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“Zodiac has not been able to deliver new seats in a timely fashion according to the terms of its contract,” a spokeswoman with the airline confirmed to RGN, after frequent flyers flagged the change on FlyerTalk.
“Our Business Suite supplied by Zodiac is an excellent product with good reviews, but the seats are far behind schedule and continue to cause significant delays to our plans to improve the travel experience for our customers. We’re confident that selecting a new vendor now will provide enough time for our partners to install a new seat-type on the 787-9, which is scheduled for delivery in 2016,” she explained.
The 787-8 program will remain unchanged and deliver in its entirety with the Zodiac Business Suite. This will include the last three aircraft that deliver in 2017 after American takes a break for some 787-9 deliveries.
Approximately 13 777-200 aircraft are being retrofitted with the Zodiac Business Suite – these aircraft will have 260 seats. “As we work with Zodiac and a new vendor on seat deliveries, we’ll determine which 777-200 with the 289 seat configuration will have the new seat type,” says American.
AA
The customized, Zodiac-made seat on a refurbished AA 777-200
The airline sought a patent on the customized Business Suite. RGN previously flagged #PaxEx concerns about the same seat on American’s new 787-8 noting that while the seat’s direct aisle access is appealing and praiseworthy, the problem is that the wall at the end of the bed doesn’t allow taller passengers to tuck their feet past the edge of the cushion.
AA business --Jamie Fegley
The same seat on American’s new 787-8
Zodiac could not be immediately reached for comment.