easyJet to roll out lighter seats with more legroom in major fleet upgrade

easyJet’s new ultra-lightweight “Kestrel” seats on incoming Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft

easyJet has announced a major cabin upgrade that promises more legroom for passengers while cutting tens of thousands of tonnes of carbon emissions each year — a move the airline says will reshape both comfort and efficiency across its future fleet.

From 2028, the airline will begin installing new ultra-lightweight “Kestrel” seats on incoming Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft, offering up to two inches of additional legroom without changing seat pitch — a rare improvement in the low-cost sector.

More space, less weight

The next-generation seats, developed by UK manufacturer Mirus Aircraft Seating, are more than 20% lighter than those currently used by easyJet. That weight reduction translates into significant operational gains.

Each aircraft could be up to 500kg lighter, contributing to an estimated annual fuel saving of over 12,936 tonnes — equivalent to more than 40,500 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.

Despite the lighter build, the seats are designed to improve passenger comfort. Their ergonomic structure and pre-reclined design aim to enhance knee and shin clearance, particularly on short- to medium-haul flights.

A long-term sustainability push

The introduction of the Kestrel seats forms part of a wider strategy by easyJet to reduce its environmental impact through incremental engineering improvements.

The seats themselves are built with sustainability in mind. With fewer components and a simplified structure, they require less maintenance and are designed for durability. At the end of their lifecycle, approximately 98% of the materials can be recycled.

They have also been developed and tested at Mirus’ UK-based MTEST facility, reducing the need for transportation during certification — another step towards lowering emissions.

Industry-scale investment

The agreement covers 237 aircraft orders, making it one of the largest seat supply deals of its kind.

David Morgan, Chief Operating Officer at easyJet, said:

“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.”

Ben McGuire, Chief Executive Officer at Mirus, added:

“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.”

Wider efficiency measures underway

The seat upgrade is just one element of a broader programme aimed at reducing fuel burn and emissions across easyJet’s operations.

Key initiatives include:

• Fleet renewal: Replacing older aircraft with more efficient A320neo and A321neo models, which deliver at least 13% greater efficiency and reduce noise by 50%.

• Sharklet wing upgrades: Cutting drag and saving around 970 tonnes of CO₂ per aircraft annually.

• Taxi optimisation: Using single-engine taxiing and smarter fuel calculations to reduce ground emissions.

• Lighter paint technology: Expected to save over 4,000 tonnes of CO₂ once fully rolled out by 2030.

• Digitalisation: Removing heavy onboard manuals in favour of digital systems.

• Airport efficiency: Reducing auxiliary power unit usage through improved ground infrastructure.

Together, these changes reflect a strategy of combining multiple small gains to deliver meaningful environmental impact.

What it means for passengers

For travellers, the most noticeable change will be comfort. Additional legroom — without reducing seating capacity — is a significant upgrade in the budget airline market, where space is often limited.

At the same time, the airline is betting that smarter design and lighter materials can deliver both a better passenger experience and lower operating costs — a balance that could shape the future of short-haul flying.

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At a glance

• easyJet will introduce new lightweight aircraft seats from 2028

• Seats will offer up to two inches of extra legroom

• New design is over 20% lighter than current seats

• Expected to cut more than 40,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually

• Rollout will cover 237 new Airbus aircraft

• Seats are designed to be 98% recyclable

• Upgrade is part of a wider efficiency and sustainability strategy

• Additional measures include lighter paint, new aircraft, and taxi optimisation

• Aim is to reduce fuel burn while improving passenger comfort