Alaska airlines opts for Recaro for linefit and retrofit of 43 aircraft

Recaro Aircraft Seating and Alaska Airlines expand their successful cooperation. More than 80 percent of Alaska Airlines’ fleet of aircraft are currently equipped with seats from the German aircraft seat manufacturer. The current supply order, planned for late 2017, includes aircraft seats for linefitting 32 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and for retrofitting 11 aircraft in the existing fleet.

Alaska Airlines will be taking its passengers to the next level of exclusive seating comfort as the launch customer for the new CL4710 business class seat. The seat, designed specifically for domestic and shorter international flights, is characterized by its unique level of comfort, its functionality, and flexible equipment options. Conveniently integrated into the in-arm table is a tablet holder with a power outlet for passengers’ personal electronic devices. The new seat will be installed in the First Class cabins of Alaska Airlines Boeing aircraft starting in the fall of 2018.

In addition, the BL3530 economy class aircraft seat will be featured in the linefit and retrofit aircraft. This seat will provide passengers premium quality seating and innovative customer-friendly features on short and medium-haul flights. Its low weight reduces fuel consumption, and the seat is guaranteed to be extremely maintenance friendly over its entire life cycle.

Innovation partnership bears fruit

“We have been working very closely with Alaska Airlines for six years. Together we are defining the requirements for the aircraft seats and taking the customer through the entire product life cycle. Customer feedback helps us to optimize the seats on a continuous basis,” says Sunitha Vegerla, General Manager of Recaro Aircraft Seating Americas.

Dr. Mark Hiller, Chief Executive Officer and Shareholder of Recaro Aircraft Seating, explains: “Recaro was the first European aircraft seat manufacturer to establish a production site in the U.S. in 1998. In 2013, the size of the manufacturing facilities in Fort Worth, Texas, was more than doubled to cover approximately 250,000 square feet, and the annual production volume increased to over 30,000 seat units. Currently more than 400 employees work at Recaro Aircraft Seating Americas. Recaro recognizes Alaska’s long standing partnership and major received orders as a main contributor to the growth of the site. We are very proud of this partnership, and excited that the entire Alaska Airlines fleet will be equipped solely by RECARO in the coming years.“

Sangita Woerner, Vice President Marketing of Alaska Airlines, values Recaro’s customer service: “Our joint innovation process produces aircraft seats that offer our passengers greater comfort and premium features. We look forward to further expanding our partnership.“

Alaska Airlines, together with Virgin America and its regional partners, flies 40 million customers a year to 118 destinations with an average 1,200 daily flights across the United States and to Mexico, Canada, Costa Rica, and Cuba. With Alaska Airlines and Alaska Global Partners, customers can earn and redeem miles on flights to more than 900 destinations worldwide. Alaska Airlines ranks among the largest airlines in North America.