easyJet to introduce lighter seats with more legroom from 2028

easyJet has announced plans to introduce a new generation of ultra-lightweight seats across its future Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft, starting from 2028.

 

The new “Kestrel” seats, developed by UK manufacturer Mirus Aircraft Seating, are over 20% lighter than current models and will offer passengers up to two inches of additional legroom without changing seat pitch.

The weight reduction is expected to deliver significant environmental benefits, with estimated annual savings of more than 40,000 tonnes of CO2 across the fleet. For larger aircraft, each plane could see weight reductions of up to 500 kg, contributing to lower fuel consumption and improved operational efficiency.

Designed for short- and medium-haul travel, the seats feature an ergonomic and pre-reclined structure aimed at improving passenger comfort, including better knee and shin clearance.

Sustainability has also been a key focus in the design, with the seats built using low-maintenance components and up to 98% recyclable materials, extending their lifecycle and reducing long-term environmental impact.

The rollout will form part of easyJet’s broader strategy to reduce emissions through incremental efficiency improvements, including fleet renewal, lighter aircraft paint, sharklet upgrades and operational optimisations.

The airline currently has 237 Airbus aircraft on order, which will gradually be equipped with the new seating configuration.