Thompson Aero Seating launches VantageNOVA First

Thompson Aero Seating will be officially launching its stunning new VantageNOVA First at AIX 2025. Seamlessly incorporated into the front row of the VantageNOVA platform, this enhanced business-class experience offers first-class appeal. The clever configuration of the suite environment provides a greater sense of space and luxury, within the same footprint as an all-business-class cabin. 

Andy Morris, Chief Commercial Officer, Thompson Aero Seating, stated: “We are incredibly proud of the market’s response to our VantageNOVA platform. The launch of VantageNOVA First offers airlines even greater opportunity to provide truly unique experiences for their passengers.”

Ingenious star configuration 

Thompson has utilised the reverse herringbone central column to maximum effect to create an ingenious Star Configuration, providing the opportunity for four passengers travelling together to enjoy a truly unique quad experience. With the seats oriented towards the centre of the aircraft, four passengers can dine or socialise in a comfortable, practical and friendly setting for relaxed conversation. The result is a flight experience like no other, with no impact to the cabin density.

To make this possible, Thompson has created secondary seating areas, or ‘buddy seats’, in the front row. A custom-designed automatic divider retracts downwards to unite neighbouring suites and an innovative mechanism connects two tables in the centre to form one large bespoke surface, which can be activated either by the passenger or by cabin crew.

The outboard columns of the Vantage NOVA First enhanced front row can similarly be used for dual socialising and dining, with a buddy seat and a choice of either herringbone or reverse herringbone seating arrangements. In Bed Mode, the privacy divider can be raised and the secondary dual purpose seating areas provide an extended sleep surface for passengers to rest.

While the structure is seamlessly integrated within the business-class cabin, the CMF highlights the enhanced nature of the VantageNOVA First with a colour-break as a strong visual indicator to distinguish between the cabins. Heightened levels of luxury are presented in the VantageNOVA First with custom-created console counter tops, while distinctive, welcoming, premium-grade leather, expertly tailored throughout the seating areas, radiates warmth and sumptuousness.  The team at Thompson look forward to welcoming visitors to stand 7A02 at AIX to provide personal tours of the seating options displayed, including the VantageNOVA First.

Added Features of the Vantage NOVA First 

• Large stowage, designed to fit a mid-size carry on
• Deployable cocktail table and integrated wireless phone charger.
• A wide variety of carefully considered customisable stowage areas
• Selection of lighting options including ambient, feature and mood lights
• 32” IFE monitor integration enabled
• Manual or automatic suite doors
• Extended sleeping surfaces 
• Optional features include ‘zero G’ seat mechanism, seat heating and cooling