Star Alliance selects B/E Aerospace to supply seats; Air China, Austrian, Lufthansa initial customer

Star Alliance has selected (04-Oct-2011) B/E Aerospace as its development partner for the Star Alliance long-haul economy seat programme. This joint procurement initiative, which will involve both a base and advance version of the seat being developed, will see Air China, Austrian and Lufthansa as the initial member carriers to place the seats on their long-haul fleets. First deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2012. The vendor selection process was coordinated by Star Alliance and included initial market research along with joint customer trials conducted in both China and Germany earlier in the year. The new seat will offer shortened delivery lead times, reduced development expenses and competitive pricing. [more - original PR]