VantageNOVA: the latest star of the show for Thompson

Thompson Aero Seating officially launches the much-anticipated VantageNOVA, an innovative, premium angled seat for twin-aisle aircraft. The VantageNOVA is the newest addition to the highly successful Vantage seating family. The VantageNOVA: optimise, configure, customise: offerable from only a 40” pitch, the VantageNOVA allows the cabin to be optimised to the passenger demographic. Flexibility and adaptation are key, allowing airlines to explore the many different features of VantageNOVA. The outboard column can be configured to herringbone or reverse herringbone, together with the centre double reverse-herringbone seats. The platform has been designed to be customised by the airline with choices across key zones, such as consoles, feature lights and upper stowages. First unveiled at the 2024 Hamburg Aircraft Interiors Expo, many customers commented that this seat was the star of the entire Show, and an official launch will begin in time for AIX 2025. 

Ross Burns, Head of Industrial Design for Thompson Aero Seating, commented: “The VantageNOVA is Thompson’s first angled twin-aisle offering, bringing together our extensive knowledge of twin-aisle products with the experience from our VantageSOLO angled seat for the single-aisle market. We have developed the VantageNOVA from the ground-up to be totally passenger-centred, coupled with an emphasis on ‘residential’ style-cues and exceedingly high comfort levels. The design team has spent many hours sculpting the surfaces to form an elegant and sophisticated silhouette.”

Ryan Graham, Principal Designer of Strategic Development at Thompson Aero Seating said: “The impetus for the development of the VantageNOVA platform was to explore the wider twin-aisle platforms to achieve a seat-offering with a pitch as low as 40”, without compromising on the passenger experience. Through the careful crafting of the 40” living space however, we achieved more than just a great high-density product. The efficiencies found at 40” are only amplified at more premium pitch ranges, offering a very compelling new product, wherever our customers choose to position it. This large pitch range, coupled with the choice between herringbone and reverse-herringbone on the outboards, offers our customers the most freedom of choice and maximises our ability to meet any specific requirements we encounter with the VantageNOVA platform.”

Andy Morris, Chief Commercial Officer for Thompson Aero Seating, stated: “This is a hugely exciting time for Thompson. The new VantageNOVA has created a massive buzz and the timing could not be better as the industry rebounds post-pandemic, with unprecedented orders for twin-aisle aircraft. The programme with our launch customer is progressing well, and discussions are ongoing with several other potential customers keen to discuss the options and discover how they and their passengers could benefit from this innovative seat”.

VantageNOVA Seat Configuration

Overhung doors 

New ‘slimline’ single-skin overhung doors maximise the passenger interior living space.

Thoughtful amenities 

There are preconfigured stowages with both open and closed storage options, a large bi-fold table and a customisable console area. The centre seat-pairs feature a full-width privacy screen. Wireless charging and a wide range of outlet options are provided, along with in-suite mood lighting and IFE monitors up to 24”. 

Perfect positioning

The seats are also available with a Zero-G position, tilting and lowering the body while raising the legs, the most relaxing position for the heart.

Pivotal thinking 

The VantageNOVA includes pivoting monitors, which in addition to offering gate-to-gate IFE also allow the passenger to configure the space to their own needs, maximising the volume in the suite while working on a laptop, viewing their device or sleeping. 

Outbound herringbone highlights

With the herringbone configuration for the outboard column (adjacent to the window), the passenger is positioned away from the aisle for further privacy, together with an extended sleeping surface.

Outbound reverse herringbone highlights

Facing away from the aisle, the dropping armrest allows passengers to customise their own space, including an extended console surface and additional stowages.

Certification

With a launch customer already secured, Thompson is currently well progressed for the first delivery in 2026. Testing will take place at Thompson’s own on-site Dynamic Test Facility, reducing development time and increasing sustainability.

Premium front row – ‘first class for free’

One of Thompson’s iconic industry innovations was the ‘First Class for Free’ concept introduced nearly ten years ago. Now a well and truly established Thompson signature product, VantageNOVA also includes this option, allowing airlines the opportunity to provide enhanced front rows offering a first-class/business-class-plus experience at the same density as the rest of the business-class cabin.