Commercial Aviation
easyJet to Fit Ultra-Lightweight Mirus Kestrel Seats on 237 New Aircraft
easyJet partners with Mirus to install lightweight Kestrel seats on 237 new Airbus aircraft, reducing weight and CO2 emissions starting 2028.
This article is based on an official press release from easyJet.
easyJet to Install Ultra-Lightweight Mirus Kestrel Seats on 237 New Aircraft
In a significant move toward operational efficiency and enhanced passenger comfort, easyJet has announced a major fleet upgrade featuring new ultra-lightweight economy seats. According to an official press release issued on March 23, 2026, the European low-cost carrier has partnered with UK-based manufacturer Mirus Aircraft Seating to install the “Kestrel” seat on 237 future Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft deliveries.
The new seating arrangement is projected to be over 20 percent lighter than easyJet’s current models. The airline states that this weight reduction will offer substantial environmental benefits, including an estimated annual reduction of over 40,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Furthermore, the ergonomic design of the Kestrel seat will provide passengers with up to two inches of additional legroom without altering the cabin’s overall seat pitch.
This announcement aligns with easyJet’s broader strategy under CEO Kenton Jarvis, who assumed leadership in January 2025, to focus heavily on data-led performance and Sustainability across the airline’s operations.
The Mirus Kestrel Seat: Specifications and Rollout
Fleet Integration and Timeline
According to the company’s announcement, the installation of the new Mirus Kestrel seats will commence in 2028, exclusively on new aircraft deliveries. The scale of the order is substantial, covering 237 incoming Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft. easyJet CEO Kenton Jarvis confirmed in the release that the airline will not retrofit older aircraft with the new seats. The decision to avoid retrofitting was attributed to the unnecessary expense and the environmental waste associated with removing perfectly functional existing seats.
Engineering and Weight Reduction
Mirus Aircraft Seating, founded in 2015, is known for blending aerospace and automotive engineering principles. The press release notes that the Kestrel seat weighs from just 6.9 kilograms per passenger when fully dressed. This specification makes it the lightest seat in its class and over 20 percent lighter than the seats currently utilized by easyJet. Additionally, the seats were developed and certified at Mirus’ UK-based MTEST facility, a localized approach that easyJet highlights as a way to reduce the carbon footprint typically associated with transporting seats overseas for external testing.
Environmental and Operational Impact
Fuel and Emissions Savings
Reducing the physical weight of an aircraft, a process known in the industry as “lightweighting”, is a primary method for Airlines to decrease fuel burn. easyJet reports that the Kestrel seats will save up to 500 kilograms of weight per aircraft on its larger models. This weight reduction translates to an estimated combined annual fuel saving of over 12,936 tonnes across the fleet. Consequently, the airline projects this will prevent over 40,513 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
Beyond fuel savings, the seat is designed with lifecycle sustainability in mind. The manufacturer states that the Kestrel seat features a low part count and a simplified design to reduce maintenance requirements. At the end of its operational life, the seat is approximately 98 percent recyclable, supporting circular economy principles.
Broader Sustainability Initiatives at easyJet
The introduction of the Kestrel seat is part of a wider suite of marginal gains easyJet is employing to reach its net-zero by 2050 target. According to the provided company data, these initiatives include:
- NEO Fleet Expansion: Phasing out older A319 and A320ceo models in favor of NEO aircraft, which the airline states are at least 13 percent more fuel-efficient and 50 percent quieter.
- Sharklet Upgrades: Enhancing the A320ceo fleet with advanced wingtip devices by summer 2026 to reduce drag, which is projected to save roughly 970 tonnes of CO2 per aircraft annually.
- Lighter Paint: Rolling out a new lower-weight paint system by 2030, expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 4,095 tonnes across the fleet.
- SpaceFlex Upgrades: Starting in 2026, easyJet is rearranging rear galleys and lavatories on A320ceo aircraft to fit an extra row of seats, aiming to reduce carbon intensity per passenger.
- Digital Flight Manuals: Removing heavy physical manuals from the cockpit in favor of digitized versions to save additional weight.
Enhancing the Passenger Experience
Ergonomic Design for Extra Legroom
Despite operating as a low-cost carrier, easyJet emphasizes that the new seats will improve passenger comfort. The airline notes that passengers will gain up to two inches of additional legroom. This extra space is achieved without changing the actual seat pitch, the distance between rows. Instead, the Kestrel seat utilizes an ergonomic, pre-reclined structure fixed at a 22-degree angle, which improves knee and shin clearance for travelers.
Company leadership from both easyJet and Mirus highlighted the dual benefits of the Partnerships in their official statements.
“We are delighted to be introducing the Mirus Kestrel seat across our future fleet. This investment supports our continued focus on making our operations as efficient as possible, capitalising on small incremental gains that result in meaningful reductions in fuel burn and Co2 emissions. On top of the sustainability benefits, the additional legroom and enhanced comfort these seats will provide will also deliver an improved onboard experience for our customers which we know they’ll love.”
