New STELIA Aerospace RENDEZ-VOUS Business Class Seat With Door

There is a new business class seat idea. I think we will see it on some airlines soon.

Airbus’ new business class seat with doors

STELIA is a subsidiary of Toulouse, France. The seat is intended for wide body jets.

The seating product is one of the widest in the market.

• 100% direct aisle access for all business class passengers
• A “honeymoon” or “solo” seating option, depending on whether you’re traveling alone or with someone
• A spacious and comfortable fully flat bed, with the option for a double bed in the center section
• A large privacy door, turning the seat into a more private suite
• A full privacy divider in the center section, allowing passengers to work or read while the person in the other seat can rest

The seat is similar to a sofa and has a backshell. Travelers can relax as they would in a sofa if they use this product.

This new product is described by STELIA's VP of Cabin Interior.

“When you’re travelling far, thousands of miles from home, all you desire is to feel like you would at home. With RENDEZ-VOUS, our brand new Business Class staggered seat presenting a unique sofa seating comfort, airlines can offer their passengers an outstanding travel experience with a perfect ‘at home’ feeling while flying”

I think that will change soon, as no customers have been announced yet. An airline is likely to be the launch customer.

I am not the only one who is amused by STELIA's use of models to promote their products. Is it possible that these people are meeting for the first time? The third picture shows them sleeping together.

My take on this new staggered business class seat

The new product from STELIA is evolutionary. The SOLSTYS family of seats are popular. You can find this product on many airlines.

It seems like a door was added to the seat in order to make the product better.

British Airways A350s and Etihad Airways A350s have a door that reverses the herringbone seat pattern, and it is no different.

These types of staggered configurations aren't going to be the most cutting edge products out there, and I don't rank them as being among the best business class seats I know a lot of people who travel as a couple in the "honeymoon" seats. Many of the world's newer business class products face that challenge.

Thompson Aero's product with doors is the closest competitor to this new product. The center seats are not staggered in such a way that you have moon seats.

Bottom line

The new seating concept will be known as RENDEZ-VOUS. The introduction of a door is a positive update to the company's staggered configuration.

This looks like a solid product and I am curious to see what airline will be the launch customer.

What do you think about this new seat?