Today marks the start of the 2026 Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX) in Hamburg, Germany, and seat manufacturer Collins Aerospace has wasted no time in making headlines at this year's iteration of the event. Indeed, the RTX business has jointly announced with Air Canada that it will be providing both the business class and economy class seats on board the Canadian flag carrier's incoming fleet of Airbus A321XLR next-generation narrowbody jets. The announcement comes as a significant development in the airline industry, where the introduction of lie-flat suites on narrowbody aircraft is a game-changer for long-haul travel.
The RTX business has selected Collins' 'Aurora' suites for its lie-flat business class product on the Airbus A321XLR , while the economy cabin will be fitted with Meridian+ seats. These aircraft are set to enter service in the coming months, although AIX attendees will be able to preview the seats at the show this week. The design of the Aurora suite is a key factor in its success, with Collins Aerospace's custom lie-flat seating offering a balance of privacy and sociability.
As pictured above, Collins Aerospace's custom lie-flat Aurora suites will be angled away from the windows on board the incoming fleet of next-generation Airbus A321XLR narrowbody twinjets at Air Canada , with one either side of the aisle in a two-abreast configuration. All in all, the jet's 'Signature' business class cabin will have 14 of these suites, with ground-based models of the seats available for AIX attendees to view from today. The attention to detail in the design of the Aurora suite is evident, with elegant lighting and custom materials such as rich wood, stone, and bronze accents.
RTX, Collins Aerospace's parent, explains that these seats, which it worked with Air Canada's design partner, Acumen, on,
The introduction of lie-flat suites on narrowbody aircraft is a significant step forward in replicating the comfort levels traditionally offered by widebody aircraft.
