ITA Airways revamps flagship: less economy, more business seats and premium economy arrives

ITA Airways announced today that the brand new A350/900, the flagship model of the airline's fleet, will be sent for maintenance between late summer and spring 2024. The rationale is that the 6 planes, which entered service during the summer of 2022, will be upgraded in interior and finish to be aligned with the lines drawn with the latest planes that entered the fleet: the A320neo e especially the A330/900neo

Why they renew newly delivered aircraft

It might seem like a waste of money to refurbish planes. which are Entered into service only as of June 2, 2022, however, it must be remembered that these planes were KM0, that is, machines ordered and configured by a company other than ITA and never picked up, due to pandemic and beyond. ITA managers had sniffed out the bargain and grabbed on the fly machines for which, otherwise, the estimated wait was even more than 3 years.

In the rush to put the planes into service, the Italian company had limited itself in changing little to nothing, either of configuration or finish.

What will change on board aircraft

When they return to service, starting in late 2023, ITA's A350s will be profoundly different.

The main change will be the reduction of economy chairs to make room, not only for the new premium economy cabin, but also for other business class rows. To date, ITA's A350/900 configuration includes a 33-seat business class cabin and 301 economy class seats.

Instead, the new configuration will have 24 premium economy seats, with a 2-4-2 configuration, and a Second cabin of business class seats for a total of 48 seats. Consequently, tourist class seats will drop, which will be always configured with a set of Comfort Economy armchairs.

In addition to the installation of the new chairs, the modernization will involve the installation of an additional galley (including interfaces, structure rail, floor panels, etc.), class dividers, adaptation of overhead stowage, carpets, seat rails, wiring for power supply and IFE, new zoned lighting. In addition, passenger service units (PSUs) will be reconfigured, including oxygen, reading lights, and ventilation.

The interior colors will be those seen today on the planes that have just joined the fleet and were configured from scratch by ITA Airways.

What won't change aboard aircraft

There will be no business class cabin upgrade: this means that A350s will continue to offer the Collins Super Diamond seat, different from that found on all A330neo that will enter service in the coming months.

The on-board IFE should not change either., this means that the A330s will have a significantly more advanced product than the albeit new A350. Finally, the premium economy seat will not be the same model found on the A330, but a different model.

Work will be carried out directly by Airbus

Airbus will provide all Service Bulletins, including engineering drawings, kits needed for the complete cabin, and technical support during the implementation of the solution. Alessio Leone, Head of Camo Operations at ITA Airways, said, "We chose Airbus Services because of its OEM experience, engineering know-how, project and supply chain management. This project also underscores the importance to us of the Airbus A350 in our widebody fleet strategy and the harmonization of these A350s with the brand new A330neo coming to our fleet. Both aircraft will offer a four-class configuration: business, premium economy, comfort economy and economy."

Charbel Youzkatli, Head of Europe Commercial Services at Airbus, said, "Because our airline customers see the growing popularity of Premium Economy among passengers, Airbus is pleased to be able to help ensure that their Airbus aircraft continue to meet the expectations of evolving customers. He added: So we are very pleased to be part of this strategic project with ITA Airways and to help support the passenger experience that ITA Airways is showcasing."

In conclusion

This activity was originally planned for last winter. High demand and scarcity of sourcing materials for interior revamp forced ITA to postpone until 2023/24. Eventually, the entire long-distance fleet will be configured with 4 classes of travel, albeit with very different products and configurations. Not to mention the "end of life" of the current A330s in the fleet, those from Alitalia, is scheduled for a phase out that will be completed in 2025, when the last two aircraft in service are expected to leave the fleet.