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In built longevity
Whilst the need to monitor all costs very carefully is paramount, airlines need the reassurance that their proposed expenditure
on all items in the cabin is fully researched and justified before it is approved and signed off
This is particularly true of the seat cover where its life and thus on the cost of ownership.
the cycle starts with a Design Concept and Ideally, these conditions are evaluated during
finishes with a fully serviceable production seat the seat cover development and patterning
cover that should last for a number of years. process so that inherent design features of
How do all the elements of this concept get the seat, which may have a negative impact
translated into products which reflect a strong on the seat cover, can be considered and
and pleasing design statement, provide a clean worked around.
and comfortable environment for the passenger, Airbase has developed a unique stain testing
conform to all industry regulations and approvals process which can be used during the fabric
and, most importantly, maintain these features selection process to predict the likely
over the lifetime of the cabin? performance of the fabric in use. It has its
The selection of fabrics for curtains and seat own UKAS approved test house where it carries
covers is at the same time a very exciting but out the fire testing of all fabrics receipted into
also a very limiting process. The fabric, the facility and also batch tests covers after
particularly the colour and any pattern will reflect dry cleaning.
and enhance the brand but ideally should not It performs pre-production dry cleaning trials
show stains and marks too readily. For weight on fabrics and seat covers to assess likely in-
savings in the cabin the trend is towards lighter service performance and highlight any issues
weight fabrics, but to go too low in weight is a before decisions are made which could have a
false economy as the fabric may not last for the costly impact further down the line.
full anticipated life of the cover. To minimise the scrapping and disposal of seat
The fabric must meet all the regulatory covers, Airbase Interiors has a dedicated repair
approvals in terms of fire retardancy, both as new programme. A specialist Seat Cover Repair
fabric and post dry cleaning, as a made up seat Team carries out a variety of repairs: this process
cover. To prolong the life of the seat cover it is enables Airbase Interiors to “re life” covers that
important that it is changed and dry cleaned on a would normally be scrapped, again representing
regular basis. Too long a period between seat significant savings in labour and materials.
cover changes and dry clean cycles not only All of these elements have been rolled up by
compromises the appearance of the cover and Airbase Interiors into cost saving initiatives to
by extension the whole cabin, but can also improve the service life of the cover, thus reducing
increase the probability of burn test failure and the number of covers that need to be replaced
fibre degradation, increasing the incidence of and offering added benefits to both the airline and
scrapped covers and necessitating costly the passenger. Airbase
replacements. Performance in dry cleaning is Interiors provides total
another important element to consider when management solutions
assessing a fabric for its likely service life as a for the complete supply
made up cover. chain of all cabin textiles.
The in-service conditions that the seat cover
experiences can have a considerable effect on See us on Stand 5B33
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