Mystery airline behind all-new business class

There’s a fresh take on business class soaring into the skies, but the airline which will be first to fly this sophisticated suite remains unknown.

The seat is the Vantage Nova, from Thompson Aero Seating – a business class specialist that’s already behind the premium cabins of Delta Air Lines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Swiss, Virgin Atlantic, JetBlue and Malaysia Airlines, among others.

Thompson's Vantage Nova business class seat.

Designed for twin-aisle aircraft such as the Airbus A330neo and A350 and Boeing’s 787 and 777 families, Nova brings together the latest business class trends in a elegant design with residential-style cues.

Thompson's Vantage Nova business class seat.

Ross Burns, Head of Industrial Design for Thompson Aero Seating, describes Nova as being developed “from the ground-up to be totally passenger-centred.”

Thompson's Vantage Nova business class seat.

The seat itself adopts a Zero-G profile where passengers can tilt and lower their body while raising their legs, resulting in a highly relaxing position for comfort and circulation.

Thompson's Vantage Nova business class seat.

Sliding doors add privacy, wireless device charging is built into a benchtop phone cradle, and several storage nooks sit behind unobtrusive panels.

Thompson's Vantage Nova business class seat.

The front row of a Nova business class cabin can also become a spacious ‘business plus’ proposition with additional room and features which airlines can up-sell to passengers or keep reserved for their top-tier frequent flyers.

Thompson's Vantage Nova business class seat.

Airlines can order the Nova ‘off the rack’ from Thompson’s catalogue or customise it with an array of flexible options and in-house styling.

Thompson's Vantage Nova business class seat.

Airlines can also choose the orientation of the window seats, which Nova offers in a herringbone configuration where seats are next to the window and angled to face the aisle...

Thompson's Vantage Nova business class seat.

... or a ‘reverse herringbone’ layout which sees passengers sitting next to the aisle but facing the window.

Thompson's Vantage Nova business class seat.

Thompson claims airlines will love Nova’s ability to offer a full flatbed business class experience at a pitch as low as 40”, which fits more seats into the same floorspace compared to other designs.

Thompson's Vantage Nova business class seat.

Thomson’s Chief Commercial Officer Andy Morris confirms that a launch customer is already locked in for Nova, with first delivery scheduled for 2026.

(This rules out newcomer Riyadh Air, which will launch its 787 ‘Mercedes Maybach’ business class in mid-2025).

Thompson's Vantage Nova business class seat.

“The programme with our launch customer is progressing well,” Morris says, “and discussions are ongoing with several other potential customers keen to discuss the options and discover how they and their passengers could benefit from this innovative seat.”