MHI RJ and Expliseat today announced a strategic collaboration that will make Expliseat’s next-generation lightweight seating available to CRJ operators. Through the agreement, Expliseat becomes positioned as a seating supplier for the platform, expanding the portfolio of cabin solutions supported by MHI RJ.
The CRJ* platform will benefit from Expliseat’s proprietary composite seating technology, which delivers weight savings of more than 1,000 lb for a typical configuration while providing passenger comfort and operational durability. Its carbon fibre and titanium architecture lowers aircraft weight, supporting reduced fuel consumption and CO₂ emissions throughout the aircraft’s operational life.
The collaboration combines MHI RJ’s deep OEM knowledge of the CRJ aircraft with Expliseat’s proven expertise in lightweight seating, already flying on Airbus, Embraer, ATR and Dash 8 aircraft worldwide.
“This collaboration allows Expliseat to expand its footprint across one of the world’s most widely operated regional jet platforms,” said Antonio Ficca, VP Strategy and Marketing, Expliseat. “The CRJ fleet is predominantly based in North America, where we already have an established presence, and this agreement supports our growth ambitions in the US regional market.”
“This agreement reflects MHIRJ’s commitment to enhancing the CRJ platform through solutions that protect fleet value and optimize performance for our customers, and continue to strengthen its competitiveness in the regional aviation market,” said Craig Allan, Vice-President, Supply Chain and Manufacturing, MHI RJ.
It further strengthens MHIRJ’s strategy of expanding the aftermarket solutions available to CRJ operators, reflecting the growing role of lightweight, premium cabins in one of the world’s most successful regional aircraft families.
About Expliseat
Expliseat is the global leader in lightweight aircraft seating, engineering solutions that combine performance, elegance, and measurable airline value. With more than 250 aircraft flying across 25+ airlines in operation and over 80 million flight hours, Expliseat has moved beyond lightweight innovation to deliver strategic impact for airlines worldwide – enhancing passenger comfort while improving operational efficiency and environmental performance.
Founded in 2011, Expliseat is marking its 15th anniversary in 2026 as a well-established French aerospace manufacturer employing over 150 people. The company designs and produces the lightest aircraft seats in the world, up to 30% lighter than traditional models, leveraging advanced titanium and carbon fiber alloy technologies to ensure durability, sustainability, and
lifecycle predictability.Recognized by all major original equipment manufacturers, including Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, ATR, and Bombardier, Expliseat serves a growing international customer base across Europe, North America, the Middle East, and the Pacific. Trusted by leading operators such as Air Canada, Porter, Air France, Jazeera Airways, and Air Tahiti, Expliseat continues to scale its industrial capabilities and expand into new cabin segments, positioning itself as a long-term strategic partner in aircraft interior performance.
About MHI RJ Aviation Group
The MHI RJ Aviation Group (MHIRJ) is a global leader in the CRJ Series* aircraft, delivering end-to-end expertise from design and certification through to in-service support. Its integrated solutions help operators keep fleets flying safely, efficiently and reliably worldwide. Headquartered in the Montréal area, Canada, MHIRJ operates a global network of service centres, support offices, and engineering facilities strategically located across key aviation hubs in the U.S., Canada, and Germany, ensuring responsive, end-to-end support to operators worldwide. MHIRJ also has a state of the art distribution centre located in the Dallas area, Texas. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., the MHI RJ Aviation Group includes MHI RJ Aviation ULC (Canada), MHI RJ Aviation Inc. (U.S.), and MHI RJ Aviation GmbH (Germany)
*CRJ and CRJ Series are trademarks of MHI RJ Aviation ULC or its affiliates.
All images credited to Expliseat
