Zurich (dpa) – The first class seats planned for the Lufthansa subsidiary Swiss from 2025 are so heavy that there could be balance problems in some aircraft. Therefore, lead plates are to be installed in them to correct the center of gravity.
The trend in aviation is more privacy in first and business class, said Swiss spokeswoman Meike Fuhlrott. This is why seats are becoming heavier, while seats in economy class are becoming lighter: “This difference in weight leads to a shift in the center of gravity in airplanes.” Lead plates are intended to restore balance. Airbus A333 aircraft are affected. The newspapers of the media company “CH Media” were the first to report on this.
“When seats are ordered, you initially only have an estimated weight,” said Fuhlrott. The exact weight will only be known once everything has been installed.
More weight generally means higher fuel consumption for aircraft. “It is a matter of balancing customer wishes, economic efficiency and environmental compatibility,” said the spokeswoman. Swiss wants to offer suites in first class on long-haul flights in the future, which promise guests absolute privacy.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:240831-930-218878/1
