Airline Services Interiors makes it a first for B757 Thompson Aero Vantage business class refit for Aer Lingus

Wednesday 23rd March 2016

Airline Services Interiors has won a significant contract from IAG member airline, Aer Lingus for a major enhancement on three of its Boeing 757-200 aircraft.  Modifications cover work on integrating a new cabin arrangement with the installation of new lie-flat Thompson Aero Vantage business class seating, monuments, the fitting of Zodiac Inflight Innovations IFE and Astronics In-Seat Power. This is the first time the Thompson Aero Vantage seat will be certified on a B757.  

Design work was agreed for the three B757s in October last year.  The first aircraft entered service on routes operated for Aer Lingus by partner ASL Airlines, on its own commercial AOC, in February.   

Due to the success of the 757-200, a fourth aircraft, commissioned in January, after the first three, will be complete by May this year.  In addition to installing the business class seats, Airline Services Interiors will supply fully refurbished economy class seats, fitted with Zodiac's RAVE IFE, mirroring the offering of its three sister aircraft.   RAVE™ Centric IFE is an embedded modular inflight entertainment system offering a range of choices for different cabins including wireless 2nd screen, display size, customizable peripherals, integrated USB charging and all of the latest features including harmonization with airline mobile applications. Airline Services Interiors is managing the design and certification efforts, to perform the cabin reconfiguration.

Its activity will include the full refurbishment of economy class seats, with new plastics, soft furnishings and IFE integration; introduction of in-seat power, using Astronics hardware; development of new forward monuments in Business Class, incorporating the Thomson footwell surround, Zii IFE, emergency equipment and coat storage.  This will be completed to compliment the carrier's Airbus A330 with the Aer Lingus Shamrock.  

In addition, Airline Services Interiors will provide a newly designed class divider arrangement, producing new windbreaks and curtains.  It will also provide parts to support the aircraft installation including infill panels, threshold strips, tedlar trim, raceways, PSU and PSU infill panels and hoses along with the backbone cabling and shipside wiring changes.

This is the second contract win from Aer Lingus for the Airline Services Group.  It was previously contracted during 2013/2014 to enhance those same three aircraft - E1-LBR/LBS and E1-LBT - equipping them with new economy class Recaro 3510 seating and RAVE IFE.   Work extended to monuments, cabin dividers and soft furnishings.  

"We are very pleased to have been selected to work with Aer Lingus/ASL Airlines, on their tried and trusted B757 aircraft," said Mark Stevens, Director Sales and Marketing, Airline Services Interiors.  "Being entrusted with this important programme, reaffirms our reputation for developing timely, innovative solutions to meet our customers' cabin refurbishment requirements. It comes hot on the heels of our success with One World partner and International Airlines Group sister company, British Airways where we are engaged in a B747-400 seat IFE modification upgrade programme involving 18 aircraft, through to summer 2016."

"We are seeing increased opportunities for aircraft enhancement work for older aircraft which are proving popular owing to residual values and relatively low oil prices.  This makes extending the life of an aircraft a more viable proposition and a niche we are capitalising on," added Mike Humphreys, Chief Executive Officer, Airline Services Group.

Airline Services Interiors is one of two distinct divisions under Manchester, UK based parent company Airline Services.   The Airline Services Interiors' portfolio comprises three market focused capabilities - Through Life Support, Engineered Products and Managed Solutions.

The latter brings together Airline Services Interiors' design proficiency, extensive manufacturing capability and MRO experience to enable it to deliver customised solutions for airlines wishing to redesign, refurbish or upgrade their cabin interiors seating and IFE.

www.airline-services.com