RECARO Aircraft Seating has announced an innovative trial with Iberia. Set to launch in one of the Iberia A320neo cabins this spring, passengers may recognise more sustainable seating features in their hybrid cabin equipped with R1 and R2 economy class seating.
As part of a RECARO offered modification kit, 186 seats will be installed in a selected A320neo cabin for a trial period of at least 6 months, with Iberia as the first RECARO customer to collaborate on these more sustainable seating features.
The partnership underlines both companies’ commitment to combine comfort and premium design with a focus on more sustainable aircraft interiors.
Through a step-by-step process, RECARO developed seating mock-ups, gained qualifications, and finally achieved material certification, allowing for the implementation of these materials in the cabin.
Both the R1 and R2 economy class seating with Iberia will feature upcycled fish net literature pockets and a real wood inlay.
Fishing Net document pocket
Wood inlay in the sea
The literature pocket is made from discarded fishing nets that were previously littering the sea. One single-aisle aircraft shipset, such as the A320, removes approximately 2 kg of discarded fishing net material from our oceans. The seats also incorporate a real wood-based element integrated into the seat’s bumper, using a natural material as part of its design and material concept.
These innovations are a relevant first step toward the future of more sustainable seating solutions in the aviation industry. Furthermore, through research and development, RECARO is continuing to develop new sustainable and certified materials and technologies.
In Quotes
Dr Mark Hiller, CEO of RECARO Aircraft Seating and RECARO Holding, said:
“With these seats, we were able to combine innovation with ingenious design and sustainability,”
“We are very proud of this step in bringing a more sustainable seating options to the cabin and partnering with Iberia as our trial customer. This collaboration is a genuine testament to our shared aspiration for a more sustainable future in aviation.”
Taking forward R Sphere
At Economy Class and Beyond, we have seen the possibilities of upcycling with Recaro, with R Sphere shown last year at Aircraft Interiors Expo, and the possibilities of what could be upcycled into an aircraft seat.
The challenge remains, however, to deploy it in a certified format. As we can see, Reacro has upcycled wood inlays and fishing nets and got them through the certification gauntlet.
Whilst not large items by themselves, it is a start when it comes to the sustainability challenge, whilst keeping a close eye on all the other requirements (be it crash safety, testing, certification, lifecycle and end-of-life management.
The R Sphere concept itself has been nominated as a finalist for the 2026 Crystal Cabin Award, in the Sustainable Cabin category, with winners being announced at the awards ceremony on April 14, 2026, as part of the Passenger Experience Week.
For those attending Aircraft Interiors Expo, each feature can be found in the R Sphere Sustainable Concept, which can be seen during the Aircraft Interiors Expo taking place in Hamburg this April.
Economy Class and Beyond will have further coverage of R Sphere during and after the show.
Welcome to Economy Class and Beyond. Your no-nonsense guide to network news, honest reviews, in-depth coverage, unique research, as well as the humour and madness I only know how to deliver.
Our Social Media pool has expanded. You can find us across most networks as @economybeyond on BlueSky, Threads, Mastodon and Instagram!
Also, remember that we are part of the BoardingArea community, bringing you the latest frequent flyer news from around the world.
Leave a Reply