RECARO Rail to showcase VELA seating platform at InnoTrans 2026
RECARO Rail's VELA seating headrest
RECARO Rail will showcase its VELA seating platform for attendees during the 2026 InnoTrans Expo. Visitors will have the opportunity to experience the seat firsthand in two locations – the RECARO Rail booth and at a soon to be announced customer cabin car.
With the successful completion of the VELA seating platform, first serial deliveries are commencing this year, the September 22 press release said. The VELA features an ergonomically designed backrest and headrest for a more relaxed passenger experience. To further increase passenger comfort and space, each seat comes equipped with a five-stage recline system and a fixed back shell design to preserve passenger space when other passengers are in the recline position. The seat also has a larger living space due to its curved back shell design – a design that follows the traditional design language seen throughout RECARO seating solutions – for a roomier, more lightweight seat. Lastly, VELA features a large tray table with three built-in size options for passengers who bring their own devices.
This newest seating addition represents another step in RECARO Rail’s commitment to combining passenger comfort, lightweight design, ergonomics and sustainability, while meeting the increasing expectations of modern railway operators.
To meet growing industry demand, the RECARO Rail team has grown by 50 percent over the past year and has nearly doubled their order intake this year when compared to previous years – preparing them for long-term growth. This growth has allowed for an additional assembly line to be opened along with the introduction of more production shifts to accommodate industry needs. In addition, the facility has implemented more lean manufacturing principles, Kanban production systems, organizational restructuring and the incorporation of an advanced Warehouse Management System to optimize operational efficiency, increase production flexibility, and ensure sustainable scalability. At the same time, the Rail team has invested significantly in Engineering capacity to increase R&D competences and bring more innovative products into cabin cars.
All these changes have significantly increased manufacturing capacity and a close collaboration between RECARO Holding and the RECARO Aircraft Seating teams have enabled the company to accelerate innovation, strengthen operational excellence and build a sustainable platform for future growth.
“Our ambition is not only to develop outstanding railway seats but also to transform the way we serve our customers," said René Dankwerth, Chief Executive Officer at RECARO Rail. "By investing in our people, production capabilities, and operational excellence, we are reinforcing our agile approach and expanding our ability to delivering innovative, high-quality seating solutions for the next generation of railway transportation."
