I get why people are a bit disappointed by this.
Safran Unity would’ve been a real statement product, especially for the A350-1000. Seeing Air India pivot to Recaro R7 on the A350s and Collins Elevate on the 777s feels more like playing it safe than aiming for best in class. Not bad seats, but definitely not market leading either.
That said, supply chain reality is probably doing a lot of the talking here. Everyone chasing the same premium seats at the same time means airlines have to settle or wait years. From that angle, at least Air India is moving forward instead of flying ancient cabins forever.
If they do go with the updated R7 version, that changes things a bit. The newer configs look solid and could be very competitive if executed well with good finishes and IFE. The Elevate on the 777 is fine, just not exciting.
Overall, it feels like a step forward, just not the leap people were hoping for.
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