ANA to equip A380s with 520 seats

All Nippon Airways (ANA) will equip its three on order Airbus A380s with 520 seats, the second highest seat density deployed on the type.

The four class configuration includes 383 economy class seats on the main deck, says ANA. The upper deck will have 137 seats with eight in first class, 56 in business, and 73 in premium economy.

Flight Fleets Analyzer shows that this will be the world's second densest A380 configuration. Emirates has 13 A380s equipped with 615 seats. The average seat count across the world's 221 in-service A380s is 496.

ANA says that Jamco produced the first class seats, Zodiac Aerospace the business class seats, and ZIM both economy and premium economy.

ANA will commence service with the type in spring 2019, and will operate on the Tokyo-Honolulu route. ANA's A380s will be powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 900 engines. Its first A380 entered final assembly in Toulouse this month.

"This marks the first time ANA has offered first class on this resort route, and its aim is to provide passengers with a luxurious onboard experience. Each seat features its own door and provides passengers with the privacy they need to enjoy their personal space."

Acknowledging that the Honolulu route is popular with couples, including newlyweds, business class offers several rows of seats directly next to each other, dispensing with the fishbone configuration found in many business classes.

In addition, economy class includes 60 "couch seats."

"This makes ANA the first in Japan to introduce a couch seat concept," it says. "Each couch is comprised of three or four seats and passengers are able to lie on the seats by folding up the leg rests. In addition, passengers will receive a dedicated mattress that will provide them with further comfort."

The carrier expects the couches to be particularly popular among families travelling with small children.

In addition, the three aircraft will have unique, Hawaii-themed liveries. These are designed to symbolise the sky, ocean, and sunset.

(Evangle Luo of TTFLY shared with you)