January 10, 2004 – THE continuing rush by the better-off long-haul carriers to install premium business-catching “super first-class” interiors has been reflected in orders worth a firm $90 million for seat-maker B/E Aerospace.

The US company says that orders just received cover premium-class seating for a leading international airline and super first-class cabin interiors for up to ten long-haul aircraft operated by a US domestic carrier. Total value of the awards is expected ultimately to exceed $125 million.

The first order is based on B/E’s MiniPod lie-flat premium-class seating, selected to date by a total of 11 carriers. Deliveries under the new order are set to begin in the middle of next year.

Also due to lead to deliveries from next year, the second order is the fifth of its kind for B/E since last July, following earlier contracts with Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Emirates and Qantas.

The B/E super first-class product features a multiple-position lie-flat leather seat, a large flat-panel IFE screen, a personal drinks dispenser and LED mood lighting.

“We’re seeing strong demand for our premium-class products which continues to be driven by the financially healthy Asia-Pacific and Middle Eastern airlines,” says B/E chief executive Robert Khoury. “As a result we have built a record backlog of over $700 million, up 40 per cent compared with the previous year.”