RECARO Aircraft Seating (RECARO) was selected by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KLM) in 2022 to equip the cabins of their new A321neo aircraft with R1 and R2 seats. Seat deliveries began in 2023, and today, passengers had the opportunity to experience the new cabin during the inaugural flight from Hamburg to Amsterdam.
For 25 years, RECARO and KLM have partnered together to bring passengers enhanced comfort in-flight and this tradition continues with the R1 and R2 seats. Debossed with the KLM logo, both seat types feature a customized backrest developed specifically for KLM that integrates a BYOD holder directly into the backrest along with a USB-C power port. To increase passenger comfort and provide additional space in Economy Class, KLM also opted for an enlarged table on the R1, exclusive to KLM Group aircraft.
To enhance sustainability, seat dress covers are crafted with one of the lightest weight synthetic leathers on the market. In addition, the redesigned backrests allow for enhanced passenger comfort while reducing seat weight through removal of the traditional high literature pocket.
Configured in a hybrid layout, the aircraft is fully equipped with RECARO seating, featuring 36 R2 seats in the European-style Business Class cabin and 191 R1 seats in Economy Class.
“Our collaboration with KLM to bring customized R1 and R2 seats to their passengers showcases the importance of developing seating that meets both customer needs and passengers comfort,” said Dr. Mark Hiller, CEO of RECARO Aircraft Seating and RECARO Holding. “I am confident that our seats will bring an enhanced level of comfort to passengers and sustainability to KLM for years to come. Congratulations on your inaugural flight.”
“We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone with RECARO, a partner with whom we have shared a 25-year journey of enhancing passenger comfort,” says Marjan Rintel, CEO of KLM. “I have been looking forward to this moment and am very curious to see how our passengers will experience the new A321neo. The innovative R1 and R2 seats represent a significant step forward in providing a comfortable travel experience."
Established in 1919, KLM is the world’s oldest airline still operating under the same name and connects 34 million passengers annually with 167 cities across the world.
