It seems Norra is replacing the seating in their current ATR fleet, with new Acro Series 3ST+ seats, with the first delivery been made to the airline.
Acro and Finnair personnel (L-R) Jerome Lawler (Acro Key Account Manager), Chris Leese-Wood (Acro CEO), Federico Trincavelli (Acro Sales Manager), James Blake (Acro Project Manager), Karolina Parhiala (ATR fleet manager), David Kondo (Finnair Head of Cabin Interior Development), EevaMattila (Finnair Cabin Engineer)
Norra operates flights on behalf of Finnair with their ATR and Embraer fleet. This order covers new seats the ATR fleet, which are used in regional traffic to the Baltics, to Gdansk in Poland and to Stockholm’s Bromma airport.
The ATR fleet aircraft currently fitted with Geven seats.
It marks the first delivery of the Series 3 ST+ seat for the ATR family of aircraft, which are being used by Norra to enhance the onboard passenger experience when operating Finnair flights.
The Series 3 ST+ seat is a fixed recline/pre-reclined seat recline angle of 24 degrees, with a larger table than the standard Series 3ST table. In terms of maintenance, it offers a lower part count (with 63 parts to the seat in total when built a three-across seat, less in the case of an ATR set-up), it should allow for reduced maintenance costs.
They will be pitched at a rather comfortable 31″ too.
The first ATR aircraft with the Series 3ST+ seats installed is expected to be in operation in summer 2019, and the refurbishment of the 12 aircraft will be completed by the end of Q1, 2020.
In quotes
On the delivery, Alan McInnes, SVP Sales said:
“We are delighted to welcome Norra and Finnair as a new customers. We have collaborated with the team to develop a customised version of Series 3ST+ that includes an enhanced leather literature pocket, coat hook, luxurious leather seat covers and bespoke cushions. The space-saving advantages associated with Acro’s unique curved seatback design will provide passengers with superior levels of comfort, especially at the 31-inch pitch selected for this .”
A solid option for the short-haul routes.
In flights where you don’t need to have a need for reclining seats, but wish to offer a high comfort – choosing the right seat becomes essential for the platform. The Acro Series 3 has been that for a lot of airlines in the narrow body and ATR families (indeed, I’ve sat in Acro Series 3 seats between Dublin and Birmingham), as well as the trade show demonstration seats.
Acro Series 3 seats
Acro Series 3 family seating installed on an Aer Lingus Regional ATR72-600
I’ve found them to be comfortable for these short hops (and a bit longer when factoring in long taxi times and waits), and they are welcoming for those travellers who are waiting for those short hops the ATR aircraft operate on.
A solid move for Norra and Finnair.
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