Shipsets are rolling off the production lines at the new Acro headquarters in Crick, Northamptonshire as, post pandemic, the company has picked up pace on fulfilment of a 5,670 pax order for flyadeal, the new low-cost airline owned by Saudi flag carrier, Saudia.
The airline, based at the King Abdulaziz International Airport, Jeddah, expects to double in size this year, and has fleet growth firmly in view to service its fast-expanding network to domestic and international destinations across the Middle East. The Acro seating contract is for linefit of thirty Airbus A320neo aircraft, with options for a further twenty A320neo.
Commenting on the contract, Acro CEO Neil Cairns said: “The flyadeal approach to low cost coupled with high value is already setting new standards in the sector with stunning cabin interiors created for its all-new fleet. We’re proud to be working in partnership with the flyadeal team to create uniquely comfortable and super-stylish seating which will help realise the airline’s confident brand promise to ‘put a smile on the face’ of its passengers and we look forward to completing delivery on schedule in 2025.”
Acro Series 6 seating will be used throughout the aircraft, with a premium version, complete with extra comfort covers and styling detail, on the first four and two Over Wing Exit rows. A new Fixed Recline version of Series 6 was exclusively engineered for flyadeal, with 30” pitch for first 4 rows, 36” pitch for 2 OWE rows and 28 to 29” pitch range in the remainder of the cabin; maximising use of cabin space without compromising passenger comfort.
The contemporary and clean lines of economy seating are enhanced with chic faux leather covers in flyadeal’s distinctive purple, complemented with lime green piping detail and subtle custom logo debossing. Premium seating features extra comfort cover with custom diamond stitch pattern and logo embossing cushions in the airline’s striking purple and lime colours with magenta piping detail.
Throughout, travellers will enjoy thoughtful design touches such as upper literature pocket, a lower net literature pocket stowage, single leaf sliding table with cup recess and USB A power supply. To minimise intrusion on passengers’ personal space a crew step is fitted on all seats.
Welcoming delivery of the seat, which is already earning acclaim, Mike Hewitt, flyadeal’s COO said: “We are delighted at how well our new seat has been received by our customers since inauguration into service of the first of our A320 NEO aircraft in 2021. The streamlined design of the Acro seat coupled with our customised seat dress cover has enabled us to optimise seating capacity onboard whilst ensuring passenger comfort was not compromised. Our new seat strongly complements the unique look and feel of our overall cabin experience.”
Featured image credited to Acro