Swiss Airlines is facing a problem with the modification of the first-class seats in some of its aircraft. The new seats are significantly heavier than the previous ones, causing an imbalance in the aircraft. To counteract this, additional ballast needs to be added elsewhere in the plane, resulting in increased fuel consumption. This adjustment is necessary because the new seats, which resemble private cabins, take up four times more space than economy class seats. While only eight of these premium seats are available per aircraft, the economy seats will be made lighter to compensate for the weight difference. Swiss Airlines plans to install lead plates in other areas of the plane to restore balance, but this will increase the overall weight of the aircraft by approximately 1,500 kilograms. As a result, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions will also rise. Despite these challenges, Swiss Airlines believes it is important to meet the demands of its customers while considering profitability and environmental impact. The new seats are expected to be installed in the cabins of Airbus A330-300 aircraft starting from the winter of 2025. The Boeing 777 will also receive the same modifications, but the heavier luxury seats will not pose any issues for this aircraft. Additionally, the new A350 will be equipped with these seats from the beginning.
Source: https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20240902_95661415
.
