Latest news with #AircraftInteriorsExpo
Belfast Telegraph
15 hours ago
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Co Armagh aeroplane seat maker records operating profit over £20m
Thompson Aero Seating have made the announcement ahead of publication of their accounts for the year ending December 31 2024. The company says that the 'strong growth in financial performance' follows the 'successful completion of a three-year recovery plan'. It added 'The financial progress comes as Thompson continues to focus on operational improvement and product innovation. 'The company has introduced several changes across its operating model and supply chain to strengthen delivery performance and build greater resilience in its operations.' Thompson Aero produces luxury airline seating, and counts a number of major international airlines among its clients, including Delta, China Eastern and Singapore Airlines. Losses had accrued at the Portadown-based company in the years since the pandemic, with the company losing over £270m between 2018 and 2023. Before tax, the company lost £9.5m in 2023, which was a reduction on the £23.8m loss in 2022. Around that time, these losses were attributed in part to investment in increasing the company's 'industrial capacity' as well as 'robust industrialisation across the business.' The company's order book has been improving over recent years, with its 2023 figure of £113m increasing by £326m in 2024. Thompson Aero Seating says the large bump to the order books reflects 'growing interest in its business-class seating products within the global aerospace market'. These new products include the firm's luxury airline seats. It recently unveiled two new seats at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, the VantageNOVA First and the VantageXL+. The last 12 months has also seen them launch other products, including the VantageNOVA. Recent years have also seen investment in Thompson's locations and production sites, including the opening of a 'dynamic test facility' in 2023. The firm says this site enables 'in-house dynamic testing, accelerating product development and supporting the timely launch of new innovations in 2024 and 2025'. Keith Anderson, CEO, Thompson Aero Seating, said that 2024 'marked the completion of a three-year recovery plan'. 'We've delivered against our commitments, secured a strong pipeline of orders, and made tangible progress across our operations and we are now in a more stable position. 'These improvements have positioned Thompson to gain a reputation for industry-leading delivery performance and new product introduction ('NPI') execution with our customers and major aircraft manufacturers. 'It's an incredibly exciting time as the strength of our orderbook means it is imperative that we continue to develop our operating model to deliver 2x growth in the coming years. 'We are particularly proud of our industry-leading performance in NPI. Our developing operating model and our DTF have enabled this strong performance.' Thompson Aero Seating employs over 700 people, and has facilities in Banbridge and Craigavon. It has been producing flat-bed luxury seats for over 20 years. The company's seats are used on a variety of major aircraft, including the Airbus A330 and A80 and Boeing's B777 and B787.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
What are standing seats in planes and what is their purpose?
Image credits: X/@syncronus The seats in airplanes have always been a point of contention between travellers and companies. While travellers are looking for as much comfort as possible, companies on the other hand are aiming to reduce weight and fuel and thus end up hiking prices for journeys. Now, it seems airplane companies have figured out a new way to save their budgets by introducing standing-only seating options. Yes, we do get the oxymoron here but for some this idea might not be that bad. According to an Instagram account @entreprenuershipquite, which has a following of 2.8 million, 23-inch bike-style padded seats that allow passengers to lean at an angle without completely sitting down could be introduced in 2026. This standing seating called 'Skyrider 2.0' will be introduced by manufacturer Aviointeriors and will help increase the passenger capacity by 20%, reduce the weight by 50% and take up less space than the average economy seat. This unique style of seating was initially introduced at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2018 in Hamburg. It is an improved version of a concept that was tried and failed in 2010. Image credits: X/@Martyupnorth_2 But, Skyrider 2.0 stands out with more padding and firmer mountings than the previous seatings, along with poles connecting each row to the ceiling and floor. In a 2018 statement, it was said that this seating represents 'the new frontier of low-cost tickets and passenger experience' Michael O'Leary, the chief of Ryanair, has been ready to use the 'standing berths' since 2012. Back then he had said he wanted his Boeing's 737 and 800 fitted with 0 rows of them and 15 rows of traditional seats. He also suggested that they could cost as little as £1 to £5. However, for the prospective passengers, standing seats don't seem like an experience they want to embark on while in the air. People have been taking to various social media platforms to condemn the increasing low budgets of airlines and how they are sacrificing customer comfort for the same. "This proves my theory that air travel digresses from luxury to greyhound to city bus," wrote a person on X. "most americans are not healthy enough to hold a standing squat like that this is a ridiculous concept & quite a sinister one too," added another. Some even added humorous quips like, "One fart and the whole section will be cooked." While passengers may think of crammed-up seats and uncomfortable spaces when thinking of standing seats, according to Gaetano Perugini, engineering adviser at Aviointeriors, the concept is not about creating "cattle class" and cramming in as many passengers as possible. 'The message is, we do not want to put thousands of people in the cabin, we want to offer a multi-class configuration, which is nowadays impossible if you want to reach the maximum load of passengers,' he told CNN Travel. This idea though is something many people seem to be okay with. "If you're paying dirt cheap economy I don't see an issue. It's not like they are banning first class and normal seats," added a person on X.
