RECARO Aircraft Seating will begin a trial of new seat materials and components in partnership with Iberia, installing modified economy class seats on a selected Airbus A320neo aircraft.
The trial, scheduled to start in spring 2026, will involve 186 seats based on RECARO’s R1 and R2 economy class models in a hybrid cabin layout. The evaluation period is expected to last at least six months.
The seats include alternative materials aimed at reducing environmental impact. Literature pockets are made from upcycled fishing nets, with approximately 2 kg of discarded net material reused per single-aisle aircraft shipset. The seat design also incorporates a wood-based element integrated into the seat structure.
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RECARO said the materials used in the trial have undergone certification for cabin use following a development and qualification process.
“These seats combine new design features with more sustainable materials,” said Mark Hiller, CEO of RECARO Aircraft Seating. “The project with Iberia is a first step in testing these options in an operational setting.”
Iberia is the first airline to test these features as part of a RECARO modification kit. The companies said the trial will assess the feasibility of introducing such materials into regular operations.
The features are also part of RECARO’s “R Sphere” concept seat, which has been named a finalist at the Crystal Cabin Award 2026.
