RECARO Aircraft Seating has confirmed that it officially began delivering its new generation R4 Premium Economy seat to an undisclosed customer in June 2026. According to the German aircraft seat manufacturer, entry into commercial passenger service for the new seat product is expected to occur before the end of 2026.
The R4 seating concept was initially unveiled at the Aircraft Interiors Expo 2023 in Hamburg and subsequently showcased publicly at the 2025 edition of the same industry event. During the 2025 show, All Nippon Airways (ANA) announced that it had selected the R4 seat to equip its Premium Economy cabin, though RECARO's announcement did not clarify whether the Japanese carrier serves as the launch customer for the product.
RECARO is marketing the new generation seat model as the direct successor to its PL3530 seat, which was originally launched in 2015 and has been adopted by several major international airlines introducing Premium Economy cabin offerings. The PL3530 seat is currently in operational service with carriers including Emirates, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and STARLUX Airlines, and has also been selected by LATAM Airlines for its upcoming Premium Economy cabin product.
Building upon its predecessor, the R4 seat incorporates improvements in ergonomics and passenger comfort, including RECARO's signature six-way adjustable headrest with integrated neck support, side ambient lighting, privacy wings with reading lights, a side console for Passengers with Reduced Mobility (PRM) access, and an extra-wide tray table with a soft open and close mechanism. In terms of inflight entertainment and connectivity features, the seat comes equipped with a 16-inch monitor, an integrated holder for smartphones and tablets, and options to support power for passengers' personal electronic devices. To date, the R4 seat is European Technical Standard Order (ETSO) certified for the Boeing 787 aircraft, while RECARO continues working to secure additional certifications.