Metro
22-05-2025
- Metro
Are standing-only plane seats coming to Ryanair and more? Here's the truth
'This is pathetic. Treat humans like humans.' This is just one of the hundreds of comments on an Instagram post that claims standing-only plane seats will soon be coming to low-cost airlines. The furore is understandable. With strict luggage rules, narrow seats, and hidden fees, flying budget is already somewhat of an endurance test. And with these new saddle-style seats, economy travel could get even more uncomfortable. It's been reported that the seats have now met regulatory requirements and passed safety tests, but are we really about to see the seats on our next flight? Here's everything we know so far. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Designed by Italian company Aviointeriors, the standing seats look similar to a horse saddle or rollercoaster ride. They're attached to the floor and ceiling by a pole, and have a seat pitch (that's the distance between the seat and the one in front) of just 23 inches. To compare, Ryanair's average seat pitch is 30 inches. Taking up less space, Aviointeriors claim you can fit up to 20% more passengers on short-haul flights lasting two hours or less. Many have shared their disgust at the seats. 'These corporations don't care about you!' wrote one angry commenter, while another said they should be 'outlawed'. But the seats aren't anything new. They were first unveiled at the Aircraft Interiors Expo back in 2010, with an improved model shown at the same Expo in 2018. Fast forward to 2025, and it's being claimed that the Skyrider 2.0 has been approved for travel. In 2012, Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary sparked backlash when he said he'd consider using the seats. He suggested fitting planes with 10 rows of standing-seats, which would cost as little as £1. But fast forward to 2025, and a Ryanair spokesperson told Metro that passengers don't need to worry. When asked if the Irish carrier was set to launch standing-only seats they responded: 'Ryanair has no plans to do so.' Wizz Air also responded to Metro's query saying: 'We can confirm that Wizz Air has no plans to introduce standing-only seats.' Meanwhile, easyJet declined to comment on the introduction of standing-only seats, but there are currently no public plans which suggest we'll be seeing them on its planes any time soon. Metro also reached out to Jet2, who are yet to respond. Perhaps the biggest change we've seen isn't seating, but rather overhead lockers. As more airlines charge for checked baggage, many passengers opt for hand luggage, which is either free, or cheaper. But it's lead to a mad dash to board, with travellers jostling for somewhere to put their suitcase. More Trending Thankfully, Airbus, the leading manufacturer of commercial planes in the UK and Europe, had a solution. In 2024, they announced that it would be retrofitting some of its planes to include the new and improved Airspace L bins. These new bins more than half the size again of the previous A320 bins, offering 60% more room, and allowing space for three extra bags per bin. The trick here is that bags are stowed vertically, not horizontally. Lufthansa was the first airline to receive 38 of the bins in January 2025. Other European airlines, including Iberia and Swiss also said they'll introduce the new bins. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: 'Full of life' capital city with 'laidback vibes' gets new UK flights for £87 MORE: What's Cooking? I worked in cabin crew for 12 years — avoid these five foods on planes MORE: This UK beach is 'more relaxing than the Algarve' — two hours from London
Daily Mirror
22-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Brits could face controversial standing seats on budget airlines 'next year'
Brits on budget airlines could face standing seats in the near future as one company has unveiled some controversial designs at an aviation event Rumours are swirling that a new stand-up seat design that would allow airlines to cram more passengers onto planes could be taking off next year. This week, reports have emerged claiming that the Skyrider 2.0 design will be installed in several European airlines from 2026. Designed by Italian firm Aviointeriors, the seat set-up has been fascinating and appalling aviation enthusiasts in equal measure since it was unveiled at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, back in 2028. The controversial seat comes with a reduced pitch, forcing flyers to adopt a more upright stance rather than the conventional sitting position. This innovation could see airlines bump up the density of passengers by a staggering 20%, which would hugely increase profit potential in a marketplace that works on very low profit margins, the company behind the design have claimed. "The Skyrider 2.0 is an innovative