We’ve seen over the past few weeks various announcements for KLM as they select the parts to upgrade their Boeing 737-800 feet.
Lets see how they pulled it together into a cohesive onboard product.
Before and After – the KLM Boeing 737-800 upgrade.
Seating
As we know KLM chose Recaro Aircraft Seating for replacement seating on their Boeing 737-800 – the BL3710 and SL3710 (with them ordering more than 5,500 seats of the SL3710, as well as 2000 seats of the BL3710).
14 Boeing 737-800 aircraft have been upgraded.
The SL3710 is a lightweight seat, combined with durable parts to create a comfortable seat with a reduced total cost of ownership for airlines. The SL3710 weighs in at 8 kilograms and can potentially save an aircraft up to several thousand euros in fuel costs per year, whereas the BL3710 adds comfort features to the mix.
The BL3710 and SL3710 seats in-cabin (note the overhead bins too) – Image, KLM
Power at-seat – USB outlets for those who need to charge – Image, KLM.
The upholstery is made of mostly recycled leather.
For KLM, that’s nearly 700kg less in the cabin to carry, with a reduction of 20% weight in total. KLM says this saves 58 tonnes of fuel and 184 tonnes of CO2 emissions per aircraft per year.
All the installation activities are carried out by KLM’s Engineering and Maintenance division.
Overhead bins
For those needing to stow luggage, larger swing bins have been installed (versus the older shelf bins). These bins can hold the large trolley bags we love to tote around.
Lighting
Mood lighting is the order of the day onboard these refurbished aircraft. As usual, these are LED mood lighting creates a fresh or soothing atmosphere – depending on the time of day.
KLM Headrest details with the Recaro BL3710 seat with mood lighting in play – Image, KLM
Connectivity
The refurnished Boeing 737-800 aircraft will be fitted with the ViaSat connectivity solution onboard their aircraft – able to connect to the ViaSat-2 network and onto the internet from there.
To use the service passengers can purchase vouchers on KLM’s free in-flight portal. Passengers always get 30 minutes of free messaging, with options to purchase browsing and streaming package.
Each seat has access to a USB port for charging devices during the flight, which will be useful.
In Quotes
Boet Kreiken, Executive Vice President Customer Experience, KLM said:
KLM wants to offer its passengers even more comfort and style on European flights, while reducing the CO2 emissions of flights. That is why KLM continues to invest in its on-board product and sustainability, so we can continue to meet our customers’ expectations and emerge stronger from the crisis.
Putting the package together
When you consider passenger experience onboard an aircraft, it is a combination of elements that makes the experience – not just a seat, an IFE system or lighting – rather the items working as a package together.
It seems KLM has selected trusted and working elements from different OEM’s to deliver an onboard product that should deliver something that its passengers will want to travel with – as well as enjoy when travelling on the longer European segments the airline flies.
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