Global Aircraft Seating Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032

Global Aircraft Seating Market Size

The global aircraft seating market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% in the forecast period of 2024-2032.

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Aircraft Seating Market Growth

The OEM Segment to Augment the Aircraft Seating Industry Growth

Based on end use, the OEM segment accounts for a significant share in the market. This can be attributed to the growing demand for new aircraft due to the increasing number of passengers, especially in rapidly developing regions like the Asia Pacific. As a result, the major aircraft producers around the world are receiving an increased number of orders from developing regions, which, in turn, is aiding the growth of the aircraft seating market. Moreover, countries like China and India are turning their attention towards developing the aviation industry owing to the exponential growth of air commuters in the two countries. This can prove to be a key driving factor for the aircraft seating industry globally.

Aircraft Seating Market Trends

Increasing Demand for IFEC Systems Integrated Seats to Bolster the Growth of the Aircraft Seating Industry

The growing demand for seats with in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC) systems has played a pivotal role in driving the growth of the market as a whole. All the major airlines are focusing on improving customer experience because of its benefits in the long run and providing safe and highly comfortable seats to travellers is a very important part of that. Hence, the rising acceptance of seats that can boast of integrated advanced features can prove to be a critical factor for the aircraft seating demand. Moreover, the premium airlines are insistent on choosing an aircraft cabin interior because of its positive impact on the traveller’s experience as a whole.

Over the forecast period, exponential growth of air traffic and the rising expenditure on premium travelling options are expected to help the market grow. This can be attributed to the rising income levels globally.

Recent Developments

Unum Aircraft Seating (Unum) announced that it has started the acquisition of a second Technical Standard Order (TSO) application for its product portfolio to meet the airline's needs. The company is also proceeding with the dynamic testing of its seats in a wide range of aircraft that can boost the aircraft seating market value.

Industry Outlook

The global market is driven by increasing air passenger traffic and the growing demand for lightweight, ergonomic seating solutions. These factors are essential in enhancing fuel efficiency and passenger comfort, contributing significantly to market expansion.

As per Airports Council International (ACI), the global air passenger traffic trends from 2019 to 2024 reveal significant regional variations, primarily driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery phases. As per the aircraft seating industry analysis, in 2019, the global air passenger count was 9,154 million. This number dramatically declined to 3,555 million in 2020, a decrease of 61.2% due to widespread travel restrictions and safety concerns. The recovery began in 2021 with a 30.5% increase, reaching 4,638 million passengers, and continued into 2022 with a rise to 6,644 million, marking a 43.3% increase. For 2024, projections indicate continued recovery with an estimated 9,368 million passengers, representing an 8.8% growth from 2023’ count of 8,611 million passengers.

North America experienced a 61.3% drop in air passenger traffic from 2,027 million in 2019 to 785 million in 2020. The region then saw a robust recovery with a 71.5% increase to 1,346 million in 2021 and a 34.2% rise to 1,806 million in 2022, which boosted the growth of the aircraft seating industry. By 2024, passenger numbers are expected to reach 2,103 million, with year-on-year growth rate of 4.0% from 2,023 million air passengers in 2023. The recovery has been driven by strong domestic travel and the early lifting of restrictions.

Asia Pacific experienced a sharp decline in air passenger traffic, dropping from 3,376 million in 2019 to 1,526 million in 2020, a 54.8% decrease. The region saw a marginal decline of 1.0% to 1,511 million in 2021 but rebounded with a 16.7% increase to 1,764 million in 2022. The passenger count is expected to rise to 3,361 million by 2024 from 2,948 million passengers in 2023, reflecting growth rates of 67.1% in 2023 and 14.0% in 2024, which can increase the aircraft seating industry revenue. This recovery is likely driven by swift pandemic responses and increasing domestic travel.

In Europe, air passenger numbers dropped from 2,428 million in 2019 to 755 million in 2020, a significant 68.9% decrease. The region began to recover with a 40.5% increase to 1,061 million in 2021 and an 81.4% rise to 1,925 million in 2022. In 2023, Europe saw a 20.4% growth in air passengers’ traffic which resulted in 2,318 million air passengers. By 2024, the passenger count is projected to reach 2,463 million. The recovery is driven by the reopening of borders and a resurgence in both leisure and business travel. In 2023 Latin America- Caribbean traffic stood at 707 million air passengers. By 2024, passenger numbers are expected to reach 759 million, reflecting a growth rate of 7.4%.  As per the aircraft seating market dynamics and trends, in the Middle East, air passenger traffic is projected to reach 429 million by 2024 from 394 million in 2023, with growth rates of 19.0% in 2023 and 8.9% in 2024. In Africa, in 2023, the number reached 221 million, showing robust growth rate of 23.5% in 2023 and it is projected to reach 253 million by growing 14.5% in 2024.

In terms of percentage share in the global number of air passengers, Asia Pacific held the largest share at 36.9% in 2019, which increased to 42.9% in 2020 due to varying recovery rates. By 2023, the share readjusted to 34.2% and is projected to be around 35.9% in 2024. Europe's share fluctuated, from 26.5% in 2019 to a low of 21.2% in 2020, stabilizing around 26.9% by 2023. North America's share increased to 29.0% in 2021 due to strong recovery, settling at 23.5% by 2023, which further boosts aircraft seating market share. Other regions like Latin America-Caribbean and the Middle East saw smaller but notable shifts in their percentage shares, reflecting their respective recovery paces. The robust recovery and projected growth in global air passenger traffic, particularly in regions like Asia Pacific and North America, directly drive the demand for advanced, ergonomic aircraft seating solutions, fueling the growth of the aircraft seating market.