seat, it allows an ultra-high density in the aircraft cabin. Skyrider 2.0 opens the travelling experience to a wider passenger market, creating also a useful space for the introduction of mixed classes boarded on the same aircraft," Aviointeriors claimed back in 2018. It's not just about squeezing in more people according to Aviointeriors. The company claimed that the state-of-the-art seat is both lighter and easier on the wallet, slashing maintenance costs with its 50% weight drop compared to standard economy seats and streamlined component list. Passengers will find themselves perched in a saddle-like position, straddling the contraption, which appears more akin to leaning than lounging. This week, claims about the commercial arrival of Skyrider 2.0 have been spread across various news outlets. The source seems to be the popular Instagram account Entrepreneurship Quote, which does a booming trade in business-related memes. The account posted: "In a bold move to reduce airfare expenses, several budget airlines will introduce standing-only seating options beginning in 2026. After extensive discussions, this unconventional seating arrangement has finally met regulatory requirements and passed safety evaluations." The veracity of such claims is in doubt, however. Neither the UK's Civil Aviation Authority nor the European Union Aviation Safety Agency appears to have approved the new design for commercial use, while Aviointeriors has not issued a statement regarding the alleged adoption of the Skyrider 2.0. The Mirror has contacted all three for comment. There has been plenty of scepticism for years about whether saddle-style seats would ever be approved for use. Bill Waldock, a professor of safety science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, argued that they would not pass safety standards. 'You look at it from a crash-readiness standpoint — there's just no way,' the director of the Crash Lab at the university told the Washington Post. Mr Waldock questioned whether the seats would allow for the complete evacuation of a plane in 90 seconds, as the US Federal Aviation Authority requires. George Hobica, who founded the suggested that customers may not like the seat experience too much. 'You'd have to be strapped in like Buzz Aldrin," he said. 'I predict that we'll see one airline, if only as a gimmick, install some of these someday. Not this year, not next year — but someday.' If Mr Hobica's prediction is correct, then it may be Ryanair that takes the plunge first. The budget airline's chief Michael O'Leary has been vocal about his desire to use the 'standing berths'. In 2012, he said he wanted his Boeing 737 and 800s fitted with 10 rows of them and 15 rows of traditional seats.
Extra.ie
21-05-2025
- Business
- Extra.ie
New rollercoaster-style 'standing seats' could be on planes as soon as 2026
Flights could be equipped with new standing seats from as early as 2026, according to a new report. Bike-style padded seats called 'Skyrider 2.0' allow passengers to lean at an angle without completely sitting down while in-flight. These seats have been unveiled online and are reported to be operational as early as next year. SkyRider 2.0. Pic: Aviointeriors Manufactured by Aviointeriors, the specially-designed seats have been revealed on Instagram. Their implementation would allow for a 20 percent overall increase in passenger capacity. No major airlines have yet given official indications they will use the seats aboard their fleets of aircraft, but the invention could prove transformative for the aviation industry in the coming years. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary. Pic: Filippo Monteforte/AFP via Getty Images Notoriously self-styled as the 'no frills airline', Michael O'Leary and Ryanair may be viewed as the ideal candidates for a test run. Ryanair CEO O'Leary has had recent grapples with the Irish government over seasonal passenger caps at Dublin Airport. The introduction of standing seats – allowing more travellers per flight – could have a bearing on future logistics during busy periods at Dublin Airport and other busy entry points into the country. It could have a positive bearing on airline profits additionally. The new product was launched at in 2018 at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, following an initial failure to get the original model off the ground in 2010. Aviointeriors described their product as 'innovative' and gave a nod to how its adoption by major airlines could see them rake in the profits. 'Its main feature is the original bottom that ensures an increased upright passenger positon allowing installation of the seat at a reduced pitch, while maintaining an adequate comfort,' they said. 'The design of this seat enables [carriers] to increase the passenger number by 20 per cent allowing increasing profits for airline companies.'
