Flight of Luxury: Unveiled first-class aircraft suite offering a “VIP jet experience” with a leather recliner, chaise longue, dual entertainment screens and dual private doors

It seems that the death of the first class airplane seat is greatly exaggerated.

Many airlines have begun reducing first-class seat capacity in the wake of the pandemic and the accompanying travel freeze — and as business-class seats have gotten bigger and better.

But London-based aeronautical design studio Acumen – which was the first class ‘flying bed’ for British Airways in 1995 – believes first class has a future and has unveiled beautiful renderings of a first class suite, which it says is even a sport. above the new “Super Business Class” seats, which offer a “passenger experience reminiscent of a VIP jet.”

Check out The First Place, which includes a separate leather recliner, an “innovative” chaise longue, and not one, but two privacy doors — a single sliding door and a “rotating soft wall.” Why? “To give the passenger more control over the level of privacy they want,” says Acumen.

The suite also has not one, but two monitors – a large 32″ LED screen for lounging/viewing from the chaise longue/bed and an 18″ monitor for viewing from the recliner.

The armchair, explains Acumen, “designed to reflect high quality home furnishings, can be swiveled and reversed to provide not only a comfortable starting position, but also a formal dining and comfortable working position next to the large one-piece desk. /Table’.

The chaise longue, on the other hand, is “the centerpiece of the suite environment with a simple and easy mechanism that converts from the standard “reclining” position to an uncompromising 6ft 6in flat bed with special upholstery for optimal sleep and relaxation .

The suite has not one, but two monitors – a large 32″ LED screen for lounging/viewing from the chaise longue/bed and an 18″ monitor for viewing from the recliner

The chaise longue is “the centerpiece of the suite environment with a simple and easy mechanism that translates from the standard ‘reclining’ position to an uncompromising 6ft 6in flatbed.”

According to Acumen, The First Place offers a “VIP jet experience.”

Additional relaxation options include a footstool for guests and the table that slides into any position in the suite, whether it’s breakfast in bed or a formal dinner for two.

Acumen, co-designer of United Airlines’ Polaris suite, also reveals that there is “substantial” storage space — a drawer in a nightstand, a large personal closet “upholstered in luxurious leather,” and room for luggage under the chaise longue is “abundant.” it is possible that airlines will do away with overhead bins altogether.”

There is also an abundance of technology – “discretely integrated, just like in your own four walls”.

In addition to the dual monitors, Acumen reveals The First Place features surround sound and noise-cancelling technology built into the rear wings, heating/cooling technology built into the chaise lounge, and induction charging built into the table -/side furniture is embedded . . Additionally, “the passenger will simply use a touchscreen tablet to control all powered functions in the suite, including air conditioning, lighting and even hotel-like check-in service.”

Acumen concludes, “The concept of The First Place is a completely unique, patented design that we believe reflects the increased needs of future first class passengers and airlines’ desire to have a consistent product to offer across all networks, which perfectly fulfills Most importantly, it brings exclusivity and differentiation back to First Class, creating a private space with greater flexibility to work, rest and play, as well as enjoy time on board without compromise.”

Rob Burgess, editor of www.headforpoints.com, supports Acumen’s belief in a future for world-class products – but says it’s only safe if done right.

He told MailOnline Travel: “His future must be secure. Private jets become impractical beyond a certain distance and there are plenty of other people who can afford a first class ticket even if they haven’t paid for a private jet. Why did the airlines drop it?

Acumen reveals there’s “substantial” storage space — a drawer in a bedside table, a large personal closet “upholstered in luxurious leather,” and room for luggage under the chaise longue

The First Place features surround sound and noise reduction technology built into the wings of the lounge chair, heating/cooling technology built into the chaise longue, and inductive charging embedded into table/side furniture.

First Place passengers will use a touchscreen tablet to control all powered functions in the suite, including air conditioning, lighting and even hotel-style in-flight service

“There are a number of reasons, but it can be summed up as ‘go big or go home’. Business class seats have become so good in recent years that they offer almost everything that the average first class seat offers in terms of space and comfort. For example, both British Airways and Virgin Atlantic now have fully closing doors in their business class suites on their newest aircraft, as well as the now standard full-flat bed. That’s more than good enough on routes that don’t attract affluent passengers – in fact, Virgin Atlantic has never offered first class.

“How do you overcome it? Not British Airways style, which means poor assets (no car transfers to your plane, no separate terminal to check in), second-rate food and beverage service, no dedicated cabin crew (one crew member can work in economy class). day and the first nearest) and a seat that differs slightly from the latest business class model. The cabin is of little use, except that BA sometimes offers guaranteed upgrades to business class passengers who purchase full price tickets.

“Emirates, Etihad and Singapore Airlines succeed by offering a most impressive inflight product, with Singapore Airlines’ new fully private suites A380 and Emirates 777 being the best in the air (I’ve flown both). It’s a truly first-class experience, complemented by caviar and truly fine wines – Emirates offered an £800 bottle of Cognac in first class on my last flight. Not only are people willing to pay for it, but more importantly, they give the entire airline a halo.

“The First Place” has not one, but two private doors – a single sliding door and a “rotating soft wall”.

Acumen says, “The First Place concept is a totally unique patented design that we believe will perfectly meet the increased needs of the future First Class passenger.”

“Look how many YouTube videos and blog reviews are about Emirates First Class. For example, you’d never know that some of their planes seat three abreast in business class, forcing someone to occupy a middle seat between two strangers with no direct aisle access. When Etihad had Nicole Kidman advertise their A380 “Residence” suite [designed by Acumen] on TV they certainly didn’t plan to sell tickets for it – but economy seats did sell.

“If you can’t get private cabins, do what Air France and Lufthansa did: build separate terminals at your main airport hub so first class passengers can check in and enjoy a truly luxurious experience on the ground before boarding.” to their plane. The seats aren’t the best, but again, caviar and fine wines flow, setting the airlines apart from their budget rivals.

“On some routes between major world cities it works brilliantly. As a Halo product that will wow your entire airline, it works when done right. On routes like Heathrow to Portland? No, it won’t work, which is why BA and other airlines are now replacing their older F-Heavy aircraft with newer models with fewer or no first class seats.’