Thompson Aero Seating has officially launched its new premium angled seat for twin-aisle aircraft, VantageNOVA.
Thompson Aero Seating says its VantageNOVA is offerable from only a 40” pitch, allowing the cabin to be optimised to the passenger demographic. The different features of VantageNOVA include an outboard column that can be configured to herringbone or reverse herringbone, together with the centre double reverse-herringbone seats and customisation choices across key zones such as consoles, feature lights and upper stowages.
Ross Burns, Head of Industrial Design for Thompson Aero Seating commented: “The VantageNOVA is Thompson’s first angled twin-aisle offering, bringing together our extensive knowledge of twin-aisle products with the experience from our VantageSOLO angled seat for the single-aisle market. We have developed the VantageNOVA from the ground-up to be totally passenger-centred, coupled with an emphasis on ‘residential’ style-cues and exceedingly high comfort levels. The design team has spent many hours sculpting the surfaces to form an elegant and sophisticated silhouette.”
Thompson has secured a launch customer for the product and is currently progressing well for the first delivery in 2026. Testing will take place at the company’s own on-site Dynamic Test Facility.
Ryan Graham, Principal Designer of Strategic Development at Thompson Aero Seating noted: “The impetus for the development of the VantageNOVA platform was to explore the wider twin-aisle platforms to achieve a seat-offering with a pitch as low as 40”, without compromising on the passenger experience.
“Through the careful crafting of the 40” living space however, we achieved more than just a great high-density product. The efficiencies found at 40” are only amplified at more premium pitch ranges, offering a very compelling new product, wherever our customers choose to position it. This large pitch range, coupled with the choice between herringbone and reverse-herringbone on the outboards, offers our customers the most freedom of choice and maximises our ability to meet any specific requirements we encounter with the VantageNOVA platform.”
Thompson Aero Seating has shared the details of VantageNOVA seat configuration which include:
- Overhung doors: New ‘slimline’ single-skin overhung doors maximise the passenger interior living space.
- Thoughtful amenities: There are preconfigured stowages with both open and closed storage options, a large bi-fold table and a customisable console area. The centre seat-pairs feature a full-width privacy screen. Wireless charging and a wide range of outlet options are provided, along with in-suite mood lighting and IFE monitors up to 24”.
- Perfect positioning: The seats are also available with a Zero-G position, tilting and lowering the body while raising the legs, the most relaxing position for the heart.
- Pivotal thinking: The VantageNOVA includes pivoting monitors, which in addition to offering gate-to-gate IFE also allow the passenger to configure the space to their own needs, maximising the volume in the suite while working on a laptop, viewing their device or sleeping.
- Outbound herringbone highlights: With the herringbone configuration for the outboard column (adjacent to the window), the passenger is positioned away from the aisle for further privacy, together with an extended sleeping surface.
- Outbound reverse herringbone highlights: Facing away from the aisle, the dropping armrest allows passengers to customise their own space, including an extended console surface and additional stowages.
Thompson’s ‘First Class for Free’ concept, which it introduced nearly ten years ago, is now an established Thompson signature product, and VantageNOVA also includes this option, allowing airlines the opportunity to provide enhanced front rows offering a first-class/business-class-plus experience at the same density as the rest of the business-class cabin.
Andy Morris, Chief Commercial Officer for Thompson Aero Seating, said: “This is a hugely exciting time for Thompson. The new VantageNOVA has created a massive buzz and the timing could not be better as the industry rebounds post-pandemic, with unprecedented orders for twin-aisle aircraft. The programme with our launch customer is progressing well, and discussions are ongoing with several other potential customers keen to discuss the options and discover how they and their passengers could benefit from this innovative seat”.
