Iberia will install a shipset of Recaro R1 and R2 economy seats on an A320neo aircraft as part of a six-month trial starting this spring. The seats incorporate literature pockets made from upcycled fishing nets recovered from the ocean and a real wood inlay in the seat bumper.
The trial involves 186 seats in a hybrid cabin layout, marking the first operational installation of these certified sustainable features by Recaro Aircraft Seating. Each single-aisle aircraft shipset, such as for an A320, removes approximately 2 kilograms of discarded fishing net material from marine environments.
These elements draw from Recaro’s R Sphere sustainable concept seat, which uses recyclable components and bio-based materials to cut weight by about 1.5 kg per seat and reduce CO2 emissions by around 55 tons annually per aircraft. Dr. Mark Hiller, CEO of Recaro Aircraft Seating, stated that the seats combine innovation, design, and sustainability.
The modification kit underwent mock-up creation, qualification testing, and material certification before installation on the operational Iberia aircraft.