With Iberia’s new Airbus A321XLR in the sky, there’s also a new seat flying for the first time with commercial passengers – the Recaro R3 Seat.
New seats for a new aircraft – Image, Recaro Aircraft Seating
The Recaro R3 (previously the CL3810) will be deployed on the eight Airbus A321XLRs that Iberia will be bringing into service. These will be installed in a 3-3 formation in the economy cabin of the aircraft.
Each aircraft will have 168 Recaro R3 seats installed.
Developed with a lightweight design, the R3 is benchmark-setting for its weight, coming in two kilograms less per seat than the previous seat (CL3710). This is helped by the composite-material backrest installed.
In turn, for the passengers, there is an integrated monitor and USB charging ports on each seatback.
IFE Screen on the seat back – Image, Recaro Aircraft Seating
For the living space in the seat, Recaro’s six-way adjustable headrest with an integrated neck-support feature is present with comfort cushions and armrests, all customised with the Iberia colours and dress covers.
Seatback Recline and headrest – Image, Recaro Aircraft seating
The six-way headrest and seat, dressed in Iberia Colours – Image, Recaro Aircraft Seating
The R3 seat design also includes a redesigned RECARO patent of the steward step. This innovative new design facilitates easier access to overhead bins and debuted on today’s flight.
In Quotes
Mark Hiller, CEO of RECARO Aircraft Seating and RECARO Holding said
“This is a major milestoneIn for the aviation industry as a new aircraft and seat take flight,”
“We are thrilled to continue our longstanding partnership with Iberia, who was one of our launch customers for the R7 and now for the R3. Our collaboration continues to grow and bring innovative solutions to the market.”
Marco Sansavini, CEO and President of Iberia, said:
“We are very proud to be the launch airline for this new Airbus aircraft. The A321XLR will allow us to operate transoceanic routes and do so more efficiently. And all this while ensuring the comfort of our customers, thanks to the work done by RECARO.”
A big step forward for the Iberia and R3
On the long-haul missions that the Airbus A321XLR will cover, comfort will be key for the passenger – especially on transoceanic legs, whilst Iberia will be looking to save every kilogram it can in the seat weight, reducing the fuel burn over the life of the aircraft.
At Economy Class and Beyond, we’ve spent some time with the demonstration seats during trade shows and were impressed at the legroom and comfort they can deliver.
Recaro R3 Demonstration seat at Aircraft Interiors Expo – Image, Economy Class and Beyond.
With airlines picking up the Recaro R3 for both narrow and widebody outfitting, it’s certainly going to become one of the long-haul seating standards of the future in Economy Class.
For today, the spotlight is on Iberia as it ties together all the equipment it has had installed from various suppliers, activated on an aircraft.
Providing that Iberia has managed to keep an 18″ seat width and at least a 31″ seat pitch for their deployment, this should be more than passable for the long missions these aircraft are set to fly.
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