In the commercial aircraft industry, aircraft seat actuation has become increasingly important due to the push for greater comfort, safety, and efficiency when it comes to seating arrangements. In this article we will examine the different types of seat actuation systems available today, as well as their associated applications in narrow-body, wide-body, and regional jets.

Drivers of the Commercial Aircraft Seat Actuation Market

1. Growing Demand for Aircraft Seating: The growing demand for aircraft seating, driven by rising airline travel, is the primary driver of the commercial aircraft seat actuation market. Airlines are investing in larger capacity planes and new business models to meet increasing demand. This has led to a requirement for more comfortable, adjustable seating solutions that offer passengers individualized comfort and convenience. As a result, airlines are increasingly relying on automated actuation systems to adjust the position of their seats quickly and efficiently according to passenger preferences.

2. Increasing Focus on Passenger Comfort: Another key driver of the commercial aircraft seat actuation market is the increasing focus on passenger comfort and convenience. Airlines are increasingly focusing on providing better service to their customers by offering personalized seating solutions that can be customized according to individual needs and requirements. Automated actuation systems provide airlines with an easy way to ensure that all passengers vehicle the same level of comfort regardless of their location or size. As such, airlines are investing heavily in automated actuation systems in order to improve customer satisfaction levels.

Advantages of the Commercial Aircraft Seat Actuation Market

1. Increased Safety: The use of advanced aircraft seat actuation systems enables a faster response time when responding to turbulence, allowing for increased safety within the cabin. This allows pilots and crew to react quicker and more accurately to any potential hazards that may arise during flight, ensuring that passengers are safely secured in their seats at all times.

2. Improved Comfort: Aircraft seat actuation systems also allow for improved comfort by providing adjustable lumbar support, allowing passengers to adjust the level of support they receive while flying. This can reduce fatigue, discomfort, and overall stress during a long-haul flight, helping passengers arrive to their destination feeling better than before they departed.

Market Value and CAGR of the Market

The market Value and CAGR of the Commercial Aircraft Seat Actuation Market is expected to reach US$ 8 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 4.6% during the time of 2022-2032.

The increasing demand for seat actuation systems from the airline industry is driving the growth of this market. These systems are being used to increase passenger comfort and safety during flights, as well as to improve aircraft performance by controlling aircraft cabin air temperature, pressure, and humidity. In addition, manufacturers are focusing on developing advanced seat actuation systems such as electric and electronic seat actuation systems that provide better control over movement and position of seats.

Key Players

• FACC AG
• Diehl Stiftung & Co. KG
• Zodiac Aerospace
• Weber Aircraft LLC
• B/E Aerospace, Inc.
• Thompson Aero Seating Ltd
• Jaco Corporation

Market Analysis

The most demanded product of the Commercial Aircraft Seat Actuation Market is expected to be the electric actuation segment during the forecast period. This type of actuation is preferred in commercial aircraft as it offers more comfort, ease of installation, and greater reliability than other types.

The most lucrative application of the Commercial Aircraft Seat Actuation Market is expected to be the economy class segment. This application is expected to drive market growth due to the increasing demand for low-cost tickets and seat comfort by passengers. The rise in budget airlines has further augmented the demand for seats with comfortable reclining features and improved ergonomics.

By end user, airlines are expected to account for a major share of the market during the forecast period. Increasing air travel across regions is one of the primary factors driving market growth as it leads to an increase in demand for comfortable seats that are equipped with automated seat actuation systems.

North America is anticipated to dominate the Commercial Aircraft Seat Actuation Market in terms of revenue during the forecast period owing to rising number of aircraft deliveries from prominent manufacturers in this region such as Boeing and Airbus. Furthermore, technological advancements in aircraft seating products are also driving market growth in this region.

Impact of Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a sharp decline in air travel demand, which has had a significant impact on the commercial aircraft seat actuation market. The market is expected to reach a value of $2.8 billion by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period (2020-2022).

The fall in air travel demand has been attributed to the global lockdown measures implemented to contain the spread of Covid-19. This has resulted in airlines grounding their fleets and deferring new aircraft deliveries. As a result, there has been a decrease in demand for seat actuation systems, which are used in commercial aircrafts. The market is expected to recover from 2024 onwards as air travel demand is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels.

The impact of Covid-19 has been most severe on the narrow-body segment, which is expected to decline at a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period. The wide-body segment is also expected to experience a slowdown, but at a lower rate of 3.9%. Regional jets are expected to be least affected with growth remaining steady at 4.1%.

Key Developments in the Commercial Aircraft Seat Actuation Market (2019-2022)

1) The advent of advanced actuation systems: Actuation systems have become more advanced in recent years, with the development of new technologies such as electric, hydraulic, and pneumatic actuators. These advances have allowed for better control and precision in aircraft seat actuation applications. Additionally, these systems are now more reliable and efficient than ever before.

2) Rising demand for lightweight seats: As airlines look to reduce fuel costs and emissions levels, they are increasingly looking to lightweight materials for their aircraft seats. Lightweight seats require smaller actuation systems that can generate enough force to move the seats while keeping weight to a minimum. This has led to a rise in demand for advanced seat actuation systems that are lighter, yet still powerful enough to move aircraft seats.

Commercial Aircraft Seat Actuation Market Scope

Key Segment of Commercial Aircraft Seat Actuation Market

By Type Overview (USD Billion)
    • Hydraulic seat actuation systems 
    • Electromechanical seat actuation systems

By Application Overview (USD Billion)
    • Narrow-body 
    • Wide-body 
    • regional jetset

By Region Overview (USD Billion)

North America 
    • USA 
    • Canada 

Asia Pacific
    • China 
    • India 
    • Japan 
    • Rest of Asia Pacific 

South America 
    • Mexico 
    • Brazil 
    • Rest of North America 

Europe 
    • Germany 
    • France 
    • UK 
    • Rest of Europe 

Middle East and Africa