Uzbekistan Airways has become the launch customer for Jiatai’s JT220B Premium electrically actuated business class seat, selecting the platform for more than ten new Airbus A321neo aircraft. Each seat will feature a 16” inflight entertainment screen. The airline has also selected Jiatai’s JT520E economy class seats for the forthcoming twinjets.

Inked on June 15, the agreement represents Jiatai’s first aircraft seating order in Central Asia. And it comes at a time when Uzbekistan Airways is working to enhance its service and provide greater comfort to passengers. For example, the airline will also bring broadband inflight connectivity to the A321neos under Airbus’ linefit, supplier-furnished HBCplus IFC program. Neo Space Group will serve as aero ISP, utilizing the SES hybrid Ka-band Open Orbits network.

The carrier’s planned comfort enhancements extend to large, seatback IFE in business class aboard the new A321neos, with a Jiatai spokesperson confirming that: “The JT220B Premium selected by Uzbekistan Airways will feature a 16-inch IFE screen.”

The first shipset for this program is scheduled to be delivered in March 2028. And the A321neos will be delivered to the carrier in 2028 and beyond. But head impact criterion (HIC) testing for the integrated JT220B Premium seat and IFE configuration will get underway long before then, with the company spokesperson telling RGN that HIC testing “is expected to begin in December 2026.”

The JT220B Premium is an electrically actuated upgrade of Jiatai’s mechanical JT220B platform. While Uzbekistan Airways’ seat is largely consistent with the seat displayed by Jiatai at the 2026 Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, it features some enhancements to its functionality.

Uzbekistan Airways’ iteration includes integrated reading and ambient lighting, fixed privacy dividers, headrest wings and an enhanced-comfort cushion. The seat will also feature “a generous seat pitch and zero-gravity seating position,” Jiatai says, whilst demurring on seat width and pitch specifics, citing customer confidentiality.

Wireless charging is available as an optional feature across the JT220B Premium product platform, alongside USB-A and USB-C charging ports.

“Passenger comfort and service quality remain among the key priorities for Uzbekistan Airways. We are continuously renewing our fleet and working to create an onboard environment that meets the evolving expectations of today’s travelers,” says Uzbekistan Airways chairman Shukhrat Khudaykulov.

“Equipping our new Airbus A321neo aircraft with modern business- and economy-class seats is another step in this direction. We believe these new solutions will make the journey even more comfortable and enjoyable for our passengers.”

Welcoming Uzbekistan Airways as the launch customer for Jiatai’s JT220B Premium electric seat, Jiatai chairman Liu Jingfeng says the seatmaker is “committed to developing business-class seating solutions that combine comfort, privacy and thoughtful functionality.”

To that end, Jiatai is keeping its finger on the pulse of key trends in industry.

While the privacy divider on the current JT220B platform is fixed, and electrically operated privacy dividers are not currently featured on its seat products, the firm tells RGN it will “of course, continue to follow evolving airline requirements and market interest in this area.”

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All images credited to Jiatai