RTX’s Collins Aerospace has secured three airline launch customers for its Helix™ main cabin seat, equipping nearly 200 Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft. The announcement came today at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany.
This milestone validates the Helix seat, unveiled in 2024, just two years after its debut. Airlines will integrate the seats into narrowbody fleets for short- and medium-haul operations.
The Helix features lightweight high strength-to-weight composite materials, cutting aircraft weight, fuel burn, and carbon emissions compared to prior economy seats. It maintains cabin density while enhancing ergonomic comfort, seat back angles, cushion integration, and passenger living space.
Additional optimizations include improved inflight entertainment access, literature pockets, and full-sized meal trays, boosting reliability and sustainability.
For operators, the seats enable fleet modernization without density trade-offs, directly supporting cost efficiencies and environmental goals amid rising fuel prices and emission regulations. Collins was already in talks with multiple carriers post-launch, accelerating adoption across high-volume narrowbody platforms.