Aircraft Seating Market Trends

Market Driver - Rising Passenger Air Traffic Globally

As globalization continues at full pace, international travel has become much more frequent for both business and leisure purposes. Airlines around the world have expanded fleet sizes and increased flight frequencies on popular international routes to cater to this growing demand.

Major aircraft seating manufacturers will face substantial opportunities to not just fulfill demand for new aircraft deliveries but also participate in retrofitting programs for existing airline fleets. Constantly evolving consumer preferences also necessitate quicker refreshes of aircraft cabin interiors, further stimulating the aircraft seating market. New entrant airlines especially in emerging regions of Asia and Africa pose another notable source of demand.

Overall, the airline industry's ambition to connect people across the globe like never before ensures a busy era ahead for seat manufacturers. Sustained international cooperation on liberalizing air traffic rights bodes well for continued passenger growth momentum. This driver of rising global passenger volumes is likely to remain a primary catalyst propelling the aircraft seating market in the foreseeable future.

Market Driver - Demand for Lightweight Materials in Aircraft Seating

One of the top priorities of both airplane manufacturers as well as airlines is to reduce operating costs. This has led to a heightened focus on maximizing fuel efficiency of aircraft operations. Aircraft seat weight is a major contributor to the overall weight of an aircraft cabin interiors setup. This has shone the spotlight on developing lighter seating structures and components.

Lighter seats translating to lower overall aircraft operating empty weight in turn results in improved fuel efficiency especially on longer flight stages. Several latest aircraft seat models are incorporating composite structural panels, plastic trims, and carbon fiber reinforced plastics.

Significant resources are being dedicated industry-wide to certify novel lightweight materials for commercial aviation use. Such product and technology advances ensure the requirements for ever lighter seats remain a defining driver propping the aircraft seating market in the coming years.

Market Challenge - High Costs of Manufacturing and Components

One of the key challenges currently being faced in the aircraft seating market is the high costs associated with manufacturing and components. Aircraft seating involves the use of durable, lightweight and flame-retardant materials to ensure passenger safety. However, these specialized materials come at a significant cost.

Extensive certification and testing requirements by aviation regulatory bodies also contribute to lengthy development cycles and design validation procedures, inflating overall costs. Tighter profit margins in the commercial aviation industry have reduced airline willingness to spend on premium aircraft seating upgrades, demanding even lower prices from suppliers. This cost pressure acts as a deterrent for investments in new seating technologies, limiting innovation.

OEMs will need to explore innovative engineering and design approaches as well as material substitutes to help lower costs while maintaining strict quality and safety standards. Close collaboration with suppliers down the supply chain can also help attain procurement efficiencies in the aircraft seating market.

Market Opportunity - Growth in Premium Economy Class Adoption

One major opportunity being presented in the aircraft seating market is the rise in popularity of the premium economy class offering by airlines. This intermediate cabin class positioned between regular economy and business class promises additional legroom, seat width and in-flight amenities compared to mainstream economy, but at a lower price point versus business.

Seating manufacturers can capitalize on this trend with new product innovations tailored for this class such as modular comfort features, ergonomic designs and integrated in-seat entertainment systems. Development of multi-use platforms capable of configuration in standard economy or premium economy settings also open up more sales prospects. With strong anticipated long-term growth, premium economy represents a lucrative segment in the aircraft seating market.