July 2 2026  |  Seating

Unum bridges premium passenger expectations and sustainable design

This is a special feature from the June/July 2026 Seating & IFEC issue of PAX Tech, on page 18.

Unum One Business Class seats on A330 aircraft

Unum Aircraft Seating’s VP Business Development, Alan McInnes, has long emphasized airline demand for increased capacity in the premium seating sector.

“Airlines are clamoring for more capacity in Business Class. That has not changed in six years,” he says.

As McInnes tells PAX Tech, the supplier’s presence at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) 2026 focused on strengthening its flagship product, Unum One, including versions for A330 and 787 aircraft, an optimized 787 variant and a single-aisle offering. 

Alan McInnes, VP Business Development, Unum Aircraft Seating, at AIX 2026 in Hamburg, Germany

Featuring Unum’s patented Scimitar mechanism, the lightweight Unum One Business Class lie-flat seat offers airline customers infinite adjustability and excellent zero gravity benefits. 2026 marks Unum’s first certified A330 deliveries, with 787 certification to follow.

McInnes cites sustainability and premiumization as the two seating trends rising to the top.

“The trend that we have talked about over the last 18 months has been premiumization throughout the cabin,” he points out. “Unum is Business Class only, but we are seeing premiumization through enhanced pitch in Economy Class and investment in Premium Economy seats—and that is flowing through to Business Class as well.”

He continues, “We are proud to have one of the lightest-weight Business Class seats available,” he says of the Unum One and Unum Two products. “The price of jet fuel over the last month makes the business case that we provide even more compelling.” 

Unum’s patented Scimitar mechanism, the lightweight Unum One Business Class lie-flat seat offers airline customers infinite adjustability and excellent zero gravity benefits

Pointing to the booth’s “Sustainability Corner,” McInnes highlights Unum’s commitment to responsibly manufacturing. The segment features a range of products from Unum’s supply chain, incuding partners such as Schneller, Kydex and Muirhead. These collaborations focus on materials that reduce carbon emissions and improve end-of-life recyclability. 

Unum Two Business Class seats on A350 aircraft

“You have to think about sustainability before you start, because it is very difficult in aviation to introduce it midway through a program,” McInnes explains. “At Unum, we have considered sustainability from the very beginning. In 15 years' time, when our first seats come to the end of their life, there will be a route to recyclability. That is part of the reliably, comfortably, responsibly made message.”

Unum’s 787 launch customer, TAAG Angola, the national carrier of Angola, is set to takeoff with Unum One Business Class seats in 2027. The company’s A330 launch customer is Wamos Air, which will introduce Unum’s seats by the end of this year.

Unum Aircraft Seating