Northern Ireland is known for being home to two major seating manufacturers, and one of them, Thompson Aero Seating, is launching a series of seat designs at AIX inspired by the landscape of the province and the wider island of Ireland.
The premium cabin specialist says its Project Echo draws on Thompson’s Ulster heritage for a variety of colours, materials, and finish (CMF) that will be available on its Vantage seating range. This includes a “layering of tinted darks, along with pops of brighter colours and highlights to capture the spirit of the land”, according to the Craigavon-based company, which along with Collins Aerospace in Kilkeel, is one of Northern Ireland’s heavyweights of the sector.
“Our aim has been to create a narrative for Thompson that is a reflection of our culture,” says Belinda Mason, CMF designer at the AVIC-owned firm. “We have interpreted colours and textures into visuals, using nature and the chemistry of its colours as our influence. The result is a feeling of quiet luxury.”
She adds: “Our range of seats constantly evolves. Under Project Echo, we have created a unified palette that gives alignment to each seat design, bringing them within the brand range as a whole.”
On Thompson’s core Vantage seat, the redesign has “introduced a lighter outer shell with a darker inner core”, says the company. “This, married with shades of natural stone and lighter woods, gives a distinct aura of quality.”
Its VantageXL product has been given “an intense dark surround and sumptuous leather inner”, with an “enhanced front row [that] conveys first class with deep moss greens and velvety suedes”.
On VantageSolo, the “enhanced front row uses soft tan leather as a pop of colour”, while its VantageDuo seat “cocoons the passenger with a dark fabric wrapping, highlighted with a lighter inner seat and light stone-coloured worktops”.
