Thompson Aero Seating adds VantageNOVA to the family
VantageNOVA in the herringbone configuration
Thompson Aero Seating has officially launched the VantageNOVA, a premium angled seat for twin-aisle aircraft. The VantageNOVA is the newest addition to the Vantage seating family.
“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,” said Ross Burns, Head of Industrial Design for Thompson Aero Seating.
The VantageNOVA
VantageNOVA allows the cabin to be optimized to the passenger demographic, Thompson Aero Seating said in its press release. Flexibility and adaptation are key, allowing airlines to explore the many different features of VantageNOVA, which is offerable from only a 40” pitch. The outboard column can be configured to herringbone or reverse herringbone, together with the centre double reverse-herringbone seats. The platform has been designed to be customized by the airline with choices across key zones, such as consoles, feature lights and upper stowages.
Ryan Graham, Principal Designer of Strategic Development at Thompson Aero Seating said, “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.”
Graham also said that with this large pitch range and the choice between herringbone and reverse-herringbone on the outboards, customers have more freedom of choice.
VantageNOVA seat configuration
VantageNOVA features new “slimline”’ single-skin overhung doors that maximize the passenger interior living space.
There are pre-configured stowages with both open and closed storage options, a large bi-fold table and a customizable 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 inches. The VantageNOVA includes pivoting monitors, which allow the passenger to configure the space to their own needs, maximizing the volume in the suite while working on a laptop, viewing their device or sleeping.
The seats are also available with a Zero-G position, tilting and lowering the body while raising the legs. 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.
Facing away from the aisle, the dropping armrest allows passengers to customize their own space, including an extended console surface and additional stowages.
With a launch customer already secured, Thompson anticipates the first delivery in 2026. Testing will take place at Thompson’s own on-site Dynamic Test Facility, reducing development time and increasing sustainability.
Premium front row – “first class for free”
VantageNOVA includes Thompson’s signature “first class for free” option, allowing airlines the opportunity to provide enhanced front rows offering a First Class or Business Class-plus experience at the same density as the rest of the Business Class cabin.
The seat was first unveiled at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2024 in Hamburg. An official launch will begin in time for AIX 2025.
“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 sea,” said Andy Morris, Chief Commercial Officer for Thompson Aero Seating.
