China-based Hainan Airlines has revealed its all-new generation of aircraft cabin seating products, designed specifically for long-haul narrowbody aircraft. The seats have been developed in partnership with Jiatai Aircraft Equipment, a Chinese manufacturer of civil aviation equipment.
The reveal, which took place at Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, marks the first application of Jiatai’s long-haul seating in the narrowbody aircraft segment. Jiatai believes this deal with Hainan Airlines will serve as a “crucial milestone” for the Chinese aircraft seating manufacturer to enter the global high-end market and achieve technological breakthroughs. Jiatai holds airworthiness certifications from CAAC (China), the FAA (United States) and EASA (Europe).
At the heart of the unveiling event was Jiatai’s newly developed JT520E long-haul economy-class seat. The JT520E seat is suitable for -made for both widebody and narrowbody aircraft, and comes as standard with a seat width of up to 19.7 inches, a backrest recline of 7 inches, multi-density comfort cushions, a four-way adjustable headrest, a large seatback table, and provision for IFE monitors of up to 13.3 inches.
Several options are available for the model, including an articulating seat pan, a cradle motion, a zero-gravity seating position, and privacy wings, which can help create a narrowbody flight experience similar to that on a widebody aircraft.
Hainan Airlines will fly Jiatai’s JT520E seat on its international long-haul routes from China operated using Airbus A321neo aircraft.
