Japan Airlines First Class seat - Skysleeper Solo - awarded Japan's top design prize

Japan Airlines new first class sleeper seat, the "JAL New Skysleeper Solo", has been awarded Japan's top design prize, the 2002 Good Design Award sponsored by the Japan Industrial Design Council (JIDC).

'Skysleeper Solo' click on picture for larger image

JAL introduced the new full flat bed-style seat on B747-400 aircraft on the New York-Tokyo route in December 2001. Designer of the JAL New Skysleeper Solo seat is London-based leading industrial designer Ross Lovegrove, internationally known for his hallmark "organic design." 

First established by the former Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI) in 1957 and taken over by the Japan Industrial Design Council (JIDC) in 1998, the Good Design award is now made in several categories: product design, architecture and environment, communications and new frontier categories. JAL's award is in the product design category.

Lovegrove sees his seat design as a living sculpture. 

"It is sensual, curvaceous, and body hugging, without straight lines or sharp angles - just like the human body," he says.

Colours are neutral and restful. The carpet and outer casing of the seat are in green/gray, ivory leather with a silver console, with a drawer and table. The seat incorporates a special woolen rug of similar colour to the carpet and an individual shoebox. The seat is manufactured by Koito Industries of Japan.

JAL plans to introduce the new seat on the London-Tokyo route next year and subsequently on other routes between Japan and Europe and North America.

NEW JAL SKYSLEEPER SOLO SPECIFICATION

(The Ross Lovegrove seat)

Dimensions: Width: 26 inches Length: 73 inches
Pitch: Seats are arranged individually without constriction
Recline: full flat, 180 degrees
Number in cabin: 11
ROUTES: NEW YORK - TOKYO