RECARO Aircraft Seating announced an innovative trial with Iberia. Set to launch in one of the Iberia A320neo cabins this spring, passengers may recognize more sustainable seating features in their hybrid cabin equipped with R1 and R2 economy class seating. As part of a RECARO offered mod 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 that collaborates 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: 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. 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.
Dr. Mark Hiller, CEO of RECARO Aircraft Seating and RECARO Holding commented: “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.”
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.
Each feature can be found in the R Sphere Sustainable Concept Seat developed by RECARO which has been nominated as a finalist for the 2026 Crystal Cabin Award. This reflection of the seat’s innovative vision of seating can be seen during the Aircraft Interiors Expo taking place in Hamburg this April with winners being announced at the awards ceremony on April 14, 2026.
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