New standards in comfort in the economy class

“As a trendsetter we want to delight our customers with clever and practical innovations in our aircraft seats time and again. Like all Recaro seats, the CL3710 stands for premium quality and reliability, design and profitability, a very good life-cycle assessment and outstanding travel comfort above the clouds,” says Dr. Mark Hiller, Chief Executive Officer and Shareholder of Recaro Aircraft Seating.

The demands in an aircraft seat are diverse and sometimes even contradictory. While the passenger is expecting the best possible comfort for a positive experience on board, the requirements from the airlines go far beyond this: low weight to reduce fuel consumption, optimum use of space, cost-effective maintenance, high durability and flexible design, allowing for customization with little effort and no added costs. This applies especially to the economy class, where airlines have to control cost but at the same time offer their customers the best possible travel experience in a tough competition.

At first glance, for the long-established company from Schwaebisch Hall this means having to “square the circle.“ With the CL3710, Recaro Aircraft Seating presented the perfect solution for the first time in 2013, which quickly advanced to a bestseller in the product portfolio of the aircraft seating specialist. And since the designers were particularly successful at implementing the creed “form follows function,” the CL3710 received the German Design Award in 2016, to name but one of the numerous awards. One of the aspects customers value is the flexible design of the seat, allowing for optimal customization to individual needs. Equipment options are diverse, ranging from cup holder to 13-inch monitor.

The CL3710 is a true lightweight for the long haul: weighing less than 12 kilograms, it is one of the lightest seats in its class, resulting in a beneficial fuel balance. One of the special features of the seat is the six-way adjustable headrest, which can be set to the individual ergonomic needs of the passenger for enhanced comfort. According to a sleep study by the Instituto de Biomécanica de Valencia (IBV), it greatly supports a comfortable posture of the head, helping the passenger to relax.

Dr. Mark Hiller: “For more than 40 years, individuals, their well-being and safety have always been the focus of our reflection when designing seats. When we take it even a step further and include profitability and efficiency, low maintenance, short delivery times and a comprehensive, worldwide customer service for the airlines in our focus, the result is a compelling product, an aircraft seat ‘made by Recaro.’”

With the CL3710, Recaro has landed a real hit. This is underlined not only by the nearly 200,000 seats that have been ordered by 32 airlines to date. The interest in this innovative product remains undiminished. Currently, Hainan Airways, the largest privately-owned Chinese airline, has placed its third order for 2,200 CL3710 aircraft seats. As a result, for Dr. Mark Hiller an important strategic objective has been met: the increased presence on the important growth market Asia.