Accessibility at Thompson Aero Seating

At Thompson Aero Seating, we believe accessibility should be built into the passenger experience, not added on later.

OVERVIEW

Our approach to accessibility

For us, accessibility is not limited to a specific group of passengers. It reflects how people actually travel today. This includes an ageing population, families travelling with young children, and the reality that most passengers will face some form of challenge at different points in their journey. Our aim is to make travel easier, more intuitive, more inclusive and more comfortable for everyone.

Accessibility is considered from the very start of our design process. Our approach brings together engineering, human-centred design and collaboration with industry partners to ensure accessibility is considered from the very beginning.

Designed for access

Accessibility starts with how passengers move through the cabin.

Our seating platforms are designed to make movement as easy as possible, with features such as:

Direct aisle access across our business class configurations

Open and optimised seat geometry to support easier entry and exit

Front row layouts that allow for additional space, including for service animals

These choices benefit not only passengers with reduced mobility, but also older travellers, families and anyone who values a smoother, less stressful journey.

Designed for use

Accessibility is also about how passengers interact with their environment.

Accessibility is also about how passengers interact with their environment.

We focus on making our products intuitive and easy to use, including:

Tactile Passenger Control Units (PCUs), allowing passengers to adjust their seat by touch

Controls positioned for ease of reach

Clear, simple layouts that reduce complexity

These features support a wide range of users, including those with visual impairments, reduced dexterity, or passengers who are simply multitasking while travelling.

XL+ First Class

Suite door safety and DoT requirement

A key part of suite design is ensuring full compliance with global safety regulations and accessibility requirements.

While emergency egress is a key consideration, accessibility standards such as DoT (14 CFR Part 382) go further. These require that at least 50% of aisle-facing seats are usable by passengers with reduced mobility.

Our designs address this by ensuring that doors and drop-arm mechanisms are specifically engineered to support wheelchair users. Seat geometry, clearances and actuation forces are carefully considered to enable transfers from wheelchairs in a way that is as easy, safe and dignified as possible.

On VantageNOVA, this approach goes even further, with 100% of aisle-facing seats designed to meet these accessibility needs.

In addition, our suite doors are designed in line with FAA and EASA requirements, incorporating:

Emergency release mechanisms

for rapid exit from within the suite

Crew override functionality

for access from outside

Door positioning and locking systems

compliant during taxi, take-off and landing

Clear, intuitive design cues

to support safe operation

Accessibility in practice

VantageNOVA for Delta Air Lines

Our work with Delta Air Lines on VantageNOVA shows how these principles come to life.

Looking ahead

We continue to explore opportunities to improve accessibility

Our focus remains on creating products that are usable and accessible for as many passengers as possible, including:

Question 01

Can we build this?

Manufacturing capability, tooling, supply chain — assessed at concept, not in retrospect.

Question 02

Can we certify this?

Dynamic, static, fire and abuse testing modelled before geometry is locked.

Question 03

Can we deliver this — 100% on time?

Programme planning, lead times and risk reviewed against our 100% on-time delivery record.