By Akram Medhat
EgyptAir's seventh new aircraft, a Boeing B737-800NG bearing registration SU-GEL, arrived at Cairo Airport today, Thursday, on flight MS3330 to join the fleet of the Star Alliance member, as part of the deal concluded with Boeing that includes 9 aircraft of the same type.
For his part, Safwat Moslem, Chairman of the Board of EgyptAir Holding Company, said the aircraft is the 27th of its type and the 67th in the company's fleet, noting that the two remaining aircraft in the Boeing deal are scheduled to arrive successively during the last quarter of this year.
It is worth noting that the new aircraft has a capacity of 154 seats, with 16 seats in Business Class and 138 in Economy Class. It features larger overhead storage space for hand luggage on board, in addition to a high-tech LED ceiling lighting system that enhances the sense of spaciousness in the cabin. The seats have also been fitted with new power sources for charging phones, computers and other devices during the flight.
The seat pitch has also been increased to 32 inches in Economy Class and 45 inches in Business Class. The aircraft also features a personal video system showing the latest feature films and documentaries, as this type is the first of its kind to use the AVOD system, which provides a personal screen in front of each seat, allowing each passenger to watch independently of other passengers.
On another note, Moslem revealed that, under EgyptAir's fleet modernization plan, 33 aircraft of the latest global types are planned to be added to the fleet, ranging from short- to medium- and long-haul, in line with operational needs and the replacement and renewal plan. He added that offers submitted by major aircraft manufacturers and international aircraft financing companies are being studied.
