How John Horsfall's textiles bring customized comfort to the cabin
This is a special feature from PAX International's October 2024 IFSA Global EXPO issue.

Ellie Parkes, Global Business Development Manager, John Horsfall
John Horsfall will be showcasing its onboard textiles and exploring the role of design to promote sustainability and enhance brand perception at this year’s IFSA Global EXPO in Long Beach.
The company’s premium bedding collections include custom woven duvets, stowage-friendly mattresses and Re-Thread® recycled fillings, putting sustainability at the forefront.
A story in every thread
“John Horsfall takes a holistic approach to sustainability, taking into consideration the raw material source, packaging, freight, the end-of-life possibilities and crucially the longevity of the product,” Ellie Parkes, Global Business Development Manager, John Horsfall, tells PAX International. “We work with our airline clients to balance these elements alongside budgetary constraints to ensure the onboard textiles have as little impact on the environment as possible.”
As Parkes explains, design aids in storytelling, both communicating an airline’s values on the sustainability front and embodying its specific brand aesthetic. She says that since passengers are surrounded by the blankets and bedding throughout the flight, soft products create a great opportunity for airlines to explore colour, texture and design details that reflect the brand identity—a key consideration as carriers focus on being distinct from competitors.
“As textile experts, our team can translate a printed or digital logo into a woven pattern, which becomes an intrinsic part of the fabric,” says Parkes. “We love to find creative ways to add logos, patterns or brand-colour to bring the airline’s own brand aesthetic to the fore.”

John Horsfall’s Re-Thread products feature recycled, regenerated and plant-based fibers and fabrics
Leave it all on the table
John Horsfall will also be showcasing a range of table linens inspired by hospitality and homeware trends. The collection highlights natural fibres and crafted textures. With a focus on longevity and sustainability, the collection has something for every cabin’s price-point.
Parkes says that with an emphasis on natural fibres and sustainable manufacturing, there has been a move toward a more rustic, handcrafted aesthetic making its way into formal dining settings, which is the inspiration behind this range of table linens.
“We’ve translated this into super-durable airline table linens with subtle textured weaves and reclaimed cotton yarns which can divert waste fabrics from the garment industry. These can be used in isolation, or alongside our classic, crisp, bright white cottons,” she explains.
The focus on natural fibres and durable designs is what allows John Horsfall to support airline sustainability initiatives while enhancing passenger comfort.
John Horsfall is making strides in sustainability through its Re-Thread program. Parkes says the company is delighted to see the uptake of recycled fibres by airlines, particularly those using John Horsfall’s trademarked Re-Thread branding.
She explains that recycled fibres perform similarly to virgin fibres, with careful testing completed to assess onboard performance. In some cases, a blend of virgin and recycled fibres provides optimal performance. The Re-Thread brand is featured onboard with American Airline Flagship® bedding, Air New Zealand pillows and is used unbranded with six other major global carriers.
“Lower impact choices can be made across all cabin classes, but of course, with more seats and higher volumes, Economy cabin products are purchased on an increasingly strict budget,” Parkes says. “The thing to remember is that even in these cases, small changes can have a big impact.”