ANA to feature couch seats in new A380 cabin

All Nippon Airways' (ANA) Airbus A380 superjumbos will feature an economy class couch product, paired business class seats for honeymooners and a multi-purpose room where mothers can attend to their babies and passengers can get changed. The A380s will be introduced on ANA's Tokyo-Honolulu services in the 2019 northern spring and feature special liveries featuring a Hawaiian green sea turtle, a symbol of luck and prosperity in the islands. About 1.5 million Japanese travel to Hawaii annually and ANA will be the first Japanese carrier to operate A380s. It plans to use the big plane to increase its share of the lucrative market. READ our ratings for ANA The new livery will come in three colors: blue, representing the Hawaiian sky; emerald green, inspired by the seas around the islands; and orange, representing the Hawaiian sunset. The superjumbo will be configured with eight first class seats, 56 in business, 73 in premium economy and 389 in economy. All classes will have bar counters.

This is the first time the airline has offered first class to Hawaii and each seat will have its own door to enhance privacy. ANA says business class is a popular option for honeymooners and families. “Therefore, compared to other aircraft where seats are staggered, this revolutionary business class offers pairs of seats, allowing passengers to enjoy and share their exciting travel experience sitting next to each other while still keeping all seats with aisle access,’’ the airline said in its announcement. The 389 economy seats on the main deck will include 60 couch seats, another first for a Japanese carrier and similar to the seats pioneered by Air New Zealand. Each couch is comprised of three of four seats where passengers are able to fold up the leg rests and lie down. They also receive a dedicated mattress and the airline expects it to be particularly popular with passengers traveling with small children. “The cabin interiors have also been strategically designed in order for the passengers to feel the spirit of Hawaii from the moment they board the aircraft,’’ ANA said. “The walls and lights have been arranged in such a way as to illustrate Hawaii's enviable blue skies, sunrises, sunsets, night skies and iconic rainbows.”