bmi, British Midland International is introducing new leather seats across its fleet of short haul aircraft over the next few months.

The seats are to be installed as part of a major refurbishment to the interiors of the Airbus family aircraft that operate the airline’s short haul routes.

Offering improved customer comfort, the new seats will deliver a standardised product across bmi’s short haul fleet. Lighter in weight than the seats they are replacing, the refurbishment will also assist in aircraft performance by reducing overall aircraft weight.                     

As part of the refurbishment, the nine A319 and five A320 short haul aircraft will also benefit from new carpets, curtains and bulkheads as well as a dynamic new lighting system, giving a spacious look and feel throughout the cabin. The refurbishment programme is due to be completed by Summer 2011.

Wolfgang Prock-Schauer, chief executive officer, bmi, commented:

“We are committed to improving our customers’ experience and continue to ensure that bmi is in a position to deliver a truly competitive product in the marketplace.”

The introduction of the short haul seats follows a recent refurbishment programme to upgrade the interiors of the aircraft in the bmi mid haul fleet.  This is due to be completed by the end of May 2011.