Opera Essential is the newest addition to Stelia Aerospace’s Opera range of seating. Award-winning eco-design principles underpin its conceptualisation.
The business class seat is conceived as a sustainable and autonomous seat that responds to a passenger’s movements, providing comfort and luxury during journeys..
Inspired by the Opera Single-Aisle seat, Opera Essential is the product of two years of life-cycle analysis and environmental impact assessment.
Four key ideas influence the design of the seat: mass optimisation; the incorporation of recycled and recyclable materials; streamlining of electrical components; and the preservation of the luxurious comfort expected of a long-range Business Class seat.
A key innovation in the design is the removal of the electrical actuator and its Electronic Control Unit (ECU). This reduces the seat’s weight and its environmental impact, and also allows passengers improved control over their comfort. It means a greater range of positions and a more rapid transition to full-flat bed mode.
“Following our success with the Green Good Design Award in March, we are delighted to be honoured with the prestigious Red Dot Award: Product Design 2025 for Opera Essential. It is a privilege to be selected from amongst such design-led companies who are at the forefront of innovation and sustainability,” commented Thierry Kanengieser, Vice President of Cabin Interior at Stelia Aerospace.
“We continuously work to innovate and shape the future of a sustainable aviation seating industry while offering a premium passenger experience. Such recognition is a great source of motivation for our teams, fuelling our continued pursuit of excellence,” continued Kanengieser.
