easyJet has confirmed a major cabin upgrade from 2028, announcing an order for a new generation of ultra‑lightweight seats that will offer passengers up to two inches of additional legroom while helping the airline cut fuel burn and emissions across its future fleet.
The next‑generation Kestrel economy seat, designed by British manufacturer Mirus Aircraft Seating, will be installed on all newly delivered Airbus A320neo and A321neo aircraft from 2028. The seats are expected to be over 20% lighter than the airline’s current models – a shift that marks a significant step in easyJet’s long‑term strategy to improve operational efficiency and reduce its environmental footprint. The weight reduction could reach up to 500kg per aircraft, delivering an estimated 12,936 tonnes of annual fuel savings and cutting more than 40,513 tonnes of CO₂ each year.
The seats have been developed and tested at Mirus’ UK‑based MTEST facility – one of the largest commercial aviation testing centres in the world = reducing the need for overseas certification and lowering associated carbon emissions.
Designed specifically for short‑ and medium‑haul flying, the Kestrel seat offers industry‑leading passenger space without altering seat pitch. Its ergonomic shape allows travellers to sit further back into the seat, improving knee and shin clearance. The seat is fixed in a pre‑reclined position, removing the need for recline mechanisms and avoiding disputes over seat‑back movement on busy flights.
For taller passengers, the extra space will be the most noticeable improvement although anyone who is six foot or taller their knees will be squashed up to the seat in front.
Sustainability extends beyond weight reduction. The Kestrel seat has been engineered with a low part count, reducing maintenance needs and improving long‑term durability. At the end of its service life, the seat is approximately 98% recyclable, supporting circularity and reducing waste across the fleet.
What It Means for Travellers
For passengers, the upgrade promises:
- More legroom without reducing capacity
- Improved comfort from the pre‑reclined, ergonomic design
- A quieter cabin thanks to lighter materials
- A more sustainable flight, with reduced fuel burn per journey
However, the new seats will only appear on future aircraft deliveries — easyJet will not retrofit its existing fleet — meaning the rollout will be gradual from 2028 onwards.
David Morgan, Chief Operating Officer at easyJet, said the investment reflects the airline’s commitment to efficiency and sustainability: “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.”
For most travellers, the change will mean a slightly more comfortable journey and fewer battles over reclining but these will also be on EasyJet’s longest six hour flight between London Gatwick and Sal in Cape Verde meaning passengers are without reclining seats, in-flight entertainment, WiFi or even power sockets during the flight.