Low-fare carrier Frontier Airlines has unveiled details of its latest action to reduce the company’s environmental footprint with a new aircraft seat design that will feature a 30% weight reduction over existing seats.
The seats are the latest measure in a variety of other fuel savings initiatives from America’s Greenest Airline. The new seats will also offer extra comfort and larger tray tables versus earlier designs.
The new seats will be featured on 156 Airbus aircraft currently on order and scheduled for delivery beginning in March 2021.
The seats are part of a major deal between Recaro Aircraft Seating, part of Germany’s world-renowned seat design and manufacturing company Recaro Group, and Indigo Partners, which owns a portfolio of airlines including Frontier.
“Frontier Airlines is committed to maintaining our position as America’s Greenest Airline and our current fleet is 43% more fuel efficient on average than other U.S. airlines,” said Barry Biffle, CEO of Frontier Airlines. “The lighter weight Recaro seats will result in tens of thousands of gallons of fuel savings on a single aircraft while improving comfort. Less fuel means reduced operating costs which translates to savings that we can pass on to consumers in the form of low fares.”
On an average Airbus A321 aircraft, the fuel savings equates to 31,683 gallons per year. Based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency equivalency calculators, the fuel savings provided by the new seats across the 156 aircraft over the course of a year is equal to the elimination of approximately 642 million plastic bottles, or more than 1.1 billion plastic bags, or more than 15 billion plastic straws from the environment.
Frontier has the largest A320neo fleet in the U.S. The use of these aircraft, Frontier’s seating configuration, weight-saving tactics and baggage process have all contributed to the airline’s average of 43% fuel savings compared to other U.S. airlines (fuel savings is based on Frontier Airlines’ 2019 fuel consumption per seat-mile compared to the weighted average of major U.S. airlines), which makes Frontier the most fuel-efficient U.S. airline.
The new seats will feature extra comfort, along with redesigned armrests and a larger tray table that will provide added space for laptops, reading materials and other personal devices.
Dr. Mark Hiller, CEO and Shareholder of Recaro Aircraft Seating, said, “Collaborating with Frontier Airlines for the first time has been considered a tremendous success, and we look forward to installing our SL3710 seats in early 2021. Just like Frontier, Recaro is focused on making flying a sustainable experience by developing lightweight and comfortable seats that contribute to savings in fuel consumption. I am confident this is the beginning of a long-term partnership.”
The order encompasses approximately 32,600 seats installed on Frontier aircraft. The new Recaro seats are expected to begin rolling out with the delivery of an A320neo in March 2021 with implementation completed by mid-2027.
