The CL3710 with integrated 13.3-inch monitor offers the ultimate passenger experience

"The CL3710 has achieved top marks for its comfort, light weight, and modern design. It also convinces in terms of its modularity, which allows the adaptation of the CL3710 to all kinds of airline needs. Setting the benchmark on long-haul flights in the economy class, the seat has recently been awarded the ‘iF Design Award 2015’," explains Dr. Mark Hiller, Chief Executive Officer and Shareholder of Recaro Aircraft Seating. "Our ambition is to be the best seat supplier from our customers’ perspective. That’s why we want to offer airlines not just the highest quality, ergonomic comfort, low weight, and innovative design, but also state-of-the-art IFE solutions. For this reason we have been working closely with Panasonic on this project."

Paul Margis, President and Chief Executive Officer of Panasonic Avionics, says: "This joint project recognizes the importance of passenger experience and comfort innovation in economy classes – where most people travel. Together we’ve pushed the envelope in integration and industrial design and transformed economy class into levels of comfort and experience normally reserved for premium classes."

The result of the exclusive collaboration between the project partners Recaro and Panasonic is setting the benchmark in the economy class cabin: "With the pioneering IFE integration in our highlight product CL3710, we offer travelers the best in comfort as well as entertainment – it is the ultimate passenger experience," says Mark Hiller.

Margis adds, "The seamless integration of our slimline 13.3-inch HD monitor into the seat creates a premium movie theater viewing experience even in economy class while enabling Recaro the freedom to design the seat for maximum space and comfort." In combination with a handset, the monitor is extremely versatile, allowing for state-of-the-art user interfaces, gaming, reading or browsing the web. Passengers can also connect their personal electronic devices with the monitor and play their own content.

The design features a modern and high-quality appearance as well as a seamless integration of the monitor in the seat: The screen is installed "framelessly" across the entire upper part of the backrest. The monitor, which the passenger can tilt for an optimal viewing angle, fits perfectly into the architecture of the seat. Audio, USB and HDMI ports as well as a handset and a reading light are integrated under the monitor.

What makes this a true, unique integration rather than just an installation project is the combination of such a large monitor, including a handset, with the patented Recaro literature pocket, which has been removed from the knee area and placed above the tray table. As a result, economy class passengers will experience the seatback as a user interface with exceptional legroom. At the same time stowage space for on-board literature has been created. Depending on customer wishes, the project partners can quickly bring this solution to market and adapt it to individual customer requirements.

The high-profile jury of the Crystal Cabin Award was impressed by this exclusive collaboration between the project partners Recaro and Panasonic: In the category "Passenger Comfort Systems," the CL3710 and the pioneering IFE integration made it into the final round of the only international award which recognizes innovation in the aircraft cabin. The expert panel consisting of scientists, journalists, and representatives of airlines and aircraft manufacturers will announce the winners on April 14, 2015.