Skift Take
The really good news is that, while Premium passengers drive profits, Economy passengers are growing. That passenger growth can lead to positive changes in future Economy cabin design.
To recline, or not to recline, is a troublesome question. Recent events in the U.S. air travel market prove that it is a volatile issue for some passengers, leading to aggression onboard.
For airlines, and the aircraft seating industry, it's a puzzle. Is it better to provide the option of recline, and risk seat troubles when one passenger offends another, or should the recline feature become a relic of passenger experience past?
At a recent cabin comfort panel session during the IATA World Passenger Summit, industry experts reviewed the merits and trends of recline and no-recline seats, searching for balance.
Present at the panel was Klaus Steinmeyer, VP Business Development for Recaro Aircraft Seating, who reported that, after years of no-recline models waiting on the concept board, interest in this option has spiked.
"We brought non-reclining seats in 2009, for the Crystal Cabin award. [It was considered] a great seat,” he said. “But then it got silent. We didn't get a lot requests for the seat. Now-
