We’re going to turn to Recaro, who brought their CL3810 seat to Aircraft Interiors Expo this year, along with interesting additions by Panasonic and AERQ.
The CL3810 is a long haul economy class seat, which is an evolution of the CL3710 long haul seat that has been used with many airlines.
The CL3810 will feature examples fitted with Panasonic’s new Astrova system as demonstrated by Panasonic on their stand..
The Astranova system is a lightweight solution that fits well into the Recaro design language and fits in with both Panasonic’s and Recaro’s aim of reducing weight in the cabin. – with the CL3810 being 30% lighter than the existing CL3710 seat.
The integration of the Astrova seat-end solution into the CL3810 is a win for passengers and airlines alike who seek to reduce weight, improve comfort as well as open up a high-quality IFE option which uses an OLED display.
The CL3810 is being offered by Recaro for single-aisle and twin-aisle aircraft, allowing for a long-range seat to be installed in all types of aircraft.
However, this wasn’t the only display on show, with startup AERQ showing its example screens in a front-row configuration of the CL3810 seat.
AERQ’s solution is OLED based, as the company is a joint venture between LG Electronics and Lufthansa Technik, focusing on IFE, onboard services and digital signage.
This solution features some upgrades to the seat (as well as some re-engineering of the IFE screen arm, with a double-knuckle attached to the monitor. For those who sit in exit or bulkhead rows, we’re all familiar with how far to the left or right the screen is, compared to how centred the screens are in other classes of travel.
Recaro has addressed this with an engineered arm and support that extends the screen out a bit further. Whilst it is still not dead-centre in front of you (I suspect the challenge for a telescopic arm is considerable when attempting to save weight), it is far better than current solutions where you are craning your neck to see the screen.
By changing how the screen is deployed, those extra few centimetres can be utilised to give the passenger a better experience in the bulkhead.
Screens matter. But seats do too
I have spent some time in the Recaro CL3810, and I am pleased to report some of the updates to it have been rather good. Whilst it is lighter, there seems to be no loss of comfort – something important for the long-haul seat.
The seat is configurable to an airline’s specification – One of the most interesting options. is the headrest – which can be specified with a six-way headrest (which moves up and down, tilts and has adjustable head wings).
The seat can also be fitted with a two-way headrest (which just goes up and down).
In addition, the seat can be configured with different seat back options to contain a PED holder, a dual-layer tray or a single layer tray.
A big step forward in long-haul comfort
I’ve enjoyed the previous version of the seat – the CL3710, which evolved into a very capable economy class seat for the long-haul traveller.
The CL3810 offers the chance for airlines to step up the comfort game as they start to experiment again with both narrow and wide-body configurations, whilst integrating them with reduced weight onboard.
Combined with the options the seat offers – from the seat back, to the headrest and to the IFE system which can be installed, it offers a very attractive complete package for airlines.
Disclosure – Economy Class was a guest of Recaro at their pre-event meeting, as well as a guest of AERQ during Aircraft Interiors Expo 2022.
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