Key Factors and Technological Advancements Driving Demand in the Global Aircraft Seating Market Share:

• Increasing air passenger traffic: Post-pandemic recovery and growth in global air travel drive the demand for more seating solutions.

• Technological advancements: Innovations in materials and designs enhance passenger comfort and fuel efficiency.

• Airline fleet expansion and retrofitting: Airlines are expanding fleets and upgrading existing aircraft to improve passenger experience.

• Rising demand for premium seating: Growing number of affluent travellers increases demand for business and first-class seats and aids aircraft seating demand growth.

What Challenges are Impacting the Global Aircraft Seating Market?

• Material Shortages: Scarcity of specialized materials, such as lightweight composites and advanced polymers, hampers the production of modern, fuel-efficient seats.

• Customization Demand: Airlines' increasing demand for highly customized seating solutions to enhance passenger experience and differentiate services strains manufacturers' capabilities and timelines.

• Certification Delays: Lengthy certification processes for new seating designs by aviation authorities like Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) slow down market introduction and revenue generation.

• Economic Fluctuations: Fluctuations in the global economy, particularly affecting the aviation industry’s financial health, result in inconsistent orders and investment in new seating technologies that can affect aircraft seating demand forecast.

Key Trends like Customization, Lightweight Materials, and More Shaping the Global Aircraft Seating Market

• Customization and personalization: Airlines are increasingly offering customized seating options to enhance passenger experience and brand differentiation.

• Lightweight materials: Advanced, lightweight materials in seat construction help reduce aircraft weight, improving fuel efficiency and reducing emissions.

• Smart seating technology: Integration of features like in-seat power, wireless charging, and adjustable comfort settings is becoming more common and boosting aircraft seating market opportunities

• Eco-friendly designs: Emphasis on sustainability drives the development of eco-friendly seating solutions, such as recyclable materials and reduced carbon footprints in production processes.

Competitive Factors in the Global Aircraft Seating Market

Competitive factors boosting the demand of aircraft seating market include the continuous innovation in seat design and technology, such as lightweight materials and smart features. Companies compete on customization capabilities, offering tailored solutions to meet specific airline requirements. Regulatory compliance and safety standards are critical, influencing market positioning. Additionally, cost efficiency in production and the ability to navigate supply chain complexities play significant roles in maintaining competitive advantage. Established players leverage their extensive experience and global reach to secure market share.

Key Players in the Global Aircraft Seating Market and their Strategic Initiatives

• Geven S.p.a.: Focuses on innovation and customization, offering a range of economy and business class seats designed for comfort and efficiency. They emphasize lightweight materials to enhance fuel efficiency.

• Thompson Aero Seating Limited: Specializes in premium seating solutions, including first-class and business-class seats. They invest in R&D to develop innovative seating configurations and enhance passenger comfort that can increase aircraft seating market revenue. 

• Aviointeriors S.p.A.: Known for its economy and premium economy seats, Aviointeriors prioritizes ergonomic design and lightweight construction. They also focus on sustainability by incorporating eco-friendly materials.

• Adient plc: Utilizes advanced manufacturing techniques to produce high-quality seats that meet stringent safety standards. They collaborate with major airlines to provide customized seating solutions.

• Collins Aerospace (Raytheon Technologies Corp.): Leverages its extensive aerospace expertise to offer a wide range of seating options, from economy to premium classes. Their strategic initiatives include integrating smart technologies and enhancing passenger experience through innovative designs.

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Aircraft Seating Industry Segmentations

Aircraft seats are a key part of an aircraft that determine the traveller’s safety and comfort during a journey. The main components of an aircraft seat are structure, foams, electrical fittings, and actuators. An aircraft seat is deemed to be safe if it retains its place and absorbs the intense shocks during a situation of impact.

By component, the market is divided into:

• Foam and Fitting

• Structure

• Actuators

• Others

The market is divided based on fit type into:

• Retro

• Line

On the basis of aircraft type, the aircraft seating industry can be categorised into:

• Wide Body Aircraft

• Very Large Aircraft

• Narrow Body Aircraft

• Regional Transport Aircraft

• Others

By end use, the market can be segmented into:

• Aftermarket

• OEM

• MRO

• Others

The regional markets for the product include North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Competitive Landscape

The report gives a detailed analysis of the following key players in the global aircraft seating market, covering their competitive landscape, capacity, and latest developments like mergers, acquisitions, and investments, expansions of capacity, and plant turnarounds:

• Geven S.p.A.

• Thompson Aero Seating Limited

• Aviointeriors S.p.A.

• Adient plc

• Collins Aerospace (Raytheon Technologies Corp.)

• Others

The comprehensive EMR report provides an in-depth assessment of the market based on the Porter's five forces model along with giving a SWOT analysis.

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Aircraft Seating Market Regional Analysis

North America to Provide Enhanced Growth Opportunities to the Aircraft Seating Industry

Region-wise, North America is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period owing to the thriving aviation industry in the region. Moreover, major original equipment manufacturers like Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation, Textron Inc., and Bombardier Inc. are all present in the region, which is expected to cause a surge in the market. Furthermore, the increased focus on passenger safety as well as the rising air traffic in the region are expected to be the key drivers of the aircraft seating industry.

Key Highlights of the Report

Aircraft Seating Market Report Snapshots

Aircraft Seating Market Size

Aircraft Seating Market Growth

Aircraft Seating Market Trends

Aircraft Seating Companies

Aircraft Seating Market Regional Analysis