BRITISHAirways is threatening legal action against Singapore Airlines claiming the Asian carrier has copied its first-class sleeper-style seat.
BA is demanding SIA rip out its new seats and pay damages for allegedly infringing patents otherwise it will start court proceedings.
SIA unveiled its version of the product last September as part of a $300m upgrade of cabins (Travel Weekly September 16 1998).
ABA spokesman said:”Our Singapore lawyers have asked SIA to stop infringing our patent onboard aircraft.
“BA was the first to offer a 6ft 6ins bed in 1996 and it is protected by patent. We invested millions of pounds in the product.”
SIA has responded to the demands by issuing a writ in Singapore to BA saying the complaint is unjustified. Both carriers have seats which transform into beds, which when flat give the passenger a partially enclosed space due to side panels. The seats are also equipped with individual video monitors, although SIA’s are 14ins and BA’s is 6ins
The BA spokesman said it was some aspects of SIA’s seat design that the airline was concerned about. He refused to elaborate further.
While the wrangle continues SIA can continue to offer the product to passengers. Much of SIA’s fleet has already had the new seats installed, alongside its upgraded business-class and economy products.
A resolution of the BA-SIA dispute is not expected for at least a year.
The BA spokesman said the UK airline would be watching other carriers which have upgraded or are upgrading first-class cabins with sleeper-style seats to ensure they did not copy the BA design.