At Airline Interiors Expo, I saw a lot of different seats. And I mean I saw a lot. From business class seats to Economy seats made of carbon – I saw a lot of seats (and there’s more to share over the next few days).
However, there was a real stand-out seat in Premium Economy that grabbed my attention by Stelia Aerospace… and amazingly, it isn’t a Business class or a First Class seat, but a Premium Economy / Regional Business Class Seat.
Premium Economy seats are increasingly a middle ground that airlines are fighting over for business travellers who are travelling on the cheap, or for economy class passengers who want to upgrade (and with plans to squeeze more passengers in an A380, you’ll be begging for more space).
So let’s look at Stelia Aerospace’s Celeste seat.
Stelia Aerospace Celeste Seat.
The seat is a fixed shell seat, controlled by a single button (or rocker switch) to move the seat in a single fluid motion. This converts the seat into a cradle type seat.
Stelia Aerospace Celeste Seat – note the deployed seat in cradle position.
Now, I’ll be honest – whilst upright the seat was pretty much like any other seat. The moment you pressed the button and swung it in the cradle position, it becomes very comfortable and ergonomic.
The cradle seat can be controlled via a manual interface (a tradition single button) or by an electronic switch for finer control.
A rather elegant solution for controlling the seat.
And yes, I tried this seat. My thoughts are that single motion to take it from a fixed upright to a cradle seat is genius.
I felt supported in the seat, with the legs well supported and elevated – very much like a deep recline. Even my back was well supported in the full cradle mode.
Whilst the headrest in this variant isn’t adjustable the installed one provided a comfortable place to rest.
The motion is unique, but once you get used to it, it’s very comfortable.
More importantly, as the seat doesn’t recline behind the person in front of you, personal space is preserved throughout.
In addition, there were little features like storage that really stood out – for example, there was a side bin to stow tablets, glasses and even a laptop…
Stowing a laptop to the side of the seat as demonstrated by @AirlineFlyer
There are two different sized IFE modules for this seat – a 12.1″ module for a Premium Economy seat, and a 16″ screen for the Business Class.
As the seat back doesn’t move, the position of the screen will be constant.
Celeste Seats in Premium Economy Configuration
Celeste Seats in Business Class Configuration
So is this the ultimate Premium Economy or Regional Business Class Seat?
I would say it’s pretty good. Certainly, the cradle position makes it extremely comfortable. The deciding factor when these seats are installed by an airline are the customisations it will make – for example, will it put in the bottle holders, the laptop pockets, etc.
But as a concept – it’s an improvement on some of the premium economy seats out there with the many controls and lack of comfort. Even as a regional business class seat, it could provide real comfort for those flying short to medium hops that demand a better product than a Eurobusiness style seat could ever offer.
Economy Class and Beyond joins in with the latest from Aircraft Interior Expo 2015, for the latest in how the next generation of interiors will affect you the passenger.
Follow me on Twitter at @EconomyBeyond for the latest updates!
Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond – Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, with in-depth coverage, unique research as well as the humour and madness as I only know how to deliver.
Also remember that as well as being part of BoardingArea, we’re also part of BoardingArea.eu, delivering frequent flyer news, miles and points to European readers
What is that red handle on the leg area? Is that a pullout foot rest?
It’s the place where the life jacket lives (it’s pretty common location on PE seats)