Jetstar, as part of a major revamp of its Boeing 787 international fleet, has purchased 48 of the new Airchair II units from UK-based manufacturer Airchair, underlining the fact that accessibility is a core priority for the airline.
Jetstar said the selection of the Airchair II reflects a commitment to ensure all customers can travel with confidence and dignity — it’s part of a broader accessibility roadmap that includes investments in ground services, customer communication, and onboard equipment.
Prior to choosing the Airchair II Jetstar ran a comprehensive procurement process, comparing other aisle chairs to the model it was using.
Image: Airchair
As well as offering an industry leading Suddenly Applied Weight rating of 250kg/550lb the Airchair II weighs just 6.8kg/15lb and can therefore be stowed easily in overhead lockers by cabin crew irrespective of their size or strength. Similarly, its intuitive design allows deployment with the minimum of instruction.Commenting on the agreement, Sarah McOnie of Airchair said, “We are thrilled that another high-profile airline has chosen to use the Airchair II. Our belief is that all passenger aircraft should have an aisle chair onboard that truly meets their needs and Jetstar’s initiative in this area will mean that for passengers flying out of Australia that is becoming closer to reality.”
About Airchair
For airlines, the Airchair allows them to meet their accessibility aspirations. It enables passengers to be moved easily and safely from one seat to another, requires minimal training and is easy to deploy, operate and stow. The Airchair provides a practical and cost-effective solution, enabling airlines to meet the needs of passengers requiring special assistance.
For passengers in need of special assistance, Airchair provides a safe and dignified mode of transfer inside an aircraft. The UK manufactured product is highly engineered and sturdy and will not tip over or break, reducing the fear of falling and making sure the user feels less vulnerable.
About Jetstar
Jetstar, a wholly owned subsidiary of Qantas is an Australian low-cost airline headquartered in Melbourne, Victoria. Jetstar’s mission is to offer low fares to enable more people to fly to more places, more often. Since its launch in Australia in 2004, it has carried more than 400 million passengers and Jetstar-branded carriers operate more than 130 routes to over 50 destinations.
The airline operates an extensive domestic network as well as regional and international services from its main base at Melbourne Airport, using a mixed fleet consisting of Airbus A320 family and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
Featured image credited to Jetstar
