PIA Boeing 777 Cabin Upgrade Program

[Abbas Ali]

Bids invitation in today's (October 31) newspaper.

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) invites "sealed bids" on "Single Stage Two Envelope Basis" from interested parties for Boeing 777-200LR Business Class seats.

PIA Requirements for Boeing 777-200LR Business Class Seats:

4 abreast seats i.e. 1-2-1 seat configuration.
Better privacy i.e. seats should provide full private access to all Business Class passengers.
Better comfort i.e. 180 degree flat bed.
Light weight, minimum maintenance & spare parts cost.
Wider warranty coverage.



Abbas

[747-300]

The configuration uptil now is 2-3-2 and 1-2-1 in tender notice ! Maybe much better privacy and comfort and then the present ones .

[mac777]

a 1-2-1 is very ambitious and welcome. even a 2-2-2 config would have been good enough.
hopefully the plan gets ahead and is completed soon

[MadViking]

2-3-2 allows them 35 J class pax which on the ULRs I've flown have been relatively full, even though some of the people may have gotten an upgrade through "friends." By going to 1-2-1 they are going to have a J capacity of 20. Are they expecting to raise fares and attract some of EK's traffic with this almost F type configuration? They are the cheapest by about half of what the ME3 charge for their superior service, IFE and alcohol. Other than the convenience of nonstop verses via DBX or ABU folks like me flying J on PIA is because of the reasonable J fares. If we are forced to pay higher amounts just because of wider seats then the attraction to use one of the ME3s may be greater and result in less premium pax for PK.

I agree with mac777, a 2-2-2 would be more than reasonable for PIA's needs.

And furthermore, if the 5 new 777-300ER's do get delivered after all the back door handout accusations, I would expect they will have crew bunks allowing them to fly the YYZ and JFK runs with slightly more J and Y capacity and a new upgraded J seat.

[Amaad Lone]

Why does PIA want to install business class seats that no one will pay for. Reducing 35 seats to 20 will only increase losses as no body will pay on PIA what they pay on Emirates or Etihad.

It now has a reputation of a low cost shitty airline, flying to most cities twice a week.

Passengers using PIA business class only do it because its cheaper, not because its good.

Most business people dont have days to wait for a PIA flight and choose the Arab airlines out of Pakistan which are twice as expensive but offer twice daily flights to most cities around the world.

PIA should not try to break into the business class market by offering 1-2-1 club class seats as it will only lose money on this venture.

PIA should work on improving its economy product as I am sure that is where most of its bread and butter comes from.

[rayyanullah]

Most business people dont have days to wait for a PIA flight and choose the Arab airlines out of Pakistan which are twice as expensive but offer twice daily flights to most cities around the world.

Is the reality of the above statement so hard to figure out by the nitwits making such plans

[Abbas Ali]

More info on PIA website:

Mandatory Requirements:

Seats must be approved for Boeing 777-200LR fleet.

Seat must be compliant with the latest FAR25/CS25 requirements (including 25.562) that include 16G certification and complies with RTCA DO160D for electrical items.

Seat manufacturer must be TSO/ETSO holder. The TSO/ETSO must cover whole seat structure including fire, static and dynamic tests. If any furniture is not covered in TSO/ETSO or fire, static and dynamic tests are not included in TSO/ETSO then it must be approved through FAA/EASA process and is eligible to be installed on B777-200LR aircraft.

Seats must be 180 degree flat bed.

Seat must be both electrical and mechanically operated.

All Maintenance documents including Manuals, SBs etc. Must be provided by manufacturer throughout the life cycle of seats in both digital and hard copy format.

Seat manufacturer will have to provide technical support during installation and integration test of Business class seats.

Seats must have reading light and in-arm meal trays.

Seats must have 10 year warranty support for primary structure and 05 years for secondary structure.

Manufacturer must provide spare support throughout service life of seats.

Source: PIA

[iqbal]

So will PIA be replacing the seats on the 777-300ER as well?

[Abdullah]

Still just plans, no schedule nor official information raised yet...

[Abbas Ali]

Following four bidders and their seat models met bidding criteria/conditions:

Bidder Name: Zodiac
Offered Seat Model: Aura Enhanced

Bidder Name: Zodiac
Offered Seat Model: Aura Lite

Bidder Name: Optimares
Offered Seat Model: Maxima

Bidder Name: Avio
Offered Seat Model: Zeus

Bidder Name: Avio
Offered Seat Model: Perseus

Bidder Name: Avio
Offered Seat Model: Gitto

Bidder Name: Sogerma
Offered Seat Model: Solstys

Bidder Name: Sogerma
Offered Seat Model: Equinox

Info Source: PIA

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Some of the seats that met bidding criteria.

Zodiac


Aura Lite.
hr Avio


Perseus.


Zeus.
hr Sogerma


Solstys.

Abbas

[Abdullah]

Avio Interior's First Class seats already installed on PIA fleet, and basically management planned to replace them with new because these seats are highest panic PIA ever had in cabin. Too expensive spares and difficult to maintain; with a large number of manufacturing defects.

1. A310 and B777-2 First Class

Avio Lieflat model seats with leather;


2. B777-3 First Class (AP-BID, AP-BHV, AP-BHW)

Avio Perseus model seats with plastic panels;


Perseus model is a bit better than Lieflat model but probably, Avio will be avoided. Zodiac and Sogerma are the industry leaders and the most favorite ones. Sogerma First Class seats were initially approved for PIA B777s but later Avio First Class seats installed due to unknown reasons.

[iqbal]

I've sat in both those PIA business class seats and they are TERRIBLE and uncomfortable. The Avio Lieflat is a bit better but the Perseus is way too clunky and is nearly always jams and doesn't move properly from "flat" to upright.

[Abbas Ali]

PIA Boeing 777-200LR Business Class cabin seats.


Boeing 777-240LR registration AP-BGY photographed in July 2010.


Boeing 777-240LR registration AP-BGZ photographed in February 2007.

Abbas

[Abdullah]

Sogerma Solstys model seats has been selected and will be presented to PM Nawaz Sharif & Mr. Shujaat Azeem, for final approval.