.
It’s a response to how the markets are changing, with Piia Karhu, Senior Vice President, Customer Experience at Finnair stating
“We see a growing trend of quality focused travellers, who place a strong focus on the comfort and quality of their travel experience,”
“Responding to customer needs from all our key markets, our new Premium Economy class will serve the requirements of both leisure and corporate customers.”
The roll-out of the premium economy product will commence in Q4 2020 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2022.
Let’s turn our attention to the ATR fleet, which is operated by NoRRA.
NoRRA ATR72-500 at Tallinn Airport – Image, Economy Class and Beyond
With the ATR fleet being used on a mixture of missions, with Finnish domestic routes, Baltic flights, Ganask, and Stockholm Bromma, they carry a lot of people feeding into the Finnair network. And some of them have seen far better days in terms of seats and lighting.
Finnair is to renew the cabins, which will include new seats, new carpets and a harmonised and fresh cabin interior design. NoRRA posted a render of what the updated cabin will look like
Meillä on ilo kertoa, että ATR-koneidemme matkustamot ovat pian näin tyylikkäitä. Matkustamot uusitaan istuimia, mattoja ja koko ilmettä myöten. Ensimmäinen uusittu kone operoi @FinnairSuomi -lennon kesällä 2019, ja kaikkien 12 koneen matkustamot uusitaan vuoden 2020 aikana. pic.twitter.com/X4vYS6VjqR
— Nordic Regional Airlines (@flynorra) November 6, 2018
The first ATR aircraft with the updated cabin is expected to be in operation in summer 2019, and the refurbishment of the fleet of 12 aircraft will be completed by the end of Q1, 2020.
It’s interesting to see how Finnair is examining the passenger experience, and seeing how to adjust their product to meet the oncoming changes. With a new premium economy product on the horizon, as well a refreshed cabin on its short-haul routes.
And for the passenger experience, this can only be a welcome thing.
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