, David Morgan, Chief Operating Officer at easyJet
“Mirus is incredibly proud that easyJet, the UK’s largest airline and one of the world’s leading carriers, has placed its trust in us for what represents one of the largest single-model aircraft seat awards ever. This landmark agreement marks a defining moment for Mirus and reflects our shared commitment to enhancing passenger experience and comfort, while delivering sustainability and significant operational cost savings through reduced fuel burn and COâ‚‚ emissions.”
, Ben McGuire, Chief Executive Officer at Mirus Aircraft Seating
AirPro News analysis
We view easyJet’s adoption of the Mirus Kestrel seat as a textbook example of the “marginal gains” strategy currently dominating commercial aviation. While the industry awaits the scaled commercialization of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and hydrogen propulsion, lightweighting remains one of the most immediate and controllable levers airlines can pull to reduce emissions and operational costs. Saving 500 kilograms per aircraft is a massive operational victory that directly impacts the bottom line through reduced fuel burn.
Furthermore, the partnership with a UK-based manufacturer like Mirus highlights a growing trend of localized supply chains. By keeping development, testing, and implementation within the UK, easyJet not only supports domestic aerospace manufacturing but also eliminates the Scope 3 emissions associated with shipping heavy aircraft components globally for certification. The fact that this operational efficiency also yields a tangible passenger benefit, two inches of extra legroom, makes it a rare win-win in the highly competitive low-cost carrier market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When will easyJet passengers start seeing the new seats?
The new Mirus Kestrel seats will begin rolling out in 2028 on new Airbus A320neo and A321neo deliveries.
Will older easyJet planes be retrofitted with these seats?
No. easyJet has confirmed it will not retrofit older aircraft, citing the financial cost and environmental waste of discarding functional seats.
How much weight does the new seat save?
The seats weigh 6.9 kg per passenger, saving up to 500 kg of total weight per aircraft on easyJet’s larger models.
Sources: easyJet Official Press Release
Photo Credit: easyJet
Commercial Aviation
Shohin Airlines Orders Four Airbus A320neo Family Jets
Tajikistan startup Shohin Airlines orders two A320neo and two A321neo aircraft, announced at Farnborough 2026.
Tajikistan-based startup Shohin Airlines has placed a firm order for four Airbus A320neo Family aircraft, establishing the carrier’s initial fleet as it prepares to launch commercial passenger services.
Announced on July 21, 2026, at the Farnborough International Airshow, the agreement includes two Airbus A320neo and two Airbus A321neo jets. According to an Airbus press release, the transaction was previously recorded in the manufacturer’s June 2026 order book under an undisclosed customer.
Fleet strategy and configuration
The incoming aircraft will feature a dual-class cabin layout across both variants. The Airbus A320neo jets will be configured with 176 seats, while the larger Airbus A321neo aircraft will accommodate 196 passengers.
Shohin Airlines Chief Executive Officer Zafar Ahmadzoda stated that the new aircraft will form the foundation of the company’s operations and support the expansion of Tajikistan’s international air connectivity.
“The signing of our first contract with Airbus marks a milestone not only for Shohin Airlines, but also for the entire civil aviation sector of Tajikistan,” Ahmadzoda said. “The A320neo Family aircraft will form the backbone of our airline’s modern, efficient, and environmentally sustainable fleet.”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, Executive Vice President Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business at Airbus, confirmed the manufacturer’s readiness to support the startup’s vision to connect Tajikistan to global markets.
Market context and launch preparations
Registered as a private airline in Dushanbe in June 2025, Shohin Airlines has not yet announced a specific launch date or an initial route network. The carrier enters a growing Central Asian aviation market. According to reporting by Aviation Week, departing seat capacity from Tajikistan reached 1.36 million for the summer 2026 season, representing a 5.6 percent increase year-over-year.
Dushanbe accounts for 67 percent of the country’s departing seat capacity. The market is currently highly concentrated, with Russian carrier Ural Airlines holding a 46.8 percent market share of departing seats, followed by Tajikistan-based Somon Air at 28.2 percent.
AirPro News analysis
We view the Shohin Airlines order as a strategic move to capture a share of a growing but highly concentrated market. By selecting the Airbus A320neo Family, the startup is positioning itself to compete directly with established players like Ural Airlines and Somon Air on both regional and international routes. The dual-class configuration suggests a focus on capturing premium traffic alongside standard economy passengers, which will be critical for differentiating the new carrier in a market currently dominated by legacy operators.
Sources: Airbus
Photo Credit: Airbus
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries
ACG and WestJet Finalize 13 Boeing 737-10 Lease Agreements
ACG and WestJet signed long-term leases for 13 Boeing 737-10 jets, pending FAA and Transport Canada certification.
Aviation Capital Group LLC (ACG) and WestJet finalized long-term lease agreements on July 14, 2026, for 13 Boeing 737-10 aircraft, positioning the Canadian carrier to potentially receive the first delivery of the variant from the lessor’s orderbook.
The transaction, announced in a press release by ACG, expands an existing relationship between the two companies following the delivery of two Boeing 737-8 aircraft in February 2026. The agreement supports WestJet’s fleet renewal strategy while highlighting ACG’s growing backlog of Boeing’s largest narrowbody variant.
