SEATING Economy Class. However, with the purchase by a big player and the possibility of greater investment in development, McInnis said the company could soon broaden its focus. “There will be a significant investment in our product range,” he said. “Allowing us to sell a wider range of products to a wider range of airline customers. “We know there is demand for new Twin Aisle and Business Class products and we can now plan our product road map for the long term.” Another seating company has also stepped up production with the March opening of a second factory capable of producing more than 20,000 seats per year with a staff of 80 employees. Zim Flugsitz opened its plant last spring in the city of Schewin, approximately an hour from Hamburg Airport. Plans are to continue to grow the facility to eventually reach an employee base of approximately 240 that will more than double the manufacturing capacity of the young company. Since its startup, Zim Flugsitz has sent more than 65,000 seats to airline customers around the world. One of the company’s interesting collaborations is very close to home. This past summer, Zim Flugsitz’s main plant in Markdorf began supplying seating to SWISS International for its fleet of C-Series aircraft manufactured by Bombardier. Zim developed the seats especially for SWISS. It features a proprietary design that includes a one-arm
Pitch Aircraft’s PF3000, with power and personal electronic device features
Recaro supplies GOL with connectivity-friendly seating The first shipset of the Recaro BL3530 seat for Economy Class will be delivered to GOL Linhas Aéreas Brazilian airline this year. Recaro will equip 86 of GOL’s aircraft in this first-time collaboration between the company and the airline. The BL3530 delivers premium seat quality for short- and medium-haul flights, allowing passengers to charge their own electronic devices on board and to mount them on a holder. “With our innovative connectivity solutions, we reacted early to a new market requirement. The intelligent design allows the ideal ergonomic positioning of tablet devices in all standard sizes. This enables passengers to use their devices comfortably from any viewing angle,” said Dr. Mark Hiller, Chief Executive Officer and Shareholder of Recaro Aircraft Seating. “We are very pleased that we were able to win over GOL as a new customer.” The tablet holder allows passengers to use their device in the upper backrest where traditional IFE screens are installed, and allows passengers a comfortable viewing angle of near 90 degrees while sitting comfortably upright. Additionally, the tablet holders permit the use of the tray table independently from the tablet holder, allowing passengers to dine while viewing content and not requiring them to hold a tablet upright or constantly reposition their viewing screen. Since 2014, the tablet holder has been part of the Recaro portfolio. 16 | PAX INTERNATIONAL | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2018
The new BL3530 seating on GOL will have Recaro’s specially designed seatback devoted to personal electronic devices