China Southern Airlines’ first aircraft fully equipped with Recaro seats made its maiden flight on July 3rd, flying from Guangzhou to Shanghai Hongqiao. It is the first of 20 China Southern A350-900 aircraft with a full cabin of Recaro seats.
Business class features Recaro’s all-new Recaro CL6710 seats, while premium economy and economy class are fitted with Recaro’s PL3530 and CL3710.
On the maiden flight of China Southern’s brand-new A350-900 to Shanghai, passengers got to experience Recaro comfort in all three classes – economy, premium economy and business class.
China Southern Airlines’ A350-900 business class with Recaro CL6710 seats. Image: Recaro
The business class of this new A350 is fitted with all-new Recaro CL6710 seats in a staggered 1-2-1 configuration. This gives all passengers direct access to the aisles. It is also the first linefit program for the CL6710 seat on a A350 platform. The CL6710 business class seat can be reclined into a full flatbed, offers plenty of space to the passenger and ample storage. The 18.5” monitor also provides gate-to-gate inflight entertainment.
The new aircraft’s premium economy and economy class cabins are outfitted with Recaro’s PL3530 and CL3710, respectively. The PL3530 provides premium economy passengers with ergonomic seating positions, exceptional living space and additional stowage options at a very comfortable 38” pitch. In addition, PL3530’s individually-adjustable calf rest contributes to an extra measure of comfort.
China Southern Airlines’ A350-900 premium economy class with Recaro PL3530 seats. Image: Recaro
At the same time, the CL3710 also offers passengers in economy class ergonomic comfort. The seat’s patented six-way headrest and neck support ensures optimal use for both shorter and taller passengers. Topped with a state-of-the-art inflight entertainment systems and USB outlets, this seat is one of the best in its class.
“China Southern, the biggest Airlines in APAC, equips 20 of its A350-900 aircraft with full cabin Recaro seats; saying I am proud would be an understatement,” says Dr. Mark Hiller, Recaro’s CEO and Shareholder. “We are very happy to contribute to the satisfaction of China Southern passengers by combining lightweight design with seating comfort and quality. As two strong and reliable brands, we both aim to always deliver the absolute best to our customers – whether it be in business, premium economy or economy class.”
China Southern Airlines is China’s largest carrier, with over 840 passenger and cargo transport aircraft. It operates more than 3,000 daily flights to 224 destinations in 40 countries and regions across the world.
About Recaro Aircraft Seating
Recaro Aircraft Seating sees itself as a solution provider for its customers. As a global supplier of premium aircraft seats for airlines and OEMs, the company reported a growth averaging 10% over the past 15 years. Recaro employs over 2600 people worldwide and neared €600 million in sales in 2018. It is the global market leader in the economy class seating. To secure its strategic expansion, Recaro is investing hundreds of millions in product innovation in business class seating. Over the next 5 years, it will also invest in significantly expanding its headquarters in Schwaebisch Hall as well as its sites in China, Poland and the USA. With this, Recaro consistently underpins its corporate vision of “Driving comfort in the sky”.
The aim: become market leader in economy and business class seating while maintaining a permanent customer focus.
About Recaro Group
The Recaro Group comprises the independently operating divisions Recaro Aircraft Seating in Schwaebisch Hall and Recaro eGaming in Stuttgart as well as the Recaro Holding located in Stuttgart. The Group’s consolidated sales amounted to 600 million euros in 2018. Currently the Group employs more than 2,700 employees at its locations around the world. The automotive seating business as well as the child seat and stroller business are operated by licensees.
