When Finnair announced the launch of the AirLounge – as part of Tangerine's redesigned business class cabin for A330 and A350 planes – industry insiders and frequent travellers alike were abuzz with talk of this new product. For the seat doesn’t recline.
So whether you’re sitting cross-legged on the wide seat, lying back to watch a movie, or sitting upright to do some work, the seat – which has been designed to look and feel like a piece of Nordic furniture – has a unique freedom of movement. It’s almost like being on your home sofa, with the cocoon-like shell – the seat's ergonomic backrest – serving as an effective noise barrier and providing privacy.
Goode continues: ‘Much of our time was spent creating physical mock-ups, rather than drawings. We needed to get down and experience the seat environment ourselves to get an idea of our success and what should be tweaked.’ In keeping with Finland’s heritage, the devil is in the design details, the sleek, curvilinear lines of the seat embellished with distinctively patterned cushions by Finnish fashion house Marimekko, which is also behind the duvet and the amenities bag. The cabin as a whole was designed by Tangerine, which has also worked on the airline's lounges.