Page 29 - AAA MAY - JUNE 2014 Online Magazine

FEATURE SEAT DESIGN

OPPOSITE TOP: The Recaro
CL3710 weighs less than 12
kgs and has sold more than
20,000 units since its launch in
2013

OPPOSITE BOTTOM: A typical
business class configuration
on the Airbus A350 XWB. The
XWB’s 220-inch fuselage cross-
section allows for installation
of the widest seats in its class
says Airbus

RIGHT: Recaro’s new CL6710 is
a 180-degree full flat-bed seat
which weighs a maximum of
only 80 Kg

a commercial airplane. Business Class Definition (UHD) main display screen, A growing trend amongst airlines is the
and Premium Economy segments are the Passenger Control Display, Eye Tracking installation of seats with integrated tablet
new battleground for airlines as they try and Interactive Virtual Landscape Panel. PC holders and USB charging points. It
to generate more revenue from available Interactive Ultra High Definition Main allows the airlines to get rid of expensive
seats on-board their aircraft. screen Display Tightly integrated with IFE systems, at the tome reducing aircraft
Recaro Aircraft Seating, showcased a Dynamic Pivoting Table Display and weight and maintenance costs. As a result
a couple of important products at this advanced Graphical User Interface (GUI) one can expect IFE options on short-haul
year’s Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, capabilities to easily pass media and flights to become all but extinct by the end
including its new CL6710 business class graphical information from one display of this decade
seat for long-haul flights. According to screen to the next with the hand motion of Fourth generation IFE systems
Dr. Mark Hiller, Chief Executive Officer of a swipe or motion of the eyes. available today already make use android
Recaro Aircraft Seating, the CL6710 sets One out of every three new economy operating systems and fifth generation
new standards by combining a number class seats worldwide were made systems are likely to make use of gesture
of factors in one seat. The 180-degree by Recaro in 2013. It’s BL3530, an control, removing the need for costly
full flat-bed seat combines high comfort evolution of the highly successful touch screen displays. Sixth generation
with the possibility of a high density BL3520 seat for short and medium haul IFE systems could see the implementation
cabin, offers excellent living space, direct flights that has received 200,000 orders of high resolution IR (Infra-Red) cameras
aisle access, and a variety of stowage worldwide since end 2010. The new that track both eye movements, indicating
opportunities. With a seat pitch of 46 seat, weighs just over ten kilograms an associated cursor movement on the
inches, it can provide a bed length of up per seat, with a slim, space-saving seat display.
to 82 inches, making optimal use of the backrest, enabling high-density layouts Airlines will continue to invest
available space. Depending on aircraft with pitches from 28 to 34 inches. It has in installing the latest seats and IFE
type, layout and individual configuration, a dedicated tablet PC holder, integrated systems, catering for the requirements of
the CL6710 can weigh of 80 kg. power supply for charging and a pocket the future.
Even more futuristic is the innovative for stowing portable electronic devices. With the market for cabin seats and
Immersive Business Class Seat, Another Recaro product that has been IFE systems accounting for a major slice
developed by Thales in conjunction with well received is the CL3710, with of the estimated USD 17 billion market
BE Aerospace and design partners BMW orders for nearly 20,000 units since its for commercial aircraft cabin interior’s
Design Works. It features advanced launch in 2013. Weighing less than 12 by 2019, the action in this segment is just
technology innovations like integrated kilogrammes, making it the lightest beginning to heat up!
in-seat touchpad controls, an Ultra-High product in its class.
WWW.ASIANAIRLINES-AIRPORTS.COM MAY / JUNE 2014 ASIAN AIRLINES & AIRPORTS 29