The new wave of airline seats | CNN

CNN values your feedback

1. How relevant is this ad to you?
2. Did you encounter any technical issues?
Thank You!
Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much appreciated.
Close
Ad Feedback
Destinations
Food & Drink
News
Stay
Video
More
Destinations Food & Drink News Stay Video
Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
Edition
US
International
Arabic
Español
Edition
  • US
  • International
  • Arabic
  • Español

Destinations
Food & Drink
News
Stay
Video

Follow CNN Travel
Download the CNN App

  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Elections 2026
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • Redistricting Tracker
    • Epstein Files
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Nightcap
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • World Cup 2026
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • Featured
    • CNN Fast
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN 10
    • CNN TV Schedule
  • Listen
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
    • CNN 5 Things
    • All CNN Podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Photo Shuffle
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

Download the CNN App
Travel

The new wave of airline seats

Updated 10:38 PM EDT, Tue May 6, 2014
Link Copied!
Zodiac Aerospace has been experimenting with a concept that would feature two forward-facing seats sandwiching a single backward-facing seat.
The new wave of airline seats —
Zodiac Aerospace has been experimenting with a concept that would feature two forward-facing seats sandwiching a single backward-facing seat.
Courtesy Zodiac Aerospace
Paperclip Design Limited won a Crystal Cabin Award for its Caterpillar Convertible seat. It can be configured as a roomy Premium Economy seat or converted into a Business Class seat with a lie-flat bed and direct aisle access.
The new wave of airline seats —
Paperclip Design Limited won a Crystal Cabin Award for its Caterpillar Convertible seat. It can be configured as a roomy Premium Economy seat or converted into a Business Class seat with a lie-flat bed and direct aisle access.
Courtesy Paperclip Design Limited
Paperclip Design won a Crystal Cabin Award last year as well for their Checkerboard Convertible seating, which allows airlines to configure seats for both economy and business class (the middle seat can fold down).
The new wave of airline seats —
Paperclip Design won a Crystal Cabin Award last year as well for their Checkerboard Convertible seating, which allows airlines to configure seats for both economy and business class (the middle seat can fold down).
Courtesy Paperclip Design Limited
The company, however, is perhaps best known for its paperclip-inspired armrest. Built with two levels, it could solve the in-flight battle for elbow space.
The new wave of airline seats —
The company, however, is perhaps best known for its paperclip-inspired armrest. Built with two levels, it could solve the in-flight battle for elbow space.
Courtesy Paperclip Design Limited
At the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany last month, Recaro Aircraft Seating unveiled their newest design in economy seating: the BL3530. The new seat features a tablet PC holder, a "smart pocket" for stowing devices (and protecting them from scratches) and a power supply for charging.
The new wave of airline seats —
At the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany last month, Recaro Aircraft Seating unveiled their newest design in economy seating: the BL3530. The new seat features a tablet PC holder, a "smart pocket" for stowing devices (and protecting them from scratches) and a power supply for charging.
Courtesy Recaro
French company Expliseat has created the lightest seat on the market. The model, made from titanium and composite materials, weighs in at just 4 kilograms. The company estimates the weight savings could translate into $500,000 of fuel savings per aircraft per year.
The new wave of airline seats —
French company Expliseat has created the lightest seat on the market. The model, made from titanium and composite materials, weighs in at just 4 kilograms. The company estimates the weight savings could translate into $500,000 of fuel savings per aircraft per year.
Courtesy Expliseat

My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account

Live TV Listen Watch
  • World
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
    • Australia
    • China
    • Europe
    • India
    • Middle East
    • United Kingdom
  • US Politics
    • Trump
    • Facts First
    • CNN Polls
    • Elections 2026
    • Redistricting Tracker
    • Epstein Files
  • Business
    • Tech
    • Media
    • Calculators
    • Videos
  • Markets
    • Pre-markets
    • After-Hours
    • Fear & Greed
    • Investing
    • Markets Now
    • Nightcap
  • Health
    • Life, But Better
    • Fitness
    • Food
    • Sleep
    • Mindfulness
    • Relationships
  • Entertainment
    • Movies
    • Television
    • Celebrity
  • Tech
    • Innovate
  • Style
    • Arts
    • Design
    • Fashion
    • Architecture
    • Luxury
    • Beauty
    • Video
  • Travel
    • Destinations
    • Food & Drink
    • Stay
    • News
    • Videos
  • Sports
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf
    • Motorsport
    • US Sports
    • Olympics
  • Science
    • Space
    • Life
    • Unearthed
  • Climate
    • Solutions
    • Weather
  • Weather
    • Video
    • Climate
  • World Cup 2026
  • Ukraine-Russia War
  • Israel-Hamas War
  • Features
    • As Equals
    • Call to Earth
    • Freedom Project
    • Impact Your World
    • Inside Africa
    • CNN Heroes
  • Watch
    • Live TV
    • Featured
    • CNN Headlines
    • Shows A-Z
    • CNN 10
    • CNN TV Schedule
  • Listen
    • All There Is with Anderson Cooper
    • Chasing Life with Dr. Sanjay Gupta
    • The Assignment with Audie Cornish
    • Terms of Service with Clare Duffy
    • CNN 5 Things
    • All CNN Podcasts
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Jumble Crossword
    • Photo Shuffle
    • Sudoblock
    • Sudoku
    • 5 Things Quiz
  • About CNN
    • Photos
    • Investigations
    • CNN Profiles
    • CNN Leadership
    • CNN Newsletters
    • Work for CNN

Watch Listen Live TV
My Account
  • Settings
  • Newsletters
  • Topics you follow
  • Sign out
Your CNN account Sign in to your CNN account
Follow CNN Travel

Download the CNN app
Download the CNN app

Terms of Use Privacy Policy Ad Choices Accessibility & CC About Newsletters Transcripts

© 2026 Cable News Network. A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All Rights Reserved.
CNN Sans ™ & © 2016 Cable News Network.

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app on Google Play.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from Google Play.

Download the CNN app

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.

Scan the QR code to download the CNN app from the Apple Store.