Fleet expansion and the Boeing 737-10
The Boeing 737-10 represents 30 percent of the total 737 MAX order backlog, with more than 1,400 orders globally. According to ACG, the aircraft offers a 20 percent lower fuel burn per seat and a 20 percent increase in revenue potential compared to older generation aircraft.
ACG Chief Executive Officer and President Thomas Baker stated that the two companies share a strong commitment to the type, with over 140 aircraft on order between them.
“This makes ACG the leading lessor customer for the type and WestJet one of the largest airline customers,” Baker said.
WestJet Group Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President Mike Scott noted that shifting deliveries to the 737-10 provides the airline with added flexibility to scale operations and meet passenger demand.
Certification timeline and labor context
The Boeing 737-10 has not yet received type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or Transport Canada (TC). ACG confirmed that deliveries to WestJet will commence only after the aircraft achieves regulatory approval.
The lessor has aggressively expanded its 737 MAX portfolio. In January 2026, ACG finalized an order for 50 Boeing 737 MAX jets, including 25 737-10s. This acquisition gave ACG the largest 737-10 orderbook of any aircraft lessor.
Labor unrest at WestJet
The fleet announcement arrives amid significant labor friction at the Canadian airline. On July 15, 2026, the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 8125, which represents 4,400 WestJet flight attendants, announced that 99.4 percent of voting members authorized strike action. A legal strike could commence as early as August 2, 2026, potentially disrupting the carrier’s operations as it plans for future capacity growth.
AirPro News analysis
We view this lease agreement as a strategic hedge for both parties. For WestJet, securing 737-10s through a lessor provides delivery flexibility while the airline navigates immediate labor challenges and awaits the variant’s final certification. For ACG, placing 13 uncertified airframes with an established North American operator validates its heavy investment in the 737-10 program. The success of this timeline remains entirely dependent on the FAA and Transport Canada certification schedules.
Sources: Aviation Capital Group
Photo Credit: Aviation Capital Group
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries
Luxair Orders Boeing 737-10 Jets at Farnborough 2026
Luxair converts 737-10 options to firm orders at Farnborough 2026, reaching 12 total 737 family aircraft on order.
Luxair has expanded its narrowbody fleet commitment by converting two options for the Boeing 737-10 into firm orders and securing two additional options during the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow.
The July 21, 2026, announcement by The Boeing Company brings the Luxembourg flag carrier’s total firm order book for the 737 family to 12 aircraft. The agreement supports Luxair’s long-term fleet modernization strategy, which focuses on increasing passenger capacity while reducing the airline’s environmental footprint.
Fleet expansion and aircraft specifications
Once all deliveries are completed, Luxair’s Boeing 737 fleet will consist of eight Boeing 737-8s and four Boeing 737-10s. The airline placed its initial order for two 737-10 aircraft in 2024 and is now moving to integrate the new-generation narrowbodies into a network that serves more than 100 destinations across Europe and beyond.
Luxair has selected a 213-seat configuration for its Boeing 737-10 aircraft. The cabin will feature the Boeing Sky Interior with redesigned seats offering a 76 cm pitch. The 737-10 is the largest model in the MAX family, capable of carrying up to 230 passengers in a maximum high-density configuration, with a range of 3,100 nautical miles (5,740 km).
“This agreement represents another important milestone in the execution of our long-term fleet strategy,” said Gilles Feith, Chief Executive Officer of Luxair. “As we continue to grow, delivering an outstanding passenger experience remains at the heart of every fleet decision we make. The Boeing 737-10 provides the additional capacity, operational efficiency and flexibility we need to support future demand while maintaining the high standards of quality, comfort and service our customers expect from Luxair.”
Environmental and operational targets
The integration of the Boeing 737-10 is central to Luxair’s sustainability initiatives. Powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines, the new aircraft deliver a 20 percent reduction in fuel use and emissions compared to the older generation aircraft they will replace. According to Boeing, each new-generation 737 saves an average of 8 million pounds of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
The operational efficiency of the new fleet is designed to support Luxair’s growth trajectory following a strong performance in 2025, during which the airline transported 2.6 million passengers.
“Both the 737-8 and 737-10 are perfectly suited across Luxair’s network, increasing capacity on to its regional routes, comfortably serving more passengers on more routes with the lowest cost per seat of any single-aisle airplane,” said Ricardo Cavero, Vice President of Europe and Israel Commercial Sales and Marketing for The Boeing Company. “With the selection of the 737-8 and 737-10, Luxair is building a more profitable and sustainable operation.”
AirPro News analysis
Luxair’s decision to convert options into firm orders at the Farnborough International Airshow signals strong confidence in the Boeing 737-10 as the cornerstone of its high-density European routes. By standardizing its future narrowbody growth around the 737-8 and 737-10, we see Luxair prioritizing fleet commonality, which traditionally lowers maintenance and crew training costs. The retention of two new purchase rights also provides the carrier with a low-risk mechanism to secure future delivery slots in a constrained global supply chain environment.
Sources: The Boeing Company
Photo Credit: Boeing
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