KLM Features Boracay Island in World Business Class Advertisement

In the midst of its transfer from Terminal 1 at Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Terminal 3, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has introduced a new advertisement featuring its new World Business Class set in the tropical paradise of Boracay Island.

Image Source: KLM / Facebook

Air France-KLM Group are investing over €1 billion in product and service upgrades by 2017 as part of overall efforts to improve customer service. In addition, €200 million will be spent on new cabins for KLM.
Last year, KLM introduced its newly redesigned cabins and World Business Class aboard its Boeing 747 fleet. The carrier recently completed the overhaul of its Boeing 747 cabins in May and now plans to introduce the new cabins on its Boeing 777-200 fleet.   

"We are one of the first airlines to use a designer, not only for the seats, but really for the entire cabin," said Femke Kroese, Air France-KLM Commercial Director for Canada. "She was responsible for everything, from the curtains to the pillows, the whole cabin."

The Dutch designer was Hella Jongerius, whose works have been exhibited at high profile venues such as the New York Museum of Modern Art. The goal of the new design is to make passengers feel more at home when flying on board KLM. In addition, passengers in World Business Class will receive new amenity kits designed by Dutch fashion designers Viktor & Rolf. 

Image Source: Conde Naste Traveler

The new seats in Business Class measure 207 centimetres when reclined to the full flat position. "It's really all about comfort and privacy," said Kroese. "We wanted to create a personal space in the cabin for the passengers." She added that the seats are one of the biggest in the industry, with the positioning and partition between television screens designed to enhance privacy for passengers.

The seats being used by KLM for Business Class is the Diamond Seat manufactured by B/E Aerospace. Though a number of other carriers utilise the same seat on board their aircraft, KLM representatives are quick to point out that a fair amount of customisation has taken place, especially with the configuration. 

"It is true that other airlines have the Diamond seat, but our new seat is not the same," said Erik Varwijk, KLM Managing Director. "Our seat is better than Lufthansa's, for instance. Lufthansa's seat is 1.98m long, while ours is 2.07m. Our seats are parallel, not in a "v" position, and our seat back screens are 17 inches, not 15 inches."

Image Source: Conde Naste Traveler

Adding to the comfort and space is the introduction of increased storage space, with compartments installed in the seats, both beside the passenger and under the television screens. The in-flight entertainment system remains the same with the Panasonic 3000 system. However, as noted earlier, the seat back screens have increased in size to 17 inches. 

Perhaps one of the most innovative and unique concepts of KLM's new World Business Class is the incorporation of sustainable environmental practices into the design. According to Kroese, the new Business Class design features carpets that have been made in part from fibers of former KLM flight attendant uniforms. 

The New KLM World Business Class

• Reduced number of seats in the cabin
• 180 degree seat recline to a full-flat position
• 6 foot 8" bed length
• 17" personal entertainment screen
• 1 universal power port outlet
• Male and Female amenity kits designed by Dutch designer Viktor + Rolf
• Blankets, cabin curtains, pillows, and carpeting made from recycled KLM flight attendant uniforms
• Special privacy dividers and cabin interior design by Dutch designer Hella Jongerius
• Tableware and crockery for in-flight service designed by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders
• A mini Delft ceramic house collectible gift filled with Bols Genever spirits