A sneak peek inside Solomon Airlines A320 H4-SAL

Solomon Airlines has today shared a sneak-peak inside its newest international aircraft.

Registration H4-SAL, the modern, customised Airbus A320, made it’s delivery flight from Brisbane to Honiara last week carrying government officials, dignitaries and invited VIP passengers who were the first to see its smart new interiors.

Solomon Airlines has today shared images for everyone to see, inside H4-SAL’s sleek new cabin. 

The aircraft is fitted with modern interiors in blue, grey and white tones and all-leather seats across two classes. On board, 12 Business Class seats in a 2 x 2 configuration are 21 inches wide with a seat recline of 10 inches and seat pitch of 40 inches. 

The 138 Economy Class seats in a 3 x 3 configuration, are 17 inches wide with a seat recline of 3 inches and a generous economy seat pitch of 33 inches.

The aircraft was custom-fitted to Solomon Airlines specifications, including a configuration offering 8 more economy seats than the airline’s other Airbus A320 registration H4-SIB.

The exterior of Solomon Airlines newest aircraft features the national carrier’s distinctive blue, green and yellow livery and 60th Anniversary Year logo.

‘Solo’ the Pacific Games Mascot, appears on the right hand side of the aircraft door to greet passengers with a smile as they enter the plane.

The aircraft is also fitted with ‘sharklet’ vertical extensions of the wingtips, which reduce aerodynamic drag as the aircraft travels and already showing signs of good fuel savings.  Even this feature proudly showcases Solomon Islands scenery.

“Improved fuel efficiency, passenger comfort and the combination of fast cruising speed, longer range, and higher two-class seat capacity make this a very attractive narrowbody international aircraft,” said Solomon Airlines CEO Mr Gus Kraus.

“As the nation’s flagship carrier, we also wanted to do something unique inside and out,” he added.

“As many of our passengers fly to Honiara for business, and we would like them to explore further, we decided to surprise them with a glimpse of the beauty of our islands, long before we arrive,” Mr Kraus said.

Solomon Airlines has included an image of Marau Sound, taken by by travel photographer David Kirkland, on the inside of the wingtip sharklets, visible to passengers as they look out the aircraft windows.

“This second aircraft doubles our international capacity and will enable Solomon Airlines to meet demand for travel to Honiara for the 17th Pacific Games later this year,” Mr Kraus said.

“In the longer term Solomon Airlines is now better placed to accommodate commercial services and charters and leases to support other Pacific Island nations,” he added.

Among VIP guests who experienced the aircraft during its delivery flight, were Deputy Prime Minister, Hon. Maelanga Manasseh; Minister of Finance and Treasury, Hon. Harry Kuma; Minister of Communication and Aviation, Hon. Ped Shanel Agovaka; Minister of National Planning and Development Coordination, Hon. Rexon Ramofafia and Member of Parliament for Marovo Constituency, Hon. Chachabule Amoi.

On arrival in Honiara the aircraft was then inspected by Solomon Islands Prime Minister The Hon. Mr Manasseh Sogavare, together with Solomon Airlines Chairman Mr Frank Wickham and VIP guests.

The Airbus A320 H4-SAL has now entered scheduled commercial service effective from 29 July commencing with its first passenger flight IE702 from Honiara to Nadi.

Now in its 60th year, Solomon Airlines fleet now comprises:

• 2 x Airbus A320-200 international aircraft
• 1 x De Havilland Canada 8-100 (Dash 8)
• 3 x De Havilland Canada DHC-6-300 Twin Otter, one of which is currently helping out our neighbours in Vanuatu