EasyJet will fit hundreds of new planes with slimline economy seats offering passengers two extra inches of legroom.
New slimline seats provide more legroom but cannot be reclined
From 2028, Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft in the airline’s fleet will feature the all-new Kestrel seat, designed by British manufacturer Mirus Aircraft Seating.
The thinner carbon-fibre design allows passengers’ hips and spine to tuck further back, freeing up additional space for knees and shins without reducing the number of seats on the plane.
Kenton Jarvis, easyJet’s CEO, said: “We’ve always had very comfortable leg room in easyJet. This product is exceptionally comfortable, exceptionally light and allows a configuration that creates more space for the customer in the cabin.”
Standard easyJet economy seats typically provide 28 to 29 inches of space, leaving taller passengers cramped, while most long-haul flights offer 31 to 34 inches.
The Kestrel seat includes a fixed recline of 22 degrees, designed to guide passengers into the most efficient position and avoid inconveniencing the person behind. Manual reclining will not be possible.
David Morgan, easyJet’s chief operating officer, added: “We are delighted to be introducing the Mirus Kestrel seat across our future fleet. On top of the sustainability benefits, the additional legroom and enhanced comfort these seats will provide will also deliver an improved onboard experience for our customers which we know they’ll love.”
The new seats will not be retrofitted to easyJet’s existing 350-plane fleet due to the high costs of replacing “perfectly good” seating.
EasyJet’s longest flight, a six-hour, 2,400-mile journey between London Gatwick and Sal in Cape Verde, will operate with these non-reclining seats, which also lack in-flight entertainment, WiFi, or power sockets.
The Kestrel design is intended to balance comfort, efficiency, and sustainability, giving passengers slightly more space without reducing airline capacity.