AIRTEK: Single-aisle. Aviation’s lightest seat
Client
Airtek Consortium
Date
2021
AIRTEK: Single-aisle. Aviation’s lightest seat
Adapting aviation’s lightest seat for a changing world
With the pandemic causing a reduced demand for air travel, many airlines have switched to operating smaller single-aisle aircraft on key routes to maintain profitability. This shift has left a void in the lie-flat seating product market for business class cabins on these aircraft, due to existing products being aimed at larger twin-aisle aircraft.
AIRTEK single-aisle was created as a follow-on programme to meet the needs of this new market. Based on the pioneering twin-aisle AIRTEK seat, the primary aim of this adaptation is to offer airlines greater product choice for their single-aisle fleets. A choice that offers the benefit of AIRTEK’s weight advantages to deliver improved fuel efficiency and a more sustainable operation.
The programme, which is a collaboration with Williams Advanced Engineering and SWS Aircraft Certification, is funded by the UK Governments’ Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) and brings together world class experts in design, engineering, manufacturing, material sciences and aviation certification.
AIRTEK is built around a flexible set of principles and manufacturing techniques that permits the identical lightweight monocoque technology to be used in this seat design. This allows single-aisle aircraft to enjoy the same AIRTEK benefits as their twin-aisle counterparts, including reduced aircraft fuel burn and improved personal storage space for customers.
The increased herringbone angle still offers all customers the opportunity to enjoy a full lie-flat experience, and the inclusion of a door on every suite permits levels of privacy previously only enjoyed on larger aircraft.
Convenience features such as wireless charging with an integrated cable tidy help to keep things tidy and devices ready for use.
Storage options include a side cupboard and a dedicated protective laptop compartment.
For enquires about joining the AIRTEK programme as a development partner or to learn more about how your fleet can benefit from our lightweight technology, please contact JPA Design.
