CA BIN MA TER I A LS
Seating materials
aircraftinteriorsinternational.com
102 NOVEMBER 2019
LIGHT AND TOUGH
The Promessa AV synthetic leather by Tapis is
designed for economy seating, and is claimed to
have the best haptic quality in the aircraft interiors
industry. The top layers have been engineered for
excellent abrasion, flexing and colour fastness,
ensuring that seat covers will maintain their comfort
and aesthetic quality throughout their lifespan.
Promessa AV has a TR Twill backcloth that controls
stretch to ensure that the seat cover maintains
its tight lines, whether it is laminated or not.
The inherently lightweight construction of
Promessa AV uses the Japanese-inspired
Takumi process to provide very lightweight
seat covers.
ABOVE: DOMINIC DUFFY IS
ENCOURAGING THE TEAM
TO WORK ON REDUCING
AIRLINES’ FUEL BURN
THE ORIGINAL ULTRALEATHER
Ultraleather Original has held a
strong position in the aviation
market leader for more than
20 years, with Tapis saying its
success is due to its unique
haptics and its aesthetic qualities.
Ultraleather Original is one of the
lightest materials on the market
today, though Brisa, its sister
product, is lighter still. The 100%
rayon backcloth of the Original
provides great strength and
comfort, with a softness that
enables Ultraleather seat covers
to have a unique tailored
aesthetic.
THE LIGHTEST
ULTRALEATHER
Brisa is another part of the
Ultraleather family, claimed by Tapis
to be the lightest weight material
on the market. Again built using
Takumi four-layer technology, Brisa
adds micro perforations that help
to wick perspiration away from the
surface of the material, making it
a breathable synthetic leather.
Ultratech adds
3D texture
Ultratech is the
newest and
most innovative
product from
Tapis’ Ultraleather
family. Designed
with the same
Takumi technology as the rest of
Tapis’s Ultraleather range, Ultratech
has a unique 3D surface texture,
which makes it the closest to a fabric
in terms of aesthetic and haptics.
Interior trends in
the Asian market
DOMINIC DUFFY FROM TAPIS GIVES
HIS VIEW OF TRIM AND FINISH TRENDS
IN THE ASIA MARKET
“Among Asian airlines, detail in design is a
recurring theme and, as a result, we are seeing
industry-leading cabin interiors in this market.
This is especially true with regards to trim and
finish materials, as well as seat covers”. This
is according to Dominic Duffy, sales manager
for Tapis in Asia Pacific. He has experience
in aircraft manufacture, structural and
non-structural composites and, for the last
20 years, has focused on aircraft interiors
and seating systems.
“In the trim and finish category, the intricate
patterns required in a seatshell trim panels
can be achieved using the modern highquality
printing processes available from
some manufacturers. For seat covers, clever
design is providing increased comfort and
an improved visual appearance. Advanced
seat-cover technology also means that
airlines can simultaneously achieve the luxury
feel of a premium product while reducing
weight from seating.
“A further trend in Asia, also seen globally,
is the requirement for lighter-weight trim and
finish products. All Asian carriers, be they
budget airlines or the global premium brands,
are focused on improving fuel burn for
commercial and environmental reasons. Tapis
and Ultrafabrics have made significant gains
in this area and are developing ever-lighter
materials, with attention to detail.
“As the volume of aircraft operating in
Asia continues to grow rapidly, so will the
expectations of the customer. It could be
summed up that the main trend in Asia is not
about getting from A to B anymore, it now has
more of a focus on the experience on board.”
“Advanced seat
cover technology
means that airlines
can simultaneously
achieve the luxury feel
of a premium product
while reducing
weight”
TOP RIGHT: PROMESSA AV
IS OPTIMISED FOR
ECONOMY SEATING
RIGHT: THE LIGHTWEIGHT
ULTRALEATHER ORIGINAL
/aircraftinteriorsinternational.com