Poltrona Frau Produces First-Class Suites for Etihad Airways

All fifteen of the Airbuses in the Etihad fleet will now be equipped with ergonomic armchairs featuring an integrated massage system covered by Poltrona Frau's hand-stitched leather.

Nicholas Tamarin -- Interior Design, 6/29/2009

Taking the concept of high design to new heights, Poltrona Frau is creating a series of new first-class cabins for Etihad Airways' fleet of 15 A330-340 Airbuses.

Etihad, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, showed-off the suites for the first time at last month's Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. They boast new ergonomic armchairs featuring an integrated massage system covered by 161-square-feet of the Italian furniture manufacturer's trademark hand-stitched leather. The tobacco-colored chairs, meant to recall the company's Kennedee sofa by Jean-Marie Massaud, also feature lumbar support, an adjustable headrest. Most importantly, they meet the most stringent security requirements for fire, toxicity, and smoke-density resistance.

Two of the Airbuses have already been fitted with the new seats, while the rest will be outfitted by the end of 2010. Poltrona Frau is also producing 40 business-class seats and 220 economy-class seats for the airline—in addition to its international airport lounges.

The collaboration with Etihad is Poltrona Frau's third with the aeronautics industry, fooling deals signed with Singapore Airlines in 2007 to produce their first-class cabins, and with Japan Airlines to produce first-class seats designed by Ross Lovegrove.

Images courtesy of Poltrona Frau.