Acro Aircraft Seating is unveiling a prototype of its latest economy-class product at the Interiors show, a fixed-back offering that could be ready for delivery in a year.

“The reasons to buy fixed-back seats are many and varied,” says Acro executive vice-president Cameron Allen, listing as examples passengers who are annoyed by the person in front reclining into their limited space, and the fact that it is lighter. However, the seat will also be available with a recline option at a later date.

There is no launch customer for the seat yet and this year’s show in Hamburg will be “the first time anyone has seen it”, says Allen. “Hamburg is a great place to canvas opinion.”

Acro has changed the material on the back of the seat. Previous models featured a composite back-shell hung from an aluminium loop, whereas the latest one has a purely composite structure. Instead of a painted coating, the back of the seat is covered with a stick-on surface.

“The advantage of the sticker is you can replace it when it becomes scratched or worn,” says Allen, adding that it also provides branding opportunities for airlines.

Source: Flight Daily News