Safran to Equip 60 Flynas A320neos with Z200 Seats
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This week, Flynas announced that Safran Seats will equip its next 60 Airbus A320neos with the latter’s latest-generation Z200 seats. The partnership marks the first time the two companies have worked together, and will see Flynas aim to improve passenger comfort as it moves forward with an ambitious expansion plan.
The Z200: A New Generation of Economy-Class Seats
Safran’s Z200 economy class seat is designed for short- to medium-haul flights on single-aisle aircraft, with Safran marketing its 6.9-kilogram weight as one of the lightest on the market. The product was first introduced in June 2022 at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany, and in spring 2023, it entered into service with Turkish-German airline SunExpress on its Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
At the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai this week, Flynas and Safran unveiled the latest advancements to the Z200 economy-class seat, including “smart cushion designs and the latest technologies,” which are custom features for Flynas’ upcoming fleet of Airbus A320neos and aim to elevate passenger comfort.
Each of Flynas’ 60 aircraft will have 174 seats, with a premium section at the front of the aircraft that can seat 16 passengers. This premium configuration will feature four rows of seats that have a wider pitch, a middle-seat blocker and an adjustable headrest. Meanwhile, the main economy-class seats will be equipped with a portable electronic device holder, USB A and C chargers, a coat hook, cup holder and lower literature pocket.
Deliveries of the newly equipped A320neo aircraft are scheduled to commence in the second half of 2025.
Flynas Managing Director and CEO Bander Almohanna stated, “Through our strategic partnership with Safran, we are poised to reimagine our future cabins with smart design, stylish features, and next-level technologies. These factors were instrumental in selecting seat types, which will be customized for Flynas to offer our guests a unique way of enjoying their flights.”
Back in 2018, Flynas launched the Geven Essenza seat model onboard its A320neo aircraft, which also offered a premium seating configuration at the front of the cabin.
Alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030
The partnership between Safran and Flynas supports the low-cost carrier’s expansion strategy, “which is in line with Saudi Arabia’s National Civil Aviation Strategy and Vision 2030 objectives,” Almohanna explained. “The airline aims to connect the Kingdom with 250 international destinations, accommodate 330 million passengers, and host 100 million tourists annually by 2030.” As Saudi Arabia’s leading low-cost carrier, Flynas plays a pivotal role in domestic and regional connectivity.
Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 aims to transform the Kingdom into a global hub for tourism and business. The ambitious transformation plan was launched in 2016 by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as the Kingdom looks to diversify its economy away from oil dependence. Aviation is at the heart of this transformation, as it helps build national identity, connects people, and strengthens the economy.