Air France Unveils New Seats for HOP’s E190 Aircraft, Business Class Aisle Seats to Remain Vacant

Air France has announced the introduction of new seats for the Embraer E190 aircraft operated by its regional carrier, HOP. These were unveiled at the Aircraft Interior Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany, where a mock-up was presented.

The seats, developed by French company Expliseat for short-to-medium-haul flights, are the world’s first adoption of the ‘TiSeat 2X’. By using ultra-lightweight carbon and titanium, and minimal plastic, a 30% reduction in weight compared to traditional seats has been achieved. They are designed with leather and ergonomics in mind to enhance comfort. The seats come equipped with a tablet holder, two cup holders, USB-A, and USB-C power outlets. A large table is included, sized to accommodate laptops. The seats are manufactured in Angers, France.

As part of an investment of approximately 20 million euros, these seats will begin to be operated from October. The seating configuration will be ‘2-2’ with a total of 110 seats, each having a width of 46 cm and a seat pitch of 30 inches. Similar to the Airbus A220 aircraft, the color scheme will feature Air France’s custom blue, white, and red. The headrests will be embroidered with the airline’s trademark accent.

Although currently operated in a single class, from January 2025, the business class in the front will keep the aisle seats vacant. The number of seats designated as business class will vary by flight. Refurbishments will be carried out at the maintenance facility in Clermont-Ferrand, with the aim of completing the introduction across all 25 aircraft by May 2025.