The new seats will be featured on 156 Airbus aircraft on order and scheduled for delivery from March 2021 and will provide a 30 percent weight reduction over existing seats. The seats are part of a major deal between the Recaro Group and Frontier owner Indigo Partners.
On Monday (December 14, 2020) Frontier Airlines announced that they will introduce new seats by Recaro Aircraft Seating which will offer a 30 percent reduction in weight compared to existing seats. The new seats will be featured on 156 Airbus aircraft currently on order by Frontier Airlines and scheduled for delivery starting March 2021. The latest weight reduction is part of Frontier’s innovative weight savings solutions and represents a major deal between Germany’s Recaro Group and Indigo Partners, which owns a portfolio of airlines, including Frontier. In Monday’s announcement, Frontier Airlines’ CEO, Barry Biffle, said,
“Frontier Airlines is committed to maintaining our position as America’s Greenest Airline and our current fleet is 43 percent more fuel efficient on average than other U.S. airlines. The lighter weight Recaro seats will result in tens of thousands of gallons of fuel savings on a single aircraft while improving comfort. Less fuel means reduced operating costs which translates to savings that we can pass on to consumers in the form of low fares. If you’ve ever driven a sports car or other high-performance vehicle with seats of exceptional quality, there’s a good chance you’ve sat in a Recaro seat.”
According to Frontier Airlines, on an average Airbus A321 aircraft, the fuel savings equates to 31,683 gallons per year. Frontier operates the largest fleet of Airbus A320neo Family aircraft in the U.S. and in addition to the weight savings, the new seats feature extra comfort, redesigned armrests and a larger tray table. The seat order includes approximately 32,600 seats which will be installed on Frontier aircraft from March 2021, starting with a new A320neo, and is expected to be completed by mid-2027.
Also commenting on the new seats, Recaro Aircraft Seating’s CE), Dr. Mark Hiller, added,
“Collaborating with Frontier Airlines for the first time has been considered a tremendous success, and we look forward to installing our SL3710 seats in early 2021. Just like Frontier, Recaro is focused on making flying a sustainable experience by developing lightweight and comfortable seats that contribute to savings in fuel consumption. I am confident this is the beginning of a long-term partnership.”
Frontier Airlines is committed to “Low Fares Done Right.” The Denver-based carrier operates the largest Airbus A320neo fleet in the U.S. and is a leader in sustainability initiatives and carbon reduction efforts. The A320neo (new engine option) offers greater fuel efficiency and a reduced noise footprint compared to previous generation models. The carrier uses around 43 percent less fuel when compared to other U.S. carriers due to a unique seating configuration and other weight saving tactics. Frontier currently has 160 new Airbus A320neo Family aircraft on order and the company’s young and efficient fleet will help it continue to low fares for customers.
Source: Frontier Airlines