RTX';s Collins Aerospace introduces its Helix™ next-generation main cabin seat
Collins Aerospace, a business under RTX (NYSE: RTX), unveiled its Helix™ main cabin seat at the 2024 Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany. The Helix seat is designed to enhance passenger comfort, reliability, and sustainability in short and medium-haul flights. The seat features a lightweight construction, ergonomic design, and increased living space without affecting cabin density. It incorporates high strength-to-weight composite materials, reducing aircraft weight, fuel consumption, and carbon emissions. The seat is also optimized for better inflight entertainment, literature pockets, and full-sized meal trays. Collins Aerospace is in discussions with several airlines to integrate Helix seats into their narrowbody fleets.
- Introduction of a lightweight seat reduces aircraft weight, leading to lower fuel consumption and carbon emissions.
- Ergonomic design and increased living space enhance passenger comfort on short and medium-haul flights.
- Optimized seat back for better inflight entertainment options and full-sized meal trays.
- Engagement with multiple airlines indicates potential widespread adoption of Helix seats in narrowbody fleets.
- No specific financial metrics or projections are provided, making it difficult to assess the immediate financial impact.
- Potential delays or challenges in integrating new seat design across various airline fleets.
Insights
The introduction of the Helix™ main cabin seat by Collins Aerospace reflects a significant step in the ongoing evolution of aircraft seating technology. The use of high strength-to-weight composite materials translates to noticeable weight savings. By reducing the aircraft's overall carry weight, airlines can achieve lower fuel consumption and thus reduce operating costs. This is particularly important given the persistent volatility in fuel prices.
The design improvements aimed at enhancing passenger comfort and increasing under-seat stowage also address two critical customer pain points. With the aerospace industry increasingly focusing on passenger experience, these advancements could potentially raise the appeal of airlines that adopt Helix seats, thereby influencing customer choice and loyalty.
Moreover, the alignment with sustainability goals by cutting down on carbon emissions aligns well with the broader industry emphasis on environmental responsibility. This could lead to positive sentiment among environmentally-conscious stakeholders.
Collins Aerospace's move to introduce the Helix™ seat during the Aircraft Interiors Expo is a strategic decision that positions the company effectively within the competitive landscape of aircraft interiors. By focusing on comfort, reliability and sustainability, Collins is aligning its product offerings with current market demands.
The emphasis on improving passenger living space and integrating diverse inflight entertainment solutions addresses the increasing consumer expectation for a better flying experience. This could be a key differentiator in a market where airlines are seeking to enhance their value proposition to passengers, especially in short and medium-haul flights.
From a market perspective, this product introduction can potentially open new revenue streams for Collins Aerospace. Engaging with multiple airline customers to integrate Helix seats suggests a robust demand pipeline that can stabilize and potentially grow revenue in this segment.
The lightweight seat makes short and medium haul travel more comfortable, reliable and spacious
"Helix seating was developed with three key pillars in mind – comfort, reliability and sustainability," said Christophe Blanc, vice president and general manager of Aircraft Seating at Collins Aerospace. "The contemporary design increases passenger living space and under seat stowage, while the seat back is optimized to accommodate a greater number of integrated inflight entertainment (IFE) solutions, literature pockets and full-sized meal trays.
High strength-to-weight composite materials and advanced design enable a definitive weight savings over similar economy class seats, reducing the overall carry weight of aircraft, associated fuel burn and carbon emissions.
A reimagined frame design not only optimizes passenger seat back angles for longer lasting comfort, but also improves cushion integration – enhancing ergonomics, product longevity and consistency across cabins and fleets.
Collins is currently engaged with a number of airline customers to introduce the Helix main cabin seat into their narrowbody fleets.
About Collins Aerospace
Collins Aerospace, an RTX business, is a leader in integrated and intelligent solutions for the global aerospace and defense industry. Our 80,000 employees are dedicated to delivering future-focused technologies to advance sustainable and connected aviation, passenger safety and comfort, mission success, space exploration, and more.
About RTX
With more than 185,000 global employees, RTX pushes the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2023 sales of
For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact corporatepr@rtx.com
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/rtxs-collins-aerospace-introduces-its-helix-next-generation-main-cabin-seat-302157435.html
SOURCE RTX
FAQ
What is the Helix™ main cabin seat introduced by Collins Aerospace?
When and where was the Helix™ main cabin seat introduced?
What are the main features of the Helix™ main cabin seat by Collins Aerospace?
How does the Helix™ seat impact fuel consumption and carbon emissions?
Which company introduced the Helix™ main cabin seat, and what is its stock symbol?
