We’re sticking with seats in our look back at Aircraft Interiors Expo 22, as we take a deep look at the ZIM Privacy Seat (or the PC-02).
For those who have been keeping an eye open, this is Lufthansa Group’s new _Prenium Economy Seat, it might seem familiar. It has also won an order from Air New Zealand apparently to feature its new Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner in its long-haul and ultra-long-haul configurations.
The seat features a centre console, and an adjustable headrest (with an optional six-way configuration). Like the majority of premium economy seats, it is mechanical as opposed to powered – which means there’s less to go wrong.
It features a fixed shell seat design, meaning you are not reclining into another passenger’s space. For long-haul flights this is important as reclining seats can cut into the precious premium space. It features storage options, as well as a tray table that integrates into the product well so the backrest doesn’t interfere.
It can be specified with privacy dividers, an IFE Screen up to 15″ wide, with provision for wireless charging, Bluetooth connection and USB integration.
So, how is the seat?
Well, the first things first, it didn’t dig in as much as the original ZIM PC-01 currently used on Lufthansa – I felt relaxed in it. Which is a big step forward over the PC-01 – to put it mildly.
The reclining mechanism is of interest here – as they’ve chosen a design akin to a cradle motion, as opposed to a normal recline motion. This feels a little different at first if you’re not used to it – but this motion works well on fixed shell designs which can give the sense of increased space
It will depend on how an airline specifies the seat and additional comfort options that are loaded on it, but the base seat is a lot more passenger-friendly, compared to the previous PC-01 seat.
Big wins already
As the premium economy market continues to be driven forward post-pandemic, a quality seat will win customers and plaudits alike – especially if you’re going to be sitting in it for long-haul missions.
ZIM has noted this seat is deployable both in widebodies, as we all narrowbodies.
It will interesting to see if anyone picks it up for a premium economy mission on an A321neo or Boeing 737.
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