It has been confirmed that Jet2.com, which operates from six UK airports, is the launch customer for Acro’s new low cost seat ‘Clark’ – the first of eight of the airline’s Boeing 757 aircraft are currently being fitted, with the fleet completion in the summer.

At 31kg (68lbs) per triple, it is the lightest seat in its class, 16g certified, has more legroom, is easier and quicker to clean for fast turnarounds and more robust than any other economy seat in the market today.

Aimed squarely at the low cost carrier, Clark is comfortable, robust and dramatically cheaper to own than comparable seats in service today.  It features a number of innovations that make it substantially more than the sum of its parts.  Every aspect of the seat’s design has been considered with the low cost carrier in mind and represents a huge leap forward in maintainability over current models.  Its modular construction allows any part of the seat to be replaced with an Allen key in less than 2 minutes.

Philip Meeson, Chairman and CEO of Jet2.com said: “We’re hugely pleased with these newly-designed seats and delighted to be the launch customer, but it is our passengers who will ultimately benefit. The seats really do deliver extra legroom and comfort, which will enhance our passengers’ travelling experience, plus they look smart, which improves the cabin design. 

In addition, they are tough and hard-wearing, important for durability purposes, and will help keep our maintenance costs at rock bottom – an absolute must for us as a business.”

Acro and Jet2.com have been collaborating on the development of the seat since 2006 culminating in an advanced prototype that the airline used for inflight comfort and usability trials during January 2008.

Chris Brady, Commercial Director of Acro said “Jet2.com has been the perfect partner for us; they’ve helped us refine the seat into just what it needs to be; comfortable, stylish, but above all simple and easy to maintain.  Jet2.com’s belief in our product and our company is a fantastic platform to launch Clark, our seat for low cost carriers.”

The seat will be on display at Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg 31st Mar to 2nd Apr 2009, Hall 5 stand D23.