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Airlines

The Cost of Great Airline Design Can Be Measured in Delays and Dollars

Marisa Garcia

Photo Credit: Qatar's A350XWB Business Class.  FCMedia

Skift Take

It’s the old story: Do you want it quickly or do you want it to be special?

As we look back at a year marked by numerous new aircraft interiors introductions, we must also take note of the challenges unique branding poses to the timely delivery of new aircraft and how those challenges can result in limited innovation. The risks of custom products are highlighted by events such as the delay of American Airlines’ new Boeing Dreamliners, awaiting delivery of Zodiac Aerospace’s new customized Premium seating. Custom product issues also led to a brief delay of Qatar Airways’ new A350XWB, which His Excellency Akbar Al Baker, CEO of the airline, attributed to “small issues with our BFE supplier which were resolved by them.” The term BFE (buyer-furnished equipment) applies to components which an airline orders outside for line-fitting by the aircraft manufacturer, compared to SFE (supplier-furnished equipment) whic

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