The Next Generation of Premium Seats Is on Its Way
Joe Cortez June 19, 2018
After the Aircraft Interiors Expo in April 2018, new aircraft seats are starting to take a new shape. Focusing on space-saving designs that improve the customer experience, seats are now trying to maximize space while offering luxury flyers all the amenities they are accustomed to.
Every year, manufacturers show off their latest technologies and seat innovations at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX). But Runway Girl Network reports the biggest news is coming two months after the convention, as three manufacturers build out a new generation of premium seats.
Leading the group is Rockwell Collins, who previously designed the seats in Emirates’ exclusive first-class suites. Instead of an oversized recliner in a private suite, the Air Rest provides a slimline recliner for passengers in a narrowbody premium class cabin. The seats feature a “cradle recline” to balance comfort with space, in-flight entertainment integration and plenty of storage space. The seat made its formal debut aboard Oman Air, in their 737 MAX aircraft.
Not to be outdone, Stelia is also creating a luxury recliner for narrowbody aircraft use. Designed in partnership with Airbus, the new seat creates a premium-cabin feeling in the tight spaces of the Airbus 320. According to the manufacturer, four launch customers – including Avianca and Air Cote d’Ivore – will soon install over 200 of their premium seats.
The most surprising of the group is the Butterfly seat, imagined to life by Hong Kong group Paperclip Design. The cubicle-like seats feature large headrests and wide seats shoehorned into a tight space. The seats are enclosed with a shell and are supported by Airbus: the French manufacturer first showed off the seats in small scale aboard an A320 model.
According to Paperclip’s website, the Butterfly is one of the most versatile seat models, offering flyers the option of privacy or socialization. However, it is unclear which airline would be the first to fly the premium seat, presumably aboard an Airbus aircraft – though the seat is adaptable to either Boeing or Airbus airframes.
[Photo: Shutterstock]
Somehow, someway I just know deep down in my skeptical little heart that the new seats will be narrower and there will be an extra row of them in the cabin.
AA' s lie flat do the trick for us but the Boeing version is just a little bit more comfortable for my size (wide shoulders)
The picture is focusing on the headrest of the seat two rows ahead, with a very small depth of field (the range where things are in focus). Everything outside that small range is intentionally out of focus, to draw your eye to the one thing that is in focus.
I travel 4-6 times/year to Europe. Alas, I can't afford business class without cutting back to 2 trips/year at most. So I really don't care what lie flat seats are out there. How about a more comfortable economy seat? Why is there a weird blurry photo with this article?
HOLY! Those Butterfly seats are absolutely ingenious! I hope it becomes the standard for premium economy so we all can try it really soon 😃😃😃