Lie-Flat Beds for Finnair Boeing MD-11s

Business Class cabins on Finnair's Boeing MD-11 aircraft employed on intercontinental flights are to undergo a radical renewal. As a result of the changes, including the introduction of lie-flat beds, the airlines Business Class passengers will be able to spend their journey in greater comfort than before. The changes are to be made in 2005.

"Thanks to our geographic location we are able to offer the fastest connections between Europe and Asia," says Mika Perho, Senior Vice President, Marketing Division. "As a result of the installation of lie-flat bed seating in Business Class, our product will remain competitive in the future. Product improvement in the face of our competitors is of prime importance to us."

After the installation of the flat-beds, Finnair will offer a total of 36 seats in each intercontinental Business Class cabin. Seat pitch will increase significantly from the presently 127 centimetres (50 inches) to 160 centimetres (63 inches).

The lie-flat bed - as its name implies - means passengers can stretch out to sleep almost as they would at home.

The improvements also include the complete renewal of Boeing MD-11 entertainment system display units. New LCD monitor technology will be used to enhance the enjoyment of movies and entertainment programmes in Economy Class.

Finnair is following an ongoing fleet renewal plan, and half of the airline's fleet has been renewed over the last five years. One stage of the programme, which began in 1999, will culminate this autumn with the arrival of the 29th Airbus A320 family aircraft. Recently it was announced that, starting in September 2005, Embraer 170 aircraft will be acquired to replace Boeing MD-82 and MD-83 jet aircraft, as well as ATR72 propeller aircraft. The next stage of fleet investment, at the turn of the decade, will involve the intercontinental fleet.

Finnair operates six Boeing MD-11 aircraft on flights to Tokyo, Osaka, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, New York and Miami.